For Sukhbir Thind, DMSc, PA-C, excellent health care begins with listening, understanding, and ensuring that every patient feels seen and supported.
As a physician assistant at Washington Health’s Primary Care - Civic Center Clinic, Thind brings extensive clinical experience, a passion for serving underserved populations, and the ability to communicate with patients in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. She is especially eager to serve Fremont’s diverse immigrant communities and help patients overcome the cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers that can make accessing quality health care difficult.
Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Thind joins Washington Health after serving as a lead physician assistant at Bay Area Community Health. She earned her physician assistant degree from A.T. Still University in Santa Maria, California. She also holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago and a doctor of medical science degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
“I am passionately committed to providing high-quality medical care, especially to patients in underserved communities,” said Thind, a Chicago native who relocated to the Bay Area two years ago. “I hope to bring my personal experiences and perspective to Washington Health while contributing to compassionate, culturally responsive, and patient-centered care.”
Breaking Down Language and Access Barriers
Thind’s commitment to serving immigrant and underserved communities is deeply personal. Her parents emigrated from India with limited English proficiency, and her father lived with a disability. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand how language barriers, financial challenges, and limited access to resources could affect a family’s health and well-being.
“I grew up in an underserved community and saw how difficult it could be for people to receive quality care,” she shared. “Because I spoke several languages, I often translated for family members, friends, and others in the community. Those experiences shaped my mission to help other people gain better access to the care they deserve.”
Having learned English in elementary school, Thind understands the challenges many immigrant families face while navigating unfamiliar health care and social service systems.
“It was difficult at times,” she recalled. “My family experienced financial hardships, and social services were part of our lives. Those experiences taught me the importance of treating every patient with dignity, compassion, and respect.”
As the first medical provider in her family, Thind brings that understanding to her patient interactions. She takes a whole-person approach, addressing physical and behavioral health needs, listening carefully to patients’ everyday concerns, and connecting them with appropriate medical, social, and community resources.
"My goal is to help every patient receive quality care," she said. "Language shouldn't be the reason someone delays a visit or leaves without understanding their plan. Being able to speak with patients in Punjabi, Hindi, or Urdu is one more way our team makes sure that patients feel comfortable, respected, and confident in their care."
Advocacy Beyond the Exam Room
Mental and behavioral health are also important parts of Thind’s practice. She believes that understanding a patient’s life circumstances is essential to providing effective medical care.
“Mental health is a major focus of my practice,” she explained. “I take the time to communicate with patients and understand the experiences, stressors, and circumstances that may be affecting their overall health.”
That commitment often means advocating for patients beyond the examination room.
In my previous role, I cared for a woman recovering from a heart attack who was struggling to reach her cardiology team for follow-up care,” Thind said. “I stayed on the phone with her hospital until we were able to connect with the appropriate office. Health care can involve a great deal of red tape, and patients should not have to navigate it alone.”
For Thind, those moments represent the most meaningful part of being a physician assistant, especially earning patients’ trust and helping them find answers when they feel uncertain or overwhelmed.
“I don’t want my patients to leave without answers,” she stressed. “I want them to know that I am listening, that I care, and that I will advocate for them. I bring a patient-centered approach to everything I do.”
A Shared Mission of Compassionate Care
Thind was drawn to Washington Health because its commitment to meeting the community’s health care needs closely aligns with her own values.
“I deeply value Washington Health’s mission and its dedication to both the community and its providers,” she said. “I wanted to join an organization where compassionate care, collaboration, and respect are the center of their work.”
At the Civic Center Clinic, Thind provides preventive care and wellness visits, physical examinations, health education, and treatment for a variety of illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. She also coordinates referrals to specialists and helps patients navigate the next steps in their care.
“I do this work because I truly love it,” she added. “Being a physician assistant is not simply my profession, it is an integral part of who I am and how I serve others.”
Outside of work, Thind enjoys international travel and visits Chicago several times a year to spend time with her family. She also enjoys singing with friends and working out to stay active. She believes that making time for self-care is essential for maintaining balance in today’s demanding world.
“I am honored and excited to join Washington Health,” Thind said. “I look forward to caring for patients, building meaningful relationships, and connecting people with the services and resources they need to live healthier lives.”
To learn more about primary care at Washington Health, find a provider or schedule an appointment, visit washingtonhealth.com/PrimaryCareCenters or call Washington Health Civic Center Internal Medicine at (510) 248-1680.