CHICAGO: Two Indian Americans from Chicagoland along with four others from East Coast have now joined the elite group of Awardees of Ellis Medal of Honor that include former British PM Tony Blair, former US President Bill Clinton and prospective US President Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dr Bharat Barai, a front ranking Indian community activist and Dr Dharmapuri Vidyasgar, Professor Emiruts of Neonatology at University of Chicago Medical Center, were bestowed with the prestigious Ellis Medal of Honor at a glittering function held on Saturday May 11at Ellis Island, New York.
Other Indian Americans who were bestowed with the award were Dr Kamla Sazena of Ohio, Ramesh Patel of New Jersey and Dr Mahendra Patel also of New Jersey for their contributions for the betterment of society in general. This year there were total of 100 awardees in USA and out of that, six were from Indian American group reflecting their positive role in the mainstream society.
Born in Mumbai, Dr Bharat Barai had a brilliant academic career, standing First in Science/Math subjects in Gujarat State SSC exam, 1964. At MS University, Baroda, he stood First in PreMedical, 1st, 2nd, Final MBBS, MD Medicine with Gold Medals in all the subjects. After coming to USA, he obtained MD in Medicine (U of Illinois), MD in Medical Oncology (Northwestern University Med School), MD in Hematology (Rush Medical School).
He is currently Medical Director of the Cancer Institute, Methodist Hospitals, Clin Asst Prof of Medicine at Indiana University Medical School, Member and former President of the Medical Licensing Board of the State of Indiana. He is a front ranking community activist receiving numerous community service awards in the last 25 years. He is a Trustee and former President of The Federation of Indian American Associations (FIA) Chicago land area .Founding member and Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Manav Seva Mandir, and Trustee of the Indian American Cultural Center NW Indiana and many Indian American organizations.
Dr Vidyasagar, a graduate from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad came to USA in 1963 for training in Pediatrics. He focused his further training in the field of Neonatology and he is considered one of the pioneers in this field. Besides his academic contributions in the US he is known for contributions to Global Health. He helped establish Neonatal and Perinatal programs in Poland, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, India and elsewhere.
He has been honored by several national and international agencies with awards which include: Honorary PhD by Poznan Medical Institute, Poland, Knights of Lithuania, Lithuania; Honorary Professor, China Medical College, Shenyan China; St. Tomas University, Manila Philippine. In 2012 he was invited by the Sri Ramachandra Medical University Chennai as a Visiting Professor and consultant to establish The Sri Ramachandra Center of Perinatal Excellence (SCOPE)
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) honors the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children.
Each year’s recipients are read into the Congressional Record. The Great Hall where immigrants were once processed, hosts the gala dinner which follows the ceremony. Approximately 100 Medalists are honored each year. Past Medalists include six Presidents, as well as Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government.
Surendra Ullal
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