2025-2026 Term
Professional Development
Pakeeza Ali, DNP(c), MSN, RN, HNB-BC
Committee Chair
Pakeeza Ali, MSN, RN, HNB-BC, is honored to serve as the Professional Development Chair for the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association. With over seven years of nursing experience spanning high-acuity emergency departments to her current role in Gynecologic Oncology at Stanford Health Care, she is deeply committed to both clinical excellence and holistic well-being.
Recognized as Stanford’s 2025 Ambulatory Nurse of the Year, Pakeeza is also the founder of SereniTea Breaks, a wellness platform dedicated to fostering nurse resilience. She is passionate about promoting wellness, holistic practices, cultural competency, and empowerment among Indian nurses, future nurses, and their allies. In her role, she envisions cultivating transformative learning opportunities and building a supportive, inclusive community that uplifts and energizes its members.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Pakeeza is actively engaged in hosting community events centered on holistic well-being, including aromatherapy sensory painting workshops, guided imagery and breathwork sessions, and mindful movement classes. She firmly believes that her own healing journey and lived experiences have given her the skillset and calling to share well-being with others. Her mission is to extend care to the broader community, creating spaces that uplift, nurture, and empower individuals.
Smriti Sharma, MSN, RN
Committee Co-Chair
Smriti Sharma is a dedicated Registered Nurse with 13 years of experience across a diverse range of healthcare settings, including Medical-Surgical care, Emergency care, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), Correctional Nursing, Behavioral Health, and Neurology. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Prem Institute of Medical Sciences in Haryana, India, in 2012, and later earned a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University.
Her career began at the age of 22 when she discovered her passion for teaching while serving as a clinical and didactic instructor. Since then, she has continuously sought opportunities to share her knowledge and expertise with aspiring nurses. Currently, she serves as the VN Clinical Coordinator at Gurnick Medical Academy San Jose, where she leads the clinical education program, oversees nursing students’ clinical rotations, fosters relationships with clinical partners, and mentors a team of instructors. In addition, she teaches OB-GYN to graduating classes, provides NCLEX preparation courses, and guides future nurses through critical milestones in their careers. Teaching remains her passion, and she is committed to shaping the next generation of nurses and improving healthcare through education and mentorship.
Beyond her work in education, Smriti also serves as a Mental Health Nurse at San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital, where she provides compassionate care that supports patients’ mental health recovery and well-being.
She is actively involved with the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association (BAINA) and currently holds the position of Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee, where she works to create educational opportunities and resources for nurses. Through her dedication to nursing, education, and mentorship, she remains committed to making a meaningful impact in the healthcare community.
Awards, Fundraising & Scholarship & Philanthropy
Rashmi Jain, MSN(c), BBA, RN
Committee Chair
Rashmi Jain, originally from Mumbai, India, moved to the United States in 2001 after her marriage. Since then, Rashmi Jain has pursued her nursing education and dedicated over 16 years to advancing patient care, specializing in Cardiology. She has been proud to serve at Stanford TriValley for the past 8 years, with the last 2 years as the Cath Lab Assistant Nurse Manager, leading with compassion and expertise.
Passionate about inclusion, Rashmi believes every individual brings unique value to our lives. Meeting people, learning about different cultures, and fostering meaningful connections have always driven her. These values inspired Rashmi to join BAINA, a platform that empowers Indian nurses through collaboration and strength.
As Chair of the Awards, Scholarship, Fundraising, and Philanthropy Committee, Rashmi is committed to BAINA’s mission of uniting diverse voices. Her vision is to secure scholarships and raise funds that inspire and uplift members. Collaborating with BAINA board members and leaders in healthcare, Rashmi aims to raise awareness and establish enduring support for key initiatives. She looks forward to learning, sharing perspectives, and building a dynamic, supportive professional network as the community grows stronger together.
Sejal Naik, DNP, MHA, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Committee Co-Chair
Sejal Naik is a seasoned Infection Prevention leader with over 15 years of experience advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and infection prevention initiatives. As the Infection Preventionist for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region, she leads infection prevention improvement work, driving system-level strategies that significantly reduce healthcare-associated infections and improve clinical outcomes.
A Certified Infection Control Professional (CIC) and Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC), Sejal is recognized for mentoring, program development, and translating data into sustainable quality improvements. She has led interdisciplinary teams in designing innovative clinical protocols, training frameworks, and performance dashboards that elevate operational efficiency and patient care.
In addition to her regional leadership role, Sejal actively contributes to the broader infection prevention community through speaking engagements, publications, and APIC Bay Area board leadership. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Health Administration (MHA), she blends clinical experience with strategic insight to shape the future of infection prevention and healthcare delivery.
EBP & Research
Purnima Krishna, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Committee Chair
Dr. Purnima Krishna, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC is the Executive Director of Quality Improvement at Stanford Health Care, where she leads strategic initiatives and elevates quality across both inpatient and ambulatory settings. Originally from Mumbai, India, Dr. Krishna was inspired to pursue nursing by her mother, a nurse in the Indian Navy. She earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Manipal College of Nursing and moved to the United States 22 years ago, beginning her career as a cardiac nurse. With half of her career dedicated to Quality Improvement, Dr. Krishna focuses on optimizing the care continuum, patient flow, and leveraging data analytics to enhance healthcare quality. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a specialization in Executive Leadership, an MBA in Leadership and Management, and is a certified Healthcare Lean Six Sigma professional. Dr. Krishna is excited to contribute to BAINA’s mission of fostering a community of excellence in nursing practice, dedicated to the professional development of Indian nurses and minorities.
Rekha Khubchandani, ADN, RN
Committee Co-Chair
Rekha Khubchandani is a nurse coordinator for the inpatient cardiac rehab service at Stanford Healthcare. She has 18 years of nursing experience providing patient centered care. In her current role she manages and coordinates individualized education plans specific to patient conditions and goals of recovery after heart surgery and cardiac event. She participates as team member to help maintain certifications for JCCC and STEMI programs. She is passionate about educating patient and their families about modifying their cardiac risk factors to achieve positive long term health outcomes.
Advance Practice Nurse
Sandip Kaur Sall, DNP, FNP-BC
Committee Chair
Sandip Kaur Sall is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner at Stanford Healthcare. Beginning her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in 2003, she has found immense fulfillment in her journey. Since joining the inpatient GI/Liver team in 2011 as one of the nurse practitioners, she has played a vital role in patient care across various capacities. In her current position as the lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for the GI/Liver team, she is committed to delivering high-quality care while fostering a collaborative and team-oriented environment.
Outside of her professional life, Sandip finds balance and joy in spending time with her family. She enjoys cooking, dancing, and listening to music, all of which provide an outlet for relaxation and creativity. Additionally, she has a deep appreciation for nature and stays active by hiking, which allows her to connect with the outdoors.
As an active member of BAINA, Sandip is honored to serve as the chair of the APP committee. She looks forward to working closely with colleagues, exchanging insights, and contributing to the continued growth of the community. With enthusiasm, she remains committed to making an impact, inspiring others, and fostering motivation.
Mohni Dhillon, DNP, FNP-BC, CCRN
Committee Co-Chair
Mohni Dhillon, DNP, FNP-BC, CCRN is an accomplished healthcare professional with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Baylor University. With a robust background in both urgent care and critical care nursing, Mohni has dedicated her career to delivering high-quality care, making significant contributions to patient outcomes in diverse healthcare settings.
Born in Philadelphia, Mohni’s journey in nursing has been marked by both academic excellence and hands-on experience. After completing her undergraduate studies, she transitioned to a life in Texas and worked in medical and neurocritical care nursing, where she developed a passion for providing immediate and effective medical attention to patients in need. She gained invaluable experience in high pressure environments where swift decision-making and advanced clinical skills are paramount.
In addition to her clinical work, Mohni is a former professor at San Jose State University, where she shared her wealth of knowledge with aspiring nurses and contributed to the academic community. Her commitment to education reflects her belief in the importance of mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Currently residing in California, Mohni enjoys a fulfilling personal life outside her demanding career. She shares her home with her fiancé and their two beloved dogs. Together, they relish the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, frequently engaging in hiking and travel adventures that allow them to experience new cultures and landscapes.
Mohni’s passion for nursing, combined with her dedication to education and community involvement, positions her as a leader in the healthcare field. She continues to advocate for patient-centered care and remains committed to professional development, ensuring she stays at the forefront of nursing practice and healthcare innovation. Through her endeavors, Mohni exemplifies the values of compassion, integrity, and excellence in nursing.
Advocacy & Policy
Ragini Mistry, MSN, RN, PCCN
Committee Chair
Ragini Mistry is a registered nurse with a dual Bachelor of Science and a Master of Nursing degree, along with a certificate in education. With over 16 years of nursing experience in Texas and California, her expertise spans ENT, urology, plastic surgery, medical-surgical, telemetry, and step-down care, with a particular emphasis on cardiology. She currently serves as a Clinical Nurse IV at Stanford Hospital on an acuity-adaptable unit that primarily cares for cardiology and pulmonary hypertension patients.
Her leadership experience includes precepting, mentoring, management, and serving as the chair for Stanford’s shared governance, where she collaborates with over 400 interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to enhance practice excellence. As co-chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee, she envisions advocating for practice, professional development, and educational initiatives that directly impact Indian nurses across various specialties.
Her goal is to help move the political dial forward by showcasing the power nurses have to participate in making change and having our voices heard in the medical environment. She is honored and appreciative of the opportunity to lead, be led, and be educated by BAINA, NAINA, and all other professional organizations that strive to create harmonious change for safe practice.
Communications & Editorial
Aqdas Lilani, BSN, RN
Committee Chair
My name is Aqdas Lilani, BSN, RN, and I am honored to serve as the new Social Media Chair for the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association. I currently work as a Clinical Nurse II at Stanford Health Care in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, where I focus on caring for patients with complex autoimmune conditions.
My nursing journey began at the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, where I discovered my passion for advancing healthcare equity and advocacy. As a child of immigrants and the first in my family to graduate high school, I have always felt deeply connected to communities that face barriers to care. That connection has shaped my career path and continues to drive my commitment to ensuring that every patient feels seen, heard, and supported.
Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to receive the HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship, recognition as Nurse of the Year at AltaMed in 2023 for promoting wellness and healthy communities, and acknowledgment at Stanford for my patient-centered approach through the C-I-CARE model. I also serve as a champion for Stanford’s “We Ask Because We Care” health equity initiative and as a Super-User Champion for MAR implementation.
As I step into this role with BAINA, I look forward to amplifying the voices of Indian nurses, building stronger connections across our community, and using social media to highlight the incredible work our members are doing. My hope is to help inspire the next generation of nurses to embrace leadership, advocacy, and the power of our shared heritage.