Dr Bimaljit Singh Sandhu appointed to key health position in Virginia, several other Indian Americans also appointed

The Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin announced the appointment of gastroenterologist Dr Bimaljit Singh Sandhu, to the Board of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority July 14, 2023,

Sandhu, a graduate of Dayanand Medical College in Ludhiana, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates.

According to his biography on richmondgastro.com, Dr. Sandhu cares for patients suffering from gastroenterological disorders, including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, GI cancer, and pancreatic disease. He has vast experience performing colonoscopy, EGD, complex therapeutic endoscopic procedures, and managing patients with GI cancer and pancreaticobiliary disorders,

After his medical school training, Dr. Sandhu completed additional fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He then joined the VCU Medical Center faculty in the Gastroenterology Division. During the next nine years at VCU, he served as Director of Pancreatic Disorders and actively participated in pancreatic research.

Dr. Sandhu is known for his experience with the most recent advancements in gastroenterology. He is among the first in the country to use endoscopic Glue Injection for treating patients with bleeding gastric varices. He is also skilled in the use of Cellvizio®, which enables him to diagnose cancer much more rapidly. Most recently he completed specialty training to perform Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), one of only a few physicians in Virginia to offer this procedure for the treatment of GERD.

According to the company biography, Dr. Sandhu has received several honors and awards, among them, Outstanding Clinician Award and the Best Plenary Session Paper Award. He is an active member of the North American Pancreatitis Study consortium. He has authored and co-authored several articles in medical journals and books, including the Gastroenterology journal.

Dr. Sandhu has also contributed to the American Gastroenterological Association’s Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program (DDSEP) and served on the training committee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

He has been a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, the University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University in California, and the University of Virginia. Dr. Sandhu is a “2017 Top Doc” winner in Richmond Magazine’s annual survey of medical professionals.

He is married to wife, Ramnita, and the couple has three children. He is engaged in philanthropic activities and has organized several blood donation drives and food services at local nursing homes and schools on behalf of his Sikh temple in Richmond.

Other Indian Americans/South Asians appointed to various administrative positions include:

VIRGINIA ASIAN ADVISORY BOARD 

• Harshad Barot of Virginia Beach, Owner, Galaxy Corporation 

• Dr. Kamlesh Dave of Chester, President, Heart Care Associates, PC
  

• Shakira Khan of Henrico, Manager Digital Communications, Dominion Energy 

THE VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY YOUTH 

• Zubin Mehta of Glen Allen, student

VIRGINIA BOARD OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 

* Kunal Kumar of Richmond, President, Pooja Group, Inc 

• Dr. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer of Chantilly, Professor and Director, George Mason University 

LEGISLATIVE

SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION 

• Harshad Barot of Virginia Beach, Owner, Galaxy Corporation