AAPI will also promote Childhood Obesity Awareness Campaign.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Miss America Nina Davuluri will be a star attraction at the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s (AAPI) 32ndannual convention to be held from June 25th through June 29th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.
Davuluri will lead the AAPI Women’s Forum Session and the “Be Fit Be Cool’ Walkathon during the convention, announced Dr. Jayesh Shah, president of AAPI, the largest ethnic association of physicians in the United States, representing over 100, 000 physicians of Indian origin, in a press release.
Over 2,000 physicians and their families are expected to gather and deliberate on ways to enhance their own professional growth and identify ways to network and stay united and offer a unified voice to protect their rights as well as explore possibilities to give back to the society.
AAPI will also promote Childhood Obesity Awareness Campaign, a pioneering preventive health initiative, in collaboration with local chapters across several states. This unique educational program has been going on for months. It was launched in San Antonio by the Texas Indo-American Physicians Society (TIPS) South West Chapter at the Collins Garden Elementary School in Texas, said Dr. Aruna Venkatesh, co-chair of San Antonio convention team.
The obesity prevention initiative is one of the top priorities for AAPI, Dr. Jayesh Shah stated.
“The Be Fit. Be Cool campaign aims to involve at least two elementary schools in each state to launch the educational program for youth to adopt simple easy to follow tips to eat more vegetables and fruits, engage in at least one hour of daily physical activity, limit recreational screen time and eliminate sugary drinks,” he added.
Dr. Malathi Koli, Chair of women’s forum, said: “We are so fortunate to have Miss Nina Davuluri, the first Indian American to be crowned as Miss America to lead this noble cause and spread the message of healthy living. We are also excited about celebrities, Heroes fame Sendhil Ramamurthy and one of our own San Antonio Spurs who are invited.”
Rajam Ramamurthy, co-chair of the convention committee, said ‘The Maternal Child Health Symposium’, titled “Born too soon or too early: Challenge for Subsequent Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome” at the convention will feature nationally renowned speakers who will address pregnancy influences on childhood obesity.
Dr. Vijay Koli, the convention organizing committee chairman gave some details of the convention: “The preliminary program is in place preserving AAPI Convention’s tradition of successful cutting edge CME, thought provoking women’s forum and the best of Bollywood entertainment. Add to that an alumni extravaganza on the Arneson River Theater, a one of a kind fashion show and a showcase of the AAPI Charitable Foundation in the Exhibit Hall. Surrender your mind and body to sports activities in the Exhibit Hall and the favorite Yoga, Zumba and meditation sessions. Let’s top it all with the health walk with celebrities.”
Dr. Seema Jain, Vice President of AAPI, added: “The AAPI convention offers an opportunity to meet directly with these physicians who are leaders in their fields and play an integral part in the decision-making process regarding new products and services.”
Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, president-elect of AAPI, who will assume charge as President of AAPI during the convention, noted: “AAPI members represent a variety of important medical specialties. The AAPI Convention is where you can reach your target audience of several thousand under one roof.”
AAPI is an umbrella organization which has nearly 130 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, it represents the interests of over 100,000 physicians and 15,000 medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States.