“I aim to foster unity within AAPI through my unwavering commitment to people, optimism, and integrity,” says Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), who has assumed charge of the largest ethnic medical association in the United States. “My vision for AAPI centers on professionalization of the organization and advocacy for critical issues affecting physicians and patients alike, including addressing the physician shortage and regulatory burdens,”
In an official communication sent out to the members of the AAPI’s General Boy, Dr. Kathula stated: “According to the current bylaws (Article VI) the current Executive Committee (EC) term is one year which ended on July 8, 2024. The new Executive Committee’s term started on July 9, 2024.”
Dr. Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank past leadership, along with the executive committee, Board of Trustees, and chairs of all standing committees, for their year of dedicated service. Let us continue to support each other, innovate, and strive for excellence. The challenges we overcome today will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”
While elaborating on his broader agenda as the 43rd President of AAPI, Dr. Kathula, an eminent physician of over 25 years’ standing in Ohio, an admirable community leader and philanthropist with a stellar record of serving in several leadership roles in AAPI, says, “I will collaborate with legislative bodies and medical associations such as the AMA, ACP, and FSMB, in our efforts to amplify our impact.”
Dr. Kathula, who graduated from Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1992 is a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Kathula is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and is in the process of writing a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. “For the past 22 years, I’ve been proudly serving as a Hematologist and Oncologist in the Dayton community, considering it my home:”
He strongly believes acquiring new knowledge is crucial for professionals, especially fore the physicians in 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.”
Recalling his long association with AAPI, which he has come to call his 2nd family, Dr. Kathula says, “My first experience with medical conventions occurred at the AAPI annual convention in 1995, graced by then-President Bill Clinton. Inspired, I formally joined AAPI in 2002, though my active involvement commenced in 2009, assuming the role of the governing body member of AAPI. Later on, I won all four national elections I contested, supported by esteemed AAPI members.”
Dr. Kathula has served AAPI in various capacities. He served as 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 was the Regional Director and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was elected overwhelmingly by AAPI members as the national Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President of AAPI, and has served as the President-Elect of AAPI during the year 2023-34.
In his inaugural note, Dr. Kathula assured all AAPI members and all physicians of Indian origin that “I will sincerely work for the betterment of our beloved organization, AAPI.”
“My priority is to engage the second-generation physicians and foster mentorship to ensure AAPI’s continued relevance and vitality.” As the leader of AAPI, who has been entrusted with the task of leading AAPI, Dr. Kathula says, “My goals for AAPI have been very clear. I want to focus on education, communication, and legislation, involving the younger generation. Increasing the membership, creating benefits for members, and making AAPI financially stronger are some of my objectives. I will work hand in hand with the entire executive committee, and board of trustees, to make AAPI stronger and more viable.”
Dr. Kathula has laid out his vision for AAPI on his website:
- Promote AAPI’s mission of education, excellence in patient care, research, and professionalism.
- Increase membership of AAPI and enhance membership benefits. Engage the younger generation more.
- Collaborate with major physician organizations in the US.
- Fast-tracking of Green Cards process for Physicians
- Leverage the strength of 120,000 Indian American Doctors through Legislative endeavors.
Dr. Kathula has been an educator and mentor for dozens of high school students in the community with an interest in attending Medical Schools. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton. He has been part of the program offering teaching/mentoring to medical students, residents and fellows for two decades. He has presented CME (Continuing medical education) lectures at national and international conferences and published articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.
He has been actively involved in community service locally, nationally, and internationally for the last two decades. Dr. Kathula was instrumental in raising funds for the construction of the Om Shanti Hindu Cultural Center in Dayton. He is also the President and Founding Member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio. He has served on several non-profit boards, dedicating his time, skills, and resources for the greater good of the larger community. Dr. Kathula served on the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Dayton chapter) and has raised more than $200,000 for some of its initiatives. The society conferred on him the Man of the Year Award in 2010. Dr. Kathula received Hind Rattan Award in 2010, given by the NRI Welfare Society of India for his outstanding contributions. He was awarded ‘Man of the Year – 2018’ by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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 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 750 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. He also served as the chair of the Oncology track for several Global Health Summits in India.
Not satisfied with his personal and professional achievements, Dr. Kathula has been active in the Indian community. Intending to enable Physicians of Indian Origin to give back to their motherland, India, he is planning the next edition of the Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, India in October this year.
Dr. Kathula gives credit to several mentors who have helped shape his outlook on life. “My life’s journey has been enriched by countless mentors and inspirations from all walks of life, each contributing to my personal and professional growth.”
Sharing about his family, Dr. Kathula says, “My wife is a homemaker, while both my sons have pursued careers in medicine—the elder as a resident in Anesthesiology and the younger currently in his third year of medical school.” Beyond a professional career, Dr. Kathula finds joy in music, writing, photography, travel, cricket, and golf, “indulging in these passions whenever time allows.”
While urging all the members of AAPI “to actively participate in AAPI’s endeavors, emphasizing inclusivity and innovation,” Dr. Kathula says, “Each Chapter of AAPI serves as a vital conduit between local and national initiatives, embodying AAPI’s ethos of collaboration and service. By fostering cooperation between the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, we can optimize AAPI’s effectiveness and uphold our shared objectives.”
“AAPI represents over 120,000 physicians of Indian origin—a distinction I will humbly uphold as the organization’s president,” Dr. Kathula states. “I attribute this honor to the diligent efforts of my predecessors who have cultivated AAPI into a preeminent Indian American institution over its 43-year legacy. Drawing from my leadership experience in various non-profit organizations, despite our members’ diverse backgrounds, I want to emphasize our shared goals to foster cohesion within AAPI,” Dr. Kathula says, adding emphatically, “With unity, I believe we can surmount any challenge and achieve our collective aspirations.”
The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations.
Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies, programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.
Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of practicing Indian-origin physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian heritage. Dr. Satheesh Kathula says, “We will continue the noble mission and strengthen our efforts to make AAPI reach greater heights.” For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.appiusa.org
