In a world where rapid technological advancements are reshaping industries, few fields stand to benefit more than healthcare.
At the forefront of this transformation is Anil Kumar Kandalam, a highly sought-after Lead Platform Engineer, whose innovative approach provides faster and more reliable healthcare solutions globally.
"In a broader sense, I aim to improve data integration and speed so that people can access the information they need in seconds," Anil explains. "I've helped eliminate old systems and introduce new ones that saved time and reduced costs significantly."
Anil, whose expertise spans over 14 years in software development and microservices, has created platforms that have changed how healthcare professionals access, manage, and share critical information. Most recently, he played a key role in the fight against COVID-19. With a rare blend of adaptability, foresight, and technical depth, Anil is widely recognized as a driving force in healthcare innovation.
Bringing Engineering Precision to Patient Care
Anil's journey began in his home state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where a passion for logical reasoning and math inspired him to pursue computer science. His career took off quickly, and he soon found himself immersed in large-scale projects at prestigious companies like Allstate Insurance and JetBlue Airways. But his true calling came when he transitioned into healthcare technology, an industry he now leads in innovation and engineering excellence.
"I've always wanted to work in an area where my contributions have a real impact on people's lives," says Anil. "In healthcare, every system we improve or streamline has the potential to help someone get better care faster. It's incredibly rewarding."
Anil has been a game changer in his current role at PSL Group, a global organization that serves the medical community. His innovative engineering has significantly improved how healthcare professionals access critical and reliable information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anil led a platform overhaul that sped up the release of life-saving newsletters for healthcare professionals.
"Previously, it would take us weeks to organize and disseminate information," he explains. "With my team, we could launch these newsletters in just a few days."
Anil's work has ensured that healthcare practitioners receive timely, verified information—a difference that, in his words, "could mean life or death for patients relying on the latest research and treatments."
Guru Prasath Sethumadhavan is the Associate Director of QA in Development and Automation on cloud platforms at PSL. When he joined the team in 2017, they searched for someone to lead all end-to-end development cycles. Anil was exactly who they needed for the job.
"Anil was proficient in that. He had been leading for quite a few years and had strong technical knowledge," Sethumadhavan recalls. "He led the development team in an exceptional way, with strong technical and domain knowledge."
Cutting-Edge AI and Data Solutions That Redefine Efficiency
One of Anil's most remarkable achievements has been the development of Dougall GPT, a generative AI tool that pulls up-to-date information from trusted sources for healthcare professionals. Dougall GPT is more than a traditional AI—it's a generative tool that ensures accuracy and relevancy by carefully selecting verified information. Unlike general AI models that comb through vast amounts of data indiscriminately, Dougall GPT is finely tuned to meet the needs of medical professionals, supplying only credible and reliable information.
"Healthcare professionals need quick, accurate answers, and they need to trust their sources," Anil explains. "With Dougall GPT, we're providing a tool that offers precisely that—no guesswork, just the facts they need."
This precision-driven approach has made Anil a standout in the field. As one industry expert puts it, "Anil doesn't just deliver solutions; he creates platforms that change the entire workflow in healthcare, allowing doctors and researchers to do their jobs better and faster. It's rare to see someone in tech with a fine understanding of healthcare needs."
Anil's work on AI tools like Dougall GPT and his efforts to optimize data platforms have bolstered reliability and delivered tremendous cost savings. His migration of legacy systems to cloud-based infrastructures for clients like JetBlue Airways and Allstate Insurance saved them millions in maintenance and operational expenses—results that few in his field have managed to replicate.
The Unique Skills That Make Anil Invaluable
For Anil, his adaptability and deep technical knowledge combine to create a unique combination of skills that set him apart from others in his field. His work is often lauded for seamlessly integrating into existing systems, reducing disruption while maximizing efficiency. Unlike many engineers who prefer to start from scratch, Anil finds ways to work with legacy systems, saving time and money.
"Anyone can bring in a new tool, but making it fit into an established ecosystem without breaking anything—that's the real challenge," he says. "I focus on creating solutions that won't just work for a few months but will provide lasting value without a complete system overhaul."
Anil's adaptability isn't limited to technology. He's known for his collaborative spirit and mentorship, as well as for guiding colleagues and up-and-coming professionals in healthcare engineering. His peers describe him as approachable and supportive, making him an excellent leader in high-stakes projects. "I want my team to learn and grow, to innovate and make mistakes, but to always learn from those mistakes and move forward," he says.
His commitment to knowledge-sharing extends beyond his workplace. As a top mentor on ADPList, he's helped guide over 50 mentees across nine countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, offering insights on navigating careers in healthcare technology. His mentees praise his generosity, describing him as "always willing to help" and "a true role model in the tech field."
Engineering the Future of Global Healthcare
Anil's influence in healthcare technology extends far beyond his role at P\S\L Group. He's also a respected member of IEEE, where he contributes to technical reviews and recently gained senior membership, a distinction given to few in the field. His work continues to inspire and influence, as he's invited to speak on panels and serve as a judge for prestigious hackathons, such as those at MIT, where he provides insights to the next generation of tech innovators.
His involvement with panels and judging includes the 2024 QS Reimagine Education Awards, Business Intelligence Group's Clouding Computing and Sustainability Awards, the Globee Awards for 2023 and 2024, and the HCM Technology Awards Program. He is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
Anil's dedication to continued learning is evident through several certifications in Databricks, including Generative AI Fundamentals, TIBCO BusinessWorks 5.x, and AWS (AI Practitioner, Developer, Solutions Architect, and Cloud Practitioner).
He was recognized with the International Achievers Award from the Indian Achievers Forum and named "Prominent Industry Expert of the Year 2024" by Business Mint for his contributions to data engineering and AI integration in healthcare, a testament to his hard work and unique skill set.
The same year, Anil was invited to the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards panel, a prestigious recognition of his work in AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Anil says that AI is revolutionizing medical conferences beyond clinical settings: "AI-generated session summaries allow attendees to quickly grasp key points without attending every session, while tools like Dougall GPT can reduce post-conference report compilation time by up to 50%.
Anil's contributions undoubtedly shape how AI is integrated into medical platforms, ensuring it's not just another tech trend but an accurate, practical tool that improves patient care and helps healthcare professionals do their jobs better.
His expertise in AI integration for medical platforms drives efficiency, enabling physicians and healthcare professionals to work smarter and faster. By optimizing data accessibility and automation, Anil demonstrates that AI is a technological trend and a pivotal tool in improving patient care and operational effectiveness.
He says: "One of the most significant benefits of AI in healthcare is time savings. Physicians can save an average of 5–7 minutes per patient by using AI-powered tools to access critical information instantly.
"Over the course of a day, this efficiency translates into more time focused on patient care rather than administrative tasks. However, Kandalam emphasizes that data integration and validation are essential, as AI systems rely on high-quality input to produce reliable results."
Krishna Chaitanya R. Chimakurthi, Digital Solution Architect Director at NTT Data, met Anil while working for TIBCO Technologies. He has known Anil for 10 years professionally and personally and understands the impact of his contributions to digital healthcare.
"A great society needs great minds, kind people, and ethically thoughtful people," Chimakurthi says. "I strongly believe Anil holds all the qualities that can benefit society with his great attitude and sincerity."
Siva Dutta is a Senior Integration Developer who has worked with Anil since 2014. They have collaborated on several initiatives, including a JetBlue project at TIBCO Software.
He says: "I first witnessed Anil's exceptional capabilities during the JetBlue project, where he spearheaded the implementation of a sophisticated cloud platform infrastructure. His remarkable ability to stabilize complex environments through meticulous attention to detail and strategic vision immediately set him apart.
"He demonstrated expertise in architecting scalable solutions that could handle millions of sensitive records while maintaining strict compliance standards."
He adds: "Throughout our professional relationship, Anil has been an invaluable resource and mentor. He's my first point of contact whenever I face technical challenges or emerging technologies.
"What's particularly impressive is his approach to knowledge gaps – if he encounters something unfamiliar, he takes the initiative to research and master it thoroughly, then generously shares his findings to benefit the entire team."
For Anil, however, the journey is just beginning. "There's still so much that can be done to make healthcare more efficient, accessible, and affordable," he says. "My goal is to make information accessible within seconds to those who need it, whether it's a doctor diagnosing a patient or a researcher looking for new treatments."
Anil's vision for healthcare is efficiency, reliability, and trust—a future where the latest medical data is available instantly, wherever and whenever needed. With his unmatched expertise, dedication to innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes, Anil Kumar Kandalam is not just engineering platforms; he's engineering a healthier future for us all.
