The basics:

• CitiusTech names Dhaval Shah acting CEO
• Shyam Karunakaran promoted to president
• CEO Rajan Kohli will leave by end of August
• Leadership changes come as healthcare AI adoption grows

CitiusTech is making changes to its executive leadership team.

In an Aug. 17 press release, the Princeton-based healthcare technology company announced the appointment of Dhaval Shah as acting CEO, effective immediately. Prior CEO Rajan Kohli “has decided to move on from his role by the end of August 2026 to pursue other opportunities,” CitiusTech said.

A 19-year veteran of the company, Shah held various leadership roles at CitiusTech. CitiusTech also announced Shyam Karunakaran as its new president.

During his tenure, Shah was responsible for building CitiusTech’s medical technology and life sciences businesses. Until recently, he served as chief business officer for those two segments, according to the company.

Karunakaran joined the company 17 years ago and has helped build CitiusTech’s payer and platform businesses. Prior to his promotion, he served as chief business officer for those two groups, CitiusTech said.

The company said the appointments “reflect succession planning that has been in place.” It also noted “confidence in the strength of its leadership team, positioning the company for its next phase of growth.”

Founded 20 years ago in Mumbai, India, CitiusTech was built on the idea of providing healthcare organizations with technology that addresses the sector’s many unique challenges.

The company is a healthcare IT and digital transformation leader. It serves over 140 hospitals, insurers, medical technology businesses and life sciences firms worldwide. CitiusTech helps customers leverage data, AI, cloud computing and software to offer better patient care, streamline operations and meet regulatory demands.

The company has had its U.S. headquarters in Princeton since 2011. It’s also where most of the executive leadership team sits.

‘An exciting time’

CitiusTech Chairman William Winkenwerder Jr. said, “As two of CitiusTech’s early founding employees, Dhaval and Shyam have been integral to that journey and today lead over 80% of our business. Their deep understanding of our clients, people and industry, combined with their proven track record of building and scaling businesses, positions them strongly to lead CitiusTech through its next phase of growth.”

As two of CitiusTech’s early founding employees, Dhaval and Shyam have been integral to that journey and today lead over 80% of our business.
– William Winkenwerder Jr., CitiusTech chairman

“This is an exciting time for the company as healthcare organizations accelerate their adoption of AI and look for partners who can translate that technology into meaningful outcomes. Dhaval and Shyam have the full support of the board, and the mandate to lead the organization and execute on its strategic priorities,” he said.

Kohli said it’s been a privilege to lead CitiusTech and work “alongside such a talented team” over the past three-and-a-half years.

“Together, we forged strategic partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem, elevated client trust, enhanced CitiusTech’s brand visibility as a category leader, and built a strong foundation in AI that is now driving real outcomes for our clients. I’m grateful to Bill and the Board for their partnership throughout this journey. Dhaval and Shyam are outstanding leaders, and they have my best wishes as they take CitiusTech to even greater heights,”  he went on.

Commenting on his new role with CitiusTech, Shah said, “Our vision to accelerate healthcare intelligence is well and truly underway. Our focus now is to make intelligence an integral part of how healthcare organizations operate, make decisions and deliver outcomes. We will build on this foundation to establish CitiusTech as a leader in healthcare AI services.”

He also thanked the outgoing CEO and board “for the strong foundation we are inheriting.”