NEW YORK: Eminent immunologists Dr Sudhir Parikh and Dr Prem Menon were honored by the Association of Allergists and Immunologists from India (AAII) for their outstanding service to society and their achievements in the field of medicine.

The awards were distributed at the semi-annual assembly of the AAII--a member organization of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology--held in San Diego last week. This meeting was held in conjunction with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology annual meeting. The gathering was attended by allergists and immunologists from across the United States.

"We are delighted to honor two of our fellow members for their contribution to medicine, to humanity in general, and to the Indian American community in particular," said AAII President Dr Vasudeva Bommanna while distributing the awards in the presence of Dr Sheldon Spector, world renowned allergy and immunologist.

On the occasion, Dr Spector addressed the gathering on "Heterogeniety of Asthma," receiving a tremendous response. In accepting the honor, Dr Parikh said, "I re-commit myself to do whatever I can for the furthering of medical science and for providing healthcare to every under-privileged child and adult in the world." Dr Parikh was recognized for receiving two prestigious awards, in fact: the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Award.

Dr Prem Menon, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, noted "This award means recognition within the fraternity to which one belongs. I thank the AAII for considering me for this honor." Dr Menon's work with hurricane Katrina victims was recognized with the Mothers Choice Award, a national award instituted by the Allergy and Asthma Network--Mothers Of Asthmatics.

He is also the recipient of this year's American College of Chest Physician's Humanitarian of the Year Award, AMA Foundation's Excellence in Medicine Award, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's (AAAAI) Public Outreach Award. As Chairman of the Board of the World India Diabetes Foundation (WIDF), Dr Menon is in the process of setting up a national diabetes institute in collaboration with Manipal University in India. Dr Menon was commended at the AAII assembly for his outstanding contribution to aiding Katrina victims in New Orleans and neighboring areas.

The AAII was launched in the US to bring together allergists and immunologists of Indian origin across the country as well as to help developing countries with their efforts in treating asthma and immunological diseases. The organization also conducts asthma camps and creates awareness about respiratory diseases in developing countries.