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“I’m very honored and consider myself fortunate to be bestowed with the responsibility of leading the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the four-decades-old strong and largest ethnic medical organization in the United States. With the cooperation and collaboration of an excellent team of dedicated, hardworking, and loyal officers and executive committee members who are with me, we will take AAPI to newer heights,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, who has assumed charge as the President of AAPI said.
Dr. Kathula did not have to contest the elections this year, as he has been serving as the President-Elect during the past year. Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, who has been serving as the Vice President in the past year also did not have to face elections as per the AAPI By-Laws, as he automatically becomes the President-Elect of AAPI for the current year.
While thanking the tens of thousands of Indian American physicians, who are active members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Dr. Kathula said, “We are grateful to AAPI members who have participated in the 2024 AAPI’s voting process and have elected a new, diverse, balanced, and experienced team to lead AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States in the coming year and beyond.”
Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, the President-Elect in 2024-25 said in a statement: “I trust and believe that under the leadership of Dr. Satheesh Kathula, we will continue the noble mission of AAPI and strengthen our efforts to make our beloved organization reach greater heights.”
Dr. Chakrabarty, a Consultant Urologist, Poplar Bluff Urology, Past Chairman of Urologic Clinics of North Alabama P.C., and the Director of the Center for Continence and Female Pelvic Health said, “Since my membership to AAPI In 1997, I have been a dedicated foot soldier for the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.”
As the President-Elect, the multi-talented professional said, “I understand that AAPI needs experienced leadership from someone who has been in AAPI leadership for over two decades. I know what works and what does not. This is a major contribution that I can make this year in guiding the leadership to progress in the right direction efficiently and effectively.”
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.”
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:”
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 has laid out his vision for AAPI:
- Promote AAPI’s mission of education, excellence in patient care, research, and professionalism.
- Increase membership of AAPI and enhance membership benefits. Engage the younger generation more.
- Collaborate with major physician organizations in the US.
- Fast-tracking of Green Cards process for Physicians
- Leverage the strength of 100,000 Indian American Doctors through Legislative endeavors.
The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. Physicians of Indian origin are known for their great achievements, and their contributions to their motherland, India, and their adopted land, the United States in significant ways to the transformation of Indo-US relations.
