Commits to make Indian American physicians’ body stronger at virtual ceremony.
Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda has taken over as the 37th President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical body in the US with a membership of 100,000.
“I will work to make AAPI stronger, more vibrant, united, transparent, politically engaged, ensuring active participation of young physicians, increasing membership, and enabling that AAPI’s voice is heard in the corridors of power,†he said during a virtual ceremony Saturday.
Consul General of India in Atlanta, Swati Kulkarni describing AAPI as a world leader in medical education and healthcare delivery, urged it to be more politically active, according to an AAPI release.
New executive committee members taking oath included, Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President-Elect; Dr. Ravi Kolli, Vice President, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Secretary of AAPI; Dr. Satish Kathula, Treasurer of AAPI, Dr. Sajani Shah, Chair of AAPI’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Ami Baxi,Young Physician Section (YPS) President; Dr. Kinjal Solanki, Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows section (MSRF) President; and Dr. Surendra Purohit, Chair of AAPI Charitable Foundation.
“AAPI has given me so much — networking, advocacy, and education — and I am honored to serve this noble organization, declared Dr. Jonnalagadda, who will lead AAPI in 2020-2021. “AAPI must be responsive to its members, supportive of the leadership and a true advocate for our mission,†he said.
A Board-Certified Gastroenterologist/Transplant Hepatologist, working in Douglas, Georgia, Dr. Jonnalagadda is a former Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia.
He was the President of Coffee Regional Medical Staff 2018, and had served as the Director of Medical Association of Georgia Board from 2016 onwards.
Jonnalagadda served as the President of Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage 2007-2008, and was the past Chair of Board of Trustees, GAPI.
He was the Chairman of the Medical Association of Georgia, IMG Section, and was a Graduate, Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy (advocacy training).
Dr. Suresh Reddy, the out going President of AAPI through a video, presented some of the major accomplishments of his presidency under unique circumstances.
Dr. Seema Arora, the out going Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees, shared her experiences while working with a dedicated Team of AAPI leaders, contributing to strengthen AAPI and help AAPI reach greater heights.
Dr. Sajani Shah, a second generation physician of Indian origin, assumed charge as the Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees. In her inaugural address, she promised to work with the entire AAPI Body, and help AAPI realize its mission.
In his opening remarks, Amit Kumar, Consul General of India in Chicago lauding AAPI’s efforts during the covid pandemic, urged it to collaborate in pharma sector and Ayushmaan Bharat as well as in telehealth related issues.
A visual presentation of the history of “Change of Guard†took AAPI members down the memory lane through its 37 years of historical growth under AAPI leaders.
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