Vasanthakumar Namasivayam, MD, MPP, MPH

Dr. Vasanthakumar Namasivayam is an assistant professor in community health sciences at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, while also serving as the executive director of the Uttar Pradesh Technical Support Unit based in Lucknow, India. As a physician by training and a member of the Indian Administrative Service, he holds a senior leadership position across various sectors of the federal and state governments.

Dr. Namasivayam's current research is focused on improving health systems, maternal and newborn health, family planning and nutrition outcomes in Uttar Pradesh, India, with a particular emphasis on improving equity. To achieve these goals, he utilizes a program science approach, embedding both quantitative and qualitative research methods for research and program delivery.

Dr. Namasivayam earned his bachelor of medicine and surgery and doctor of medicine degrees from Dr. Mgr. Medical University in Chennai, India, in 2002. Additionally, he earned a master's in public policy from Princeton University in 2017, and a master's in public health from Johns Hopkins University in 2018.

Dr. Namasivayam has received several awards recognizing his academic and professional achievements, including the Prof. Dr. G. B. West Endowment University Gold Medal and Dr. R. V. Rajam's Commemoration Gold Medal in Medicine. He also received a gold medal in the National E-Governance Awards in 2013 and the President of India's Silver Medal for Census Operations in 2011. Dr. Namasivayam is a member of the alpha chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and was previously a member of the board of governors for the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai.

Education

Master’s in Public Health, Johns Hopkins University (2018)

Master’s in Public Policy, Princeton University (2017)

Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai (2002)

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai (2002)

Awards

Prof. Dr. G. B. West Endowment University Gold Medal in Medicine

Dr. R. V. Rajam’s Commemoration Gold Medal in Medicine

Gold medal in National e Governance award (2013)

President of India’s Silver Medal for Census operations (2011)

Member, Alpha chapter of Delta Omega Honarary Society in Public Health

Former member board of governors, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT, Chennai)