“Your unwavering commitment, leadership, and compassion have made a lasting impact and exemplify the values this award honors,” said Sasikanth Vallepalli, Chair, TANA Foundation.
In his response, after receiving the prestigious award, Dr. Edara, said, “I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Ravindranadh Guttikonda Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service from the TANA Foundation, and TANA. This recognition holds special meaning for me, as it comes from a community and organization that I deeply respect and cherish.”
Dr. Edara, a Board-Certified Physician in Allergy and Immunology in Private Practice since 1990, said, “Throughout my career, I have been guided by the belief that service to others is one of the highest callings. Whether through community outreach, medical education, or public health initiatives, I have simply tried to give back in ways that uplift lives and strengthen our shared future.”
Dr. Edara completed his Fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Dr. Edara, who immigrated to USA in1983 from India, serves as an Assistant Professor at WMU School of Medicine Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Edara is the former President of Michigan Allergy Asthma Society and a former President of the Calhoun County Medical Society and was the President of the Association of Allergists and Immunologists from India from 2001-2003.
Dr. Edara is a former House of Delegate at the American College of Allergy Asthma Immunology and served as the Chairman of AAPI Global Medical Education 2023-2024. Dr. Edara has been collaborating with the Government of India on efforts with “the objective of making every MBBS graduate from India to be the best in the world through programs and activities on AAPI platform.”
Beyond his impressive clinical credentials, Dr. Edara’s service to TANA has been truly exceptional. He served the organization in multiple capacities including as the Treasurer, Chairman of the TANA Foundation for 3 years, and was the founder of TANA Foundation India.
During his leadership, Dr. Edara was instrumental in obtaining FCRA approval for the TANA Foundation India, enabling the organization to execute charitable projects on a larger scale. His vision led to the establishment of multiple water purification plants, mobile eye camps, and lifesaving surgical programs across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
His commitment did not end with his tenure. Even after serving as Chairman, Dr. Edara continues to initiate and support numerous initiatives.
His global work in medical education include founding the Global Association of Indian Medical Students. He helped launch The Global Journal of Medical Students (GJMS) and continues to advocate for emergency medicine training in India. He published research papers on digital medical education and pandemic response strategies.
In addition, Dr. Edara has has served as the President, Michigan Allergy Asthma Society; President, Calhoun County Medical Society; President, Association of Allergists and Immunologists from India (2001–2003); House Delegate, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2021–2022); Chair of Global Medical Education, AAPI
A scholar and dedicated to sharing his skills and knowledge with the rest of the world, Dr. Edara has published numerous articles in addition to contributing multiple-choice assessments in undergraduate and post graduate medical education in India. A strong advocate for eLearning systems, Dr. Edada believes that “They are a vital active learning tool for medical education to help higher transfer of knowledge, which helps in public health.”
A strong advocate to make mandatory Emergency Medicine Department in all the 701 Medical Schools in India, Dr. Edara is proud to state that “This is now approved by the Government of India and the Indian Medical Association and that now all the Medical Colleges in India are establishing Emergency Medicine Department.:
Dr. Edara is the Co-Founder of the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation (IRCF) along with Dr. Chakra Rao, and has worked for the last 5 years with IRCF, and is now serving as a Council Member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).
His passion has been enhancing of medical education. He cofounded a medical student association called “Global Association of Indian Medical Students (gaims.org). Dr Edara was instrumental in establishing the Global Journal of Medical Students (www.thegjms.org).
He has been instrumental in the Concept Proposal for Nationalized Formative and Summative Assessments to Enhance the Preparedness of Medical Students for the National Exit Test (NExT) and Solution for Low Resource Countries, with insights from NBME Examinations in the USA.
A proven leader and dedicated to the health and wellbeing of Indians, Dr. Edara says, “I have been the Chairmen of TANA Foundation, the largest Telugu Association in the United States. I established with Tana leadership, The Tana Foundation for India, a nonprofit organization in India over a decade ago with the FCRA approval from the Government of India. The Foundation has been carrying out several charitable programs in India, spending millions of Dollars.”
Dr. Edara plans to continue with the advocacy to have the best emergency medical health system while promoting post-graduation in Emergency Medicine and EMT BSE Training across India. In addition, he wants to advocate to have the Indian medical service to help global medical education.
While expressing his appreciation to TANA, one of the largest associations of the Indian Diapora community in North America, Dr. Edara said, “I am grateful to the TANA Foundation for this meaningful honor, and I accept it on behalf of all those who have inspired, supported, and worked alongside me. Together, we have made a difference—and together, we will continue to do so. Thank you for this profound recognition.”