Our Bureau
Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Bharat Barai, a distinguished Indian American physician and community leader, was honored with the inaugural Dr. Sampat Shivangi Legacy Award during the 43rd Annual Convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Cincinnati on July 26, 2025. The award, presented by U.S. Congressman Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, recognized Dr. Barai’s leadership, societal contributions, and long association with Dr. Shivangi.
The ceremony, attended by nearly 1,000 physicians and community members, was both a celebration of Dr. Barai’s achievements and a tribute to the late Dr. Shivangi — a physician, philanthropist, and influential advocate for U.S.-India relations — who passed away suddenly on February 10, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi.
In his remarks, Dr. Barai reflected on his decades-long friendship with Dr. Shivangi, recalling their shared commitment to strengthening Indo-U.S. ties. Born in Mumbai, Dr. Barai is Medical Director of the Cancer Institute at Methodist Hospitals, Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University Medical School, and Secretary and former President of Indiana’s Medical Licensing Board. His distinguished career spans leadership roles at Methodist Hospitals, advisory positions to U.S. lawmakers, and a strong presence in medical education.
Rep. Jackson, drawing parallels between the struggles of African American and Indian American communities, praised the courage and resilience of immigrant physicians. “We are linked, bound by histories and a common destiny,” he said, connecting the philosophies of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. “Liberty demands not only resistance but resilience. I honor you for healing the sick and serving the distressed.”
Dr. Shivangi’s wife, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, and their daughters, Priya Kurup and Pooja Shivangi Amin, vowed to carry forward his mission in education, philanthropy, and diplomacy. “His dream did not end with him — it lives on,” she said, outlining plans for charitable projects, a book, a film, and continued efforts to strengthen U.S.-India relations. She thanked Dr. Vijay Prabhakar of Chicago for helping curate a historic congressional salute to her late husband.
A trailblazer in the Indian diaspora, Dr. Shivangi served AAPI and numerous Indian American organizations for decades. His philanthropic work included building the Dr. Sampat Kumar S. Shivangi Cancer Hospital in Belagavi, Karnataka — inaugurated by India’s President Droupadi Murmu in January 2025 — as well as schools, cultural centers, and healthcare facilities in India. In the U.S., he helped establish a Hindu temple in Jackson, Mississippi, and earned the honor of having a street named after him.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula, outgoing AAPI president, remembered Dr. Shivangi’s constant presence and guidance. “He was like a father figure and a true role model,” he said.
The Dr. Sampat Shivangi Foundation continues his work in education, healthcare, mental health, women’s empowerment, tribal support, and sports development. As the first Indian American on Mississippi’s State Department of Mental Health Board, Dr. Shivangi advanced mental health advocacy, and at the national level, he served on the SAMHSA Board under both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
A staunch supporter of Indo-U.S. relations, Dr. Shivangi played key roles in the Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement and in lifting U.S. sanctions on India during the Clinton administration. He received numerous honors, including the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the U.S. Congressional Recognition Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Dr. Shivangi often urged Indian American physicians — over 100,000 strong in the U.S. — to engage in philanthropy both in their homeland and locally. “Let us be the change and bring this movement to make our world different tomorrow,” he had said. “Success is measured not by what we accumulate but by the lives we touch.”
With the creation of the Legacy Award in his name, Dr. Shivangi’s vision and values will continue to inspire generations — a lasting reminder of a life dedicated to healing, service, and building bridges between nations.
