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| Dr. Gautam Samadder Assumes Charge As President Of AAPI |
06/29/2017
“AAPI must be responsive to its members, supportive of the leadership and a true advocate for our mission,†Dr. Gautam Samadder, president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, said soon after taking charge of AAPI, the nation’s largest ethnic association. “I am committed to unify AAPI by breaking down the barriers of various regions, languages, medical education within the organization and bringing everyone together as a whole organization rather than separate fragments of the organization,†Dr. Samadder said.
Dr. Gautam Samadder rose through the ranks of AAPI due to his hard work and dedication. He was a Regional Director for the AAPI NE Central-II Region, and had served as the Editor-in-Chief of AAPI Journal, a quarterly published by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI). He was instrumental in reviving the journal and turning it around to a 'sought-after' publication.
“My leadership involvement with the AAPI started during my Global Health Summit trip to India in Rajasthan in the year of 2010 although I have been a patron member of AAPI for more than 20 years. I had the opportunity to know Dr. Narendra Kumar and Dr. Ajit Singhvi, past AAPI presidents, who had encouraged me to take on a leadership role at AAPI and here I am seven years later.†According to him, “One thing is clear, if you are a team player, hardworking, and willing to serve in the best interests of the organization. There is always a leadership opportunity for you in AAPI.â€
Working with his dedicated executive committee, Dr. Gautam wants to “establish a strategic plan for AAPI that can sustain change in leadership. “AAPI members should be at the table during planning and implementation stages of the health care reforms,†Dr. Samadder says. “I want to encourage medical students, residents, and fellows and all second-generation Indian American physicians to be actively involved in both local and national level. Efforts go to building a strong association focusing on leader development and strengthening our professional relations.â€
With ribbon cutting and lighting of the traditional lamp Pandit Jasraj officially inaugurated the 35th annual convention of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City in New Jersey on June 22, 2017. Pt. Jasraj led the more than 1.000 delegates at the Convention Centre at the prestigious Harrah’s Resort to a prayer song, moving everyone’s heart seeking God’s bountiful blessings.
In his opening remarks, Pandit Jasraj shared with the audience his heartfelt gratitude for inviting him and making him the special guest of honor. “This is the warmest welcome I have ever received in my life,†the Padma Vibhushan awardee told the AAPI delegates.
In his warm inaugural address, Dr. Ajay, President of AAPI, reminded the delegates from across the nation of the historic nature of the convention. “It’s very great joy that I want to invite you all to come and be part of the 35th annual American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Convention 2017,†he said.
Dr. Lodha shared with the audience the many programs and initiatives he and his executive committee have taken in the past year since assuming charge as the President of AAPI. Dr. Lodha, among others, highlighted the successful organization of Global health Summit in Rajasthan and the many initiatives at the Summit, Crash Courses in India for police officers as first responders in accidents, EPS lab studies, AYUSH, first ever international research contest and the many charitable works through AAPI the Charitable Foundation.
The five days long convention was packed with CMEs, spiritual discourses, yoga, fashion show, town hall meeting, Bollywood extravaganza, India forum, young physicians forum, children’s activities, and delicious food from around India.
On June 24th at the AAPI Board of Trustees Luncheon Gala, Dr. Ajay Lodha, the out going President of AAPI was honored for his outstanding leadership, commitment to AAPI’s mission, and for carrying the entire AAPI family together, as well as for his contributions to realize the lofty goals of AAPI, by Dr. Madhu Aggarwal and the entire Board of Trustee members as the entire audience numbering over 1500 cheered him.
Expressing his gratitude to AAPI’s executive committee members, members of Board of Trustees; Convention Chair and various committee chairs and members, volunteers and sponsors for their continued dedication and visionary leadership in their efforts to make this convention truly a historic one for all, Dr. Lodha, said. “The organizing committees have been working hard to make the AAPI Convention of 2017 rewarding and memorable for all with Continuing Education Meetings, National and India based Health Policy Forums, Youth Seminars, New Physician and Resident Student meetings.â€
Earlier, the day began with Yoga led by Baba Ramdev, the world renowned yoga guru known for his work in ayurveda, business, politics and agriculture. Later on, during a packed session, the famous guru addressed the audience for over 70 minutes, leading them to learn and practice simple ways of living healthy. According to him, the source of happiness is to “enjoy whatever you do.†He told the told the physicians of the glorious past of the Indian civilization that gave birth to the most advanced forms of practicing medicine thousands of years ago, and urged them to be knowledgeable to be AYUSH.
During an inspiring discourse by Brahmakumari Sister Shivani on June 23rd, the Indian spiritual teacher and inspirational speaker and a member of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University challenged the physicians to be “healing angels.†In an hour long address, she appealed to the delegates “to work on the inner thing. You can do whatever you want to do, provided you can keep the right state of emotion.†As physicians, she told the delegates, “You can learn to stay peaceful inside and share that feeling with your patients, staff and everyone you work with, so that they can free themselves from their own anger.â€
She was part of the Women's Forum, which has come to be a major attraction among the delegates at the annual conventions, and was led by Dr. Rachana Kulkarni, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, and Dr. Purnima Kothari. Panelists at the Women’s Forum included, Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, Chair, AAPI BOT; Poonam Alaigh, MD - Acting Under Secretary for Health, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs; Ambassador Mrs. Riva Ganguly Das Consul General, NY; Dr. Jayesh Mehta, Chair of MCI, India; Dr. Ratna Jain; and Neha Kakkar, Bollywood Singer. The distinguished panelists discussed on the challenges for women in the 21st century; do women lack leadership skills? How did each of them rise above and became leaders in their own fields?
In her key note address during the gala on Thursday, Sadhvi Ji, said, “Having all the successes, comforts and luxuries in life does not lead one to happiness or real joy and peace. It’s found within and that’s what the Indian culture is teaching us, which emphasizes as you think so you become.â€
During the luncheon, Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, who is currently serving his fourth term as the State Representative in Connecticut and is a candidate aspiring to be the next Governor of the state, in his passionate address, challenged his colleagues in the medical profession to be hardworking, dedicated to public cause, family-oriented and stay focused, which are keys to becoming state and national elected officials. “We have the choice to be at the table or on the table. Given our heritage, we the Indian Americans belong at the table. Get actively involved in the affairs of the local community and that’s the path to larger role in the nation,†he said.
Speakers at the gala included, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, who spoke passionately about the fast growing Indian American community. “The Indian-American community is often hailed as one of the most successful ethnic groups in the United States. According to census data, its members have obtained income and education levels far above the national average. But this socio-economic achievement has not translated into commensurate political clout, as shown, for example, by the community’s lack of success in federal elections.â€
Congressman Tom Suozzi spoke about his close association with the Indian American community and praised their contributions in his home state and around the nation.
Ambassador Ravi Ganguly Das Consul General, NY lauded the many initiatives AAPI both in India and the United States, while wishing them a successful convention. “You have excelled in your fields of medicine, and thus make significant contributions through hard work, commitment and dedication to your profession and the people you are committed to serve,†she said.
The Town Hall Meeting with Congressmen Frank Pallone and Tom Suozzi provided insights into the current Healthcare Bill and how it’s going to be affecting the way healthcare is expected to be delivered in the coming years, if the Bill becomes law. Both the members of the US Congress passionately spoke about the deficiencies in the current Bill in the working, While acknowledging the limitations in Obama Care, they both showed the delegates that how the GOP will affect patients, physicians, hospitals and the entire delivery system. They answered several questions from AAPI delegates on issues that affect physicians.
Each day was packed with back to back seminars and CMEs and conferences. Dr. Nani Bhalla of AstraZeneca led the CME on Understand the Ongoing Risk of Atherothrombosis Beyond the Culprit Lesion. The Medtronic team offered an insightful session on Multidisciplinary Approach to Managing Ischemic Stroke: From Acute Management to Transition of Care.
Physicians of Indian Origin in the United States are reputed to be leading health care providers, holding crucial positions in various hospitals and health care facilities around the nation and the world. Known to be a leading ethnic medical organization that represents nearly 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian Origin in the US, and being their voice and providing a forum to its members to collectively work together to meet their diverse needs, AAPI members are proud to contribute to the wellbeing of their motherland India, and their adopted land, the United States. The convention is forum to network, share knowledge and thoughts, and thus, enrich one another, and rededicate for the health and wellbeing of all the peoples of the world.
Dr. Gautam Samadder invited all delegates to come and participate at the 36th annual convention to be held in Columbus, OH from July 4th to 8th 2018. We look forward to seeing you all in Columbus, OH!†Dr. Samadder declared. For more information on AAPI and the 36th convention, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org
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