The 2017 MedTech Boston 40 Under 40 Healthcare Innovators

14. Gajen Sunthara, MSc
Director of Innovation R&D at Boston Children’s Hospital; Founder at 1upHealth
Gajen Sunthara’s path in life has taken him from Winchester High School to his current innovation role at Boston Children’s Hospital—with a stint at the Obama White House along the way. Sunthara uniquely fuses a strong background in computer science with a highly tuned sense for the needs and habits of the clinicians he supports. Combined with a passion for public service, it’s proven a winning formula.

Even before he graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a BSc in Computer Science, Sunthara was working in a lab at BCH, supporting a team of laboratory scientists. He saw firsthand their frustration with electronic health records and other clinical technology tools. Realizing he could help them changed his life. Sunthara recalls, “That is my turning point to pursue a career in the computer science field, where I can apply my healthcare and technology experience to help my team and enhance patient care.”

Working in various roles at BCH, Sunthara was soon identified as an up-and-coming young talent. Said one colleague, “Gajen has been the ‘go to’ person for complex technical issues. In all circumstances, he has quickly understood our issues and resolved them. He has been extraordinarily creative in his solutions and a joy to work with.”

Sunthara’s ambition eventually landed him at Harvard University where he completed his M.S. degree in Information Technology. Sunthara then relocated to Washington for almost 3 years of public service. His roles were impressive in scope: helping tech-architect President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative at the White House, serving in The United States Digital Service (USDS), and working as a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

With his itch for public service now scratched, Sunthara’s back in Boston with a high-profile role in BCH’s innovation R&D group. He’s also got a startup underway and is actively mentoring and advising other entrepreneurs.

When he’s not working, Sunthara enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his children. He’s also an accomplished stand-up paddleboarder.