From New York Streets to Boardrooms
Anand Lalaji MD’s story starts in one of the toughest places in New York City—Hell’s Kitchen.
“I grew up where you learned to be tough fast,” Anand says.
He later moved to Queens and then Long Island, but the early lessons stayed with him. His dad was a nuclear engineer. His mom was an OB/GYN. Both worked hard and expected the same from their kids.
“They believed in education. It wasn’t a choice,” he says.
The Power of Sports and Music
Anand didn’t just study. He also played sports and music.
At Bronx High School of Science, he played varsity baseball and volleyball.
“I wasn’t the tallest or strongest, but I could lead,” he says. He was a setter in volleyball—always focused on helping others score.
Off the court, Anand was a drummer. He played in jazz bands and rock groups.
“I loved the discipline of music. You have to listen, adapt, and show up on time,” he says.
These early passions shaped his view of success. “Sports taught me teamwork. Music taught me focus. Both taught me discipline,” he explains.
A Steady Climb Through Medicine
Anand went to Binghamton University for college. There, he kept up with volleyball and drumming while focusing on his studies.
He later attended SUNY Downstate Medical Center for medical school.
“Medical school was intense. You’re either all in or you fall behind,” Anand says.
After earning his degree, he did his internship at Chestnut Hill Hospital, part of the University of Pennsylvania.
Then he went on to his radiology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
In 2004, he completed his fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Wake Forest University.
The Night That Changed His View of Success
One night during residency changed everything for Anand.
“It was around 2 a.m. A young trauma patient came in after a bad car crash,” he remembers.
He had to read the scans fast and accurately. There was no room for error.
“That’s when I realized success isn’t just about degrees. It’s about being reliable when it matters most,” Anand says.
That moment shaped his approach to leadership later on.
Building a Radiology Business With Purpose
Today, Anand is the CEO and cofounder of The Radiology Group, a leading teleradiology practice.
But success didn’t happen overnight.
“When we started, I wanted to do everything myself—hiring, reviewing cases, operations,” he says.
Soon, he realized he had to let go and trust others.
“Delegation was hard. But it’s key to growth,” he says.
He also learned the importance of mission-driven work.
“Our focus is on rural healthcare and mental health. It gives the team something bigger to work toward,” he says.
Giving Back Through Sports and Health Causes
Anand’s passion for volleyball never faded. His foundation supports women’s leadership in elite sports, especially volleyball.
“Being a setter shaped how I lead today. It’s about setting others up to succeed,” he explains.
He also supports mental health programs, cancer research, ALS, and pediatric cancer causes.
“These issues are personal to me. We’ve lost people we care about to these diseases,” Anand says.
He believes giving back is part of true success.
“Success isn’t just your own win. It’s about lifting others too,” he says.
Lessons for Anyone Seeking Success
Anand has simple advice for people trying to define success:
- Stop chasing someone else’s dream.
“Find what feels right to you, not what looks good on paper,” he says. - Be patient.
“It took me decades to get here. Don’t expect overnight results.” - Focus on consistency.
“Success is about showing up every day. It’s not about big, flashy moments,” he explains.
Takeaways From Anand’s Journey
Anand’s story shows that success doesn’t come from just one thing. It’s a mix of hard work, patience, discipline, and purpose.
He didn’t follow the fastest path. He followed the most meaningful one.
“Looking back, I wouldn’t change much,” Anand says. “Every step taught me something that shaped who I am.”
Key Takeaway for Readers:
Think about your own definition of success. Focus on the small, daily actions that matter most. And remember—success isn’t just about you. It’s about how you help others win too.
Q&A with Anand Lalaji: Real Talk on Success, Leadership, and Lessons Learned
1. You grew up in some pretty tough neighborhoods. How did that shape your outlook on success?
Anand Lalaji MD: Growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, you had to be alert all the time. It wasn’t the safest place back then. You learn fast that nothing comes easy. My parents worked hard, and they expected the same from me. It taught me grit and resilience—two things I still rely on today.
2. Sports and music were a big part of your life. How did those experiences help you later in your career?
Anand Lalaji: Volleyball and drumming shaped me in ways school never could. As a setter in volleyball, I had to focus on making others better—that’s exactly how leadership works. And music taught me discipline. You can’t just wing it in a band or a jazz ensemble. You have to show up, listen, and practice until it’s right. Those lessons stayed with me.
3. You’ve talked about a specific moment during your medical training that really stuck with you. What happened?
Anand Lalaji: I’ll never forget that night. It was around 2 a.m., and we had a young trauma patient come in after a car accident. I had to read their scans quickly and accurately. That’s when it hit me—success isn’t about fancy titles. It’s about being dependable when people need you most.
4. What was the hardest lesson you had to learn as a business leader?
Anand Lalaji: Delegation. When we started The Radiology Group, I wanted to handle everything myself. But that’s not sustainable. You have to trust others, let go, and allow your team to lead too. That’s the only way to grow a business.
5. You’ve stayed deeply involved in philanthropy, especially around sports and mental health. Why are those causes so personal to you?
Anand Lalaji: Volleyball was a huge part of my life, so supporting women’s leadership in sports feels natural to me. I’ve also seen too many people I care about struggle with mental health or lose battles to cancer. These causes aren’t abstract—they’re personal. Supporting them keeps me grounded.
6. What’s the best advice you can give to someone who feels stuck or unsure about their own success?
Anand Lalaji: Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own path. Be patient—everything worthwhile takes time. And most importantly, just keep showing up. Small, consistent actions matter way more than big, flashy wins.
