Neha K. Thingalaya, MD, FACP, CHIE, BCMAS, has established a distinguished career in medicine and digital health innovation. Since 2023, she has served as the nursing assistant innovation and evidence lead at Sanofi, where she drives stakeholder engagement, advances innovation, bridges knowledge gaps, and collaborates with analytics teams. She previously held roles as senior director of medical evidence generation and innovation at Sanofi in 2023 and as the United States digital health care medical director from 2022 to 2023.
From 2017 to 2022, Dr. Thingalaya was the medical director for the facilitated health network in medical affairs at Independence Blue Cross. During this time, she also participated in the Doximity Fellows Program’s Op-Med Track from 2019 to 2020. Her earlier roles include serving as an internal medicine hospitalist at Main Line Health from 2013 to 2020 and as a clinical instructor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2016 to 2017. She also worked as an internal medicine hospitalist at Crozer-Keystone Health System from 2011 to 2013. Her career began as a research associate scientist and sub-investigator at Temple University Health System from 2007 to 2008, following postdoctoral fellow positions at Temple University from 2001 to 2007.
Laying a solid educational foundation, Dr. Thingalaya earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Topiwala National Medical College in India in 2001 before completing her Doctor of Medicine through the internal medicine residency program at Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, in 2011. Her professional development includes completing a program at Independence Blue Cross and earning certifications such as artificial intelligence in health care from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2024. She is also a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, with certifications spanning clinical trials, data science, and executive leadership.
An accomplished author, Dr. Thingalaya has published extensively on digital health and technology advancements. Her works include “An Interview: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Gains Traction in Hospitals,” published by ACP Hospitalist in 2021, along with several contributions to Doximity Op-Med on topics such as computerized primary care and algorithm transparency in health care. She is an active member of industry organizations, including the American College of Physicians, American Health Insurance Partners, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and Obesity Medicine Association.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Thingalaya has made significant contributions to digital health innovation and mental health advocacy. She served as a volunteer clinical task force evidence lead, advancing digital health, and chaired the clinical evidence task force for the Digital Therapeutics Alliance. She also founded the Virtual Wellness Group on Facebook for South Asian physicians and has advised her son’s mental health charity since 2021. Her commitment to community service includes volunteering with Gateway HorseWorks for equestrian therapy and supporting various mental health initiatives. In light of her impressive undertakings in the field, she received the Superior Patient Experience Award from Main Line Health in 2016 and the Excellence in Neuroscience Award from Temple University Health System in 2004.
Dr. Thingalaya’s career path has been defined by continuous learning and adaptability. After completing her medical education in India, she worked as a research scientist at Temple University for eight years before transitioning into clinical practice in Philadelphia. She later pivoted to telemedicine, working with Crozer-Keystone Health System and Main Line Health before joining Independence Blue Cross and the Veterans Health Administration. More recently, she has focused on digital health and telehealth innovations at Sanofi. Among her most notable achievements is her role as a clinical task force evidence lead, where she helped advance digital health. She is also particularly proud of her contributions to mental health initiatives, recognizing their lasting impact beyond her professional responsibilities.
Dr. Thingalaya believes that what sets her apart is her ability to integrate skills from multiple disciplines, combining clinical experience, research, and business acumen in the pharmaceutical industry. She believes that resilience, an innovative mindset, and strategic problem-solving have been crucial to her success. Viewing life as a marathon, she focuses on work that fosters growth and creates value, staying engaged in organizations that align with her expertise.
Outside her professional life, Dr. Thingalaya is a devoted mother and enjoys wellness activities, traveling, and cooking. Looking to the future, she plans to expand her contributions to STEM education by mentoring and teaching. She also aims to continue publishing works that advance digital health while leading innovative teams integrating artificial intelligence into medical processes. Above all, she remains committed to advocating for patients, ensuring technology serves their best interests, and driving meaningful advancements in health care.