India Post News Service

LAS VEGAS: The four-day 26th annual convention of Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Las Vegas between June 25 and 29 wrote a new chapter in the Indo-US relations and also vigorously reaffirmed Indian physicians' commitment and dedication to serve both the nations.

Indian Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Associate Secretary of State Mr. Richard Boucher, Indian Ambassador Mr. Ronen Sen, Chairman of the Apollo Hospitals Dr. Pratap C. Reddy and a host of other dignitaries praised the leadership of Dr. Hemant Patel as AAPI President during 2007-08 for his wide ranging achievements in a short span of 12 months.

The convention also witnessed the change of guard with Dr. Sanku S. Rao taking over as AAPI president from Dr. Patel. The new AAPI team for 2008-2009 consists of Dr. Sanku S. Rao - president; Dr. Vinod K. Shah, president-elect; Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi - vice president; Dr. Prasad Srinivasan - secretary and Dr. Narendra Kumar - treasurer.

Dr. Rajendra Gupta has been elected chair of Board of Trustees. In his acceptance speech the incoming president Dr. Sanku S. Rao outlining his vision for the year 2008-2009, said AAPI would conduct specialized CME programs across the US to hone up physicians' skills and update on the latest in their respective fields."

As medical practitioners, we have very little time to keep ourselves abreast of the developments in the vast field such as medicine. Sound knowledge in the practicing field is a must and AAPI would be inviting top-notch experts from the US and other parts of the world, researchers and faculty to inform us is the latest.

These CMEs platforms will not be restricted to major cities and would be conducted in various state capitals and cities where there are sizable Indian-American physicians. The stress will be on professional development, he added.

Others who addressed the four-day convention include Dr. Ken Moritsugu, vice president, Global Strategic Affairs, LifeScan; Dr. Bhishma Kumar Agnihotri, former Ambassador-at-large for NRIs and PIOs; Dr. Renu Khator, chancellor and president of Houston University, Texas; Ms. Neelam Deo, Consul General of India in New York; Dr. Rebecca J. Patchin, secretary/treasurer of AMA and Dr. Harsh Vardhan, BJP leader from New Delhi. AAPI Presidential Awards were given to Dr. Jayesh Kanuga, member Board of Trustees; Dr. Suvas Desai, chair, Legislative Affairs Committee; Mr. Anwar Feroz and Mr. Haresh Kaneriya of Johnson and Johnson and Mr. Bob Miglani of Pfizer.

The AAPI Special Awards were presented Dr. Charles Modica, chancellor of St. Georges University and Dr. Thakoor G. Patel and Dr. Kiran Patel, past president of AAPI. The BOT Presidential Award was presented to Dr. Snehal Desai, president of AAPI- MSRF Committee.

Dr. Arun Pramanik, chair, AAPI Board of Trustees was the keynote speaker at the BOT luncheon and for the first time in history, AAPI had organized a panel discussion on the role of ethnic media in the growth of organization moderated by Managing Editor of India Abroad Mr. Aziz Haniffa and Managing Editor of Pyramid Saimira Group magazines Dr. Prakaash M Swami.

The panel includes Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy from AAPI and Mr. Bob Miglani of Pfizer. A separate session on Women's healthcare leadership development was held under the leadership of Dr. Dharmi Kanuga. Congresswoman Shelly Berkley, US Senator Harry Reid and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons issued a special proclamation to Dr. Hemant Patel recognizing his services to the community.

The key to the City of Las Vegas was presented to Dr. Hemant Patel on behalf of the Mayor of Las Vegas by Councilman Mr. Larry Brown on behalf of Las Vegas Mayor Mr. Oscar Goodman. Dr. Patel is the second Indian to get the key, first one being Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The key to the City of Las Vegas were also presented to Ambassador Ronen Sen, former ambassador-at-large Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri and BJP leader Dr. Harsh Vardhan. In his farewell speech, Dr. Hemant Patel said that AAPI has grown by numbers and by commitment. "It is a remarkable time for Indians in America. Especially for those of us who are in the service of others.

And no other organization in America can straddle two of the world's largest democracies and say with a full heart. I am an Indian-American Physician and I work to heal and to serve patients throughout America and contribute in our own way to helping people in India." "I am proud to tell you that we have accomplished each and every goal set out at our Silver Jubilee AAPI Convention in Philadelphia last year.

From the day I took the job of President of AAPI, I committed myself fully to identifying five key Presidential Platforms and setting to achieve our AAPI goals in line with these important Platforms. My goal as your President was to represent the non-commercial, humanitarian, philanthropic and public health side AAPI in the US and India. With the strong support of the AAPI leadership team, I believe we accomplished this goal and much more."