Suja Thomas currently serves as the Clinical Lead and Nursing Administrator at the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. She is a Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC) and a Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN). In addition, Suja is an international faculty member at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) University in India, where she inspires and mentors the next generation of nurses.
Suja completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fr. Muller’s College of Nursing in Mangalore, where she laid the groundwork for her nursing career. She continued her education with a master’s in nursing education from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, followed by a Post-Master’s Certification in Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from the same institution. Currently, Suja is pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing at the University at Buffalo, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to advancing nursing knowledge and shaping the future of healthcare. Suja has demonstrated exceptional leadership, seamlessly integrating her clinical expertise with strategic management acumen. As a Hospital Executive at St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP) and Sunnyview Hospital in Schenectady, NY, she successfully led multiple clinical departments. Additionally, she served as Operations Manager for the Medical-Surgical, Cardiopulmonary, and Labor and Delivery units at SPHP, showcasing her ability to optimize diverse healthcare operations.
Suja’s visionary leadership and transformative strategies have earned her numerous accolades, including the Transformational Leadership Award (2015), the Robert Scholar Award for Clinical Excellence (2016), and the Quantum Leadership Award (2021). Recognized for championing diversity, she was honored with the Diversity Award (2024) by Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Her outstanding community impact earned her a Citation and Proclamation from NYS Assemblywoman Michelle Solages and NYS Senator Kevin Thomas. In 2023 and 2024, Suja’s exceptional contributions were further celebrated with the Exemplary Leadership Award by Asianet TV and the World Malayalee Council.
During her presidency of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) in 2023-24, Suja spearheaded the organization’s growth on an international level. She currently serves as the Advisory Board Chair of NAINA. Suja’s leadership extends beyond national borders, with her roles at CGFNS International, where she has been elected to the Board of Trustees (2025–2028) and serves as Vice Chair of the CGFNS Alliance Advisory Board (2025–2027). In 2016, she became the founding president of the Indian American Nurses Association of Albany, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting and empowering Indian American nurses in the region. Suja’s unwavering commitment to community service and her ability to inspire others exemplify her transformational impact on the nursing profession.