For the first time ever, aface-to-face virtual debate of the candidates who are contesting the annual elections for various offices at the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) for the year 2025-26 was organized on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Conceptualized and organized by Dr. Suresh Reddy, past president of AAPI, under the banner of “Desi Doctors,” the 90 minutes long debate was effectively moderated by: Dr. Himanshu Pandya, Dr. Raj Katara, Dr. Pooja Kinkhabwala, Dr. Krish Soundararajan, and, Dr.Tarak Vasavada. They urged all the active members of AAPI to listen to the narratives of each candidate and elect the best leaders, who will take this 43-year-old organization to greater heights. The debate was held independently of the AAPI leadership.
Along with Dr. Satheesh Kathula, the current President of AAPI, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty serves as the President-Elect of AAPI, and Dr. Meher Medavaram is the current Vice President of AAPI. They are not contesting in the elections, as the current President-Elect will assume charge as the President of AAPI in July 2025, and the current Vice President will become the President for the year 2026-27.
Dr. Raj Bhayani, who is ina direct contest with Dr. Krishan Kumar for the office of the Vice President shared his vision for AAPI, while sharing with the audience his experiences. Dr. Krishan Kumar shared his vision for AAPI and why he is standing for the Office via a video message.
The candidates for the Office of AAPI Secretary, Dr. Seema Arora andDr. Malti Mehta faced off in a lively debate sharing their vast experiences and their vision for AAPI, while Dr. Shirish Kumar Patel shared a recorded video for the audience to learn about his vision for AAPI.
The office of AAPI Treasurer is being contested by Dr. Leena Gupta and Dr. Soumya Neravetla, a second-generation AAPI member. Both Dr. Gupta and Neravetla shared their experiences and qualifications as well as their vision for AAPI if elected as the Treasurer of AAPI.
Dr. Srini Gokarakonda, Dr. Anjali Gulati, Dr. Sunitha Polepalle, and Dr. Gunjan Shukla, the candidates aspiring to be members of the AAPI Board of Trustees, shared with the audience their experiences and vision that make them best suited to be members of this important body at AAPI.
The deadline for filing the nominations was January 31st, 2025. Ballots were mailed/emailed by the AAPI Office at the latest by March 7th to all active members of AAPI. All the ballots from AAPI members should reach the Election Agency by the Second Friday of April 11th, 2025. The ballots will be counted,and the election results will be announced on April 12th, 2025. Dr. Lokesh Edara serves as the Chief Election Officer.
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. Physicians of Indian origin are proud of their great achievements and contributions to the motherland, India, the 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 and 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 more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa,org
