EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Dr. Rajeev Pandey serves as the President (Acting) and CEO of PHU, where he provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership aligned with the University’s mission, vision, and long-term goals. 

A distinguished medical educator, higher-education executive, and research education specialist, Dr. Pandey brings over two decades of experience spanning medical education, institutional governance, accreditation, and educational research.

With over 14 years of senior administrative leadership, 16 years of academic service, and 22 years of research experience, Dr. Pandey has held progressive leadership roles including CEO, Vice President, Executive Dean, Asstt. Dean (Administration, Academic Affairs, and Admissions), and Chairman of multiple institutional committees. 

His expertise encompasses accreditation and quality assurance (NYSED, CAAM-HP, SLMSAMC), curriculum design, competency-based education, faculty development, student recruitment, and institutional planning.

A strong advocate of case-based and problem-based learning, Dr. Pandey has designed and implemented innovative curricula across medical, biomedical, and health professions education, ensuring alignment with global standards and workforce needs. As Executive Chief Proctor for the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) for nearly a decade, he has played a critical role in safeguarding examination integrity and assessment rigor.

Dr. Pandey’s academic scholarship spans biochemistry, molecular and genetic mechanisms of disease, toxicology, biochemical pharmacology, public health, intellectual property, and medical education, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He is also certified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in clinical research and pharmacology and by PAHO/WHO in multiple public health and non-communicable disease initiatives.

His commitment to innovation is further strengthened by extensive World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) certifications in Intellectual Property Rights, enabling him to integrate research protection, innovation, and commercialization into academic and healthcare ecosystems.

Raised and educated in northern India, Dr. Pandey possesses a deep understanding of the challenges facing developing and resource-limited regions. Over the past decade, he has successfully guided institutions through complex accreditation processes and, in recent years, expanded his advisory role to medical schools across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, supporting accreditation readiness and institutional excellence.

Prior to PHU, Dr. Pandey served as Executive Dean at a university in St. Lucia, where he spearheaded the establishment of the School of Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, and School of Allied Health Sciences, demonstrating his ability to build academic institutions from the ground up. He also founded community health and student research centers, strengthened faculty development systems, and improved enrollment, retention, and academic outcomes.

At Pandraa HealthTech University, Dr. Pandey continues this legacy of transformative leadership. Under his direction, PHU is positioned to launch its School of Health Professions in 2026 and School of Medicine in 2028, establishing the University as a regional and global hub for medical and health sciences education.

Dr. Pandey is a member of leading professional organizations including ASBMB, AMEE, ABE, and SBC-I, and actively mentors faculty, researchers, and students committed to academic excellence and socially responsive healthcare education.

Email: president@pandraa.org 

Dr. Ishan Mehta is a pioneering Ayurvedic physician, infertility specialist, and higher education leader with more than a decade of experience spanning clinical practice, academic administration, and student mentorship. As the Founding Vice President – Student Affairs at Pandraa HealthTech University (PHU), Saint Lucia, Dr. Mehta plays a central role in shaping student support services, career guidance initiatives, and institutional growth strategies to ensure PHU meets both local and international standards in health professions education.

His career reflects a unique combination of medical expertise and educational leadership. Prior to PHU, he served as International Admission Advisor at various Caribbean and Indian medical schools. Through these positions, Dr. Mehta successfully guided thousands of students in their journey to medical and allied health careers, while also enhancing institutional enrollment strategies and student development frameworks.

As a clinician, Dr. Mehta is recognized as an Ayurvedic Infertility Specialist and Director of Ayurved Infertility Clinic, which was awarded Best Infertility Clinic in Ayurveda by the Divya Bhaskar Healthcare Awards in 2023. His contributions extend beyond clinical care to public health advocacy, where he regularly organizes free health camps, delivers career guidance seminars, and engages through media and digital platforms, including his widely followed YouTube channel, to mentor students globally.

An accomplished entrepreneur, Dr. Mehta is the Founder & CEO of Zordha Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. and has co-founded several educational ventures in India, including playing a key role in establishing Shree Swaminarayan Ayurvedic College, Kalol. His leadership extends to institutional development, having been instrumental in managing and improving the operations of multiple medical and dental colleges during their startup phases.

At PHU, Dr. Mehta’s vision is to bridge academic excellence with student-centered support systems, ensuring that graduates are not only academically strong but also globally competitive and socially responsible healthcare professionals. His work embodies PHU’s mission of advancing healthcare education, fostering student success, and contributing to sustainable workforce development in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean. 

Email: studentaffairs@pandraa.org

Mrs. Laurentia Canai serves as the Director of Operations for the School of Health Professions, where she provides strategic and operational leadership in support of academic excellence and institutional effectiveness. A highly accomplished academic leader and administrator, Mrs. Canai brings more than three decades of experience in education, school leadership, and program management.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Educational Administration and an Executive Diploma in School Management and Administration, equipping her with a strong foundation in educational leadership, governance, and organizational management.

Mrs. Canai’s career is marked by sustained leadership across multiple levels of education. She has served for over 15 years as Coordinator of the School of Arts & Sciences, where she successfully managed Pre-Medical and Bachelor of Science programs, ensuring academic quality, curriculum oversight, and student success. In addition, she has more than 10 years of experience as a School Principal, during which she established high standards of academic performance, administrative efficiency, and institutional accountability. Her 30+ years as an educator reflect a lifelong commitment to teaching, mentorship, and student development.

Beyond her professional roles, Mrs. Canai has been deeply engaged in community development, actively participating in and leading initiatives that promote social responsibility, personal growth, and educational empowerment. Known for her approachable and supportive leadership style, she is passionate about guiding individuals to reach their full potential and fostering a nurturing, inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Through her dedication, experience, and vision, Mrs. Canai plays a pivotal role in shaping the growth and success of the School of Health Professions. Her leadership directly supports Pandraa HealthTech University’s mission to prepare competent, compassionate healthcare professionals who will positively transform healthcare delivery in Saint Lucia and across the Caribbean.

Email: directorshp@pandraa.org

Director of Accreditation and External Engagement for the School of Health Professions