NJ STATE AAPI and JFK University Hospital Make Historic Pledge of $1 million at Convention

NJ State AAPI pledged $ 100,000 for the SACHI program. The projected cost of the program over 5 years is around $ 1 million in addition to $ 500,000 commitment by JFK University hospital

Our Bureau
New Jersey, NJ

NJ STATE AAPI, the foremost organization representing Indian Physicians in New Jersey, organized its fifth annual convention at Imperia NJ on December 10th, Sunday, in partnership with JFK University Hospital and Raritan Bay Hospital of Hackensack Meridian Hospitals.

The Executive team of the hospitals attended the event. From JFK university medical center, Amie Thornton, president and chief hospital executive; Jaikumar Sreekanth, senior VP operations; and Sheri Marino, executive director of JFK University foundation, attended the event.

From Raritan Bay Medical Center and HMH Oldbridge Medical center, Patricia Carroll, President and Chief Hospital executive; Dr Greg Rokosz, Chief Medical officer; and Stephen Maher, executive director foundation RBMC and HMH Oldbridge medical center, were present at the gathering.

At the event, NJ STATE AAPI and JFK Hospital launched the SACHI program. SACHI or South Asian Community Health Initiative came into being to identify high risk patients with cardiovascular, hypertension diabetes stroke risk, and cancer screening, etc. Health camps will be held periodically and high-risk patients will be navigated through HMH/ JFK hospital system.

NJ State AAPI pledged $ 100,000 for the SACHI program. The projected cost of the program over 5 years is around $ 1 million in addition to $ 500,000 commitment by JFK University hospital.

The convention guest of honor was Edison Mayer Sam Joshi and Indian Consul General Varun Jeff.

More than 300 delegates attended the event and 15 vendors supported the event. In his opening remarks, Dr Raj Bhayani, Convention Chair, welcomed everyone and set the tone for an exciting evening. President Dr Atul Prakash emphasized the need to take care of community by giving back to those in need. Dr Binod Sinha, BOT Chair, said the focus of the organization is to serve the physicians and NJ State community and unite all physicians in New Jersey. Dr Kishore Ratkalkar explained the SACHI program.

JFK Hospital CEO Amie Thorton and Raritan Bay Hospital CEO Patriicia Carroll were felicitated by NJ State AAPI leadership for their invaluable service to community. Mayor Joshi highlighted importance of Indian physicians in country and appealed to get involved more in advocacy and policy. Dr Varun Jeff, Indian Consul General, emphasized the importance of Indo-US relationship under PM Modi and role of Indian Physicians in strengthening it. Dr Sudha Nahar thanked everyone for support and participation for the gala.

NJ STATE AAPI was founded by Dr Raj Bhayani, Dr Binod Sinha, Dr Kishore Ratkalkar and DR Hemant Patel six years ago.