Dr.Sunder is one of the few practitioners of the rare specialty of Physical medicine and rehabilitation in India today. Physical medicine deals with the management of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders with physical methods of treatment. Biomechanics, and prescription of posture and exercise form important components of management in the field of physical medicine. Rehabilitation deals with the medical management of the handicapped.
Dr.Sunder holds an MD Degree in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation awarded by the Tamilnadu DR.MGR Medical University. After his M.B.B.S from Stanley Medical College in 1984, Dr.Sunder did his Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from Madras Medical College at the premier Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chennai. He is trained in Ergonomic Principles for Workplace assessment and Design at Lansing, sponsored by the University of Michigan U.S.A in 2006. Dr.Sunder is a certificate holder in Occupational health which includes training in Industrial Health and Ergonomics.
He has founded a successful outpatient service for pain and paralysis relief called PREM CENTER, which is one of its biggest kind in Chennai. He has been a consultant to several NGO's in the area of disability for children. In the two decades after his graduation he has had over ten years of experience as industrial medical officer, to about 15 companies. He was the head of the Department of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation in the Global Hospitals, Chennai since 2008. His vast experience as a master trainer in Ergonomics, has enabled him to be one of the most sought after consultants and he has given over 200 lectures in more than 50 companies all over the country.
He was the recipient of the Lady Tata Memorial Research Scholarship, for a project on Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity Amputees, and was trained in Washington as an evaluator for a NIH funded program on Muscular Dystrophy. He is an internationally certified GCP principal investigator for clinical trials and travels abroad regularly to participate in research trials.
He is a master trainer in rehabilitation for the PHC doctors of Tamilnadu, sponsored by the Rehabilitation council of India. His expertise in the field of Rehabilitation stems from the fact that he has taught in several colleges of physiotherapy as visiting faculty in Rehabilitation Medicine. He has the rare distinction of being the only Indian to have authored a textbook on Rehabilitation Medicine for professionals in the field of rehabilitation. This textbook is in its fourth edition and is the prescribed book in Universities all over India and abroad. Another book MCQ' s IN REHABILITATION MEDICINE authored by him was released in 2004.
Dr Sunder won the First Prize for Best Paper at the International Conference of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New Delhi, 1991 as a young postgraduate student and has never looked back.
He is the recipient of the COSTED Fellowship to young scientists and Rama Rao Travelling Fellowship to young physiatrists.
In recognition of his services to the physically challenged community, both the State & the Central Governments have honored him with the Best Doctor award.
He received the coveted Presidents' Award for Best individual in social service in the year 2008.
In 2017, on World Disability day, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chief Secretary Health at the Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Chennai.
Several other organizations have honored him for his valuable contribution to the society.
The Rotary club has honored him twice for Vocational excellence, and the CIOSA has given him the Dr. Sanjivi Award for social service.
He is also the recipient of the Raja Muthiah Chettiar award for social service.
Recently he has been given the RENNY ABRAHAM TANKER AWARD FOR SOCIAL SERVICE.
He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lions International in 2018.