Great Equalization: Is MBBS From India Equal To M.D. In U.S.A?

AAPI Journal • March 2009
Vice-President’s Report
by Ajeet R. Singhvi, M.D.
As the Vice President of the
American Association of Physicians
of Indian Origin (AAPI), it is my
privilege to present the Vice
President’s report.
As your Vice President I have been
assisting the President, the President-
Elect, the Secretary, and the Treasurer
in whatever capacity they have asked
for my services. Dr. Sanku Rao has
been working very hard, along with
the Executive Committee to move
our organization forward.
One of the major responsibility, as
the Chair of membership committee
is to increase our current
Ajeet R. Singhvi, M.D.
Vice President, AAPI
membership.
Organization is only
as strong as its membership. Our
current membership as of February
28, 2009 is as follows:
As of June 30, 2008 As of February 28, 2009 From July 1 to February 28, 2009
a. Patron – Life member 6,311 6,428 117
b. MSRF – Our Future 6,721 7,433 712
c. YPS - Our Youth 193 213 20
d. Annual – Our Strength 734 851 117
Total 13,959 14,925 966
Considering the total strength of
45,000+ physicians and over
10,000+ MSRF & YPS, we have a
long way to go. We had set a
modest goal to increase our total
membership at least by 5% at the
beginning of the fiscal year. We have
already achieved that goal. The
MSRF section has seen the greatest
increase which is very heartening
and needs to be commended.
However, the Annual membership
and YPS membership growth has
been dismal. Patron membership
usually sees two peaks during the
year. First one just before the
General Election (January 31st of
each year is the cutoff date to be
eligible to vote for the General
Election) and the other peak is
before the convention (patron
members get their registration fee
waived). With the Orlando
Convention preparation is in full
swing, the membership and
convention committees will be
working hard to increase the
numbers. You can apply online or
ask for an application by
fax/mail/email from the AAPI office.
Recruiting new members is
challenging in any organization,
especially with physicians. They are
not only very busy in their
profession, but also do not perceive
it to be crucial. To be able to wield
influence in Washington (for
professional issues and legislative
concerns) as well as with the
pharmaceutical industry and other
vendors (for CMEs, charitable
activities, conference, and raising
funds) membership number counts.
Your membership benefit committee
under the leadership of Dr. Anil
Khosla, Dr. Lakhu Rohra and Dr.
Rajendra Gupta, Chair, Board of
Trustees has been working hard over
a ‘Benefits’ Package’. We hope to
present it at the Spring Governing
Body meeting.
AAPI’s strength and image
continues to grow, yet great many
Physicians who are well reputed and
widely known nationally and
internationally are not members of
our Organization. We need to bring
them into the fold and tap their
resources. I seek your help and
guidance in this regard. If we can
somehow convince our colleagues
to become members and attend one
or two AAPI events, they will be
very happy and will feel good being
part of our organization. Let’s try to
add one member each this year. We
will be twice as strong instantly.
I will be happy to receive and
respond to your comments.
www.aapiusa.org
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