Indian Americans follow their desire to be physicians and improve health and healthcare outcomes in the US
Our Bureau
Philadelphia, PA
The 41st annual American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Convention and Scientific Sessions was successfully concluded in Philadelphia with the new leadership headed by Dr Anjana Samadder as President assuming charge.
Along with Samadder, Dr Satheesh Kathula assumed charge as President-Elect; Dr Amit Chakrabarthy as Vice President; Dr Sumul Raval as Secretary; Dr Sreeni Gangasani as Treasurer; and Dr Lokesh Edara as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“I am committed to your well-being and dedicated to advancing AAPI’s mission for a brighter future,” declared Samadder during her presidential inaugural address on July 8 at the iconic Marriott Downtown.
Samadder is a gastroenterology specialist in Columbus, Ohio, affiliated with Mount Carmel West and Mount Carmel East. She is a winner of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award.
The convention with “True and Total Health is the Wellbeing of Mind, Body, and Spirit” as the theme was inaugurated with the chanting of the Sanskrit mantras and lighting of the traditional Lamp by AAPI leaders and distinguished guests on July 7.
In his keynote address, Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice President of India praised AAPI and said, “AAPI’s programs are more centered around addressing the issues related to the stigma of mental illness and the importance of the practices such as meditation, and yoga, which is a connectivity between the body and the mind.”
“The secret of meditation is in letting go,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasizing, “A happy mind lets you stay calm; make better decisions and improve the overall quality of life.”
Shri Thanedar, an Indian American Congressman praised the great contributions of the physicians who worked so hard. He also vowed to “fight for the transformation of the broken immigration system in the US.”
At the convention, Dr Prem Reddy was honored with the Special Presidential Appreciation and Achievement Award for his Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Philanthropy. Dr Ranga Reddy, past AAPI President, was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr Manmeet Ahluwalia was the recipient of the AAPI 2023 Most Distinguished Physician Award. AAPI’s 2023 Most Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Dr Udaya Shivangi while Dr Soumya Reddy Neravetla was the recipient of the AAPI’s 2023 Most Distinguished YPS Award.
AAPI’s 2023 Most Distinguished MSRF Award was given to Mehul Mehra; Mary Shaya, President of J & B Medical was honored with the prestigious AAPI Presidential Humanitarian Award 2023; Stephen Shaya, Managing Director of Akkad Holdings and Executive Servant Leader at J & B Medical was bestowed with the prestigious AAPI Presidential Healthcare Leadership Award 2023.
In the presence of more than 1,000 delegates from across the nation, Dr Ravi Kolli, immediate past President of AAPI said, “AAPI has a long and illustrious history of 41 years of existence.”
“Started by a few physicians of Indian origin as they started their journey to this land of opportunities, today, they have succeeded beyond anybody’s expectations,” he said.
Dr. Willie Underwood, American Medical Association Chair-Elect heaped praise on the contributions of Indian American physicians saying, “While we have differences and divisions throughout this country, one thing we do share is our desire to be physicians that improve health and healthcare outcomes.”
