NEW YORK: About 300 alumni from all over the US and India attended the tenth national convention of BJ Medical Alumni Association of USA held Sept 26-28 at Hotel Hilton, Parsippany, NJ. The convention was organized by Dr. Mehul Shah and his team members Drs. Jayesh and Dharmi Kanuga, Kirit Patel, Arun and Bharati Palkhiwala, Yogesh Viroja, Pradip Shah, Harish Patel and Sanjivan.

Traditional Gujarati diaro, raas and garba by Praful Dave and ghazal sangeet by Sunil Mungee were the highlight of the convention. Five hours of Continuing Medical Education activities on various medical subjects were conducted alongside. Donors Dr Mahendrabhai and Nirmal Patel and Drs Purnima and Mahendrabhai Shah were recognized for their generous donation of $250,000 and $ 50,000 respectively for the Alma mater.

All past presidents of BJMCAA, USA, current president of BJMCAA, Ahmadabad, the dean of medical school and Dr Surendrabhai Mahadevia were also awarded for their dedicated service to the organization.

"There are over 2,000 BJites settled in USA. With God's blessing most of the BJites in India as well as abroad are doing well financially. If each BJite decides to give $100/year as the mother's day gift to our mother institution thanks to which we have achieved our dream, we can have substantial funding to make a significant difference in the lives of others back home," said incoming president Dr. Dharmi Kanuga.

Dr. Bhanji Kundaria, the outgoing president of BJMCAA, USA talked about various projects that the association has successfully accomplished. Dr. Kanuga presented her ambitious goals and optimistic future plans for the alma mater to bring the education and the facility at B.J. Medical College to be one of the best in India.

BJMCAA,USA in collaboration with BJMCAA, Ahmedabad, India has been actively sponsoring various projects like improvement and upgrading of library, hostels, canteen, auditorium, patient care in various department and full scholarship to 35 students for four and half year of medical education. The new executive committee for 2008-10 consists of: President Dr. Dharmi Kanuga (NJ), Vice President Dr. Bharat Shah (OH), Secretary Dr. Mehul Shah (NJ), and Treasurer Dr. Yogesh Viroja (PA).