The Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization representing media professionals of Indian origin in North America, has announced the awardees who will honored at the 10th annual International Media Conference from May 3 to May 5, 2025 at The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania.
The Media Conference will have participation from renowned journalists, media professionals, writers, and community leaders for discussions on media excellence, innovation, and global collaboration.
Marking a decade of fostering connections among media professionals, the conference will provide a vital platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and building meaningful collaborations. Attendees can expect insightful panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by media experts, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving world of journalism.
With digital transformation and press freedom remaining critical global issues, the conference will facilitate discussions on key challenges and potential solutions shaping the future of journalism.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Dr. Satheesh Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, is the President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).
Dr. Kathula is a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and has authored a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. The book is being released today at our Conference.
Dr. Kathula has dedicated his career to treating patients and actively supporting various nonprofit organizations. He strongly believes that acquiring new knowledge is crucial for professionals, especially physicians, with a changing healthcare environment. Recently, Dr. Kathula acquired a certificate from Stanford University in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. He graduated in May 2024 from Harvard University completing a “Global Healthcare Leaders Program.”
Dr. Kathula was the President and founding member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as the President of the ATMGUSA (Association of Telugu Medical Graduates in USA). In addition, he has worked with the Ohio State Medical Association on various issues. He has been actively involved in community service locally, nationally, and internationally for the last two decades. He was awarded ‘Man of the Year – 2018’ by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Not satisfied with his personal and professional achievements, Dr. Kathula has been active in the Indian community. With the objective of enabling Physicians of Indian Origin to give back to their motherland, India, he organized the Global Healthcare Summit is New Delhi, India in October this year.
Dr Kathula’s love for his motherland has manifested in him setting up humanitarian and medical projects in India. The most important of them is establishing a state-of-the-art pharmacy college in Warangal in Telangana, where he grew up. Named the Pathfinder Institute of Pharmacy and Educational Research (PIPER), the non-profit with Dr Kathula as the Chairman, provides quality education and has already graduated over 1,000 students who are now working in different parts of India and abroad. He conducted several medical camps close to his native place and donated a defibrillator, water purification plant, and library to his native place.
In 2024, Dr. Kathula was honored with the Inspirational Award given by Raising Awareness of Youth with Autism (RAYWA) Foundation for his contributions to the country, particularly in the field of healthcare, and his
Anju Vallabhaneni – Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Anju Vallabhaneni is a highly committed leader with extensive expertise in global delivery and a deep passion for community service. He is the National President of ITServe Alliance, a non-profit association representing over 2,500 IT companies across the United States.
Anju’s impressive academic background includes an Engineering degree and an MBA. His career spans more than 25 years, during which he has served as President and CEO of several companies in North America, Latin America, and India.
His leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in managing businesses with revenues ranging from $5 million to over $100 million.
In 2002, Anju founded United Software Group (USG), a company that has seen tremendous growth under his guidance. Over the past two decades, USG has expanded to employ over 2,000 professionals worldwide. The company’s success has been recognized on a national scale; Inc. 5000 listed USG among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, and it was ranked #107 in the US-Midwest region in 2024.
Anju’s dedication extends beyond his professional achievements. He is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, actively supporting over ten non-profit organizations. His commitment to giving back to the community highlights his belief in the importance of social responsibility.
Beyond his professional and philanthropic endeavors, Anju is also a seasoned athlete. He has completed more than 25 marathons, demonstrating his discipline, perseverance, and dedication in both his personal and professional life.
Anju is also a seasoned athlete, having completed over 25 marathons. Anju Vallabhaneni’s multifaceted career and contributions make him a deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025, a testament to his enduring impact on the IT industry and his unwavering commitment to community service and personal excellence.
Prakash A. Shah. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Prakash Shah, Chairman and Chief Executive of First Growth Mortgage and Realty Group, is the current President of the Global Organization for the People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International. He is a Founding Life Member of GOPIO, Asian American Hotel Owner’s Association (AAHOA ), National Federation of Indian Association and the New York City based India Chamber of Commerce of America, which he led for 15 Years, He is a former Chairman of New Jersey Development Authority and President Clinton’s Appointee to the Board of $108 Million Southern Africa Fund for 12 Countries of Southern Africa and Chair of the Board’s Investment Committee,
Prakash Shah served as the Chairman of New Jersey Development Authority under Governors Florio and Whitman. Mr. Shah was the Global Ambassador of GOPIO and later on, he was the Convener of the GOPIO Convention 2024 in New Jersey.
Mr. Shah, a well-respected leader in the Indian diaspora community, has more than 45 years of experience in the areas of mortgage banking, international investment banking, venture capital, financial management, computer systems and management sciences. Prior to founding First Growth, a financial company, Mr. Shah was concurrently Managing Directo of Asian Oceanic Group (a merchant banking group based in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore). Mr. Shah was Vice President of American Express Bank Ltd. and was responsible for the strategic planning and management information systems departments.
Mr. Shah was elected as a Hillary Clinton Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Shah received a B.S.M.E. degree from the University of Baroda (India) in 1967, an M.S. degree in Management Sciences from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1969, and in 1971, completed course work for a Ph.D. at New York University. Mr. Shah holds Real Estate and Title Insurance Producer Licenses and is a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Hotel Owner (CHO).
Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, MD, MS, FAHA, FICS. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy is an alumnus of Guntur Medical College and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India (General Surgery). A former Chicago Anesthesiologist (and Department Chairman) for over thirty years, he is currently an Associate Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Dr. Murthy introduced the resuscitation training model for Indian Medical Colleges at Dr.NTR University of Health Sciences in 2012. He has been affiliated with the American Heart Association (AHA) for over thirty years in various capacities, such as Member of the International Committee, National Faculty and Advisor to AHA International Training Centers in India.
Dr. Murthy is a visiting professor at various Indian medical institutes, such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.He chaired many Resuscitation and Emergency Medical Care Conferences in India, AHA ReSS sessions program in the USA, lectured at acclaimed US Medical Universities and authored resuscitation-related Journal articles and Cardiology book chapters. He is the co-investigator of a ground-breaking Cardiac Arrest Registry in India, “Warangal Area Cardiac Arrest Registry”.
Dr. Murthy founded Chicago Medical Society’s Community CPR Project SMILE (Saving More Illinois Lives through Education) in 2011. As an Advisor to the Odisha State Government (Health and Family Welfare), he initiated India’s first State Governmental community CPR training project in Odisha in 2023. He also founded the first Indo-US Community Health and CPR Training Center at the National India Hub, Schaumburg, Illinois, USA (2024).
Dr. Murthy, a past President of the Chicago Medical Society and Indian American Medical Association (Illinois), has received several prestigious national and international awards including two Lifetime Achievement Awards and a Medal of US Congress as “Global Champion of Resuscitation” for his professional and community service contributions in the USA and India. He has been contributing to Indo-US News media articles and videos raising awareness of Heart disease and Cardiac Arrests among Indians and Indian diaspora for over two decades.
Sam Maddula. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Sam Maddula, Founder & CEO of Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy, is an esteemed leader, entrepreneur, and committed philanthropist. His life transformed dramatically when his parents discovered an Eye Camp set up by the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) in 1987 in Andhra Pradesh. This camp enabled him to overcome legal blindness and poverty, changing his life trajectory from darkness to light.
After earning his doctorate in pharmaceutical studies from Rutgers University, Maddula founded a specialty pharmacy in 2010, focusing on mental health and substance disorders. His leadership propelled Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy to generate $350 million in annual revenue, becoming the largest independently held behavioral health specialty pharmacy with operations in 16 states.
With over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation in healthcare and specialty pharmacy, Maddula’s expertise spans business, medicine, and philanthropy. His ventures aim to improve lives through healthcare innovation and support both for-profit and non-profit initiatives. He established the Maddula Foundation, contributing significantly to healthcare and educational initiatives for underserved communities.
Maddula serves on the Executive Advisory Council Board at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, the Board of Directors at Liguori Academy, and the Eye Foundation of America. He is a renowned speaker on healthcare, philanthropy, and leadership, with two decades of experience as a pharmacist, clinician, and CEO. Maddula mentors aspiring pharmacists and continues to advocate for a more equitable society through various non-profits and civic organizations.
A passionate philanthropist, Maddula has contributed significantly to the Eye Foundation of America and mentors the next generation of leaders. His commitment to giving back is evident in his active involvement in community service and advocacy for societal change.
Madhavan B. Nair. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Madhavan B. Nair (MBN) is a Chartered Financial Consultant and esteemed community leader, renowned for his dedication to public service, cultural involvement, and philanthropy. Based in New Jersey, he has long committed himself to advancing the well-being of the Indian-American community through various leadership roles and grassroots initiatives.
Professionally, Mr. Nair is the Principal and owner of MBN Insurance & Financial Services Inc., where he has built a strong reputation for trust, integrity, and service. His entrepreneurial career provided a solid foundation for his broader involvement in community development.
Mr. Nair is the Founder and Patron of the North American Malayalee Association of Malayalees (NAMAM), established in 2010 with the objectives of supporting and uplifting Indian culture and heritage among Indian immigrants in the USA. From 2018 to 2020, he served as President of FOKANA (Federation of Kerala Associations in North America), extending his leadership both across North America and internationally. Under his stewardship, FOKANA’s relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kerala floods received widespread appreciation.
In 2017, Mr. Nair established the MBN Foundation as the principal vehicle for his philanthropy. Upon retiring from full-time business in 2025, he dedicated himself entirely to advancing its mission. Today, the Foundation is devoted to nurturing student skill development and championing cancer-prevention initiatives—addressing urgent needs in education and healthcare to deliver lasting impact.
In 2023, Mr. Nair published two essay collections—’Sunlit Signs’ (in English) and ‘Veyil Kaazhchakal’ (in Malayalam)—in which he reflects on political developments, pivotal historical events, and pressing global affairs.
Leveraging his professional achievements and unwavering commitment to social causes, Mr. Nair has firmly established himself as a distinguished and influential leader within both the Indian American community and the larger society.
Rohit Vyas — Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Rohit Vyas is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and a veteran international broadcast journalist whose distinguished career spans over four decades across television, print, and documentary media. As the former News Director, Senior Vice President, and Principal Nightly News Anchor at TV ASIA (USA), he played a pivotal role in shaping the voice of one of the most influential South Asian networks in North America.
Prior to that, he served as News Director and Principal Anchor for Vision of Asia News, CH 47, delivering trusted news to the New York Tri-State area. In addition to his editorial leadership, Rohit Vyas serves as Chief Advisor to ITV Gold (USA), continuing to guide the network’s journalistic and programming strategy.
His editorial footprint extends to print journalism, where he was the Editor of several publications, including the International Observer, a newsweekly dedicated to United Nations affairs and global diplomacy. A respected figure in international media circles, he is a long-standing member of the United Nations Correspondents Association (for over 40 years) and a former member of the White House Traveling Media Delegation, covering pivotal moments and global summits alongside world leaders.
His commitment to public service and journalistic integrity earned him a place on the Asian American Pacific Advisory Council under New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman. His contributions have been honored by the New Jersey State Assembly, the Nassau County Executive of Long Island, New York, and numerous civic and professional organizations nationwide, celebrating his legacy of impactful journalism and unwavering service to the community.
An objective storyteller at heart, Rohit Vyas continues to create thought-provoking documentaries that shed light on diaspora narratives, international affairs, and pressing global issues.
Since its inception in 2013, the Indo-American Press Club has become a leading voice for Indian-origin journalists in North America. With active chapters in multiple cities—including Alberta, Atlanta, Connecticut, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC—the organization continues to champion press freedom, journalistic integrity, and professional development.
Through annual conferences, networking events, and training programs, IAPC has played a key role in advocating for ethical journalism while strengthening the connection between Indian American media professionals and mainstream journalism.
As the media landscape continues to change, this conference will serve as a critical forum for innovation, ethical discourse, and collaboration, ensuring that journalists remain at the forefront of truth, integrity, and impactful storytelling.
For details on registration, participation, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the official IAPC website at www.indoamericanpressclub.com