Author: Paul Panakal

The Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY), representing thousands of nurses of Indian origin throughout New York metropolitan area, proudly celebrated this year’s Nurses Week at the James J. Ambrose School Auditorium in Queens. The event was a vibrant showcase of inspirational speeches, captivating fine arts performances, and lively cultural programs, all highlighting the rich heritage and unwavering dedication of INANY’s members in the presence of several local and state lawmakers.  Nurses Week, observed both nationally and globally, serves as a time to honor and recognize the invaluable contributions nurses make to the healthcare system. INANY’s celebration this year went beyond recognition, fostering a spirit of unity, creativity, and gratitude within the community.

The festivities began with the introduction of Dr. Anna George, immediate past president and current chair of the advisory board, and Ms. Rupinder Kaur, chair of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ Committee. The program opened with a moving prayer song and the national anthems of both the United States and India, underscoring the organization’s commitment to cultural diversity and unity.

This special occasion honored the tireless service, leadership, and achievements of Indian American nurses across New York, bringing together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and families in a memorable celebration of excellence and pride.  Dr. Shabnampreet Kaur, INANY secretary, welcomed attendees, emphasizing the day as a celebration of the dedication and pride nurses bring to individuals, families, communities, and the broader healthcare sector. Dr. Esther Devadoss, vice president, introduced Dr. Shyla Roshin, the current president, who delivered an inspiring presidential address.

Dr. Roshin highlighted the expansive roles Indian American nurses play in healthcare—from bedside care and treatment prescription to hospital administration, education, research, and community outreach. She praised the resilience and compassion of nurses, urging them to take pride in their profession and to continue challenging the status quo to advance nursing’s impact in healthcare. Dr. Roshin also expressed gratitude to leaders such as Dr. Aney Paul, Sosamma Andrews, Usha George, Mary Philip, Tara Shajan, and Dr. Anna George for their transformational leadership, acknowledging how they have inspired a community of excellence and empowered everyone to reach beyond the workplace with open hearts and generous hands..

Dr. Jennifer Emily Mannino, director of the nursing department and professor at Molloy University, commended the academic achievements of Indian American nurses as a first-generation social group. She underscored INANY’s invaluable contributions to underserved communities and its support for both practicing nurses and nursing students.  Dr. Jaya Thomas received INANY’s Nursing Excellence this year.  The occasion also celebrated graduates from different institutions who completed their nursing degrees. Jessy James, chair of awards and scholarship orchestrated the awards ceremony.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including New York State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Assemblywoman Michelle Solages, Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages, Rockland County Legislator Dr. Annie Paul, and New York City Councilwoman Linda Lee, who offered their felicitations.

A highlight of the program was the Nurses’ Pledge, reaffirming the community’s commitment to professional excellence. Attendees were also treated to cultural performances, including melodious songs and dynamic dances by talented nurses.

The gathering showcased the strength and diversity of New York’s nursing community, providing opportunities for networking and professional growth. Attendees included primary care nurses, nurse practitioners, university faculty, school and community nurses, and researchers. The presence of esteemed leaders such as Dr. Anna George (Molloy University), Dr. Treesa Scaria (Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing), Dr. Annie George (CNO, VA Northport Health), Dr. Solymole Kuruvilla (Director of Occupational Health, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation), Dr. Shyla Roshin (CNO, South Beach Psychiatric Center), Dr. Esther Devadoss (Educator, Jacobi Medical Center), and Dr. Priscilla Samuel (System Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System) underscored INANY’s profound influence in all areas of healthcare.

The event stood as a testament to the professional excellence, cultural pride, and leadership of Indian American nurses, reinforcing their pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare in New York and beyond.

The National Association of Indian Nurses in America (NAINA) has successfully elected its new leadership team for the 2025-2026 term, marking a significant transition from the current leadership under President Suja Thomas.

Umamaheswari Venugopal (president), Liffy Cherian (executive vice president), Tara Shajan (vice president), Dr. Munira Wells (secretary), and Dr. Sheela Sajan (treasurer) will be in the executive board.  Binu Shajimon (APRN),  Usha Cherian (advocacy & policy), Maya Joseph (awards & scholarships), Siby Varughese (bylaws), Rajitha Bommakanti (Communications), Nisha Mathews (editorial), Elizabeth Sam (elections), Saramma Ipe (fund raising), Lyssy Alex (membership), Vincia Pandian (research & grants) are the new chairs of various committees.   NAINA’s advisory board will consist of past presidents Suja Thomas, Dr. Lydia Albuquerque, Dr. Jackie Michael, Sara Gabriel, and Dr. Solymole Kuruvilla.  Suja Thomas will assume the chair of the advisory board.

Incoming President Umamaheswari Venugopal outlined the organization’s vision as “Engage, Educate, and Empower”, focusing on collaboration, mutual respect, and professional growth for Indian nurses across the United States.

NAINA which was founded in 2006 with the goal of uniting all nurses and nursing students of Indian origin in the United States with one voice to increase visibility in the healthcare professional arena and to rejuvenate their unique cultural heritage and values. The organization currently, has twenty-two chapters across the United States.

While being active as a minority ethnic organization, NAINA closely works as an affiliate with American Nurses Association (ANA) that represents the four million nurses in the country and Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), the institution evaluates the education of nurses graduated in foreign countries.  NAINA is also a provider of continuing education to nurses.    NAINA’s president is a board member of CGFNS.

The Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANI) a chapter of National Association of Indian Nurses in America stands as the voice of nurses of Indian origin in New York state. Its priorities are promoting nursing education, improving nursing standard and quality and community support.  INANY conducts continuing nursing education for registered nurses and nurse practitioners to ensure that the stakeholders understand the latest developments in nursing care and treatment so that they could apply evidence-based practice.  \

INANY conducted a free continuing education conference last week with topics from nurses building resilience to confronting violence in the society.  The conference, held at the Kerala Center in Elmont, New York was attended by several RNs and NPs. The Association is also on a grant funded by New York state to mitigate the surge in anti-Asian hate since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and to train the public to extend helping hand to the victims of anti-Asian hate.

Dr. Jessy Kurian is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with long experience at Northwell Health System, the largest private healthcare system in New York state.  She has been successfully treating thousands of people suffering from mental illness.  Her presentation focused on depression, a mental disorder that affects more than 17 million of American population age 18 and older.  Adults with major depressive disorder have 64 per cent higher risk than the general population for developing coronary artery disease.

They are also at 20 times more likely than the general population thinking about suicide. Many teenagers, college students and young adults who keep depression in themselves tend to self-medicate with substances and become addicts. Women are almost twice likely as men to suffer from depression.  Because of the stigma associated with mental problems, most of the affected individuals and families do not seek the treatment, though this common mental disorder can be treated.  Dr. Kurian called upon the healthcare professionals to be advocates of those suffering to seek treatment and to help them lead a normal life.   Dr. Kurian talked about the symptoms of mood disorder, how to identify the different types of mood disorder, causes of mood disorder, and the various treatment modalities.

Dr. Myrtha Rabinowich, a nurse scientist and a leader of evidence-based practice initiatives in the twenty-three hospitals in Northwell Health System presented on the need for restoring balance and energy through self-care, mindfulness and meditation. Effective practice of mindfulness is an excellent resource to recover from stressful challenges and restoring resiliency.  Dr. Rabinowich taught simple and practical ways to minimize stress of life affecting physical and mental health and to how to grow inner strengths to balance the unpredictable daily life.

Dr. Ani Jacob, a Nurse Scientist at Northwell Health and Clinical Associate Professor at Adelphi University moderated the panel discussion about the need for bystander intervention to address the anti-Asian hate related incidents across the United States which saw drastic surge since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Dr. Solimole Kuruvilla, Molloy College Associate Professor and INANI president Dr. Anna George, and Adelphi University Assistant Professor Dr. Mercy Joseph were the panel members.  The panel also gave a training on the evidence-based strategies to extend helping hand to address anti-Asian hate related incident without compromising self-safety.

Nurses and nurse practitioners who attended the conference received free continuing education hours required for their license.   credits required for the professional practice of nurses and nurse practitioners are available free of charge to conference attendees.

INANI President Dr. Anna George gave the welcome speech. The moderator of the program, vice president of INANI, Dr. Shyla Roshin introduced Dr. Jessy Kurian, Dr. Myrta Rabinowitch, Dr. Ani Jacob, Dr. Solimol Kuruvilla, and Dr. Mercy Joseph.  Anto Paul, the chair of the professional development committee gave vote of thanks.

Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) partnered with Adelphi University in New York to hold a panel discussion on the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents in the United States.  The program was initiated and planned by the university’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Council. For almost a year INANY has been collaborating with the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families with a special grant from New York State to fight the rapid increase in the anti-Asian incidents in the United States.

Though the history of anti-Asian hate related racism, discrimination and crime is as old as the Asian immigration to the United States, there has been an unprecedented sharp rise of incidents against them since the onset of COVID pandemic.

Dr. Ani Jacob, a clinical associate professor at Adelphi University, a nurse scientist at Northwell Health System and chair of INANY’s Research and Grants Committee was the moderator of discussion which was attended by students and faculty as well as virtually attended by students, other faculty and Asian American Pacific Islander organizations.  Dr. Anna George, the president of INANY, a nurse practitioner at Northwell and associate professor at Molloy University, Paul D Panakal, an adjunct faculty at Long Island University and a consultant at Northwell Health, and Dr. Mercy Joseph, an Assistant Professor at Adelphi University were on the panel.

Hate-related incidents against Asians in the United States date back to the beginning immigration of the community in the 19th century itself. The discrimination was validated and justified by legislation and court rulings.  There was even a court ruling denying a right for Asians and others to testify against whites.  The rules and laws were changed, Asian and Pacific Islander communities have started enjoying the opportunities for the American dream. Still, the nation witnessed an exponential rise in the incidents of hate and discrimination.  Asian Americans experienced bias, avoidance, bullying, exclusion, spitting and coughing on the face, direct and indirect verbal harassment, demeaning and physical assault.  The hate related mass shootings at a spa where six of the eight people killed were Asians and six of the nine killed at the Indianapolis FedEx facility were belonging to Sikh community.  The Stop AAPI Hate movement which collects data on incidents of racism, discrimination and crime against Asian Americans reported more than 11,400 incidents from March 2020 to March 2022.  These are self-reported incidents do not reflect the unreported cases.  Another survey conducted by the movement found that at least one in eight Asians had experienced discrimination.

Based on the 2020 census the Asian American Pacific Islander community constitutes 6.2 per cent of the US population and is considered as the fastest growing social group in the country.  Chinese (4.15 million), Indians (4.14 million), Filipinos (2.88 million), and Vietnamese (1.85 million) are the largest groups.  The hostility and suspicion that Asians were responsible for COVID and that they are carriers of coronavirus did have a negative affect among the communities.  The victims, their families and other loved ones found themselves living in fear and isolation, feeling unwanted in the society.

There are several organizations formed to stand against and to improve the social understanding of the communities.  Asian Americans advancing Justice that is active to protect the civil rights and to advocate for justice, the National Asia Pacific American Women’s Forum which provides umbrella for Asian women, Asian American Advocacy Fund, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families are some organizations in the forefront.  Indian Nurses Association of New York is collaborating the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families in raising awareness of the anti-Asian hate related incidents and to engage communities in mitigating the problem.

The panel discussion was titled Safety, Equity and Harmony for AAPI and was held at the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom at Adelphi University campus.  Dr. Kattiria Gonzalez, assistant professor at Adelphi introduced the panelists and welcomed the attendees.  The panelists presented official reports, statistics and other facts with some video clips of certain incidents to describe the distressing social situation among the 23 million Asian American Pacific Islander community.  The panelists also proposed an evidence based strategy to mitigate if someone witness a hate related bias or criminal incident.  The strategy called Bystander Intervention provides guidelines for safely intervene a hate-related situation.  They also called upon initiating a conversation among the students and others to raise awareness and improve education on the history of hate and violence.  Adelphi University associate professor Dr. Janet Raman, Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Charles Cal shared their own experiences and views and thanked INANY for their efforts.

Dr. Ani Jacob acknowledged and thanked Caitlin McElroy, the director of strategic initiatives at the University for working hard to successfully organizing and conducting the program.  She appreciated and thanked Dr. Anna George, Paul D Panakal and Mercy Joseph for conducting an in depth and informative discussion.

Since its inception in 2004, the Indian Nurses Association of New York, as the representative voice of all Indian nurses who came to America, has been opening up unique and innovative socio-professional paths.  In the early years, the goals were to attract more people to the nursing field through scholarships and tuition waivers, while widening the pathways to higher education and continuing education credits required for certification for those already practicing nurses.

The preceding years were aiming at health workshops, seminars and health fares to improving the health and well-being of the community and the society at large. Health fair was instrumental in providing essential services from vital signs to blood tests to mammograms to individuals and families living in areas where public welfare schemes do not reach them.

Rockland Legislative County Vice Chairwoman Dr. Aney Paul was the founding president. The successive presidents could use the strong foundation and organizational structure for vibrant expansion and advancement for INANY. Sosamma Andrews, Usha George, prominent social activist Mary Philip, Tara Shajan, and Dr. Anna George were leading INANY to new heights as a professional nursing association.

INANY has received praise and recognition from New York State Senators to New York City Mayor and Governor Cathy Hochul. In the face of increasing anti-Asian hate related incidents, INANY has partnered with Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to raise awareness of the concerning social in the community and to help them address in safe and evidence-based manner.

INANY is preparing to install its new leadership team for the 2023 – 2024 operating year, promising more extensive professional services to multiple stakeholders. In the election held in October, the current president Dr. Anna George was re-elected as the president unopposed. Vice President Dr. Shyla Roshin, Secretary Alphy Sundroop, Joint Secretary Dr. Jessy Kurian, Treasurer Jaya Thomas and Joint Treasurer Aleyamma Appukuttan are the other executive board members.

President Anna George, PhD, APRN, RN, FNP-C, is an associate professor at Molloy University and a nurse practitioner at Northwell Health, the largest private healthcare network and employer in New York state. As the president she has shown all-round transformational leadership force throughout the last two years in driving INANY in the last two years. Dr. George exemplified how a nurse, aside from its role at work, could bring good things to the health and wellbeing of others and the society.

The presentations she gave at her colleges in New Delhi and Kerala highlighted the contributions nursing and advanced practice nursing contribute to healthcare and showcased the recognition and respect that Nursing as a profession receives in the United States.  She was also the coordinator of religious education at the Saint Mary’s Syro Malabar Catholic parish in Long Island and is teaching the tenth-grade religious classes.

Dr. Shyla Roshin DNP, RN, the incoming vice president is a director of nursing at a New York City Health and Hospital Corporation. She was serving as the chair of the Education Committee in the current term.  To answer the call of the time, she planned and virtually presented multiple mental health programs to the public designed to counter the consequences of the COVID pandemic on the community and healthcare workers.  She also led organization’s continuing education programs for professional nurses.

Secretary-elect Alphy Sundroop MSN, RN is a critical care educator at Nassau University Medical Center. Alphy who serves as the secretary of the Marian Mothers of Long Island’s Saint Mary’s Syro Malabar Catholic parish, has facilitated an easy and smooth election process for INANY during her tenure as the chair of the election committee.

New Joint Secretary Dr. Jessy Kurian DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN, who works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Northwell Health, is a comfort to thousands of individuals and families struggling with mental illness.  Dr. Jessy Kurian has made her mark in the treatment of mental illness by providing the most comprehensive treatment regimens available in the medical field with the compassion of a nurse. She has earned the appreciation of doctors, administration and the nursing community at her workplace.  Dr. Kurian who is taking the title as the joint secretary, has led the INANY’s Byelaws and APRN committees in the past.

New Treasurer Jaya Thomas, PMHNP-BC, FNP, APRN, RN, MSc, who serves as the Assistant Director of Nursing at New York State-owned Creed Moore Psychiatric Center, has been serving as a member of INANY’s Education Committee and Rockland County Coordinator.  She was one of the panelists in a mental health education seminar held for healthcare workers.  She was also the winner of INANY’s annual essay contest in 2022.  She is a ward secretary of Saint Alphonsa Ward of the Saint Mary’s Syro Malabar Catholic parish in Long Island.

The new Joint Treasurer Aleyamma Appukuttan is an active member worker of the organization for a long time.  She has been engaged in various philanthropic and life-saving activities for many years and has invested selfless service for the needy. A nurse of fifty years in Indian military and in the United States, she dedicated a good part of her life to the good of others with extraordinary modesty by organizing soup kitchens, collecting clothes, personal donations to low profile poor and needy and raising funds for projects. In recognition of her all-round humanitarian services, she was awarded the prestigious ‘Global Woman of Excellence’ award in May 2022.  She received the award at a special gala event in the Conference Room of speaker Nancy Pelosi at Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

The term of the governing board is two years.  The formal inauguration of the new committee will take place on January 7th starting at 10 am at a special ceremony at the Tyson Center in Nassau County, Long Island. Elected officials in the area like New York State senator Kevin Thomas, INANY’s founding president and Rockland County Legislative Vice Chair Dr. Aney Paul, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, and a prominent nephrologist and Chancellor Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba, Dr. Ganesh Bhatt will be among the guests.  Suja Thomas, the new president of National Association of Indian Nurses of America will be a keynote speaker. Dr. Anna George noted that the event is open and welcome for all nurses, regardless of their membership status, their families and other well-wishers.

The Indian Christian Day (Jesus Bhakti Divas) organized to celebrate the Indian heritage and Christian spirit to show solidarity with persecuted Christians in India, made history as Christians of Indian origin  gathered, read the Bible in their own languages and sang prayer songs, showcasing “a bright union of fervent faith” as they came from the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in Elmont, NY on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022.

The event was organized by the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA), a forum of Christian organizations in response to the insidious attempts to alienate and attach the Christians through the propaganda that the Christian faith was left behind by British colonialism in India, despite its two thousand years of tradition.

The event also coincided with the 1950^th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas.  Historically, July 3rd is celebrated as St. Thomas day by Christians across India. However, starting from 2021, the day is being celebrated as Indian Christian Day in India and among the global Diaspora of Christians. In the United States, it is estimated that Christians from India constitute about 20% of the Diaspora, which amounts to close to a million non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin.

The gathering, which was blessed with the presence of bishops and priests from various churches, began with a chendamela and a procession. St. Vincent de Paul Malankara Catholic Church in Elmont became a platform for Christian unity. The conference started with the bishops lighting the lamp as a symbol of Indian heritage and patriotism.

Fiacona President Koshy George pointed out  in his welcome speech that our established belief is that Saint Thomas has brought the gospel to India and was martyred in AD 72.  To mark its 1900 years, the government of India issued a postage stamp in 1972. So this year marks the 1950^th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas. Mr. Koshy also expressed his deep concern on the growing persecution of Christians in India as the fundamental religious freedom guaranteed under India’s constitution is no longer guaranteed under the BJP rule under the Indian Courts’ eyes.   Last year alone 761 cases of persecution have been identified which have been published in a book form by FIACONA.  He said that the purpose of the meeting is to express our pain against such atrocities.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Dharmaraj Rasalam, the Moderator of the Church of South India, spoke about how the arrival of St. Thomas not only impacted the lives of Christians and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Christian community to the nation in uplifting the poor and oppressed. Rev. Dr. Ruben Mark, the Deputy moderator Bishop spoke about the love Indian Christians in the Diaspora have for India and encouraged them to continue with the unity they have exhibited at the gathering. He described how the arrival and activities of St. Thomas influenced India. The works of St. Thomas is crucial in the Christian faith. He also extolled the diaspora’s love for India.  He said that we are proud to be Indian Christians.  He said the willingness to sacrifice for the faith was part of the Christian faith.  Despite being a persecuted community, Christians are not united.  But today, all the sects of Christians are happy to attend this event.

Bishop Johncy Itty, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Long Island, New York, said that India, along with the rest of the world, is going through a serious crisis today.  However, our faith should sustain us in such a time as this.  He pointed out that India and the world are in various conflicts. There is no time in life without conflict. But now it is too much. But God leads us by the hand. We may not be able to change the times, but we can make changes.

Rev. Dr. Itty Abraham of the Indian Pentecostal Church, in his speech, encouraged Christians to be steadfast and said, “It is Christ that built the Church, and no forces would be able to undo it. The propaganda to paint Christianity in India as part of the colonial legacy is ill-conceived and will not gain footing.”

The persecution against Christians is increasing Rev. Dr. Itti Abraham pointed out. But it won’t break us. Christ builds the church. No evil shall prevail against it. Jesus himself said that there will be such persecutions. In such situations, we need to move forward with unity. He said that it is wrong to think that the Indian Christianity is a faith arisen from British colonialism.

CSI Church General Secretary Adv. Fernandez Rathinaraja pointed to Saint Thomas as a social reformer.  It was work against human sacrifice and caste system that led to his martyrdom.  Secularism is enshrined In the preamble of the Indian Constitution. There have been concerted efforts to undermine it. Religion should not be a part of political life. The state should be neutral in religious matters. Protests against these are taking place in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Kerala. He pointed out that the administration is able to suppress the voice of protest in other states.

Father John Thomas representing Orthodox Church, urged his fellow Christians to follow the path of St. Thomas in taking the message of Christ across the people.  Christ had many followers. But in the end only a few remained. Faithful men like St. Thomas did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves. The situation can be dire. But trust in God. Let the cross of Jesus guide us, he said.

Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt who has just been elevated to the head of Syro Malabar Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Chicago expressed his thrill to participate in the program which he though he had participated in ecumenical functions in New York and Chicago, this was the first time he was participating in one of this kind.   “This gathering on St. Thomas Day is significant. We become Christian people through the mission work of Thomas. The contribution of Christians to the development of India is inestimable.   We are saddened that Christians are being persecuted not only in India but all over the world. Prayer is our weapon against it. Christian faith strengthens us for martyrdom. Jesus himself has said that there will be such persecutions. But He has also assured that He will always be with us. So don’t be afraid. We do not hesitate to suffer. But persecution caused by injustice is unacceptable. We must question it. Through his own life and death, Thomas has shown us the way.  So we must strengthen our faith,” he said.

Saint Thomas is one of the strongest characters in the Bible. Especially in the Gospel of John. St. Thomas is mentioned there three times. In Chapter 11, Thomas arrives to comfort Martha and Mary’s family.   They are mourning the death of their brother Lazarus. Thomas forces Jesus to visit Bethany. Thomas also witnessed a miracle when Jesus came.  We see the bravery of St. Thomas in the Bible. But today’s Christians have lost that courage. We dare not bear witness to Christ. Likewise, we must strive for our unity should be willing to testify to Christ with prayer – he said.

The General Secretary of Church South India, in Chennai, Adv. Fernandas Rathaniraja, in his speech, warned the audience about the concerted efforts vested interests are making to remove the word secularism from the constitution and transform India into a Hindu Rashtra and urged vigilance.

George Abraham, one of the leading organizers of the program began his vote of thanks by repeating from Bible “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in the unity”.  He said that we have witnessed an extraordinary manifestation of unity, unit of Christians from india, across regions and languages despite the denominational differences.

The program was enriched with Bible readings in Malayalam, Telugu, English, Tamil, Punjabi, Kannada, Hindi, and Gujarati and prayer songs by choirs from Saint Mary’s Syro Malabar Catholic Church, St. Paul’s International Lutheran Church, CSI Jubilee Memorial Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Bethlehem Punjabi Church. A group of nurses from Saint Mary’s Syro Malabar Church entertained with a Marggam Kali, a traditional Christian dance from Kerala.  The program was moderated by Shre John and Leno Thomas.

Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) is conducting a Health Fair in Kennedy Memorial Park, Long Island on April 30th from 10 am to 2 pm in collaboration with Hon. Kevin Thomas, New York State Senator.

The event is supported by Northwell Health System – Stop the Bleed program and Drug addiction prevention team, Molloy College, the non-profit organ procurement organization Live On New York, Stony Brook Mammography, and Marathon Physical Therapy Group.  The address is 335 Greenwich Street, Hempstead, NY 11550.

The goal of this event, which is open to the public “is to promote health and wellness of the society. The main focus is on the underserved and uninsured individuals and families of that area.” said Dr. Anna George, the president of INANY.

The event will facilitate health and wellness education, drug addiction prevention awareness, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening, mammography, and training on emergency interventions of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to stop bleeding. Marathon physical therapy group will teach body mechanics and simple remedies to alleviate aches and pains.

Masks, hand sanitizers, and at-home-covid test kits provided by the Senator’s office will be distributed free of charge.  There will also many giveaways and refreshments, all free of charge.

For more information:  President – Dr. Anna George (646 732 6143), Secretary – Jessy James (516 603 2024), Treasurer – Lyssy Alex (845 300 6339).