Alumni Profile: Sumana Jeddy

Sumana Jeddy, Master of Public Health Class of 2019, is a trailblazer in the field of workplace wellness. Her journey is one of resilience, passion, and dedication to bridging the gap between research and practical application.

“My grandmother always told me, ‘No health, no wealth.’ After my dad passed away when I was three years old, we moved from India to Dubai and finally landed in Canada when I was a teenager. Growing up in an immigrant Canadian family, education was always a top priority. After earning my BSc at UBC Kelowna, I knew I wanted to continue my academic journey. I was fortunate to have a mentor and boss who encouraged me to pursue graduate school while I was working at the Provincial Laboratory in Alberta. I enrolled in an MSc program at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, specializing in Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology. Unfortunately, due to personal tragedies, I had to pause my studies and could not afford the international fees or travel to London. After a year of recovery and what felt like a very long break from normal life, I applied to the MPH program at UBC, Vancouver, one night after a long day at work. At that time, I already had an incredible full-time job at the Ministry of Health as a Manager of Infectious Diseases. I wanted to pursue grad school for many reasons, the biggest being to understand the dynamics of health to prevent disease. It turned out to be the best decision of my life. Right from the first day of classes, I met incredible classmates, many of whom remain close friends.”

After supporting COVID-19 efforts at the Ministry of Health, Government of Alberta and witnessing the negative impacts of burnout on mental, emotional, and physical health on health care professionals, Sumana founded Jeddy Wellness. Her goal was to bridge the gap between research and practical application in the realm of workplace wellness.

“While I didn’t learn entrepreneurial skills during my time at UBC, I recognized that public health approaches could significantly benefit communities by preventing disease. This realization motivated me to start my own business focused on workplace wellness. I feel grateful every day that I get to do what I love—research, teaching, and building healthy communities!”

Jeddy Wellness specializes in creating evidence-based wellness strategies tailored for modern workplaces. Sumana’s decade-long experience in public health has been instrumental in her ability to design data-driven wellness programs that address the unique challenges faced by today’s workforce. Sumana has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics related to workplace wellness. Her approach is both modern and playful, making complex wellness concepts accessible and engaging for her clients. Jeddy Wellness provides bespoke solutions and micro-learning strategies that help organizations and individuals implement sustainable health and wellness changes.

Her work has been recognized by major institutions and organizations such as the University of Massachusetts, the University of Calgary, the Government of Ontario, Scotiabank, and more. Her engaging content has also gained her a substantial following on TikTok, where she has over 6,000 followers and videos with millions of views.

Sumana’s commitment to promoting workplace wellness is reflected in the positive feedback from her clients, who praise her ability to make wellness a priority and her engaging, empathetic approach to complex topics.

“MPH at UBC Vancouver not only gave me the confidence to start my own company but also blessed me with an incredible group of friends who inspire and support me every step of the way. Cherishing these relationships has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.”