Manish Kumar Sethi (born January 3, 1978) is an American physician and former political candidate. He is the president and founder of the non-profit Healthy Tennessee and an orthopedic trauma surgeon at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a medical provider with multiple hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as clinics and facilities throughout Middle Tennessee. VUMC is an independent non-profit organization, but maintains a ...
. Sethi serves as the director of the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute Center for Health Policy and is the lead author of the books ''An Introduction to Health Policy'' and ''Orthopedic Traumatology: An Evidence Based Approach.''
Sethi was a
Republican candidate in the
2020 United States Senate election in Tennessee. On August 6, 2020, Sethi lost the Republican primary to
Bill Hagerty
William Francis Hagerty IV ( ; born August 14, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, junior United States Senate, United States senator from Tennessee since 2021. A membe ...
, a former diplomat in the Trump administration. Sethi received 39% of the primary vote.
Early life and education
Sethi was born in
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...
and moved to Tennessee at age four. He was raised in
Hillsboro, Tennessee
Hillsboro is an unincorporated community in Coffee County, Tennessee, United States, that was treated as a census-designated place for the 2010 U.S. Census. The population was 450 as of the 2010 census. The community is concentrated around the ...
by his parents, who were both physicians.
His parents immigrated to the United States in 1975 from
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. Sethi attended Hillsboro Elementary School and later attended the private
Webb School.
After graduating from the Webb School, Sethi attended
Brown University
Brown University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is the List of colonial colleges, seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, founded in 1764 as the ' ...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in neuroscience. He graduated m''agna cum laude'' in 2000. The following year, Sethi worked with children with muscular dystrophy in
Tunisia
Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...
as a
Fulbright Scholar
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States cultural exchange programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the peopl ...
.
Sethi attended
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the medical school of Harvard University and is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1782, HMS is the third oldest medical school in the Un ...
, graduating in 2005.
He completed his general surgery internship at the
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General or MGH) is a teaching hospital located in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It is the original and largest clinical education and research facility of Harvard Medical School/Harvar ...
in
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
in 2006, and completed his residency in the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Surgery Program from 2006 to 2010.
Career
Sethi returned to Tennessee in 2010 and completed his fellowship in orthopedic trauma at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a medical provider with multiple hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as clinics and facilities throughout Middle Tennessee. VUMC is an independent non-profit organization, but maintains a ...
in 2011. He currently serves as an associate professor and orthopedic trauma surgeon and the director of the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute Center for Health Policy. Sethi's clinical interests center around the utilization of
evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is "the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available exte ...
in the treatment of the orthopedic trauma patient.
Sethi has written multiple medical texts, including ''Orthopedic Traumatology: An Evidence-Based Approach'', (first and second editions) and ''Orthopedic Surgery Examination and Board Review''.
He has co-authored several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, including
''Neurosurgery'''',
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma,
Injury
Injury is physiological damage to the living tissue of any organism, whether in humans, in other animals, or in plants.
Injuries can be caused in many ways, including mechanically with penetration by sharp objects such as teeth or with ...
, the American Journal of Orthopedics,
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
''The Journal of Emergency Medicine'' is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal covering emergency medicine. It is the official journal of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. The editor-in-chief is Stephen Hayden (University of California ...
,
Journal of Injury and Violence Research,
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
''The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery'' is a biweekly peer reviewed medical journal in the field of orthopedic surgery. It is published by the non-profit corporation The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. It was established as the ''Transact ...
'', and others.
Healthy Tennessee
Sethi and his wife, Maya, founded Healthy Tennessee in 2011.
Healthy Tennessee is a
501(c)(3)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, Trust (business), trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of ...
nonprofit organization that promotes health education and provides community training opportunities. Healthy Tennessee was founded with a focus on combating Tennessee's poor national rankings in measurements of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The organization has also since increased its focus to include the opioid epidemic in Tennessee.
Healthy Tennessee has traveled across the state providing health screenings to insured, uninsured and TennCare patients. In 2014, Sethi received recognition from the
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association (AMA) is an American professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students. This medical association was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Membership was 271,660 ...
(AMA) for his work in the community and Healthy Tennessee. In 2016, Sethi was recognized as one of HealthLeaders Magazine's "Top 20 Leaders in Medicine".
The organization has also hosted statewide community health summits with hundreds of healthcare stakeholders in Tennessee in attendance. Speakers at these summits have included the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, former Secretary of Health & Human Services Tom Price, Senator
Marsha Blackburn
Mary Marsha Blackburn (née Wedgeworth; born June 6, 1952) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, senior United States Senate, United States senator from Tennessee. Blackburn was first ...
, former Governor Phil Bredesen, Governor Bill Lee, and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Health policy
In 2017, Sethi was invited by Senator
Lamar Alexander
Andrew Lamar Alexander Jr. (born July 3, 1940) is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States senator from Tennessee from 2003 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he also was the 45th governor of Tennessee from 1 ...
to testify before the
. He was one of five health care professionals to testify in a hearing entitled ''Stabilizing Premiums and Helping Individuals in the Individual Insurance Market for 2018: Health Care Stakeholders''.
Also in 2017, Sethi was invited to the
White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Washington, D.C.), NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president ...
for a listening session with President
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
.
He was selected as one of eleven health care professionals from across the nation to discuss possible solutions to address difficulties in the health insurance market.
Sethi co-authored the book ''An Introduction to Health Policy'' with former-senator
Bill Frist
William Harrison Frist (born February 22, 1952) is an American physician, businessman, conservationist and policymaker who served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1995 to 2007. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as ...
, who has served as a mentor for Sethi. Invested in health policy, Sethi founded the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute Center for Health Policy in 2010. The mission of the center is to increase physician advocacy for patients by investigating the most pressing issues in American health policy. Sethi and other colleagues at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute Center for Health Policy have written over 50 peer-review publications. Over the past few years, the center has implemented a conflict resolution program for children in public schools and community centers around the state.
Sethi served as the National Chairman of the
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association (AMA) is an American professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students. This medical association was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Membership was 271,660 ...
Resident and Fellow Section and has served on the Committee on Publications of the
New England Journal of Medicine
''The New England Journal of Medicine'' (''NEJM'') is a weekly medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. Founded in 1812, the journal is among the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals. Its 2023 impact factor was ...
. He has also written for the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ; pronounced "ark" by initiates and often "A-H-R-Q" by the public) is one of twelve agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency is headquartered in North ...
and had a monthly health policy column in the magazine ''AAOS Now''.
Sethi served as a health policy fellow at the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Center at
Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College is a private historically black medical school affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, it was the first m ...
. He served as an assistant professor at
Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College is a private historically black medical school affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, it was the first m ...
also in Nashville, where he ran a clinic and operating room providing indigent care. He also taught health policy at the undergraduate level at
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...
, serving as course director for MHS 0199, The Evolution of American Healthcare, an introductory course for college freshmen.
As of September 2019, Sethi had donated $1,042 to
President Trump's 2020 re-election campaign.
2020 U.S. Senate campaign
On June 2, 2019, Sethi announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate election in Tennessee as a Republican.
Sethi faced businessman, diplomat, and former state government official
Bill Hagerty
William Francis Hagerty IV ( ; born August 14, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, junior United States Senate, United States senator from Tennessee since 2021. A membe ...
, who served as the
U.S. Ambassador to Japan for two years in the
Trump administration Presidency of Donald Trump may refer to:
* First presidency of Donald Trump, the United States presidential administration from 2017 to 2021
* Second presidency of Donald Trump, the United States presidential administration since 2025
See also
* ...
. Trump endorsed Hagerty in late 2019.
Sethi was endorsed by several current and former Republican members of
Congress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
, including Sen.
Rand Paul
Randal Howard Paul (born January 7, 1963) is an American politician serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, junior United States senator from Kentucky since 2011.
A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...
(R-KY), Sen.
Ted Cruz
Rafael Edward Cruz (; born December 22, 1970) is an American politician and attorney serving as the junior United States senator from Texas since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Cruz was the solicitor general of Texas from 2003 ...
(R-TX), former Sen.
Jim DeMint
James Warren DeMint (born September 2, 1951) is an American businessman, author, and retired politician who served as a United States Senate, United States Senator from South Carolina and as president of The Heritage Foundation. A leading figure ...
(R-SC), former Rep.
Ed Bryant (R-TN-07), former Rep.
John J. "Jimmy" Duncan Jr. (R-TN-02), and former Rep.
Zach Wamp (R-TN-03).
2022 election cycle
Sethi declined to run for
Tennessee's 5th congressional district
The 5th congressional district of Tennessee is a congressional district in Middle Tennessee. It has been represented by Republican Andy Ogles since January 2023.
In the past, the fifth district has been nearly synonymous with Tennessee's capi ...
in the
2022 election.
Personal life
Sethi is married to Maya L. Sethi, an attorney in Nashville. She received her undergraduate degree from
Wellesley College
Wellesley College is a Private university, private Women's colleges in the United States, historically women's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1870 by Henr ...
and
Juris Doctor
A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...
degree from
Boston University School of Law
The Boston University School of Law (BU Law) is the law school of Boston University, a private research university in Boston. Established in 1872, it is the third-oldest law school in New England, after Harvard Law School and Yale Law School. Ap ...
.
Sethi has two children, J.B. and Leela. The family attends McKendree United Methodist Church in
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
.
Sethi wrote ''The American Dream in Tennessee: Stories of Faith, Struggle, and Survival'' in 2015, which details his family's story of immigration to Tennessee and building a life in America. The book also recounts the stories of several of his orthopedic trauma patients.
References
External links
Manny Sethi for U.S. Senatecampaign website
*
*
at
On the Issues
On the Issues or OnTheIssues is an American non-partisan, non-profit organization providing information to American voters on American candidates, primarily via their website. The organization was started in 1996, went non-profit in 2000, and is ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sethi, Manny
Living people
1978 births
Brown University alumni
Harvard Medical School alumni
Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tennessee) alumni
Tennessee Republicans
Physicians from Cleveland
People from Coffee County, Tennessee
American physicians
American orthopedic surgeons
American physicians of Indian descent
Asian-American people in Tennessee politics
Methodists from Tennessee
Candidates in the 2020 United States Senate elections