A Legacy of Learning, Hard Work, and Giving Back: How the Gupta Family is Making a Difference at UL Lafayette

Dr. Surinder and Mrs. Shashi Gupta built their lives on a simple but powerful belief: that education, hard work, and service to others are the foundations of a meaningful life. After arriving in the United States in 1963, Surinder pursued a PhD in Food Sciences before entering the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine in 1974 and becoming an anesthesiologist. Shashi, who had been on her own path to medicine in India, earned her undergraduate degree from LSU-Baton Rouge before redirecting her focus to her family. Together, they settled in Lafayette and raised three children. After Surinder retired from medicine, the two followed a shared passion – becoming owners of Picante, and now Masala, which they still operate today.

Throughout their lives, Surinder and Shashi have led by example. They pursued education and entrepreneurship long after they had to, gave back to their community freely, and made clear to their children that success carries a responsibility to others. Those lessons took root. Now, a generation later, their three children – Shaminder, Seema, and Shalinder Gupta are carrying their parents’ legacy forward.

Growing up in Lafayette, each attended Lafayette High School before completing their undergraduate degrees at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and obtaining their medical degrees from the LSU Health Sciences Centers in New Orleans and Shreveport, respectively. Today, Shaminder is a nephrologist and Chief Medical Officer at Monogram Health; Seema is an ophthalmologist and Clinical and Surgical Professor at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, Houma, LA; and Shalinder is a family medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer at Clover Health. Three children, three physicians, and a family-wide commitment to service – a testament to what their parents built. 

"Our parents strongly believe that education opens doors, that hard work matters, and that when you succeed, you have a responsibility to help others do the same," the siblings reflect.

In that spirit, Shaminder, Seema, and Shalinder have established The Dr. Surinder & Shashi Gupta Endowed Enhancement Fund for Student Excellence in Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; a gift created in honor of their parents and in gratitude for everything they were given. The Fund will support high-impact student experiences including study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, and service learning at the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences – the same college that nurtured the Gupta children’s pathway in medicine.

For Shaminder, who entered the University of Louisiana at Lafayette through the Concurrent Early Admissions program while still in high school, and played men's soccer on campus, the memories are vivid and formative. He recalls the small class sizes and personal relationships he built with professors like Dr. Patricia Rickels, Leslie Kinsland, Dr. August Gallo, Dr. Bruce Felgenhauer, and Dr. Glen Watson; mentors whose guidance left an indelible mark on his life. 

"Where you build your foundation is core to future success. UL Lafayette allowed me to build this foundation, and I will always be grateful,” says Shaminder.