AAPI leadership and community pays tribute to the doctor who fought the virus for eight months.
Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
Dr. Ajay Lodha passed away peacefully, after fighting COVID valiantly for last eight months at the Cleveland Clinic, surrounded by his wife Smita, his son Amit and his daughter Shweta.
“We are shocked and saddened at the passing away of Dr. Ajay Lodha, a visionary leader and past President of AAPI, who died early on November 21st, 2020, due to complications from COVID 19.” Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) said here today.
Describing this day as “the darkest day in AAPI history” Dr. Jonnalgadda, who has known him personally and had worked with at the Executive Committee of AAPI under the leadership of Dr. Lodha said, “In his passing away today, I have lost a dear Friend, Mentor, and Brother. We will cherish the wonderful days we spent together. Ajay, you will live in our hearts forever. We love you. OM Shanti.”
Dr. Sajani Shah, Chairwoman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees pointed to the fact that “The deadly Corona virus has placed the entire healthcare sector, and in particular the Indian American medical fraternity at the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic. We are deeply saddened by another hero, who gave up his life in caring for his patients.”
“Dr. Ajay Lodha’s heroic fight with Covid 19 epitomizes the struggles of frontline health workers. Dr. Lodha along with other physicians of Indian origin who have lost their lives due to the pandemic will continue to inspire us and AAPI forever,” said Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President-Elect of AAPI.
Describing Dr. Lodha as “One of the most beloved and dynamic AAPI leaders” Dr. Amit Chakrabarthy, Secretary of AAPI said. “To me he was a long-time friend and advisor. I personally got to know him and his wife when we were contestants for AAPI treasurer about 12 years ago. I was reading his texts to me with all his wisdom and advice.
Brought tears to my eyes. I remember when he made me change my plans and attend his global summit in Rajasthan. His requests are so heartfelt and genuine that one cannot refuse.
At every AAPI meeting he was there partying with us with his charming magnetic personality. It is so devastating to hear of the great loss to me personally and to AAPI.”
Dr. Suresh Reddy, Immediate past President of AAPI, recalled his close bond with Dr. Lodha. “I cannot forget, I can only cherish: The time you gave me your bed and you slept on the sofa; For the countless hours you worked to help me serve AAPI through your guidance.
For so passionately standing up for your belief in people, one of whom was me! For being my “Go to” guy for advice about mundane things in life also;
For texting me from the hospital and saying that you will give your best fight like a true ‘Rajasthani warrior’ and, above all, for being my ‘Forever Brother’ through good time and not so easy times.
AAPI and I will be forever indebted to you for what you have been to our Indian community, to the medical fraternity and to India and America as a whole.”
Dr. Raj Bhayani, AAPI QLI President, who had worked very closely with Dr. Lodha said, “Dr. Ajay Lodha is one of a kind of leader and my closest friend who made a positive difference in the life of all those whom he had interacted with. His life journey was very inspiring as he has achieved so much during his short life span. His life has been a blessing and his memory a treasure. He is loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.”
Dr. Ajay Lodha was well known in the community and among his Fellow Physicians as a leader with a power house of entrepreneurial skills. Dr. Lodha had extensive background of overseeing quality assurance and quality improvement. He was a past president of RANA and RAJMAAI (Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association Inc.), Police Surgeon with Nassau County PBA and Director of Research Department at Flushing Hospital, NY.
A past President of AAPIQLI, Dr. Lodha was a former Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Caritas Health Care System representing St. John’s Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hospital in New York. Dr. Ajay Lodha was appointed a member of the Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos’s MWBE Advisory Council in 2015.
An Internist by profession, Dr. Lodha has had experiences in leading almost all areas of Medicine. He owned two Nursing Homes on Long Island, New York and has been credited to be the founder of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and the Independent Physicians Association (APA).
Born in Rajasthan, he was a graduate of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Dr. Lodha completed his Residency at the Flushing Hospital, NY. He was the founder and president of Queens Medical Services, a primary care practice with two locations serving Queens, NY since 1995 and was a partner in Hillaire and Nesconset Nursing homes.
The New York-based physician and leader, who was honored with the prestigious Ellis Island Medals of Honor in 2016, rose through the ranks of AAPI and served as the President of AAPI in 2015-16. He is a recipient of Lawrence J. Scherr Award of Excellence for being an Outstanding Physician. He has also been honored for Outstanding Contributions to Research & Hypertension Department at the Flushing Hospital, NY. In 2008, he was bestowed with the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Physician of the Year Award.
During the AAPI convention in 2016 at the AAPI Board of Trustees Luncheon Gala, Dr. Ajay Lodha was honored for his outstanding leadership, commitment to AAPI’s mission, and for carrying the entire AAPI family together, as well as for his contributions to realize the lofty goals of AAPI.
