Two Indian Americans among Class of White House Fellows

Two Indian Americans, Pat Basu of Naperville, Illinois, and Sunny Ramchandani of Rowland Heights, California, were among the 2010-2011 Class of White House Fellows, announced by the White House on Tuesday after a highly competitive selection process.

The White House said that all the 13 White House Fellows "come from diverse backgrounds, varied professions " and that all of them "have shown a strong commitment to public service and leadership."

First Lady Michelle Obama said, "This year's White House Fellows are comprised some of the best and brightest leaders in our country. I applaud their unyielding commitment to public service and dedication to serving their community."

The White House Fellows Program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to give promising American leaders "first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government, and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs."  The Fellows also take part in an education program designed to broaden their knowledge of leadership, policy formulation, military operations, and current affairs.  Community service is another important component of the program, and Fellows participate in service projects throughout the year in the Washington, D.C. area.

Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable early career professional achievement, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government. Throughout its history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including leaders in government, business, media, medicine, diplomacy and the military.

Pat Basu

Basu is a radiologist at Stanford University and the Palo Alto VA. At Stanford. He is Course Director of Health Policy, Finance and Economics, and lectures nationally and internationally on these areas of expertise. Basu was named the Consultant Physician of the Year at Stanford in 2009, where he served as Chief Resident Physician in 2008. He received the AMA's National Excellence in Medicine Award for Leadership in 2007.

He co-founded ExtendMD, a web portal designed to enhance outpatient care. He serves as a business consultant to medical centers, Fortune 500 companies and venture capital firms. 

Basu is also the founder of STARS Luncheon, a non-profit designed to support lower socioeconomic children for future college and career success.

He graduated with Honors from the University of Chicago, earning his M.D. and M.B.A degrees. In Chicago, he served in the highest leadership roles on the Dean's Council in medical school, as president of his business school cohort, and led the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program.

Basu attended the University of Illinois on a National Merit Scholarship where he graduated with Honors in Mechanical Engineering and served on the University Senate. He also served on admissions committees at the University of Chicago and Stanford University.

Ramchandani

Ramchandani is a Lieutenant Commander and physician in the United States Navy.

He is currently the Integrated Chief of General Internal Medicine at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he co-founded an innovative primary care delivery model that has enhanced quality, reduced overall costs, and been adopted by the entire U.S. Military Health System. 

In 2009, Ramchandani deployed to Afghanistan as the Senior Medical Mentor for the Afghan National Security Forces, guided the execution of a new healthcare reconstruction strategy, and received the Bronze Star Medal. 

As an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University and prior Chair of the American Medical Association's Resident/Fellow Section, Ramchandani teaches and mentors young physicians on how to address today's healthcare challenges and  is also the Vice-Chair of the Serve DC Commission and manages city-wide community service programs in Washington DC.

He earned his MPH. from the Harvard School of Public Health and his MD. from the Yale School of Medicine, where he received the Norman Herzig Award for his dedication to humanitarian service in India. He earned his B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was a Truman Scholar and graduated first in his class academically.