Optimizing operations

But it wasn’t until the summer after earning her MBA that Bommidi discovered her true purpose in the operating room of Buffalo’s VA Medical Center as she worked to complete her Six Sigma Black Belt certification. 

“At first I wasn’t sure if I was the right fit because I didn’t know anything about surgery and had no clinical experience,” she says. “But I was surprised at the degree of impact I could make by looking at things with fresh eyes and asking a lot of questions. That led to a lot of really good problem solving and improvements.”

Bommidi’s Six Sigma project was a success. She improved the efficiency of the VA’s surgical procedures and was hired as the VA’s department administrator of surgical and perioperative services, setting the foundation of her career in health care management. 

After more than four years at the VA, Bommidi joined Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the nation’s top cancer treatment and research institutions, and Buffalo became her second home.

“I was always interested in coming to the U.S. to get my MBA, and UB had the best ROI, but I had some concerns about the weather,” she says. “Growing up in South India, I was used to very hot temperatures, and it was already too cold for me even when I got here in August. Yet here I am, nearly 20 years later, and I love it in Buffalo.”

Bommidi has risen through the ranks at Roswell Park, from her initial role as assistant business director of perioperative services to chief operating officer at RPCI Oncology PC and senior executive director at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center — and she says her School of Management education played a big role in her success.

“The coursework I did was so impactful in making me the leader I am today,” she says. “The skills I learned in negotiations, data modeling, leadership and communication are all things I use every day.”

Throughout her career as a health care executive, Bommidi has remained a true-blue supporter of her school. She currently serves as president of the School of Management Alumni Association and recently joined the Dean’s Advisory Council. 

“I don’t know how I could have just kept this all to myself and not given back,” she says. “I’ve never really left since I graduated because being in touch and sharing what I’ve learned with the younger generations gives me immense joy.”

When she’s not in the office, Bommidi enjoys spending time with her husband and their son and going to the movie theater. She’s also a big fan of everything to do with outer space.

“I tell everyone if I had an alternate career, I would have gone into movie making or astrophysics,” she says.

Or perhaps even making movies about space.

Written by Kevin Manne