Dr. Vijay Maurya has taken the helm as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), emphasizing the importance of collective member involvement for the organization’s future.
Dr. Vijay Maurya assumed leadership as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in July 2026, at a pivotal time for the organization—when strong governance, fiscal prudence, and unity of purpose are essential to sustaining growth and relevance.
Dr. Maurya took charge from Dr. Hetal Gor, the outgoing Chair, on July 4, 2026, during the 44th annual AAPI Convention in Tampa, Florida. Alongside Dr. Maurya, the Board of Trustees for the year 2026-27 includes Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Dr. Shubha Jain, Dr. Sujeeth Punnam, Dr. Vinod Sancheti, Dr. Anjali Gulati, Dr. Srini Gokarakonda, Dr. Sunita Polepalle, Dr. Avinash C. Gupta, Dr. Uma Jonnalagadda, Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Dr. Hetal Gor, Dr. Gautam Kamthan, the Immediate Young Physicians Section (YPS) President, and Dr. Priyanka Kolli, the Immediate Medical Student Research Fellowship (MSRF) President.
A long-standing AAPI member and respected physician-leader, Dr. Maurya brings decades of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to AAPI’s mission of service, advocacy, and excellence.
As Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Maurya views governance as both a responsibility and a trust. He emphasizes the critical role of the Board in safeguarding the organization’s stability and future. “As BOT, our duty is to manage funds conservatively,” he states, underscoring principles of transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability. For Dr. Maurya, responsible stewardship is fundamental to ensuring that AAPI remains financially secure while continuing to expand its programs, advocacy efforts, and charitable initiatives.
Central to Dr. Maurya’s leadership philosophy is member engagement and participation. He believes that AAPI’s strength lies in the collective involvement of its members across regions and chapters. “We have about 14,000 life members, but only a fraction votes each year,” he observes, encouraging members to actively exercise their voting rights and take part in AAPI conventions and initiatives. He is confident in the organization’s resilience, noting, “I see AAPI continuing to grow despite having many challenges,” particularly when senior leadership and grassroots members work collaboratively toward shared goals.
Dr. Maurya is also a strong supporter of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration and open dialogue within AAPI. He recognizes the importance of unifying a diverse organization and acknowledges the role of senior members and current leadership in fostering transparency and engagement across the membership. In his view, unity—rooted in respect and shared purpose—is essential for AAPI to remain a strong and effective voice for physicians of Indian origin.
Dr. Maurya’s journey to national leadership is grounded in a distinguished medical and academic career. Born and raised in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, he earned his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College, Indore. After relocating to the United States, he completed his psychiatry residency training and became a board-certified psychiatrist. Over the course of nearly five decades, he has dedicated himself to psychiatric care in Augusta, Georgia, serving patients at East Central Regional Hospital and the VA Medical Center with compassion and professionalism.
Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Maurya has remained deeply committed to medical education. He served as an Assistant Professor at Mercer University and later as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia, where he was actively involved in the teaching and mentorship of medical students and residents. Reflecting on this aspect of his career, he shares, “I was also involved with medical student and resident training, and that experience has been very meaningful to me.” This dedication mirrors AAPI’s broader commitment to nurturing future generations of physicians.
Dr. Maurya’s service to organized medicine began at the grassroots level, shaping his understanding of community engagement and leadership. He served as President of the Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI), where he was involved in physician engagement, community outreach, and charitable initiatives. He later served as President of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Alumni Association of North America (MPMAANA) before advancing to leadership roles within AAPI, including AAPI Regional Director from 2022 to 2023.
A life member of AAPI since 2006, Dr. Maurya has consistently participated in AAPI conventions and initiatives over the years. In 2024, he was elected to the AAPI Board of Trustees for a three-year term and now leads the Board as Chair. Reflecting on his leadership journey, he notes, “I started my journey with GAPI and then was inspired to move up into AAPI,” crediting the mentorship and encouragement of senior leaders, including Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalgadda.
At the center of Dr. Maurya’s professional life is a strong foundation of family and personal values. He has been married to his wife, Rekha, for 50 years, and together they have one son and one daughter. Outside of medicine and organizational leadership, he enjoys traveling and karaoke singing, interests that reflect his warm, approachable, and personable nature—qualities that resonate with colleagues and members alike.
Guided by the principles of unity, stewardship, and service, Dr. Vijay Maurya exemplifies AAPI’s core values. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, he remains committed to strengthening governance, fostering collaboration across the organization, and ensuring that AAPI continues to thrive as a unified, influential, and forward-looking voice for physicians of Indian origin, according to Source Name.