Sivachandran Selvaraj is a rare breed. A seasoned architect and healthcare leader/subject matter expert (SME) by day, he’s also a dedicated marathon runner pushing his physical limits. But his unique blend of IT expertise and healthcare passion truly sets him apart. As a leading Healthcare SME at IBM, Sivachandran is at the forefront of using technology to improve lives.
Running the Road to Success in IT
Selvaraj hails from Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, ancient traditions, and Tamil, the oldest language in use today. With an interest in technology from a young age, he knew he wanted to work in this field and went on to acquire a bachelor’s in information technology from the renowned University of Madras.
Selvaraj’s educational background laid the foundation for his expertise in technology, while his cultural heritage provided him the passion needed to set new standards in various tech fields and beyond.
Part of his success stems from his hobby as a marathon runner. “Leading an active lifestyle as a marathoner,” he reveals, “[and] having completed numerous half marathons and six full marathons, demonstrates resilience, discipline, and determination.” These qualities led Selvaraj to success in his early work as a developer and later in the healthcare field, where he has worked since 2009, first at UST GLOBAL until 2013 and at IBM to date.
In the 15 years since starting his role at IBM, Selvaraj has made many invaluable contributions to the company and taken on increasingly complex roles and responsibilities. Again, the IT expert attributes some of this growth to marathon running, stating how the endurance and perseverance he gained from long-distance running translated into his professional endeavors and enabled him to overcome challenges, drive continuous improvement, and reach ambitious goals in the healthcare sector.
The lessons Selvaraj learned as a marathon runner are especially applicable in the projects he’s led at IBM over the past decade and a half, including data integration and interoperability, advanced data analytics, and performance improvements.
He also played a key role at IBM during the height of the COVID pandemic, working around the clock to support patient services, implement emergency response systems, and ensure the continuity of care.
Pushing Patient-Centric Care
One of the projects Selvaraj is most passionate about involves pushing for improved patient-centric care, as he believes healthcare systems today often tend to overemphasize the commercial aspects in favor of the care patients receive.
Selvaraj and his team at IBM are currently working on an initiative that helps coordinate benefits from insurance, smoothing out the decision-making process when it comes to choosing between different providers to make sure claims aren’t sidelined for extended periods of time, which they often are.
Selvaraj’s initial shock upon witnessing how fragmented and inefficient healthcare data management negatively impacts patient care inspired him to work hand-in-hand with healthcare providers so he could better understand the difficulties patients face. This helped him recognize the potential that technology possesses for streamlining healthcare processes, improving patient outcomes, and saving lives.
“The potential for AI to revolutionize patient care, from predictive analytics to remote monitoring and AI-powered patient support systems, is immense,” Selvaraj explains. The decision to utilize AI was driven by a desire to harness its capabilities to provide more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and proactive healthcare management.
Making a Difference
Selvaraj’s work has facilitated many important changes to how information is sent and received in the healthcare field. Through his work in data analytics, he helped enable healthcare providers to derive actionable insights, improve decision-making, and enhance patient outcomes.
Despite his already invaluable contributions to healthcare, Selvaraj shows no sign of slowing down, stating, “In the race toward better healthcare, the most meaningful victories are those that enhance patient care, promote well-being, and leave a lasting impact on lives.”
