Dr. Sampat Shivangi, a physician, an influential Indian-American community leader, Chair of Mississippi State Board of Mental Health, and a veteran leader of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has been honored as an Outstanding Alumni of Kasturba Medical College at the University of Manipal in India on Saturday, November 16th, 2019.
Considered a rare honor, Dr. Shivangi was honored by the First Lady Mrs. Vasanti Pai, the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor Dr. Subash Ballal, Pro Chancellors, the Dean and faculty in the traditional way of Karnataka. “I am fortunate that I got chance to study Medicine in this prestigious medical school several decades ago,”
Dr. Sampat Shivangi, who was recently appointed by the US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M Azar to serve on the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council, said. “I have no words to express my words of appreciation and gratitude for this honor. Wish and pray my Alma mater will continue to flourish and spread the knowledge in every field.”
“I always had connectivity to my Alma Mater and kept up with my professors and the pioneers in establishing this Medical College and many other institutions. Since I had the close affinity with my Alma-mater, I took keen interest in establishing and being the president of Kasturba Medical College Alumni which is one of the largest alumni associations in US, UK and many other countries and had kept up communication with these Associations. Kasturba Medical college, I was honored as an outstanding Alumni of Kasturba Medical college, which is a great honor and that I am much grateful to the Academy.”
Dr. Shivangi praised the PAI family of MANIPAL who have transformed a small village into a metropolis attracting thousands of students from across the world. “I had the privilege to work with the Chancellor Dr. Ramdas Pai, a visionary who single handedly transformed this into mega University,” he pointed out.
“Recognizing my zeal to bring fresh ideas to give our college and university an international status, I was honored with my appointment as a member of the Board of Trustee of the Manipal Academy. It is a prestigious appointment first time ever to a past student,” Dr. Shivangi said.
In 2018, Dr. Shivangi was felicitated by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Mrs.Vasanti Pai (wife of Chancellor Dr. Ramdas Pai). And, he was invited as a speaker at Kasturba Medical college in Mangalore at the graduation ceremony.
In the field of Medicine, Manipal University is internationally recognized as one of the premier academic institutions in Asia, and is a premier institutions close on the heels of All India institute of Medical Sciences. Kasturba Medical College is in existence for close to 65 years and expanded in to many states in India and to Malaysia and ANTIGUA.
Besides being the founding president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin in Mississippi, he was also the past president and chair of the India Association of Mississippi and was Advisor to US Department of Health & Human Services at NHSC Washington, DC 2005-2008 during President Bush Administration.
A close friend to the Bush family, he was instrumental in lobbying for first Diwali celebration in the White House and for President George W. Bush to make his trip to India. He had accompanied President Bill Clinton during his historic visit to India.
Dr. Shivangi has held high offices in USA including as a member of the Mississippi state Board of Health by Governor Haley Barbour, and as a Chair of the State Board of Mental Health by the Governor Phil Bryant, a strong supporter of President Trump.
A conservative life-long member of the Republican Party, Dr. Shivangi is the founding member of the Republican Indian Council and the Republican Indian National Council, which aim to work to help and assist in promoting President Elect Trump’s agenda and support his advocacy in the coming months.
Dr. Shivangi is the National President of Indian American Forum for Political Education, one of the oldest Indian American Associations. Over the past three decades, he has lobbied for several Bills in the US Congress on behalf of India through his enormous contacts with US Senators and Congressmen.
Dr. Shivangi is a champion of women’s health and mental health whose work has been recognized nationwide. Dr. Shivangi has worked enthusiastically in promoting India Civil Nuclear Treaty and recently the US India Defense Treaty that was passed in US Congress and signed by President Obama.
Dr. Sampat Shivangi, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has been elected by a US state Republican Party as a full delegate to the National Convention. He is one of the top fund-raisers in Mississippi state for the Republican Party. Besides being a politician by choice, the medical practitioner is also the first Indian to be on the American Medical Association.
Dr. Shivangi has actively involved in several philanthropic activities, serving with Blind foundation of MS, Diabetic, Cancer and Heart Associations of America. Dr. Shivangi has been carrying on several philanthropic works in India including Primary & Middle Schools, Cultural Center, IMA Centers that he opened and helped to obtain the first ever US Congressional grant to AAPI to study Diabetes Mellitus amongst Indian Americans.
Dr. Shivangi has been at the forefront of the powerful American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and has served as the Secretary and Vice President of the Association, besides representing it at the American Medical Association.
A member of the Executive Advisory Board of the Washington, DC, – based conservative think tank, International Leaders Summit, Joel Anand Samy, who co-founded the International Leaders Summit along with Srdoc, welcomed Shivangi to the group’s Board.
“Dr. Shivangi’s commitment to advancing America’s first principles, his distinguished career as a physician, and a leader at the state and national levels has made a profound difference in the lives of many,” Joel Anand Samy said. “We look forward to working with Dr. Shivangi in his new capacity as an Executive Advisory Board Member of ILS in advancing principled policies in America and strengthening the US-India ties on the healthcare, economic and security fronts.”
Dr. Shivangi, from Ridgeland, Mississippi, is one of the most plugged in and savvy Indian Americans in the South, who has cultivated strong bonds with governors, senators and members of the House and been a fixture at GOP conventions.
Dr.Sampat Shivangi was awarded a highest civilian honor, Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Sanman award for the year 2016 in Blengaluru, by the Hon. President of India, Shri Pranab Mukhejee. He was awarded with the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York in 2008. He is married to Dr. Udaya S.Shivangi, MD, and his children are: Priya S.Shivangi, MS (NYU); Pooja S. Shivangi who is an Attorney at Law.
