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Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), who has assumed charge of the largest ethnic medical association in the United States, has assured to foster unity within the organization through his “unwavering commitment to people, optimism, and integrity”.
In an official communication sent out to the members of the AAPI’s General Body on July 31, Dr. Kathula stated: “According to the current bylaws (Article VI) the current Executive Committee (EC) term is one year which ended on July 8, 2024. The new Executive Committee’s term started on July 9, 2024.”
Earlier on July 30, 2024, Barry Baskin, Ret., the Emergency Arbitrator in the JAMS arbitration case between Dr Kathula and Dr Anjana Samadder, gave a partial final award which stated that the claimant (Dr Kathula) “is not suspended as a member of AAPI. The actions of Respondent and her proxies to suspend Claimant were invalid and unlawful and are set aside, pending the final hearing. Claimant is now the President of AAPI, pending a final hearing in this matter following the appointment of an Arbitrator”.
In the case, Dr Kathula had sought” an emergency order establishing himself as the current President of AAPI”. He had claimed that Respondent, the former President, “took invalid actions to prevent him from assuming the Presidency and continued in office even after her term ended and after AAPI’s board rescinded those actions”.
In the partial award, Barry Baskin said that: “The parties are to comply with all AAPI bylaws and rules pending this arbitration; The Claimant is to ensure from this date forward that all AAPI accounts are properly audited and that no checks are issued without proper signatures and valid documentation of expenses”.
“This partial final award resolves all issues submitted for determination per Rule 2 in this proceeding and terminates the Emergency Arbitrator’s jurisdiction. All subsequent issues will be addressed by the arbitrator(s) appointed by the parties per their agreement and the applicable JAMS Rules,” the Emergency Arbitrator said.
On July 31, Dr. Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank past leadership, along with the executive committee, Board of Trustees, and chairs of all standing committees, for their year of dedicated service. Let us continue to support each other, innovate, and strive for excellence. The challenges we overcome today will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”
While elaborating on his broader agenda as the 43rd President of AAPI, Dr. Kathula, an eminent physician of over 25 years’ standing in Ohio, an admirable community leader and philanthropist with a stellar record of serving in several leadership roles in AAPI, says, “I will collaborate with legislative bodies and medical associations such as the AMA, ACP, and FSMB, in our efforts to amplify our impact.”
Dr. Kathula, who graduated from Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1992 is a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Kathula is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and is in the process of writing a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. “For the past 22 years, I’ve been proudly serving as a Hematologist and Oncologist in the Dayton community, considering it my home:”
Dr. Kathula has served AAPI in various capacities. He served as the President and founding member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as the President of the ATMGUSA (Association of Telugu Medical Graduates in USA). In addition, he has worked with the Ohio State Medical Association on various issues. He was the Regional Director and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and has served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-34.
In his inaugural note, Dr. Kathula assured all AAPI members and all physicians of Indian origin that “I will sincerely work for the betterment of our beloved organization, AAPI.”
“My priority is to engage the second-generation physicians and foster mentorship to ensure AAPI’s continued relevance and vitality.” As the leader of AAPI, who has been entrusted with the task of leading AAPI, Dr. Kathula says, “My goals for AAPI have been very clear. I want to focus on education, communication, and legislation, involving the younger generation. Increasing the membership, creating benefits for members, and making AAPI financially stronger are some of my objectives. I will work hand in hand with the entire executive committee, and board of trustees, to make AAPI stronger and more viable.”
