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“It is with great pleasure that we announce that the 41st Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2003 in the historical city of Philadelphia, PA,” Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI announced here during a colorful gala on March 3rd, 2023 at the Royal Albert’s palace in Edison, New Jersey.
Inaugurated by India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal, and Bollywood Star Bhagyashree among others, prominent among those who were part of the Gala included, Dr. Ravi Kolli, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of AAPI, Dr. Sumul Rawal, Treasurer of AAPI, Dr. Pradip Shah, President of AAPI-NJ, and Dr. Sudhir Parikh, senior advisor to AAPI.
“The 41st annual convention will be the best in the history of AAPI,” Dr. Kolli said and thanked the Organizing Committee led by AAPI’s National Convenor Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Kavita Gupta. “Our focus will be on mind, body, and spirit,” Dr. Kolli said, with special attention to mental health, removing the stigma, and access to care, artificial intelligence, lifestyle medicine, in other words, “a very comprehensive and very eclectic” program, including health, wellness, lots of cultural programs and the usual high quality Continuing Medical Education seminars.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Convention coordinator noted that AAPI is the largest organization of physicians after the American Medical Association. “We treat one of seven Americans; our Doctors are spread in every corner, and that is our strength,” Dr. Sanjay Gupta said. Philadelphia was a historic place to hold the Convention because it had the first hospital in America back in 1751, the first medical school in 1752. “We want to put the best Convention forward.” He thanked Consul General Jaiswal and his team.
Consul General Jaiswal praised AAPI’s contributions, and highlighted India’s latest campaign on making the food grain millet, a global superfood – “for our health and the health of the planet” because it consumes less water and contains essential nutrients. The former Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf also addressed the gathering through video, thanking AAPI for its work and for choosing Philadelphia as the location for the Convention.
Dr. Sudhir Parikh praised the hardworking team and offered all help possible to make the Philadelphia Convention a success. “AAPI has come a long way – from fighting discrimination, to helping India-U.S. relations and engaging in philanthropy,” Dr. Parikh said. “You can always count on me and my media group,” he added. He also thanked Bhagyeshree for her support.
“AAPI is an umbrella organization representing over 120,000 Indian American physicians, 130 local Chapters, who make up 10% of total physicians in the US and nearly 50% of International Medical Graduates, rooted in every corner of the nation, who serve every 7th patient in the US. We are proud of our achievements and our contributions to the healthcare industry and the millions of people we serve,” Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of AAPI said.
Dr. Sumul Rawal, Treasurer of AAPI said, “Exhibitors and Corporate Partners will remain our top priority as we work together to provide a world-class forum for increased interactions between sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. The ease with which attendees can move between the exhibit hall, conference and ballrooms, and their hotel rooms will ensure maximum attendance and visibility for Sponsors and Exhibitors.”
Dr. Kavita Gupta pointed to the short trip to Philadelphia from New York and that there would be so many “very distinguished” Doctors would be at the Convention. Dr. Pradip Shah of AAPI-NJ, urged all AAPI members to go to the website to get the details about the Convention and invited everyone “to come and enjoy.”
Bhagyeshree thanked AAPI for inviting her and praised Indian American physicians for their achievements. She said, “After God come physicians … they save lives.” The ‘Red Carpet Dinner Gala’ featured a fabulous fashion show, live music, and other cultural attractions such as traditional and fusion dances, especially by the youth.
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Convention offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year.
