Focus on the Younger Generation - American Association of ...
Focus on the Younger Generation - American Association of ...
Focus on the Younger Generation - American Association of ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
SPRING 2011<br />
AAPI<br />
Journal<br />
THE JOURNAL OF INDIAN AMERICAN PHYSICIANS<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Younger</strong> Generati<strong>on</strong><br />
“Investing in ..... <strong>the</strong> Future”<br />
1 st 2 nd<br />
MSR/F/YPS PHOTO<br />
CONTEST WINNERS<br />
3 rd<br />
3 rd<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> • MSR/F/YPS Journal • AAPI Charitable Activities • Feature Articles
2011 Capitol Hill Legislative C<strong>on</strong>ference<br />
Wednesday, June 1, 2011<br />
B-369 Rayburn<br />
House Office Building Washingt<strong>on</strong>, D.C. 20515<br />
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.<br />
Evening recepti<strong>on</strong>n<br />
B-354 Rayburn<br />
House Office Building<br />
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.<br />
Also to be attended by community leaders from AAHOA, GOPIO, NFIA, etc.<br />
AAPI will initiate a discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> issues affecting <strong>the</strong> Indiann <strong>American</strong> community during <strong>the</strong> recepti<strong>on</strong><br />
Dinner at <strong>the</strong> Embassy <strong>of</strong> India Hosted by Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar - 8:00 p.m. <strong>on</strong>wards<br />
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washingt<strong>on</strong>, D.C. 20008<br />
Speakers<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressmann Andy Harris, MD (R‐MD)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressmann Phil Gingrey, MD (R‐GA)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gresswoman Zoe L<strong>of</strong>gren (D‐CA)<br />
U.S. . C<strong>on</strong>gressman Bill Cassidy, MD (R‐LA)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressman Phil Roe, MD (R‐TN)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressman Joe Heck, , MD (R‐NV)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressman Paul C. Broun, Jr., MD (R‐GA)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressmann John Fleming, MD (R‐LA)<br />
U.S. C<strong>on</strong>gressman Frank Pall<strong>on</strong>e (D‐NJ)<br />
Neil Chatterjee, Esquire –<br />
Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Mitch McC<strong>on</strong>nell (R-KY)<br />
Dr. Robert M<strong>of</strong>fitt, Ph.D. –<br />
Senior Fellow, Center for Policy Innovati<strong>on</strong>, The Heritage Foundati<strong>on</strong>n<br />
Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA –<br />
President and Co-Founder, Doctors for America<br />
Nicholas Rathod, Esquire –<br />
Deputy Director, White House Office <strong>of</strong> Intergovernmental Affairs<br />
Thomas C. Roberge, Jr. –<br />
Senior Assistantt Director, Divisi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> C<strong>on</strong>gressi<strong>on</strong>al Affairs, <strong>American</strong> Medical Associati<strong>on</strong><br />
Mike Stins<strong>on</strong>, Esquire –<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Government Relati<strong>on</strong>s, Physicians Insurers Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> America (PIAA)<br />
Neera Tanden, Esquire –<br />
Chief Operating Officer, Center for <strong>American</strong> Progress<br />
Ajeet AAPI R. Singhvi, Director MD, <strong>of</strong> Leg President gislative Affa • Krishan airs Dino Aggarwal, Teppara, Esqui MD ire • Dino will serve Teppara, e as <strong>the</strong> Esq., c<strong>on</strong>ference Legislative moder Director rator.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>ference registrati<strong>on</strong> is limited to <strong>the</strong> first 50 people to RSVP<br />
Recepti<strong>on</strong> registrati<strong>on</strong> is limited to <strong>the</strong> first 150 people to RSVP<br />
To RSVP, please provide name, email address, cell ph<strong>on</strong>e numberr and city/state<br />
to:<br />
info@aapiusa.o<br />
org or call 630-990-2277<br />
Please visit <strong>the</strong> Legislative Affairs Page <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> AAPI Website for more informati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
* While all speakers are currently c<strong>on</strong>firmed, speakers and topics are subject to change *
aapi c<strong>on</strong>tent<br />
President<br />
Ajeet R. Singhvi, MD, FACG<br />
600 Enterprise Drive, Suite #108<br />
Oakbrook, IL 60523<br />
Ph<strong>on</strong>e: (630) 990-2277<br />
Fax: (630) 990-2281<br />
president@aapiusa.org<br />
www.aapiusa.org<br />
AAPI Journal Editor<br />
M. P. Ravindra Nathan,<br />
MD, FACC, FACP, FRCP (L<strong>on</strong>d & Can)<br />
Hernando Heart Clinic<br />
Brooksville, FL 34613<br />
Ph<strong>on</strong>e: (352) 597-3353<br />
Fax: (352) 597-3368<br />
ravinath@tampabay.rr.com<br />
Office Manager<br />
Vijaya Kodali<br />
vkodali@aapiusa.org<br />
Marketing Communicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
& Ad Sales<br />
Sam Fulambarker<br />
sam@aapiusa.org<br />
Designed & Printed by<br />
GR Marketing & Graphic Design<br />
Ph<strong>on</strong>e: (813) 886-4500<br />
Fax: (813) 886-4501<br />
Copyright©2011 by<br />
<strong>American</strong> Associati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Physicians<br />
<strong>of</strong> Indian Origin.<br />
All rights reserved.<br />
4 Message from <strong>the</strong> President – Ajeet R. Singhvi, MD<br />
7 YPS President’s Report – Priya Kundra, MD<br />
8 MSRF President’s Report – Mamta Singhvi, MD<br />
10 From <strong>the</strong> Editor’s Desk – M. P. Ravindra Nathan, MD<br />
11 Reader’s Resp<strong>on</strong>d<br />
Featured Articles<br />
12 Heart Disease in South Asians: “Facts we should know as Indian <strong>American</strong>s to help<br />
reduce our risk.” – Pravien K. Khanna MD, M.P.H.<br />
14 Heart Disease Epidemic am<strong>on</strong>g Asian Indians and Low Threshold <strong>of</strong><br />
Interventi<strong>on</strong> – Enas A. Enas, MD<br />
MSR/F/YPS competiti<strong>on</strong><br />
16 Cover Story - The First Ever AAPI MSR/F/YPS C<strong>on</strong>test in:<br />
Creative Writing, Poetry & Amateur Photography – M. P. Ravindra Nathan, MD<br />
18 - 24 Creative Writing Winners<br />
26 - 27 Poetry Winners<br />
28 - 31 Photo Competiti<strong>on</strong> Participants<br />
MSR/F/YPS JOURNAL<br />
32 Networking Beats Not Working – Pooja Voria, MD, MBA<br />
33 Medical Rotati<strong>on</strong> to India: Swarup S. Swaminathan, MD,<br />
Neil Krishan Aggarwal, MD, MBA, MA, Priti Dangayach & Kinjal Shah<br />
aapi charitable activities<br />
36 Report from <strong>the</strong> Committee <strong>on</strong> Medical Missi<strong>on</strong>s &<br />
Community Service – Ram Upadhyay, MD<br />
38 Project Pacemaker Internati<strong>on</strong>al Inc. – Salil Midha, MD, FACC, Susan DeTurk<br />
and V.K. Saini, MD<br />
40 In Giving is Receiving – Gopal Badlami, MD<br />
25 Members in <strong>the</strong> News - Dr. Reddy Receives Award<br />
42 - 43 AAPI in <strong>the</strong> News<br />
44 “My Battlefield” – Vijay Kulkarni, MD<br />
46 MSR/F/YPS New Members<br />
about <strong>the</strong> cover<br />
AAPI President Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi addressing at AAPI C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> in Washingt<strong>on</strong>, D.C.<br />
YPS/MSRF Board Members-left to right: Maneesh Kumar, Dr. Vinita Bhagia, Dr. Priya Kundra, Dr. Pooja Voria,<br />
Dr. Mamta Singhvi and Dr. Julie Patel<br />
1st Prize - Imran Shaik ‘Solitude’ • 2nd Prize - Kinjal Shah ‘There is Hope... is <strong>the</strong>re a Future?’<br />
3rd Prize - Rahul Wadke ‘Reflecti<strong>on</strong>’ • 3rd Prize - Sriram Eleswarapu ‘Nothing to Fear’<br />
DISCLAIMER: The AAPI Journal is published quarterly by <strong>the</strong> <strong>American</strong> Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Physicians <strong>of</strong> Indian Origin (AAPI). This publicati<strong>on</strong> may not be reproduced in whole or<br />
in part without <strong>the</strong> express written permissi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> AAPI. All articles published including editorials, letters and book reviews represent <strong>the</strong> opini<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> authors and do not<br />
reflect <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial policy <strong>of</strong> AAPI. Please note that <strong>the</strong> acceptance <strong>of</strong> advertising in this journal does not c<strong>on</strong>stitute or imply endorsement by AAPI <strong>of</strong> any product or service nor<br />
does AAPI accept any resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for any claims made in any advertisement, unless o<strong>the</strong>rwise stated by AAPI. In additi<strong>on</strong> individual advertisers are solely resp<strong>on</strong>sible for <strong>the</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir advertising material which <strong>the</strong>y submit to us, including ensuring that it complies with relevant legislati<strong>on</strong>.
President’s<br />
REPORT<br />
Ajeet R. Singhvi, MD, FACG<br />
As <strong>the</strong> President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>American</strong><br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Physicians <strong>of</strong><br />
Indian Origin (AAPI), it is my<br />
privilege to present <strong>the</strong> President’s<br />
report.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Younger</strong> Generati<strong>on</strong><br />
We have always menti<strong>on</strong>ed that MSRF and YPS are our<br />
future. All that we have achieved towards this goal, so far this<br />
year and hopefully during coming years is a culminati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
efforts <strong>of</strong> present and past leaders. We have made a sincere effort<br />
and tried very hard to put that focus into acti<strong>on</strong>. Our leadership<br />
development program has been a great success. We have had five<br />
such programs, beginning with Newport Beach, CA <strong>on</strong>to L<strong>on</strong>g<br />
Island, NY, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI. I thank<br />
<strong>the</strong> YPS President Dr. Priya Kundra and MSRF President Dr.<br />
Mamta Singhvi al<strong>on</strong>g with Dr. Smita Tand<strong>on</strong>, Dr. Mukul Arya,<br />
Dr. Arti Gupta, Dr. Pratap Kumar and Dr. VJ Desai for making<br />
<strong>the</strong>se programs successful. Our legal counsel Mr. Andy Schlafly,<br />
Mr. Bob Miglani and Dr. Jayesh Shah also need credit for this<br />
success.<br />
Medical Rotati<strong>on</strong>s to India<br />
Several Medical Students and Residents have completed<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir 4-weeks rotati<strong>on</strong> and have shared <strong>the</strong>ir experiences with<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir colleagues and in AAPI Journal and website as well. I<br />
expect this program to be very popular in coming years. I urge<br />
you to please sp<strong>on</strong>sor <strong>on</strong>e Medical Student or Resident for <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
$1,500. Please make your check payable to “AAPI Charitable<br />
Foundati<strong>on</strong>” and send it to AAPI <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
Medical Missi<strong>on</strong>s and Community<br />
Service<br />
Several projects are <strong>on</strong>going in India and elsewhere. Dr.<br />
Sudeep Kukreja’s missi<strong>on</strong> to China was very successful. Please<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact Dr. Ram Upadhyay, Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Committee, Dr. Nitin<br />
Shah, Co-Chair as well as AAPI <strong>of</strong>fice for current as well as and<br />
future missi<strong>on</strong>s and community service projects.<br />
4 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Programs<br />
Our Observership program under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
Dr. Bhoja Reddy has helped secure residency for quite a few<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Medical Graduates. I thank all <strong>the</strong> Physicians who<br />
have participated in <strong>the</strong> program and invite o<strong>the</strong>r physicians to<br />
join to be a mentor. MSRF President Dr. Mamta Singhvi al<strong>on</strong>g<br />
with Ms. Sangita Sancheti are working toge<strong>the</strong>r for a mentorship<br />
program for High school and early college students.<br />
The Capitol Hill Internship Scholarships for Young<br />
Medical Students and Physicians is a great opportunity to serve<br />
and learn healthcare policy making with senior Legislators.<br />
Please c<strong>on</strong>tact our Legislative Director Mr. Dino Teppera (dino.<br />
teppara@gmail.com) or AAPI <strong>of</strong>fice (info@aapiusa.org) for <strong>the</strong><br />
same.<br />
This year we have had a record number <strong>of</strong> Residents/<br />
Fellows/Young Physicians joined our Organizati<strong>on</strong> as Patr<strong>on</strong><br />
members. Once reluctant to be part <strong>of</strong> AAPI, <strong>the</strong>se young<br />
physicians are very happy to join <strong>the</strong> organizati<strong>on</strong> and I see<br />
definite interest and pride in <strong>the</strong>m to have become part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
organizati<strong>on</strong>. I see a very str<strong>on</strong>g future for <strong>the</strong> Organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir leadership. Thanks to <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> Dr. Narendra<br />
Kumar, Chair, Membership Committee that we will recruit over<br />
1500 physicians this year al<strong>on</strong>e, as Patr<strong>on</strong> (life) members.<br />
AAPI GOVERNING BODY<br />
Spring Governing Body in Chicago, IL was extremely<br />
successful. This was perhaps <strong>the</strong> most attended meeting<br />
where all <strong>the</strong> 10 current AAPI Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees, all 7 AAPI<br />
Officers, 6 current Regi<strong>on</strong>al Directors, all three past Presidents<br />
from Chicago and several past AAPI and local leaders were in<br />
attendance. Before <strong>the</strong> hard work <strong>on</strong> Saturday, <strong>the</strong> delegates had<br />
w<strong>on</strong>derful cruise <strong>on</strong> Lake Michigan al<strong>on</strong>g with good food and<br />
entertainment. The Governing Body awarded 2013 and 2014<br />
AAPI C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>s to Chicago and San Ant<strong>on</strong>io respectively.<br />
It also unanimously approved <strong>the</strong> formati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> first ever Health<br />
India Think Tank. It appointed Dr. Pawan Rattan to Chair this<br />
Think Tank. It will be an aut<strong>on</strong>omous body with partners from<br />
India, USA and o<strong>the</strong>r countries to deliberate <strong>on</strong> healthcare issues
president’s report<br />
and healthcare policy and create a forum for public debate and<br />
Government policy. At <strong>the</strong> gala banquet dinner, C<strong>on</strong>gressman<br />
Jessie L. Jacks<strong>on</strong> Jr. gave a very motivati<strong>on</strong>al speech. He<br />
interacted with <strong>the</strong> crowd till late and danced as well to <strong>the</strong><br />
Indian music and live numbers by Babul Supriyo.<br />
AAPI Women’s Health Forum<br />
Dr. Manju Sachdev, Chairpers<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Women Physicians<br />
Committee al<strong>on</strong>g with TIIPS local president Dr. Arati Gupta<br />
held a very successful Women’s Health Forum in Dallas, TX <strong>on</strong><br />
March 5th. It was attended by record number <strong>of</strong> delegates. The<br />
forum clearly dem<strong>on</strong>strated <strong>the</strong> unwavering missi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> AAPI to<br />
improve Women’s healthcare in this Country and to help <strong>the</strong>m<br />
live l<strong>on</strong>ger and healthier lives.<br />
Left: Youngest AAPI<br />
fan Anokha Jana Nathan<br />
dancing during<br />
<strong>the</strong> evening activities<br />
<strong>of</strong> Spring Governing<br />
Body in Chicago.<br />
Below: C<strong>on</strong>gressman<br />
Jessie L. Jacks<strong>on</strong><br />
Jr. dancing with Dr.<br />
Manju Sachdev.<br />
AAPI Charitable Foundati<strong>on</strong><br />
This has been our flagship arm. Dr. Shashi S. Shah is<br />
helping us not <strong>on</strong>ly in Medical Missi<strong>on</strong>s, Medical Rotati<strong>on</strong>s etc.,<br />
he has been busy raising funds. He attended AAPI-Alabama<br />
Chapter meeting <strong>on</strong> May 7th, 2011, where he presented a check<br />
<strong>of</strong> $5000 <strong>on</strong> behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> AAPI-CF to <strong>the</strong> Governor Robert<br />
Bentley for <strong>the</strong> people affected by <strong>the</strong> nature’s wrath. AAPI-<br />
CF is holding a fundraiser <strong>on</strong> May 21st to c<strong>on</strong>tinue to fund<br />
<strong>the</strong> worthy causes. Our ambitious program to install Automatic<br />
External Defibrillators in each and every Indo-<strong>American</strong><br />
community center in <strong>the</strong> Country to improve <strong>the</strong> survivability<br />
<strong>of</strong> sudden cardiac arrest victims was recently launched. The first<br />
Automatic External Defibrillator was presented to install at <strong>the</strong><br />
Indian C<strong>on</strong>sulate in New York. H<strong>on</strong>orable Counsel General<br />
Mr. Prabhu Dayal was very appreciative <strong>of</strong> AAPI-CF efforts.<br />
We hope to expand <strong>the</strong> program to several community<br />
centers around <strong>the</strong> country in next several m<strong>on</strong>ths. Please<br />
support <strong>the</strong> AAPI-CF activities generously.<br />
later in <strong>the</strong> day, <strong>the</strong> leaders <strong>of</strong> various organizati<strong>on</strong>s including<br />
AAHOA, GOPIO, NFIA and o<strong>the</strong>rs to join and interact with<br />
<strong>the</strong> legislators and address <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cerns <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community. They<br />
will also join us at <strong>the</strong> recepti<strong>on</strong> in <strong>the</strong> evening at <strong>the</strong> Capitol<br />
Hill as well as join in <strong>the</strong> interacti<strong>on</strong> with Madam Ambassador,<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials and staff at <strong>the</strong> Indian Embassy during <strong>the</strong> dinner.<br />
CME<br />
I am happy to report that for <strong>the</strong> first time after years<br />
<strong>of</strong> hard work by past leaders, AAPI (c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> page 6)<br />
Legislative Agenda<br />
Dr. Krishan Aggarwal as Legislative Chair and Dino<br />
Teppara, JD, Esq as <strong>the</strong> Legislative Director have been very<br />
busy working to put toge<strong>the</strong>r a Legislative Day planned for<br />
June 1, 2011 in Washingt<strong>on</strong> D.C. We have a very busy morning<br />
sessi<strong>on</strong>, beginning with healthcare issues. We plan to c<strong>on</strong>tinue<br />
to work with <strong>the</strong> C<strong>on</strong>gress towards increasing <strong>the</strong> Residency<br />
slots, which are desperately needed. J1 visa waiver, permanent fix<br />
<strong>of</strong> SGR, loan forgiveness and adjustment for Medical Students<br />
and Young Physicians and increased salary for <strong>the</strong>m are some<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> issues we are going to address. We have also invited<br />
Drs. Ajeet, Mamta and Gaurav Singhvi with IL<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gressman Jessie L. Jacks<strong>on</strong> Jr.<br />
www.aapiusa.org 5
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued from page 5)<br />
has become a CME provider with ACCME. I thank Dr. Sri<br />
Iyengar and his team for <strong>the</strong> hard work. We should be able to<br />
provide CME not <strong>on</strong>ly for AAPI programs but for <strong>the</strong> umbrella<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong>s as well. The Regi<strong>on</strong>al CME programs and CME<br />
in India were extremely successful under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> Dr.<br />
Sunder Mudaliar. Dr. Sunder Mudaliar, Dr. Jagat Narula and<br />
Dr. Rakesh Gupta al<strong>on</strong>g with C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> CME Chair Dr.<br />
Praveen Singhal are working diligently to provide outstanding<br />
CME <strong>of</strong> over 12 hours at <strong>the</strong> New York C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Membership Benefits<br />
The Membership Benefits Committee under <strong>the</strong> leadership<br />
<strong>of</strong> Dr. Lakhu Rohra and Dr. Hemant Dhingra have d<strong>on</strong>e a great<br />
job this year. A comprehensive benefit package is available to<br />
all <strong>the</strong> members and we are adding benefits frequently. We are<br />
working <strong>on</strong> providing a membership Identificati<strong>on</strong> card to our<br />
Patr<strong>on</strong> Members. We want to provide a welcome kit for <strong>the</strong><br />
Medical Students joining AAPI as new members.<br />
AAPI Annual C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><br />
We are getting wide-ranging support from all <strong>the</strong> past<br />
leaders, AAPI members and community-at-large for our New<br />
York C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>. The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> Committee under <strong>the</strong><br />
leadership <strong>of</strong> Dr. Ajay Lodha is working round <strong>the</strong> clock to<br />
give us a memorable c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>. Please register now to take<br />
advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early bird pricing and book your hotel to avoid<br />
disappointment.<br />
I have been regularly attending <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees<br />
meetings. Dr. Ashok Fulambarker and his entire team have been<br />
addressing several important issues including financial stability.<br />
Dr. Satish Anand, our current Board <strong>of</strong> Trustee was elected at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Chicago Governing Body meeting to be <strong>the</strong> next Chair,<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees<br />
I am very thankful to my entire Executive Committee,<br />
various chairs and AAPI leadership for <strong>the</strong>ir steadfast support.<br />
I am particularly grateful to Dr. Ravi Nathan, editor <strong>of</strong> AAPI-J<br />
and Dr. Pooja Voria-Borde, Chair, MSRF publicati<strong>on</strong>s for<br />
bringing out special issue dedicated exclusively to MSRF &<br />
YPS. I c<strong>on</strong>gratulate all <strong>the</strong> participants including <strong>the</strong> winners <strong>of</strong><br />
various competiti<strong>on</strong>s and we are proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir talents.<br />
I have been travelling and have attended several Alumni,<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>al and various organizati<strong>on</strong>al meetings during <strong>the</strong> year. I<br />
would like to thank Ms. Vijaya Kodali, Mr. Sam Fulambarker<br />
and Ms. Harshita Mukunda at AAPI <strong>of</strong>fice who have been a<br />
great asset to <strong>the</strong> organizati<strong>on</strong>. We welcome <strong>the</strong> new additi<strong>on</strong><br />
Ms. Anam Arshad. The Executive Director Search team will<br />
hopefully find <strong>the</strong> right candidate so<strong>on</strong>.<br />
I will be happy to receive and resp<strong>on</strong>d to your comments<br />
and suggesti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Respectfully Submitted.<br />
Ajeet R. Singhvi, M.D., F.A.C.G<br />
president@aapiusa.org<br />
editorial committee<br />
Sagar Galwankar<br />
MBBS, DNB, MD, MPH, Diplomat ABEM<br />
Chief <strong>of</strong> Academics<br />
INDO-US Emergency & Trauma Collaborative<br />
M P Ravindra Nathan MD,<br />
Cardiology<br />
Chair – ravinath@tampabay.rr.com<br />
Shivprasad Madduri MD,<br />
Urology<br />
Vice Chair – madduri@semo.net<br />
Sagar Galwankar MD,<br />
Emergency Medicine<br />
Vice Chair – scsagar@yahoo.com<br />
Naresh Parikh MD,<br />
Cardiology<br />
nparikh1950@gmail.com<br />
Radha Men<strong>on</strong> MD,<br />
Internal Medicine<br />
men<strong>on</strong>@aol.com<br />
Priya Kundra MD,<br />
Endocrinology Diabetes Mellitus<br />
kundrapk@yahoo.com<br />
Chakrapani Prakash, MD,<br />
Gastroenterologist<br />
chak811@yahoo.com<br />
Nirupama Madduri MD,<br />
Developmental Pediatrics<br />
nirumad108@hotmail.com<br />
Mamta Singhvi, MD, MSR<br />
President, MSR<br />
mamtasinghvi@gmail.com<br />
Snehal Desai, MD,<br />
Radiati<strong>on</strong> Oncology Chair,<br />
IT Secti<strong>on</strong> AAPI snebcm@gmail.com<br />
Pooja Voria Borde, MD, M.B.A.<br />
Chair, MSR Publicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
pvoria@gmail.com<br />
Anil K Gupta, MD, FACC,<br />
Cardiology<br />
anil.gupta@oceanheartcenter.com<br />
Ujwala Dixit MD, Psychiatry<br />
udixitmd@gmail.com<br />
Sam Fulambarker, Ex <strong>of</strong>ficio<br />
sam@aapiusa.org<br />
6 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
YPS President’s Report<br />
Your First Job as an Attending: What You Need to Know?<br />
Priya Kundra, MD *<br />
As a resident or fellow who<br />
has finished numerous years <strong>of</strong><br />
training, <strong>the</strong>re is always immense<br />
anticipati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> your first job as an<br />
attending. After a rigorous job search that likely balanced<br />
geography, <strong>the</strong> academic vs. private debate, and benefits, a<br />
decisi<strong>on</strong> was finalized in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> a legal c<strong>on</strong>tract. There<br />
are a number <strong>of</strong> key challenges <strong>on</strong>e faces in <strong>the</strong> first year as<br />
an attending:<br />
1) Assuming ALL resp<strong>on</strong>sibility/ownership <strong>of</strong><br />
patients<br />
2) Work-life balance<br />
3) Maintaining flexibility<br />
As a trainee, <strong>the</strong>re is plenty <strong>of</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>sibility (i.e.,<br />
management decisi<strong>on</strong>s, timeliness <strong>of</strong> patient care, feedback<br />
from attending(s)), but <strong>the</strong>re was always a “higher up” to<br />
rely <strong>on</strong> for questi<strong>on</strong>s in decisi<strong>on</strong> making and <strong>the</strong>re was a<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> feeling “protected.” As an attending, you have to<br />
make quick and urgent patient care decisi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> your own<br />
and utilize outside resources or opini<strong>on</strong>s in a timely manner<br />
and, ultimately, any legal c<strong>on</strong>sequences are your burden.<br />
You hopefully develop a knack <strong>of</strong> being vigilant as a trainee<br />
and that vigilance is fur<strong>the</strong>r heightened as an attending,<br />
particularly early <strong>on</strong>.<br />
When climbing up <strong>the</strong> ladder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> medical world,<br />
<strong>the</strong> assumpti<strong>on</strong> is that things will always improve in <strong>the</strong><br />
lifestyle arena. While <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> hours worked is<br />
less, <strong>the</strong>re is still that work-life balance equati<strong>on</strong>. When a<br />
4:30pm patient shows up at 5pm and your policy is to see<br />
patients up to 30 minutes after <strong>the</strong>ir scheduled time, you<br />
may not be d<strong>on</strong>e well until 6pm or later by <strong>the</strong> time that<br />
patient gets registered and into <strong>the</strong> exam room and is ready<br />
for you to see him/her. There may also be calls to be made<br />
and scripts to be signed at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work day and this<br />
does not include inpatient rounding or call resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities.<br />
There are usually multiple aspects to be juggled in any<br />
particular job, from clinical to administrative to educati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
and research. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se aspects will be fighting for your<br />
TIME.<br />
A key to a successful first year is flexibility. Being<br />
flexible with your patients and colleagues can really make<br />
for a more pleasant atmosphere and help with coping with<br />
imperfecti<strong>on</strong> at <strong>the</strong> workplace when <strong>the</strong>re is a mismatch in<br />
expectati<strong>on</strong>s versus delivery from administrators, patients,<br />
or even colleagues. In an atmosphere where service is highly<br />
valued, patients will appreciate you trying to fit <strong>the</strong>m into<br />
your busy schedule and colleagues will warm up to you<br />
when you are able to cover <strong>the</strong>m when an unexpected event<br />
arises (and hopefully <strong>the</strong>y will reciprocate <strong>the</strong> favor when<br />
necessary). As a junior attending, <strong>the</strong> expectati<strong>on</strong> is still<br />
that you will yield more than your senior colleagues.<br />
Overall, being an attending comes with a learning<br />
curve, as did being a trainee. However, <strong>the</strong> learning curve is<br />
less factual and more practical. Your first job as an attending<br />
will cultivate habits that will carry you over many decades<br />
into your career. Just keep in mind that no job is perfect<br />
and that your first job is usually not your last. Assuming<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibility, flexibility, and equilibrating to a new worklife<br />
balance will be comm<strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes in any job.<br />
YPS Secti<strong>on</strong> President<br />
* Endocrinologist: Washingt<strong>on</strong> Hospital Center<br />
Assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Medicine: Georgetown University<br />
Hospital<br />
email: kundrapk@yahoo.com<br />
www.aapiusa.org 7
MSRF President’s Report<br />
Mamta Singhvi, MD *<br />
Hello, and welcome to <strong>the</strong><br />
3rd editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> our AAPI<br />
Journal! I would like to<br />
start by thanking Dr. Ravi<br />
Nathan and Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi for dedicating<br />
this issue to MSRF/YPS. I am truly excited by<br />
<strong>the</strong> impressive submissi<strong>on</strong>s and grateful for <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunity to showcase our talent<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> our achievements until this point<br />
in <strong>the</strong> year, we c<strong>on</strong>tinue to work hard to provide<br />
our members with new and exciting opportunities.<br />
Our board has been hosting charitable socials<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> country benefiting various n<strong>on</strong>pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong>s. Recent events in Chicago,<br />
Washingt<strong>on</strong> DC and New York City were successful<br />
and more are in <strong>the</strong> works. Leadership seminars<br />
in Chicago and Detroit were heavily attended, as<br />
we strive to improve presentati<strong>on</strong> caliber and tailor<br />
material to our audience. We c<strong>on</strong>tinue to send<br />
MSRF members <strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>e m<strong>on</strong>th rotati<strong>on</strong>s to India,<br />
and every experience has been truly unforgettable.<br />
We hope that this traditi<strong>on</strong> will c<strong>on</strong>tinue for years<br />
to come, as <strong>the</strong> potential to learn and give back to<br />
our native country is unparallel.<br />
Our <strong>on</strong>e m<strong>on</strong>th Washingt<strong>on</strong> DC legislative<br />
internship is a unique chance for our members to learn<br />
<strong>of</strong> political intricacies as <strong>the</strong>y relate to healthcare<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als. If interested in applying, please visit<br />
our website at www.aapimsr.org. Additi<strong>on</strong>ally,<br />
I invite each and every <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> you to our annual<br />
AAPI Legislative Day <strong>on</strong> June 1, 2011. We will<br />
be meeting with several bipartisan C<strong>on</strong>gressmen to<br />
express our collective stance <strong>on</strong> issues such as <strong>the</strong><br />
need to increase nati<strong>on</strong>al residency slots, waive J1<br />
visas, loan forgiveness, and increasing resident/<br />
fellow salary. We must realize that <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly way to<br />
impact change is to become involved in <strong>the</strong> process.<br />
As June looms in sight, I look forward with<br />
great enthusiasm to our Annual C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>, to be<br />
hosted at <strong>the</strong> NYC Manhattan Hilt<strong>on</strong> from June<br />
22nd-26th. Early Bird registrati<strong>on</strong> will be ending<br />
<strong>on</strong> May 23rd, and I urge all <strong>of</strong> you to take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> heavily discounted MSRF rate <strong>of</strong> $285, A-Z<br />
package. This includes evening events held at such<br />
exclusive venues as 230 5th Ro<strong>of</strong>top Lounge and<br />
Cipriani’s Wall Street; stimulating CME series,<br />
research competiti<strong>on</strong>s, speaker panels; mindful yoga<br />
sessi<strong>on</strong>s; a world class fashi<strong>on</strong> show, and more. Not<br />
to menti<strong>on</strong> that we will be in <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Big<br />
Apple, and walking distance to Radio City Music<br />
Hall, Central Park, MOMA, Times Square, etc!<br />
Register at www.aapic<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>.com<br />
I look forward to seeing you all in June, and<br />
as always, please do not hesitate to c<strong>on</strong>tact me with<br />
any questi<strong>on</strong>s, c<strong>on</strong>cerns, or suggesti<strong>on</strong>s. Thank you<br />
for giving me <strong>the</strong> opportunity to serve you.<br />
AAPI-MSRF President<br />
*president@aapimsr.org<br />
8 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
aapi executive <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />
Ajeet R. Singhvi,<br />
MD, FACG<br />
President<br />
Sunita Kanumury, MD<br />
President-Elect<br />
Narendra Kumar, MD<br />
Vice President<br />
Jayesh B. Shah, MD<br />
Secretary<br />
Ravindra R. Jahagirdar, MD<br />
Treasurer<br />
Vinod K. Shah, MD<br />
Immediate Past President<br />
Ashok M. Fulambarker,<br />
MD, FCCP<br />
Chair, BOT<br />
Priya Kundra, MD<br />
YPS President<br />
Mamta Singhvi, MD<br />
MSRF President<br />
REGIONAL DIRECTORS<br />
Radha Men<strong>on</strong>, MD<br />
Pacific Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Prem Rupani, MD<br />
NE Central-I Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Sharwan Bagla, MD<br />
Mid Atlantic-I Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Vishweshwar R. Ranga, MD<br />
Mountain Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Gautam Samadder, MD<br />
NE Central-II Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Anil K. Gupta, MD<br />
Mid Atlantic-II Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Vimal Goyle, MD<br />
NW Central Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
M.S. Arun, MD<br />
SE Central Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Suresh K. Gupta, MD<br />
South Atlantic Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Tarakumar B. Reddy, MD<br />
SW Central Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Onaly A. Kapasi, MD<br />
New England Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
Vibhuti N. Singh, MD<br />
South Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director<br />
board <strong>of</strong> trustees<br />
Ashok M. Fulambarker, MD, FCCP<br />
Trustee<br />
Satish K. Anand, MBBS<br />
Trustee<br />
Naresh Parikh, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
Muttathil P. Ravindra Nathan<br />
Trustee<br />
Seema Jain, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
Anil Khosla, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
Shobha Gupta, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
Suresh C. Gupta, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
Sanku Surender Rao, MD<br />
Trustee (Past President)<br />
Durgesh P. Mankikar, MD<br />
Trustee<br />
www.aapiusa.org 9
editor’s report<br />
To <strong>the</strong> Poets, Writers & Photographers <strong>of</strong><br />
Young AAPI: WELCOME!<br />
M. P. Ravindra Nathan, MD<br />
This issue <strong>of</strong> AAPI Journal<br />
is dedicated to <strong>the</strong> youth <strong>of</strong><br />
AAPI - Medical Students,<br />
Residents, Fellows and Young<br />
Physicians (MSR/ F/ YPS). Every year, we earmark <strong>on</strong>e<br />
issue to showcase <strong>the</strong> talents and activities <strong>of</strong> our younger<br />
colleagues. And for <strong>the</strong> first time in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> AAPI,<br />
we organized a c<strong>on</strong>test in Creative Writing, Poetry and<br />
Amateur Photography for <strong>the</strong> MSR/F/YPS. Please<br />
read <strong>the</strong> cover story and <strong>the</strong> special secti<strong>on</strong> regarding<br />
<strong>the</strong> details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competiti<strong>on</strong>s with <strong>the</strong> prize-winning<br />
articles and poems and look at <strong>the</strong> center spread <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
photographs. All <strong>the</strong> judges certainly enjoyed going<br />
through <strong>the</strong>ir creative <strong>of</strong>ferings and you will, too.<br />
I must thank Dr. Ajeet Singhvi, our President, and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Executive Committee for making all <strong>the</strong>se possible<br />
– finding <strong>the</strong> resources and entrusting this awesome<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibility with <strong>the</strong> Editorial Committee. It was<br />
indeed a challenge to pore over <strong>the</strong> many submissi<strong>on</strong>s in<br />
each category, catalogue <strong>the</strong>m properly, transmit <strong>the</strong>m<br />
to <strong>the</strong> judges, tabulate <strong>the</strong> results and decide <strong>the</strong> final<br />
winners. The last part was <strong>the</strong> most difficult since all <strong>the</strong><br />
submissi<strong>on</strong>s were <strong>of</strong> high caliber and difficult to separate<br />
from each o<strong>the</strong>r. Although we had <strong>on</strong>ly a short time to<br />
work with, we did our best to complete <strong>the</strong> project <strong>on</strong><br />
time. Dr. Pooja Voria Borde was quite instrumental in<br />
getting <strong>the</strong> word out through her periodic e-mail blasts<br />
and pers<strong>on</strong>al communicati<strong>on</strong>s. It was, indeed, a very<br />
time c<strong>on</strong>suming and effort intense project but it was all<br />
worthwhile.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r articles in this issue highlight <strong>the</strong><br />
many charitable projects our members are doing globally.<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs, a very commendable act. These are <strong>the</strong> people who<br />
veritably embody <strong>the</strong> spirit underlying, “Manava seva is<br />
Madhava seva.” AAPI appreciates everything you do to<br />
make ano<strong>the</strong>r pers<strong>on</strong>‘s life better.<br />
The recent Governing Body meeting in Chicago<br />
was well attended and we achieved a lot without getting<br />
mired in too much c<strong>on</strong>troversy. The Friday night cruise<br />
in Lake Michigan was very enjoyable with good food,<br />
great dancing and plenty <strong>of</strong> camaraderie. My five year<br />
old granddaughter Anokha said later: “Grandpa, it was<br />
exciting to dance with <strong>the</strong> uncles and aunties. May be I’ll<br />
join AAPI too!”<br />
On April 30, 2011, I travelled to Melbourne,<br />
FL to participate in <strong>the</strong> 9th Annual Medical Expo &<br />
CME C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>of</strong> Brevard Indo <strong>American</strong> Medial &<br />
Dental Associati<strong>on</strong> (BIMDA), a very successful chapter<br />
associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> AAPI, as an invited guest. The entire<br />
program including <strong>the</strong> gala cerem<strong>on</strong>ies in <strong>the</strong> evening was<br />
outstanding. Our chapters are our strength and it is always<br />
nice to see <strong>the</strong>ir growth as <strong>the</strong>y uphold and propagate <strong>the</strong><br />
missi<strong>on</strong> and goals <strong>of</strong> AAPI.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gratulati<strong>on</strong>s to all <strong>the</strong> newly elected <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />
<strong>of</strong> AAPI for <strong>the</strong>ir well deserved wins! They will carry<br />
<strong>the</strong> missi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> AAPI and take our associati<strong>on</strong> to<br />
greater heights. And thanks to all <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tributors and<br />
those readers who took <strong>the</strong> time to send <strong>the</strong>ir valuable<br />
opini<strong>on</strong>s about <strong>the</strong> journal, some <strong>of</strong> which appear in<br />
“The Readers Resp<strong>on</strong>d” column. It is very gratifying<br />
that o<strong>the</strong>r magazines are willing to quote or reprint <strong>the</strong><br />
articles published in AAPI Journal - <strong>the</strong> true testament<br />
<strong>of</strong> approval by our peers.<br />
A few are from <strong>the</strong> MSR/ F/ YPS ranks. It is nice<br />
to know more and more AAPI Members are into helping<br />
10 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
eaders’s resp<strong>on</strong>d<br />
Readers’s Resp<strong>on</strong>d<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gratulati<strong>on</strong>s Dr. Nathan, <strong>on</strong> a job well d<strong>on</strong>e. I<br />
apologize for <strong>the</strong> delayed resp<strong>on</strong>se, but I did not get my copy<br />
<strong>of</strong> last AAPI Journal <strong>on</strong> time. I see that many doctors have<br />
expressed interest in having a ‘peer review medical journal’<br />
from AAPI, modeled <strong>on</strong> JAMA. Great idea! Needs a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
work and commitment from every<strong>on</strong>e involved.<br />
What do you think about <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> having a secti<strong>on</strong><br />
‘Original Theory’ similar to <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>e in Lancet. As far as I<br />
am aware, Lancet is <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly journal which is open to new<br />
ideas, without <strong>the</strong> need to substantiate. A secti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> ‘Being<br />
an Indian Doctor’, similar to <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>e in Annals <strong>of</strong> Internal<br />
Medicine, will encourage people to write; I want to share<br />
with you my own ‘original idea’ if you are interested , to see<br />
what your thoughts are. My last GI chief thought it will<br />
need lab support and funding.<br />
Chak Prakash, MD<br />
substance and more participati<strong>on</strong> from members.<br />
Hello Ujwala (Editorial Member)<br />
Satish Aanand, MD<br />
I enjoyed your article “It’s our problem too” in this<br />
m<strong>on</strong>th’s AAPI Journal and would like permissi<strong>on</strong> from you<br />
and <strong>the</strong> journal to reproduce it in our newsletter.<br />
If you could send me ei<strong>the</strong>r a pdf or a word file, I would<br />
appreciate it. Of course, we will give appropriate credit to<br />
you and AAPI We have quite a few physician members/<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-members <strong>on</strong> our mailing list and I believe it will help<br />
<strong>the</strong>m assist DV victims I am Secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong><br />
ASHA RAY OF HOPE a DV organizati<strong>on</strong> in Columbus.<br />
See www.asharay<strong>of</strong>hope.org<br />
Thanks Chak. May be we can introduce <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong><br />
“Original Theory.” I patterned “A Glimpse <strong>of</strong> My Life” after<br />
JAMA. But we can have ano<strong>the</strong>r column “On being an Indian<br />
Doctor.” I would like to hear from <strong>the</strong> members — Editor<br />
Dear Dr. Nathan,<br />
Bhagwan Satiani, MD<br />
Dear Dr. Nathan,<br />
I must c<strong>on</strong>gratulate you for coming out with such a<br />
good journal, in spite <strong>of</strong> time restraints and technical<br />
situati<strong>on</strong>s. I like your idea in <strong>the</strong> Editorial to publish <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> website some articles for members who would like<br />
to see <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> medicine and not necessarily day<br />
today medicine as we know. Also pers<strong>on</strong>al experiences in<br />
different aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> clinical medicine and this<br />
way, you get more participati<strong>on</strong>. One suggesti<strong>on</strong>: for each<br />
article printed <strong>the</strong> authors and participants can bring some<br />
sp<strong>on</strong>sorship to mitigate <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> producti<strong>on</strong>. Your team <strong>of</strong><br />
Editorial committee should pick <strong>on</strong>e article as <strong>the</strong> best <strong>on</strong>e<br />
and highlighted in <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>. Am<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>es I liked,<br />
were ‘Healthcare Reform,’ by Dr. Pramod Wasudev, ‘Why<br />
join AAPI’ by Dr. Anil Gupta and ‘<strong>American</strong> Guru by Dr.<br />
Satish Verma. If you can cut back <strong>on</strong> numerous pictures,<br />
perhaps more space can be given to <strong>the</strong> good articles with<br />
This is Neelaxi Arora, I write for IANS (Indo Asian<br />
News Service), India’s largest Independent News Service<br />
and am based in <strong>the</strong> US. I am doing a story <strong>on</strong> Medical<br />
Tourism and seek your permissi<strong>on</strong> to quote from <strong>the</strong> AAPI<br />
Journal dated Winter 2010-2011, from features written by<br />
Pramod B. Wasudev, MD in particular and <strong>the</strong> Indo-US<br />
Health Summit in general. Thank you<br />
Neelaxi Arora<br />
www.ians.in<br />
I am glad many are reading our journal and want to<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r reprint an article or quote from <strong>the</strong> journal. We are<br />
indeed happy to be <strong>of</strong> service to o<strong>the</strong>rs — Editor<br />
Kudos to AAPI for providing a channel to display latent<br />
creativity.<br />
Akshay Jain<br />
www.aapiusa.org 11
feature<br />
Heart Disease in South Asians:<br />
“Facts we should know as Indian <strong>American</strong>s to<br />
help reduce our risk.”<br />
Pravien K. Khanna, MD, MPH *<br />
Cor<strong>on</strong>ary artery disease (CAD)<br />
is <strong>the</strong> number <strong>on</strong>e killer in<br />
developed nati<strong>on</strong>s. While death<br />
rates <strong>of</strong> CAD have been declining<br />
over <strong>the</strong> past three decades for<br />
developed nati<strong>on</strong>s, a disturbing<br />
trend has been noted am<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong> pers<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> South Asian<br />
origin, whe<strong>the</strong>r living <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> sub-c<strong>on</strong>tinent or abroad. In this<br />
article I would like to take a moment and explain why heart<br />
disease in <strong>the</strong> South Asian populati<strong>on</strong> is unique and deserves<br />
greater awareness and preventive efforts from every South<br />
Asian ei<strong>the</strong>r living in <strong>the</strong> United States or abroad.<br />
Studies indicate that people <strong>of</strong> South Asian descent,<br />
particularly Indians, experience a disproporti<strong>on</strong>ately large<br />
burden <strong>of</strong> CAD. Reports vary from having two to five fold<br />
higher risk <strong>of</strong> heart attack and death compared with o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
ethnic groups. (1) (See Table #1). Strikingly, <strong>on</strong>e study<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g Indian males showed that just over half <strong>of</strong> heart<br />
attacks occurred at less than 55 years <strong>of</strong> age, and up to 25%<br />
<strong>of</strong> heart attacks occurred at less than 40 years <strong>of</strong> age. (2)<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r study showed that compared with whites, South<br />
Asians presented to <strong>the</strong> hospital later in <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
heart attack, and were more likely to have <strong>the</strong>ir heart attack<br />
in <strong>the</strong> anterior regi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir heart muscle. (3) This locati<strong>on</strong><br />
can be potentially more harmful as it does not have adequate<br />
collateral blood supply. Those South Asians diagnosed with<br />
CAD before having a heart attack, are found to have more<br />
severe narrowing or plaque build up in <strong>the</strong>ir cor<strong>on</strong>ary arteries<br />
than seen in whites. (4) In 2001, California, hospitalizati<strong>on</strong><br />
for CAD am<strong>on</strong>g Asian Indians was 4-fold higher than in<br />
Whites, Japanese, and Filipinos and 6-fold higher than<br />
Chinese. In many countries, hospitalizati<strong>on</strong> for MI in Asian<br />
Indians compared to o<strong>the</strong>r ethnic groups is 2 to 4-fold higher<br />
overall and 5 to 10-fold higher in those under 40 years <strong>of</strong><br />
age. (See Figure #1). In short my fellow South Asians,<br />
while we are a kind and gentle hearted people, our hearts<br />
need closer and more preventative healthcare than Caucasian<br />
<strong>American</strong>s.<br />
So what explains this higher risk <strong>of</strong> early heart disease?<br />
The search for various pathogenic factors and mechanisms<br />
has attracted great interest am<strong>on</strong>g scientists. Researchers at<br />
Yale and o<strong>the</strong>r academic medical centers have been looking<br />
for such answers. Evidence currently suggests <strong>the</strong>re is a<br />
genetic predispositi<strong>on</strong> for early plaque buildup in cor<strong>on</strong>ary<br />
blood vessels, which may be accelerated when superimposed<br />
with certain risk factors such as obesity, early diabetes,<br />
high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels<br />
(higher triglycerides, higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL),<br />
increased lipoprotein (a), and lower high-density lipoprotein<br />
(HDL) in particular).<br />
Since <strong>the</strong> Asian Indian populati<strong>on</strong> is not significantly<br />
represented in major clinical trials, evidence based<br />
management strategies for treatment and preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> CAD<br />
in South Asians are simply insufficient at <strong>the</strong> present time.<br />
Fortunately, in India a number <strong>of</strong> randomized trials <strong>of</strong> anticholesterol<br />
<strong>the</strong>rapy and risk reducti<strong>on</strong> have been launched.<br />
While we cannot change our own genes or DNA, we can<br />
minimize our risk by taking acti<strong>on</strong> to prevent or treat <strong>the</strong><br />
factors menti<strong>on</strong>ed above whe<strong>the</strong>r through lifestyle changes<br />
or prescripti<strong>on</strong> medicati<strong>on</strong>. Preliminary data suggests<br />
a need for lower goals for our cholesterol levels through<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> much more aggressive <strong>the</strong>rapy than is currently<br />
recommended. (5) Ano<strong>the</strong>r risk factor that as individuals we<br />
have c<strong>on</strong>trol over is our weight. Abdominal obesity has been<br />
established as an important cause <strong>of</strong> both early diabetes and<br />
CAD.<br />
English BMI Formula<br />
BMI = ( Weight in Pounds / ( Height in inches ) x<br />
( Height in inches ) ) x 703<br />
Metric BMI Formula<br />
BMI = ( Weight in Kilograms / ( Height in Meters ) x<br />
( Height in Meters ) )<br />
The World Health Organizati<strong>on</strong> has recognized <strong>the</strong><br />
need for definiti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> obesity that are specific to individual<br />
populati<strong>on</strong>s. (6) Compared with European populati<strong>on</strong>s, South<br />
Asians tend to have more abdominal or “visceral fat”, which<br />
is type <strong>of</strong> fat beneath <strong>the</strong> abdominal wall. C<strong>on</strong>sequently, <strong>the</strong><br />
NHLBI Obesity Task Force in 2000 stated that <strong>the</strong> obesity<br />
range in Asians should be lower than for n<strong>on</strong>-Asians, and<br />
effectively moved <strong>the</strong> obesity cut<strong>of</strong>f from a BMI >30 kg/m2<br />
to a BMI >25 kg/m2. (7)<br />
So what can Indian <strong>American</strong>s do to prevent heart<br />
disease? The best treatment is educati<strong>on</strong> and preventi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Once turning 30 years <strong>of</strong> age, we should str<strong>on</strong>gly encourage<br />
every south Asian to establish care with a primary care<br />
physician to evaluate <strong>the</strong>ir risk factor pr<strong>of</strong>ile and develop<br />
12 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
a strategy that is best for each individual. Periodic routine<br />
blood tests will m<strong>on</strong>itor various blood markers <strong>on</strong> a routine<br />
basis that will guide how best to reduce your individual<br />
risk <strong>of</strong> heart disease, perhaps though medicati<strong>on</strong> if needed.<br />
Dietary and lifestyle modificati<strong>on</strong>s are extremely important<br />
to staying healthy, not <strong>on</strong>ly do South Asians take <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
cholesterol-rich diet <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Western world up<strong>on</strong> migrati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
but <strong>the</strong> traditi<strong>on</strong>al diet <strong>of</strong> South Asians also c<strong>on</strong>tains foods<br />
rich with saturated and clarified fat (ghee). We as South<br />
Asians must be aware <strong>of</strong> our increased risk <strong>of</strong> heart disease,<br />
so we can play an active role in its preventi<strong>on</strong> to live l<strong>on</strong>ger<br />
and healthier lives.<br />
Table 1: Interesting Facts <strong>of</strong> CAD in South Asians versus o<strong>the</strong>r populati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Higher rates<br />
-2 to 4- fold higher prevalence, incidence, hospitalizati<strong>on</strong>, and mortality<br />
Greater prematurity<br />
-5 to 10 years earlier <strong>on</strong>set <strong>of</strong> first MI<br />
-5 to 10- fold higher rate <strong>of</strong> MI and death in those 2-fold higher rates after adjusting for c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al risk factors<br />
-Underscores <strong>the</strong> need for lower threshold for interventi<strong>on</strong><br />
Higher prevalence <strong>of</strong> emerging risk factors<br />
-High levels <strong>of</strong> lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, apo B, triglycerides, fibrinogen, P.A.I.-1<br />
-Low levels <strong>of</strong> HDL and HDL 2b<br />
-Small dense LDL, small HDL, large VLDL<br />
Higher rates <strong>of</strong> clinical CAD events for a given degree <strong>of</strong> a<strong>the</strong>rosclerosis<br />
-2-fold higher than Whites<br />
-4-fold higher than Chinese<br />
Higher proporti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> unstable or vulnerable plaques<br />
Source:<br />
Enas EA. Arresting<br />
and reversing <strong>the</strong><br />
epidemic <strong>of</strong> CAD<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g Indians.<br />
In: Kumar A, ed.<br />
Current Perspectives in<br />
Cardiology. Chennai:<br />
Cardiological Society <strong>of</strong><br />
India, 2000:109-128.<br />
Figure 1: 2001 California hospitalizati<strong>on</strong> for CAD am<strong>on</strong>g Asian<br />
Indians was 4-fold higher than in Whites, Japanese, and Filipinos<br />
and 6-fold higher than Chinese .<br />
Source: E. A. Enas & A. Senthilkumar : Cor<strong>on</strong>ary Artery Disease In<br />
Asian Indians: An Update And Review . The Internet Journal <strong>of</strong> Cardiology.<br />
2001 Volume 1 Number<br />
*Fellow, Secti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Cardiovascular Medicine<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Internal Medicine Yale University School <strong>of</strong> Medicine<br />
pravien.khanna@yale.edu<br />
Sources:<br />
1. Gupta M et al. “South Asians and Cardiovascular<br />
Risk: What Clinicians Should Know.” Circulati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
2006;113;e924-e929.<br />
2. Singh RB, Niaz MA. Cor<strong>on</strong>ary risk factors in<br />
Indians. Lancet 1995; 346: 778–779<br />
3. Deedwania P, Singh V, Cor<strong>on</strong>ary artery disease<br />
in South Asians: evolving strategies for treatment<br />
and preventi<strong>on</strong>. Indian Heart J. 2005 Nov-<br />
Dec;57(6):617-31.<br />
4. Deedwania P, Singh V, Cor<strong>on</strong>ary artery disease<br />
in South Asians: evolving strategies for treatment<br />
and preventi<strong>on</strong>. Indian Heart J. 2005 Nov-<br />
Dec;57(6):617-31.<br />
5. Gupta M, Singh N. South Asians and<br />
cardiovascular risk: what clinicians should know.<br />
Circulati<strong>on</strong>. 2006 Jun 27;113(25):e924-9.<br />
6. Lee J, Heng D, Chia KS, Chew SK, Tan BY,<br />
Hughes K. Risk factors and incident cor<strong>on</strong>ary heart<br />
disease in Chinese, Malay and Asian Indian males:<br />
<strong>the</strong> Singapore Cardiovascular Cohort Study. Int J<br />
Epidemiol 2001; 30: 983–988<br />
7. NHLBI Obesity Task Force, 199859 & diabetes.<br />
com.au/research/report_obesity.htm Feb 2000<br />
www.aapiusa.org 13
feature<br />
Heart Disease Epidemic Am<strong>on</strong>g Asian<br />
Indians and Low Threshold <strong>of</strong> Interventi<strong>on</strong><br />
Enas A. Enas, MD, FACC *<br />
Numerous studies over <strong>the</strong><br />
past 50 years, involving several<br />
generati<strong>on</strong>s in countries as<br />
diverse as <strong>the</strong> US, Canada, <strong>the</strong><br />
UK, South Africa, Singapore,<br />
Malaysia, Trinidad, Fiji, and Mauritius have shown a<br />
50% to 400% higher risk <strong>of</strong> dying from heart disease<br />
(cor<strong>on</strong>ary artery disease) am<strong>on</strong>g Asian Indians<br />
compared to, blacks, whites, Chinese, Malays and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
populati<strong>on</strong>s. This indicates that Asian Indians have a<br />
genetic predispositi<strong>on</strong> to heart disease that also applies<br />
to all South Asians. 1<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> past 4 decades, <strong>the</strong> prevalence <strong>of</strong><br />
heart disease has doubled to 3-6% in rural India and<br />
quadrupled to 10-12% in urban India. This marked<br />
difference in heart disease rates between urban and rural<br />
areas and <strong>the</strong> dramatic increases over such a short period<br />
str<strong>on</strong>gly indicate <strong>the</strong> powerful role <strong>of</strong> lifestyle related<br />
risk factors associated with ec<strong>on</strong>omic development and<br />
urbanizati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Many Asian Indians are in double jeopardy<br />
from nature and nurture — nature being geneticallydetermined<br />
lipoprotin (a) excess, and nurture being<br />
an unhealthy lifestyle associated with affluence,<br />
urbanizati<strong>on</strong>, and mechanizati<strong>on</strong>. The adverse effects<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> modifiable risk factors related to lifestyle are<br />
markedly magnified in those with lipoprotein (a)<br />
excess — a genetic risk factor found in 4 in 10 Indians.<br />
Lipoprotein(a) can magnify <strong>the</strong> risk from traditi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
risk factors by a factor <strong>of</strong> 2-10. 2 This synergy between<br />
<strong>the</strong> nature and nurture best explains <strong>the</strong> excess burden<br />
<strong>of</strong> heart disease am<strong>on</strong>g Indians worldwide.<br />
Milli<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Indians die even before <strong>the</strong> prime <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir lives. By 2015, <strong>the</strong> projected annual death from<br />
heart disease is 2.95 milli<strong>on</strong>; <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se 1.5 milli<strong>on</strong> (50%)<br />
will be younger than 50 years <strong>of</strong> age, 920,000 (31%) will<br />
be younger than 40 years <strong>of</strong> age and 420,000 (14%) will<br />
be younger than 30 years <strong>of</strong> age (1,150/day). In sharp<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trast, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> deaths from heart disease occur in<br />
<strong>the</strong> elderly (more than 65 years <strong>of</strong> age) and very elderly<br />
(more than 85 years <strong>of</strong> age) in Western populati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
For example, elderly account for 83% and very elderly<br />
accounts for 35-50% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 400,000 <strong>American</strong>s dying<br />
annually from heart disease in <strong>the</strong> US.<br />
Fortunately, heart disease has now become <strong>the</strong><br />
most predictable, preventable, and treatable <strong>of</strong> all<br />
chr<strong>on</strong>ic diseases. Over <strong>the</strong> last 30 years, heart disease<br />
death rates have decreased by 50-70 % in <strong>the</strong> US and<br />
several o<strong>the</strong>r countries and is decreasing by 2-3% per<br />
year. In sharp c<strong>on</strong>trast, during <strong>the</strong> same period, CAD<br />
rates (prevalence) has increased 300% and is now<br />
increasing by 5-6% per year in India.<br />
We now have <strong>the</strong> knowledge to combat this<br />
epidemic and we need to act now. But <strong>the</strong> Indian medical<br />
community in <strong>the</strong> US has stubbornly refused to address<br />
this greatest public health challenge affecting Indians<br />
apart from paying lip service to preventi<strong>on</strong>, proposing<br />
grandiose unworkable alliances with Indian bureaucracy<br />
and publishing photos with Indian leaders in Indian<br />
newspapers. It has been next to impossible to include<br />
this topic in <strong>the</strong> CME programs at AAPI c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><br />
as well as local chapters, except for a few instances that<br />
were initiated and funded by pharmaceutical companies.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, many “pseudo experts” have challenged<br />
<strong>the</strong> excess burden <strong>of</strong> heart disease in Asian Indians and<br />
<strong>the</strong> need for any modificati<strong>on</strong>s to interventi<strong>on</strong> specific<br />
to Indians.<br />
So it is indeed a welcome change to see Pravien<br />
Khanna young cardiology fellow from Yale, pursue <strong>the</strong><br />
science and set <strong>the</strong> record straight, 21 years after I first<br />
sounded <strong>the</strong> alarm <strong>on</strong> this topic in <strong>the</strong> pages <strong>of</strong> this<br />
Journal. 3 He has addressed both <strong>the</strong> prematurity and<br />
severity <strong>of</strong> heart disease am<strong>on</strong>g Indians adequately but<br />
<strong>the</strong> lower threshold <strong>of</strong> interventi<strong>on</strong> and modificati<strong>on</strong>s to<br />
treatment guidelines deserve greater emphasis.<br />
Although major modifiable cardiovascular<br />
risk factors (obesity, diabetes smoking, high blood<br />
pressure, high cholesterol, low physical activity, and<br />
unhealthy diet) do not fully explain <strong>the</strong> excess burden<br />
<strong>of</strong> heart disease in Indians, <strong>the</strong>se risk factors are doubly<br />
important and remain <strong>the</strong> foundati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> preventive and<br />
<strong>the</strong>rapeutic strategies in <strong>the</strong> Indian populati<strong>on</strong>. A diet<br />
is c<strong>on</strong>sidered unhealthy when it is low<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)<br />
14 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
in fruits, vegetables and fiber, and high in salt, calories,<br />
glycemic load (too much starchy food), saturated fat<br />
(full-fat dairy products), and trans fat (fried or crispy<br />
food).<br />
The focus <strong>on</strong> Indian heart disease has shifted<br />
from high rates <strong>of</strong> heart disease to high risk <strong>of</strong> heart<br />
disease. For example, at any given level <strong>of</strong> cholesterol,<br />
blood pressure and o<strong>the</strong>r major risk factors, <strong>the</strong> risk<br />
<strong>of</strong> developing and dying from heart disease is at least<br />
double am<strong>on</strong>g Indians compared to whites (even in<br />
countries with free comprehensive advanced medical<br />
care). 4 This appears to be due to a high prevalence <strong>of</strong><br />
emerging risk factors such as lipoprotein (a) which are<br />
not included in <strong>the</strong> heart disease risk predicti<strong>on</strong> models.<br />
The European and Australian Guidelines have<br />
specific modificati<strong>on</strong>s that qualify Asian Indians for<br />
pharmacologic treatment <strong>of</strong> high cholesterol and high<br />
blood pressure, substantially ahead <strong>of</strong> whites at an<br />
earlier age and at a lower risk threshold. This is <strong>the</strong><br />
ultimate pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recogniti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> underestimati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> heart disease risk am<strong>on</strong>g Indians in Europe and<br />
Australia, where people receive free medicati<strong>on</strong>s when<br />
<strong>the</strong>y reach a certain risk threshold. Unfortunately, this<br />
recogniti<strong>on</strong> remains dismally poor am<strong>on</strong>g physicians in<br />
North <strong>American</strong> and India.<br />
The Indo-US Health Summit Held in New Delhi<br />
India in 2009 has published (Indian Heart Journal<br />
2009; 61:265-274) specific lower cut <strong>of</strong>fs and stricter<br />
goals <strong>of</strong> treatment for major risk factors for Indians,<br />
than is recommended for Western populati<strong>on</strong>s. 4 The 5<br />
key recommendati<strong>on</strong>s for Indians include: 1) desirable<br />
waist size <strong>of</strong> less than 80 cm for women and less than<br />
90 cm for men; 2) a desirable body mass index (BMI)<br />
<strong>of</strong> less than 23 (BMI more than 25 is obese am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
Indians as opposed to more than 30 am<strong>on</strong>g Europids);<br />
3) desirable LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) <strong>of</strong> less<br />
than 100 mg/dl (2.5mmol/l) for all Indians; 4) LDL<br />
cholesterol <strong>of</strong> less than 70 mg/dl (1.8 mmol/l) for<br />
those with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic<br />
syndrome, and chr<strong>on</strong>ic kidney disease (very high<br />
risk-category); 5) Because most Indians have high<br />
triglycerides that spuriously lowers LDL cholesterol<br />
levels, <strong>the</strong> summit also recommends a sec<strong>on</strong>dary target<br />
<strong>of</strong> n<strong>on</strong>-HDL cholesterol, which is set as 30 mg/dl (0.8<br />
mmol/l) higher than <strong>the</strong> LDL cholesterol target in each<br />
risk category.<br />
those with family history <strong>of</strong> early heart attacks. This is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sistent with <strong>the</strong> Australian guidelines, which call for<br />
screening evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Asian Indians 10 years ahead <strong>of</strong><br />
Europids.<br />
In short, we now have <strong>the</strong> knowledge and<br />
medicati<strong>on</strong>s to prevent, reduce and even reverse heart<br />
disease that applies equally well to Indians. Lifestyle<br />
modificati<strong>on</strong> should begin at 2 years <strong>of</strong> age, to prevent<br />
heart attacks in young adulthood and bey<strong>on</strong>d. For those<br />
who fail to achieve <strong>the</strong> cholesterol goals with aggressive<br />
lifestyle modificati<strong>on</strong>, statin <strong>the</strong>rapy <strong>of</strong>fers <strong>the</strong> best hope<br />
<strong>of</strong> preventing a heart attack and o<strong>the</strong>r complicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>of</strong> heart disease. Many statins are approved for use in<br />
children older than 8 years <strong>of</strong> age. Recently, <strong>the</strong> price<br />
<strong>of</strong> statins has come down drastically daily cost <strong>of</strong> 11<br />
cent for pravastatin 40 mg/d in <strong>the</strong> US and less than Rs<br />
5/- for atorvastatin (Lipitor) 20 mg/d and rosuvastain<br />
(Crestor) 10 mg/d in India. At <strong>the</strong>se prices, most<br />
Indians would be able to afford a statin and c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>the</strong><br />
bad cholesterol to its Indian specific targets.<br />
* Enas A Enas, MD, FACC<br />
President and CEO, CADI Research Foundati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
www.cadiresearch.com<br />
Sources<br />
1. Enas EA. How to Beat <strong>the</strong> Heart Disease Epidemic am<strong>on</strong>g South<br />
Asians: A Preventi<strong>on</strong> and Management Guide for Asian Indians and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir Doctors. Downers Grove: Advanced Heart Lipid Clinic USA;<br />
2010.<br />
2. Enas EA, Chacko V, Senthilkumar A, Puthumana N, Mohan V.<br />
Elevated lipoprotein(a)--a genetic risk factor for premature vascular<br />
disease in people with and without standard risk factors: a review.<br />
Dis M<strong>on</strong>. Jan 2006;52(1):5-50.<br />
3. Enas EA, Thomas I. Immigrant Indian Males - Sitting Ducks for<br />
Heart Attacks; A Cause for Alarm - And Call for Acti<strong>on</strong>. J Am Assoc<br />
Phys India 1990;2:5-8.<br />
4. Enas EA, Singh V, Gupta R, Patel R, et al. Recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Sec<strong>on</strong>d Indo-US Health Summit for <strong>the</strong> preventi<strong>on</strong> and c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>of</strong><br />
cardiovascular disease am<strong>on</strong>g Asian Indians. Indian heart journal.<br />
2009;61:265-74.<br />
The Indo-US health summit guidelines calls<br />
for universal screening including blood sugar and<br />
lipid pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> all Indians at age 18 (paid for by <strong>the</strong><br />
individual). Screening should also be d<strong>on</strong>e in children<br />
who are obese (waist girth more than half <strong>of</strong> height) and<br />
www.aapiusa.org 15
cover story<br />
The First Ever AAPI MSR/F/YPS C<strong>on</strong>test in:<br />
Creative Writing, Poetry & Amateur Photography<br />
M. P. Ravindra Nathan, MD<br />
A few weeks ago Dr. Ajeet R.<br />
Singhvi, our president, called<br />
me and said, “It will be great<br />
if we can organize a c<strong>on</strong>test in<br />
Creative Writing/ Poetry and<br />
Photography for our young<br />
AAPI Members – MSR/ F/ YPS and give <strong>the</strong>m cash<br />
awards and recogniti<strong>on</strong> plaques.” I couldn’t have agreed<br />
more. Many magazines like Medical Ec<strong>on</strong>omics do this<br />
annually and it almost always stimulates <strong>the</strong> members to<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>d with <strong>the</strong>ir best effort.<br />
Details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competiti<strong>on</strong>s:<br />
We decided to include 3 categories: Creative Writing,<br />
Poetry and Photography with cash awards <strong>of</strong> $500, $400<br />
and $300 for <strong>the</strong> first, sec<strong>on</strong>d and third prizes respectively.<br />
The topic for creative writing was ‘a medically related<br />
narrative based <strong>on</strong> real life experiences, not exceeding 1000<br />
words. Original poems reflecting <strong>on</strong>e’s medical experience,<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r from <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> view <strong>of</strong> a health care worker, a<br />
patient or just an observer, were c<strong>on</strong>sidered. Photographs<br />
capturing an interesting scene, mood, or moment in life<br />
were accepted.<br />
Submissi<strong>on</strong>s for <strong>the</strong> various competiti<strong>on</strong>s started<br />
pouring in as so<strong>on</strong> as <strong>the</strong> e-mail blast went out announcing<br />
<strong>the</strong> details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competiti<strong>on</strong>. In spite <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> demands<br />
imposed by <strong>the</strong> stringent <strong>on</strong> call schedules, patient care<br />
and family resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities, our young students and doctors<br />
found time to stop, listen, touch, feel and above all, think<br />
and <strong>the</strong>n express <strong>the</strong>ir ideas into words. They clicked <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
cameras at interesting scenes.<br />
Altoge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>re were 36 submissi<strong>on</strong>s for photography,<br />
10 for creative writing and 9 for poetry. The articles<br />
and poems were <strong>of</strong> high caliber, some very emoti<strong>on</strong>ally<br />
charged, evoking <strong>on</strong>e’s inner sensibilities and o<strong>the</strong>rs, more<br />
philosophical, reflecting <strong>on</strong> career changes or work place<br />
c<strong>on</strong>undrums. Most seem to have an instinctive, natural<br />
gift for artistic expressi<strong>on</strong>s, be it creative writing, poetry<br />
16 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
or photography. Some told <strong>the</strong>ir stories in an easy, readable<br />
fashi<strong>on</strong> touching <strong>on</strong> small details and spanning different<br />
worlds. The photos <strong>the</strong>y submitted captured that truly<br />
magical moment in <strong>on</strong>e’s life and <strong>of</strong>ten didn’t even need<br />
any formal capti<strong>on</strong>. The judges unanimously agreed it was<br />
not easy to pick <strong>the</strong> winners.<br />
What has this d<strong>on</strong>e for AAPI? Plenty, I would say. For<br />
starters, this has brought MSR/ F/ YPS closer to AAPI<br />
by acting as a ‘c<strong>on</strong>nector.’ Suddenly, <strong>the</strong>re is a buzz about<br />
AAPI am<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir ranks. Sec<strong>on</strong>dly, <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>test has helped<br />
to discover and promote <strong>the</strong>ir talents. Thirdly, this may<br />
become <strong>the</strong> ‘tipping point’ leading to a surge in membership<br />
from <strong>the</strong> junior ranks <strong>of</strong> AAPI. As <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> our editorial<br />
members, Dr Sivaprasad Madduri, said, “It is a great idea to<br />
have <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tests and I am sure it will improve <strong>the</strong> image <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Journal. This is a real bench-mark for future journals.”<br />
In this issue we are publishing <strong>the</strong> articles and poems<br />
that have w<strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> top 3 prizes. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>solati<strong>on</strong><br />
prize winning pieces will be c<strong>on</strong>sidered in future issues.<br />
Also, you will note that <strong>the</strong> center spread is composed <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
photos submitted by <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>testants. From all <strong>the</strong>se, you<br />
will get a very good feel about <strong>the</strong> outstanding talents <strong>of</strong> our<br />
youngsters. For me, this will have to be rated as a high point<br />
in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> journal. And to our young generati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> physicians, I <strong>of</strong>fer my c<strong>on</strong>gratulati<strong>on</strong>s and best wishes;<br />
we are proud <strong>of</strong> you. But remember, “Success is a journey,<br />
not a destinati<strong>on</strong>.” So, d<strong>on</strong>’t rest <strong>on</strong> your laurels; we like to<br />
see more <strong>of</strong> your work in future. And I sincerely hope this<br />
will become an annual event.<br />
A word about <strong>the</strong> Judges:<br />
The following experts judged and ranked <strong>the</strong> entries<br />
and before we selected <strong>the</strong> winners, I pers<strong>on</strong>ally talked at<br />
length to all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m and got a c<strong>on</strong>sensus. I also acted as <strong>the</strong><br />
co-ordinator and assisted in judging in all <strong>the</strong> categories.<br />
We discussed <strong>the</strong> many aspects <strong>of</strong> each entry in detail and<br />
graded <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>the</strong> final selecti<strong>on</strong> was made.<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)
Creative Writing poetry photography<br />
Dr. Sivaprasad Dr. Ujwala Dixit<br />
Madduri<br />
They are already members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Editorial<br />
committee well versed with writing, with<br />
numerous publicati<strong>on</strong>s to <strong>the</strong>ir credit.<br />
Dr.Vijay Kulkarni,<br />
a past President<br />
<strong>of</strong> AAPI and well<br />
recognized poet<br />
whose works have<br />
appeared in many<br />
magazines.<br />
Dr. Susheela<br />
Ravindra Nathan,<br />
with two books <strong>of</strong><br />
poetry as well as<br />
several articles and<br />
stories to her credit,<br />
was <strong>the</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>d judge.<br />
Dr. U. B. Vasudev,<br />
an excellent<br />
photographer<br />
well versed in<br />
photography, whose<br />
photos regularly<br />
appear in<br />
St. Petersburg Times,<br />
Florida’s premier<br />
newspaper.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> winners are:<br />
Creative Writing:<br />
First Prizes: Sanya V. Hede for ‘The Blessing’<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d Prize: Akshat Jain, MD for ‘The Elephant in <strong>the</strong> Room’<br />
Third Prize: Sunit Baga for ‘Two years in India’ & Rajiv Sharma, MD for ‘Pursuit <strong>of</strong> Happiness’<br />
Special Prize for Outstanding Article: Pooja Voria Borde, MD for ‘Music Ma’mm’<br />
Poetry:<br />
First Prize: Smitha Bhatt for ‘The Special Child’<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d Prize: Anuj Gupta for ‘Ten Minutes’<br />
Third Prize: Vaseem Ahmed for ‘Some Say’ & Jai Gandhi for ‘I feel like falling’<br />
Photography:<br />
First Prize: Imran Shaik for ‘Solitude’<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d prize: Kinjal Shah for ‘There is Hope.. is <strong>the</strong>re a Future?’<br />
Third Prizes: Sriram Eleswarapu for ‘Have no fear’ & Rahul Wadke for ‘Still reflecti<strong>on</strong>’<br />
I sincerely thank all <strong>the</strong> judges for doing an excellent job spending a lot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir pers<strong>on</strong>al time for this first ever<br />
venture <strong>of</strong> AAPI. Please enjoy <strong>the</strong> creative efforts <strong>of</strong> our young members as <strong>the</strong>y unfold in <strong>the</strong> next several pages.<br />
www.aapiusa.org 17
MSR F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
“The Blessing”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Creative Writing —<br />
1 st<br />
Sanya V. Hede *<br />
As I walked through <strong>the</strong> grey,<br />
double-doors at <strong>the</strong> entrance <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Intensive Care Unit, <strong>the</strong> heart<br />
m<strong>on</strong>itor seemed to beep in fourfour<br />
time. Stiff, lifeless silence<br />
hung heavily in <strong>the</strong> air, save <strong>the</strong><br />
diligent nurses who sat scribbling medicati<strong>on</strong> orders. All <strong>the</strong><br />
beds held advanced machinery, smelled str<strong>on</strong>gly <strong>of</strong> latex, and<br />
cradled me in cold blasts <strong>of</strong> air, but <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>e at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
hall particularly felt drained <strong>of</strong> energy.<br />
As a first year medical student and a mere volunteer,<br />
I knew my significance would be small, but my hopeful<br />
enthusiasm drew me forwards. Peering behind <strong>the</strong> floral<br />
curtains, I looked up<strong>on</strong> a stout, sun-burned man in a tight,<br />
faded T-shirt, sitting apprehensively at his fa<strong>the</strong>r’s bedside.<br />
He gave me a tired smile and stood up to introduce me to his<br />
wife, mo<strong>the</strong>r, and fa<strong>the</strong>r, sick in bed—a Methodist minister<br />
at <strong>the</strong> local church in town. After several painful coughs,<br />
he repeated my name and s<strong>of</strong>tly whispered, “Thank you, my<br />
child.” Whe<strong>the</strong>r it was from <strong>the</strong> sincerity <strong>of</strong> his t<strong>on</strong>e, <strong>the</strong><br />
helplessness <strong>of</strong> his c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> or simply <strong>the</strong> sp<strong>on</strong>taneity <strong>of</strong><br />
my musical intuiti<strong>on</strong>, I do not know—all I remember is that<br />
within a few minutes, I was singing my favorite German art<br />
s<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
There, in <strong>the</strong> last room <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MICU, I psychologically<br />
morphed into Schumann’s fervent lover from Widmung.<br />
As <strong>the</strong> heart m<strong>on</strong>itor beeped in four-four time, <strong>the</strong> words<br />
began to ascend from my heart, carrying more weight as <strong>the</strong>y<br />
reached my mind. They spoke <strong>of</strong> devoti<strong>on</strong> and joy for <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong>e pers<strong>on</strong> that makes life worthwhile. Suddenly, something<br />
inside <strong>of</strong> me began to pour outwards. Tears fled my eyes<br />
spilling emoti<strong>on</strong>s that I could not understand and all for an<br />
old man who I had met <strong>on</strong>ly minutes before, who for all I<br />
knew might have had <strong>on</strong>ly had a few more sec<strong>on</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> life to<br />
spare. Standing at <strong>the</strong> foot <strong>of</strong> his bed however, I saw in his<br />
eyes a faint sparkle—<strong>the</strong> kind that reaches out and says, “I<br />
know you—I understand.” Nothing held me back. I gave all<br />
that I could...<br />
Even as <strong>the</strong> lingering vibrato <strong>of</strong> my final note faded into<br />
<strong>the</strong> air, my priest friend still sat moti<strong>on</strong>less, lost in meditative<br />
peace. Trying to wipe <strong>the</strong> tears from my eyes inc<strong>on</strong>spicuously,<br />
I looked up to find all eyes <strong>on</strong> me, in an appreciative trance.<br />
Finally, my attentive listener opened his eyes and gazed at<br />
me. Struggling to a sitting positi<strong>on</strong>, he held my hands as<br />
if he were holding <strong>the</strong> Scripture. His eyes scanned my Om<br />
chain, and he smiled as he peered into my soul. “May I bless<br />
you, my child?” he inquired s<strong>of</strong>tly. I d<strong>on</strong>’t think I had <strong>the</strong><br />
ability to speak as emoti<strong>on</strong>s flooded my throat; I just bowed<br />
my head. Placing his b<strong>on</strong>y, but firm hands <strong>on</strong> my head, he<br />
recited a prayer for my well-being and happiness, while I<br />
closed my eyes to keep my tears <strong>of</strong> joy from falling <strong>on</strong> his<br />
knees. I related his blessing to my Indian family’s traditi<strong>on</strong><br />
for hard and fast healing, a jadu gali, or simply put, a magical<br />
hug. We both erupted into laughter and as I embraced him, I<br />
felt <strong>the</strong> magic rub <strong>of</strong>f <strong>on</strong> both <strong>of</strong> us.<br />
I will never forget that lazy Saturday afterno<strong>on</strong>, when <strong>the</strong><br />
joy <strong>of</strong> spreading music beck<strong>on</strong>ed me into <strong>the</strong> hidden corners<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> third floor ICU. In truth, I had come with nothing<br />
but a s<strong>on</strong>g in my heart—no ste<strong>the</strong>scope to check a heartbeat,<br />
no morphine to ease <strong>the</strong> pain, and certainly no idea <strong>of</strong> how<br />
I could ever help a patient who would probably forget me<br />
after I left. Walking out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> room that day however, I was<br />
a different individual, str<strong>on</strong>ger, wiser, better—for I carried<br />
with me <strong>the</strong> assurance <strong>of</strong> my Methodist friend that I had<br />
healed him more than anything ever could and witnessed<br />
<strong>the</strong> healing <strong>of</strong> my own well-being. He opened my eyes to a<br />
power within me that I never knew existed—<strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong><br />
compassi<strong>on</strong> and sincerity, <strong>of</strong> a deeper human understanding<br />
that transcends <strong>the</strong> barriers <strong>of</strong> race and religi<strong>on</strong>, age and<br />
positi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Medicine was no l<strong>on</strong>ger just a science—that day, it<br />
held hands with music and somehow linked <strong>the</strong> mind and<br />
<strong>the</strong> heart. We said little, but gained much. Truthfully, I<br />
cannot say how much <strong>of</strong> an impact my performance had <strong>on</strong><br />
his recovery. Looking back in this decisi<strong>on</strong> however, I have<br />
realized that <strong>the</strong> true birth <strong>of</strong> new perspectives, <strong>of</strong> my multidimensi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
perspective, begins by taking a stab in <strong>the</strong> dark,<br />
as I did <strong>the</strong> day I dared to bring music to <strong>the</strong> I.C.U. I go<br />
back to <strong>the</strong> I.C.U. sometimes, <strong>on</strong> lazy Saturday afterno<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
serenade those who wish to hear <strong>the</strong> sound <strong>of</strong> music and<br />
quietly leave through <strong>the</strong> grey double-doors, feeling better<br />
than I did when I came in. I am in search <strong>of</strong> happiness,<br />
smiles, and jadu galis: <strong>the</strong> true substance <strong>of</strong> any life—and<br />
sometimes, if I’m lucky, I will hear <strong>the</strong> sound <strong>of</strong> my blessing,<br />
<strong>the</strong> heart m<strong>on</strong>itor in four-four time reminding me <strong>of</strong> my dear<br />
friend and his impact <strong>on</strong> my life.<br />
* Class <strong>of</strong> 2014 M.D. Candidate<br />
Baylor College <strong>of</strong> Medicine, Houst<strong>on</strong>, TX hede@bcm.tmc.edu<br />
18 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
“Elephant in <strong>the</strong> Room-Euthanasia”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Creative Writing —<br />
2 nd<br />
Akshat Jain, MD *<br />
“I will give no deadly medicine<br />
to any <strong>on</strong>e if asked, nor suggest<br />
any such counsel”<br />
The Hippocratic Oath<br />
My 6 m<strong>on</strong>th old patient who<br />
was born pre mature, under circumstances that would<br />
make even <strong>the</strong> gravest works <strong>of</strong> ficti<strong>on</strong> and widest extent <strong>of</strong><br />
imaginati<strong>on</strong> shudder in shock, is suffering.<br />
I m sitting next to his crib and writing this piece<br />
.Believe me I wish no parent in my NICU should come and<br />
look at him . They are not prepared for this horror. You<br />
will have to carve up <strong>the</strong> selective deafness and blindness<br />
I have developed over <strong>the</strong> past few m<strong>on</strong>ths watching this<br />
baby, and believe me <strong>the</strong>y will suffer.<br />
The medical surgical and <strong>the</strong>ological aspects <strong>of</strong> his<br />
care have been exhausted. God seems to have given up and<br />
<strong>the</strong> cruel mockery is staring at me in <strong>the</strong> face. There will<br />
be no change from this point <strong>on</strong>, o<strong>the</strong>r than worse, despite<br />
heroic efforts at worship and practice to salvage whatever<br />
little life that is left in him.<br />
I have seen babies die and I have faced <strong>the</strong> horrific<br />
terror <strong>of</strong> breaking such news to parents, and believe me<br />
it was tough, but I found solace through material <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
likes <strong>of</strong> Joel Osteen. May be it was “gods wish”, <strong>the</strong> “divine<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong>” and we meager specks <strong>of</strong> little nothings have<br />
no say , in meddling with this “business”.<br />
But no Joel Osteen, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle<br />
could help me rec<strong>on</strong>cile with this pain <strong>of</strong> suffering deep<br />
down inside. Debilitati<strong>on</strong> is painful to watch and even<br />
more-so when you see <strong>the</strong> parents losing hope.<br />
I have sought comfort in situati<strong>on</strong>s when parents have<br />
accepted <strong>the</strong> ill stroke <strong>of</strong> fate and are glad to have love<br />
vested even in a debilitated child. But what do I do when<br />
I know this little <strong>on</strong>e is going to have to fight <strong>the</strong> battle <strong>of</strong><br />
his remaining life al<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
Memories <strong>of</strong> my editorial in <strong>the</strong> college magazine <strong>on</strong><br />
Euthanasia comes rambling back to c<strong>on</strong>sciousness. The<br />
<strong>the</strong>oretical discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> pros and c<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Physician assisted<br />
suicide seemed very “literary” at that time. But today I am<br />
facing <strong>the</strong> dilemma in pers<strong>on</strong>; I am at crossroads, bound by<br />
complexities <strong>of</strong> law and morality.<br />
When is it appropriate for a doctor to play God?<br />
Putting an end to this insurmountable suffering, <strong>the</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinuous flow <strong>of</strong> tears, <strong>the</strong> rigid body, <strong>the</strong> seemingly<br />
never aborting seizures, and <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tinuous frothing …<br />
seems to be a valid opti<strong>on</strong>. Where <strong>the</strong> ever loving maternal<br />
instinct has fatigued, <strong>the</strong> medical science has exhausted<br />
all opti<strong>on</strong>s, even <strong>the</strong> doors <strong>of</strong> heaven seem slam shut, <strong>on</strong>e<br />
w<strong>on</strong>ders was this fate written by <strong>the</strong> same hand <strong>of</strong> God that<br />
wrote mine, or was this a rare glitch.<br />
The critics <strong>of</strong> physician assisted suicide would argue,<br />
putting forth a solid argument, <strong>of</strong> morality. But if you<br />
qualify to be alive while being dependent <strong>on</strong> feeding and<br />
breathing tubes, undergoing c<strong>on</strong>stant trauma <strong>of</strong> pain that<br />
is immeasurable, but clearly visible, I bet you this, if God<br />
himself granted this baby <strong>on</strong>e wish, he would unflinchingly<br />
ask for a vial <strong>of</strong> sweet death.<br />
It’s a dilemma not just faced by me, but any<strong>on</strong>e who<br />
has shared <strong>the</strong> pain <strong>of</strong> Aruna Shanbaug and many o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
like her would pray mercy killing would be made legal.<br />
I cannot help but think <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> implicati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
power any loosely passed legislati<strong>on</strong> in favor <strong>of</strong> euthanasia,<br />
will have. It would not take too l<strong>on</strong>g before <strong>the</strong> argument<br />
<strong>of</strong> “right” to die, be twisted into a “duty” to kill. Suddenly<br />
I recall <strong>the</strong> chilling lines <strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong> between <strong>the</strong> judge<br />
and a c<strong>on</strong>demned German from <strong>the</strong> movie—“Judgment at<br />
Nuremberg” and I shudder.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>demned German –“But we didn’t think it would go that<br />
far.” <strong>American</strong> judge- “it went that far <strong>the</strong> very first time you<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned an innocent human being.”<br />
* New York Medical College , Metropolitan Hospital ,<br />
Manhattan , NY<br />
www.aapiusa.org 19
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
“Two Years in India, The Rest to Reflect”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Creative Writing —<br />
3 rd<br />
Sumit Baga, MD *<br />
There is a saying, “I complained <strong>of</strong> no shoes, until I<br />
met a man with no feet.” This quote definitely describes<br />
my first two years <strong>of</strong> medical school, which were in India.<br />
My parents came from India with hopes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>American</strong><br />
dream. For two years, I did quite <strong>the</strong> opposite. As a<br />
Punjabi born and raised in <strong>the</strong> United States, I embarked<br />
<strong>on</strong> a two year journey to study medicine in India. The<br />
four semesters <strong>of</strong> medical school in Manipal, India<br />
changed my percepti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> what it means to be a health<br />
care provider. After my experience at Kasturba Medical<br />
College – Internati<strong>on</strong>al Center, it was apparent to me that<br />
I had grown both academically and spiritually.<br />
Every Saturday my class would take a bus to <strong>the</strong> clinic<br />
and venture to Dr. T. M. A. Pai hospital in Udupi. On <strong>the</strong><br />
way <strong>the</strong>re, we would pass a large smoky landfill filled with<br />
<strong>the</strong> dark smoky stench <strong>of</strong> burning plastic. The air had a<br />
brownish tinge from all <strong>the</strong> burning plastic and paper.<br />
The smell was putrid and <strong>the</strong> hawks circled above in <strong>the</strong><br />
sweltering jungle heat. What surprised me <strong>the</strong> most was<br />
that <strong>the</strong> impoverished literally dug out <strong>the</strong>ir huts in <strong>the</strong>se<br />
heaps <strong>of</strong> smoking lumps <strong>of</strong> debris. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time, I was<br />
sitting in an air c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>ed room studying medical books<br />
and enjoying <strong>the</strong> luxury <strong>of</strong> <strong>American</strong> junk food. While<br />
<strong>the</strong> poor suffered from easily treatable and rare c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
such as ir<strong>on</strong> deficiency and tuberculosis.<br />
The diseases we encountered clinically in India are<br />
situati<strong>on</strong>s I am unlikely to encounter again practicing in<br />
<strong>the</strong> United States. An elderly pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> mine, Dr. Bhatt,<br />
<strong>on</strong>ce told our class that <strong>the</strong>re are two major class systems<br />
in India, <strong>the</strong> very rich and <strong>the</strong> very poor. He emphasized<br />
that <strong>the</strong>re is a very large rural populati<strong>on</strong> that will always<br />
be present in India despite advances in technology and<br />
growth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indian ec<strong>on</strong>omy. These farmers and<br />
20 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
villagers, undoubtedly <strong>the</strong> hardest working group <strong>of</strong><br />
India, are unfortunately <strong>the</strong> large part <strong>of</strong> India that are<br />
uneducated about health care and have less access because<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir financial disadvantage. It was hard to hear about<br />
<strong>on</strong>e patient in Karnataka who unfortunately took all <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> potential treatments based <strong>on</strong> his symptoms because it<br />
was his cheapest opti<strong>on</strong> – he simply could not afford <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong>e diagnostic test which would determine what disease<br />
he had and it’s specific treatment.<br />
What also surprised me was <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> patients<br />
with pulm<strong>on</strong>ary tuberculosis in <strong>the</strong> Udupi hospital as well<br />
as <strong>the</strong> Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. Though <strong>the</strong> patients<br />
were being treated with <strong>the</strong> correct anti-tubercular<br />
antibiotics, <strong>the</strong>re was no use <strong>of</strong> face masks. These patients<br />
weren’t isolated ei<strong>the</strong>r, which is unfortunately <strong>the</strong> reas<strong>on</strong><br />
that tuberculosis still spreads from patient to patient<br />
through air droplets. Ano<strong>the</strong>r factor that assisted in<br />
<strong>the</strong> tuberculosis situati<strong>on</strong> in India was that many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
patients had poor immune systems due to lack <strong>of</strong> proper<br />
nutriti<strong>on</strong>. It was as if <strong>the</strong> sweltering jungle heat was a<br />
cesspool for rare infectious diseases like dengue, malaria,<br />
cholera, tuberculosis, filariarsis and o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r difference in <strong>the</strong> Indian medical system that<br />
really surprised me was <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> sex <strong>of</strong> fetus in<br />
India can never be revealed to <strong>the</strong> parents for fear that<br />
certain parents are likely to commit infanticide if <strong>the</strong>y<br />
find out that <strong>the</strong> child is a female. Many poor in India<br />
cannot afford to pay for <strong>the</strong> dowry <strong>of</strong> a female, and it is<br />
also c<strong>on</strong>sidered by many to be socially and ec<strong>on</strong>omically<br />
beneficial for <strong>the</strong> family if <strong>the</strong> child is male. Although<br />
this rule has been mandated by <strong>the</strong> Indian government,<br />
it was unusual to hear from my female classmate <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
OBGYN floor that most if not all <strong>of</strong> (c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)
<strong>the</strong> newborns in <strong>the</strong> nursery were males.<br />
Though India is different from <strong>the</strong> United States<br />
in many ways, two major differences stuck with me<br />
with most: <strong>the</strong> vast culture <strong>of</strong> India and <strong>the</strong> general<br />
attitude <strong>of</strong> its people. Spirituality is a very important<br />
aspect in <strong>the</strong> daily lives <strong>of</strong> most, if not all Indians. It<br />
has a major impact <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> reas<strong>on</strong> that <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten carry<br />
such an easy-going demeanor. I got <strong>the</strong> general sense<br />
from most Indians that everything would be alright.<br />
This is something <strong>the</strong> fast-paced <strong>American</strong> life style<br />
truly lacks. It may be due to <strong>the</strong> str<strong>on</strong>g presence <strong>of</strong><br />
spirituality and religi<strong>on</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Indian culture. Though<br />
Indians may live life more simply, <strong>the</strong>y appear to be<br />
much more comfortable with what little <strong>the</strong>y have.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local Indian students would call us<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-resident Indians because we were <strong>of</strong> Indian origin<br />
but had been brought up in <strong>the</strong> United States. From<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir perspective, I definitely saw how <strong>American</strong>s<br />
could <strong>of</strong>ten act brash and show lack <strong>of</strong> modesty. Some<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> younger students who had been living in India<br />
for <strong>the</strong> first time would <strong>of</strong>ten get noisy. And <strong>the</strong> facial<br />
expressi<strong>on</strong> from <strong>the</strong> locals was usually, “You aren’t<br />
from around here, are you?” The calm and collected<br />
demeanor was definitely something I respected about<br />
<strong>the</strong> native Indians; I truly got a sense that whe<strong>the</strong>r rich<br />
or poor or whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y had troubles or not, <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
satisfied with taking each day at a time.<br />
I <strong>of</strong>ten find myself not being satisfied with how<br />
much I have, and I always try to return to my days in<br />
Manipal when life was simpler, but I was still c<strong>on</strong>tent.<br />
I d<strong>on</strong>’t think I value how much opportunity I had in<br />
India until now. Looking back, I miss <strong>the</strong> people and<br />
culture I came across in India. I learned a great deal in<br />
<strong>the</strong> basics <strong>of</strong> medicine and <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> rare tropical diseases<br />
present in India, but I got a life less<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> all <strong>the</strong> small<br />
things <strong>of</strong> my Indian heritage. Someday when I find time<br />
to escape from my busy life in US hospitals, I believe<br />
I’ll return to India and really appreciate <strong>on</strong>ce again how<br />
beautiful it is <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
* Sumit Bagga <strong>American</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Antigua<br />
Fourth Year Medical Student • sumitmed@gmail.com
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
Pursuit <strong>of</strong> Happiness:<br />
To Be or Not To Be — That is <strong>the</strong> Questi<strong>on</strong>!<br />
3 rd<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Creative Writing —<br />
Rajiv Sharma, MD *<br />
Knock! Knock! My mo<strong>the</strong>r banged <strong>on</strong> my room<br />
door. The premedical test result was out. I got into <strong>the</strong><br />
most prestigious medical school in Punjab. I ran to my<br />
dad who was working in our fr<strong>on</strong>t yard. His eyes were<br />
moist as he patted my back…but he didn’t say anything. I<br />
could see <strong>the</strong> joy and pride <strong>on</strong> his face.<br />
I come from a very modest background. My fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
was from a poor family but ambitious to rise above his<br />
limitati<strong>on</strong>s. He had left his village barefoot as he had no<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey to buy shoes. He joined <strong>the</strong> police force which was<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly job he could get.<br />
He was a dreamer and I am a dreamer just like him.<br />
He wanted <strong>the</strong> best for me and my bro<strong>the</strong>r, so he sent us<br />
to private English school, and took out heavy loans for<br />
our studies.<br />
I inherited <strong>the</strong> same vigor as my fa<strong>the</strong>r. I c<strong>on</strong>stantly<br />
pushed myself to perform well, always aiming to be <strong>the</strong><br />
best I can at everything I did. Time flew by and I cruised<br />
through <strong>the</strong> 5 1/2 years <strong>of</strong> medical school. Then I decided<br />
to relocate to greener pastures. I felt it would be hard for<br />
a man <strong>of</strong> my background to reach my full potential in<br />
India.<br />
I got married to a girl from USA and emigrated.<br />
Initially worked at a full time job to pay for USMLE exam<br />
fee. But back home things got tough. My fa<strong>the</strong>r suffered<br />
from severe vertigo and needed frequent admissi<strong>on</strong>s to<br />
<strong>the</strong> hospital. The Police Department forced him to retire<br />
early with a meager pensi<strong>on</strong>. However, my fa<strong>the</strong>r never<br />
asked me for help but I could feel his desperati<strong>on</strong> over <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ph<strong>on</strong>e, every time he made a transatlantic<br />
call. He tried to be str<strong>on</strong>g and not put pressure <strong>on</strong> me.<br />
And I started sending some m<strong>on</strong>ey to India every m<strong>on</strong>th.<br />
Luckily, I matched in Internal medicine. So, I<br />
started planning my next move to be even better. I chose<br />
Gastroenterology since it paid well and I can pay <strong>of</strong>f my<br />
debts, well, my dad’s debts!<br />
I spent 4-6 hours a day writing research papers/<br />
protocols and worked <strong>on</strong> my projects unfailingly - <strong>on</strong><br />
call, post call or whenever I had some time. I used my<br />
vacati<strong>on</strong> for research and I know my family life suffered<br />
during <strong>the</strong>se periods. I worked like a maniac and gave<br />
my best shot at everything. Due to my c<strong>on</strong>fidence some<br />
“key people” at my residency program were turned <strong>of</strong>f by<br />
me- envy perhaps? I am not sure. I was stunned that my<br />
clarity <strong>of</strong> goal, dedicati<strong>on</strong> and motivati<strong>on</strong> was labeled as<br />
“aggressi<strong>on</strong>”, “abrasiveness”.<br />
I had 8 active research projects, 15 poster<br />
presentati<strong>on</strong>s, 2 nati<strong>on</strong>al oral presentati<strong>on</strong>s, 2 paper<br />
publicati<strong>on</strong>s and 4 awards for Excellence in Research and<br />
Academics. My competitors for fellowship were guys who<br />
barely had any research, leave al<strong>on</strong>e publicati<strong>on</strong>s. They<br />
were “friendly” just because <strong>the</strong>y were good at faking it<br />
with <strong>the</strong> attending physicians and <strong>the</strong> “key people.” I was<br />
not “good enough.”<br />
“Was this because I was a “Foreign Medical<br />
Graduate?” I c<strong>on</strong>stantly asked myself. (c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)<br />
22 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
I applied for fellowship in <strong>the</strong> same instituti<strong>on</strong> and did not<br />
match <strong>the</strong> first time, so I had to re-apply. I was told that I<br />
had a good chance matching at some “outside” program. I<br />
was not sure if I would ever get a GI spot. I had <strong>on</strong>e year<br />
<strong>of</strong> residency left. I applied for Chief Resident positi<strong>on</strong><br />
to better my chances <strong>of</strong> getting into a GI Fellowship.<br />
Interviews went well and now I was waiting for <strong>the</strong> match<br />
day-highly nervous.<br />
About three weeks before <strong>the</strong> match I got an<br />
unexpected ph<strong>on</strong>e call from an outside area code. It<br />
was <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program directors in NY whom I had<br />
interviewed with. “Your applicati<strong>on</strong> is very str<strong>on</strong>g. We<br />
have a sudden opening for a positi<strong>on</strong> starting 6 weeks<br />
from now. We would like to <strong>of</strong>fer you that spot,” he said.<br />
My body went numb and hands frozen. I have never<br />
felt like this before. At least some<strong>on</strong>e thought, “I was good<br />
enough.” I started crying…tears <strong>of</strong> joy but I could see<br />
clearly where this is headed to. Since I was c<strong>on</strong>tractually<br />
obligated to be Chief resident for 1 year, I would have to<br />
cancel that c<strong>on</strong>tract. My dream was so close that I could<br />
literally touch it now. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand I was scared<br />
about losing it if I couldn’t get out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tract. What<br />
if <strong>the</strong>y say NO? What if <strong>the</strong>y hurt my career? What if<br />
<strong>the</strong>y feel disrespected? Chief Resident is a big respectful<br />
positi<strong>on</strong> in <strong>the</strong> academic world.<br />
I paged my Medicine program director. He was a<br />
ruthless administrator with zero tolerance for “trouble<br />
makers.” He answered my page right away. My heart<br />
was in my throat, my voice shaky and eyes… wet with<br />
happiness and apprehensi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
at such a short notice, this is disrespectful!”<br />
I stayed quiet and explained my point <strong>of</strong> view. There<br />
was silence. He said, “ I have nothing else to say to you”.<br />
I walked out.<br />
I couldn’t believe my ears... But I had to fulfill my<br />
dreams…my parents’ dream!<br />
I signed <strong>the</strong> fellowship c<strong>on</strong>tract and resigned from<br />
<strong>the</strong> chief resident positi<strong>on</strong>. My parent’s prayers and<br />
sacrifices have paid <strong>of</strong>f. I graduated and moved to NY for<br />
fellowship. I have reached my goal. I am <strong>the</strong> happiest man<br />
alive.<br />
There comes a point in your life where you have to<br />
make a choice. Should you follow your own goals and<br />
dreams or h<strong>on</strong>or o<strong>the</strong>rs’ expectati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> you? It’s a tough<br />
choice. But that’s how life is...unpredictable!<br />
This reminds me <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Shakespeare’s play Hamlet,<br />
“To be, or not to be--that is <strong>the</strong> questi<strong>on</strong>.” Whe<strong>the</strong>r ‘tis<br />
nobler in <strong>the</strong> mind to suffer. The slings and arrows <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> outrageous fortune! Or, to take arms against a sea <strong>of</strong><br />
troubles?<br />
* 2nd year G I Fellow, University <strong>of</strong> Rochester Medical Center,<br />
Rochester, N Y.<br />
I explained to him <strong>the</strong> scenario; he paused for a few<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>ds…my heart was racing, my hands trembling. Then<br />
he started talking... my heart stopped. He sensed <strong>the</strong><br />
happiness, anxiety in my voice. He said “Rajiv… I would<br />
love for you to stay here. I pers<strong>on</strong>ally would like to work<br />
with you but sometimes you just have to do what’s best for<br />
you and move <strong>on</strong>. Go ahead, follow your dream”.<br />
The next day <strong>the</strong> Chief <strong>of</strong> Medicine wanted to see<br />
me right away. I was terrified. He was furious! He wanted<br />
me to h<strong>on</strong>or my c<strong>on</strong>tract and was hinting towards not<br />
taking <strong>the</strong> GI fellowship spot.<br />
“How are we going to fill <strong>the</strong> chief resident positi<strong>on</strong><br />
www.aapiusa.org 23
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
“The Music Ma’mm”<br />
MSR F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Creative Writing —<br />
Pooja Voria, MD, MBA *<br />
Special<br />
Prize<br />
Outstanding<br />
Article<br />
It was <strong>the</strong> first time we had music in <strong>the</strong> department.<br />
No, <strong>the</strong>re wasn’t a new surround sound system. I didn’t<br />
have my iPod playing. To my surprise, it was my patient<br />
singing to me as I was doing a breast biopsy <strong>on</strong> her.<br />
A few m<strong>on</strong>ths ago, Judith Brown* came to <strong>the</strong> breast<br />
imaging department <strong>of</strong> my hospital because she felt a new<br />
lump in her breast. I did a complete work up, including<br />
a mammogram and ultrasound. I couldn’t rule out cancer,<br />
so I proceeded to explain to her that she needed a biopsy.<br />
Judith normally had pep and pizzazz, but I could see that<br />
she was scared. She asked for her husband, Rick, to be in<br />
<strong>the</strong> room. I tried to be empa<strong>the</strong>tic and reassuring, but <strong>the</strong><br />
biopsy still needed to be d<strong>on</strong>e. I explained each step <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
procedure. Eventually, she nodded and signed <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sent<br />
form.<br />
It was clear that Judith was nervous. She lay <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
bed with her arm above her head. I tried to make her as<br />
comfortable as possible, but she was still shifty.<br />
I told her, “I’m going to give you <strong>the</strong> lidocaine now.<br />
It’s going to sting and burn a little bit, but <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> area<br />
will be numb.”<br />
“OK. I think I’m ready. What are you giving me<br />
again?” she replied with angst.<br />
“Lidocaine.”<br />
“Lidocaine. What a funny word. It sounds like<br />
‘Lida Rose’ from <strong>the</strong> musical, The Music Man.” I was<br />
c<strong>on</strong>centrating <strong>on</strong> my hands, but I saw her smile from <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> my eye.<br />
“Hmm. I’ve never seen The Music Man. Nor have I<br />
heard <strong>the</strong> s<strong>on</strong>g, ‘Lida Rose.’ ”<br />
“Oh, it’s <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> my favorites! Rick and I love musicals.<br />
I’m going to sing it for you.”<br />
24 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose<br />
To get <strong>the</strong> sun back in <strong>the</strong> sky.<br />
Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose<br />
About a thousand kisses shy.<br />
Ding d<strong>on</strong>g ding<br />
I can hear <strong>the</strong> chapel bell chime.<br />
Ding d<strong>on</strong>g ding<br />
At <strong>the</strong> least suggesti<strong>on</strong> I’ll pop <strong>the</strong> questi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose<br />
Without a swee<strong>the</strong>art to my name.<br />
Lida Rose, now every<strong>on</strong>e knows<br />
That I am hoping you’re <strong>the</strong> same<br />
So here is my love s<strong>on</strong>g, not fancy or fine<br />
Lida Rose, oh w<strong>on</strong>’t you be mine<br />
Lida Rose, oh Lida Rose oh Lida Rose.<br />
And she did. While she sang, her body relaxed a<br />
little bit. Her husband didn’t chime in. We both knew<br />
that singing was comforting to her.<br />
“We’re all d<strong>on</strong>e with <strong>the</strong> biopsy.”<br />
“It’s over? That wasn’t too bad.”<br />
During my breast imaging fellowship, I’ve learned<br />
that comforting a patient is <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> any doctor’s job. Sometimes all it takes is a smile<br />
and a warm blanket to calm <strong>the</strong> nerves. With o<strong>the</strong>rs, it<br />
may take much more, a reassuring voice, a listening ear,<br />
or a heart-to-heart in depth discussi<strong>on</strong>. And <strong>on</strong>ce in a<br />
while, patients learn to comfort <strong>the</strong>mselves with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own versi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> ‘Lida Rose.’<br />
I’m happy to say that I had good news for Judith.<br />
The biopsy was benign and she did not have cancer.<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)
But not all <strong>the</strong> news I give is positive. Giving bad<br />
news is <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most challenging things a doctor has to<br />
do, especially over <strong>the</strong> ph<strong>on</strong>e, where <strong>the</strong> empathy in our<br />
voice is all we can <strong>of</strong>fer. Some patients take <strong>the</strong> bad news<br />
in stride while o<strong>the</strong>rs become hysterical. It’s a tough job<br />
for us, and comforting a patient is not something we can<br />
learn from a book. It takes time, experience, and good<br />
mentors to learn <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> communicati<strong>on</strong> in medicine.<br />
That evening after Judith’s biopsy, I went home and<br />
listened to ‘Lida Rose’ <strong>on</strong>line. It’s sung as a quartlet in<br />
a cappella format. No bells, no whistles, just vocals. It<br />
was catchy, yet soothing. Listening to <strong>the</strong> s<strong>on</strong>g helped<br />
me understand why it put her at ease, bridging <strong>the</strong> gap<br />
between something as unfamiliar and invasive as a biopsy<br />
with something warm and reassuring.<br />
Judith’s ability to build her inner-strength through<br />
something as simple as singing a proverbial s<strong>on</strong>g helped<br />
me to realize that <strong>the</strong> best way a doctor can comfort a<br />
patient is not always through c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al techniques<br />
like walking a patient through <strong>the</strong> facts <strong>of</strong> a procedure<br />
or answering technical medical questi<strong>on</strong>s. Through Judith<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r patients, I have learned that fostering an h<strong>on</strong>est<br />
and str<strong>on</strong>g doctor-patient relati<strong>on</strong>ship stretches bey<strong>on</strong>d<br />
<strong>the</strong>se typical forms <strong>of</strong> communicati<strong>on</strong> and can require<br />
more comforting, pers<strong>on</strong>al, and simple approaches, like<br />
singing a s<strong>on</strong>g or simply holding a patient’s hand.<br />
Judith’s singing was a memorable part <strong>of</strong> my fellowship<br />
experience this year. The fact that she found her strength<br />
to endure in a s<strong>on</strong>g opened my eyes to an alternative form<br />
<strong>of</strong> comforting a patient, and I’ll always remember her as<br />
<strong>the</strong> “The Music Ma’mm.”<br />
________________________________<br />
*All names changed<br />
* MSRF Communicati<strong>on</strong>s Chair<br />
Breast Imaging Fellow in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Radiology<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Washingt<strong>on</strong> pvoria@hotmail.com<br />
members in <strong>the</strong> news<br />
Dr. Reddy Receives <strong>the</strong> Prestigious Bharat Gaurav<br />
Award at Annual “Global Friendship Day”<br />
Dr. E. Shyam P Reddy, GCC Distinguished<br />
Cancer Scholar, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Co Director, Morehouse<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Medicine, is h<strong>on</strong>ored with <strong>the</strong> globally reputed<br />
Bharat Gaurav Award and a Certificate <strong>of</strong> Excellence<br />
for Meritorious Services, Outstanding Performance and<br />
Remarkable Role <strong>on</strong> January 6th 2011, in New Delhi<br />
during <strong>the</strong> India Internati<strong>on</strong>al Friendship Society’s (IIFS)<br />
Global Friendship Day.<br />
The Society c<strong>on</strong>fers <strong>the</strong> “Bharat Gaurav Award” to<br />
luminous pers<strong>on</strong>alities in India and abroad, who have made<br />
outstanding c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s in <strong>the</strong>ir pers<strong>on</strong>alized fields,<br />
including science & technology, educati<strong>on</strong>, politics and<br />
social work, services providers industry, etc. Past recipients<br />
<strong>of</strong> this most coveted award include late Mo<strong>the</strong>r Teresa,<br />
Noble Laureate Late B.D. Jatti, Former Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />
India Dr. Bishma Narain Singh, Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar,<br />
Veteran Actors Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna, Lord<br />
Bikhu Parekh, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Mr. Harinder S.<br />
Takhar (Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crown <strong>of</strong> Province <strong>of</strong> Ontario,<br />
Canada), NRI business-magnate Vijay Mallya, Dr. Sampat<br />
Shivangi, Dr. Bhagwan T. Sahni, Dr. Sudhir Shrivastava,<br />
Dr. Jayanti Singh, Omie Singh (MP South Africa), and<br />
Sukh Daliwal (MP Vancouver, Canada).<br />
The award was<br />
presented jointly by<br />
Mr. Pawan Kumar<br />
Bansal, Minister<br />
<strong>of</strong> Parliamentary<br />
Affairs & Water<br />
Resources Government<br />
<strong>of</strong> India, and<br />
Dr. Bhishma Narain<br />
Singh, Former Uni<strong>on</strong><br />
Minister & Governor<br />
Tamilnadu, at<br />
<strong>the</strong> 2011 Parvasi<br />
Bharatiya Divas nati<strong>on</strong>al seminar <strong>on</strong> Global Participati<strong>on</strong><br />
in India’s Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Development.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r dignitaries present at <strong>the</strong> award giving cerem<strong>on</strong>y<br />
include H<strong>on</strong>orable Bar<strong>on</strong>ess Sandeep Verma (Minister<br />
in waiting Govt. <strong>of</strong> UK), Ms. Ruby Dhalla (Member <strong>of</strong><br />
Parliament from Canada), Mr. Rohit Kochhar (Chairman<br />
& Managing Director Kochhar & Co.) and Gurmeet<br />
Singh (Secretary General, India Internati<strong>on</strong>al Friendship<br />
Society).<br />
www.aapiusa.org 25
MSR F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
“The Special Child”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Poetry —<br />
1 st<br />
Smita V. Bhatt, MD *<br />
* PGY-1 Psychiatry<br />
Resident, Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Psychiatry, Nassau<br />
University Medical<br />
Center, 2201 Hempstead<br />
Turnpike, East Meadow,<br />
NY 11554,<br />
(516) 572-0123<br />
www.numc.edu
“I Feel Like I’m Falling”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Poetry —<br />
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
3 rd<br />
Jai Gandhi<br />
I’ll be <strong>the</strong> last to know<br />
When my sanity flees.<br />
My grasp is being loosened,<br />
My fingers beginning to lose <strong>the</strong>ir grip,<br />
And I try, and I try, and I dig into that bag<br />
<strong>of</strong> chalk,<br />
My sweaty palms, desperate to increase <strong>the</strong><br />
fricti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
To give me a shot at climbing back over this<br />
abyss,<br />
But I keep slipping.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> ir<strong>on</strong>y isn’t lost <strong>on</strong> me. Not yet.<br />
The comparis<strong>on</strong>, my lost grip <strong>on</strong> reality as<br />
equivalent<br />
To my death.<br />
Society casts me out for my abnormality.<br />
And in fleeting moments <strong>of</strong> lucidity,<br />
I think, I think how<br />
If this was a broken b<strong>on</strong>e,<br />
“Some Say”<br />
MSR/F/YPS Competiti<strong>on</strong> Poetry —<br />
A seeping, disgusting<br />
wound,<br />
I would cover it up; no <strong>on</strong>e would have been<br />
<strong>the</strong> wiser.<br />
But this disease eats away at me, until <strong>the</strong><br />
disease has c<strong>on</strong>sumed me,<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re is no me but <strong>the</strong> disease.<br />
I become a pestering reminder,<br />
The pers<strong>on</strong>ificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> why ignorance is bliss.<br />
And my lost grip w<strong>on</strong>’t result in plummeting<br />
to <strong>the</strong> ground,<br />
There will be no splatter.<br />
No, <strong>the</strong> mess I make will be reflected in <strong>the</strong><br />
psyche<br />
Of those who c<strong>on</strong>tinue to love me<br />
unc<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>ally.<br />
Who are forced to care for me, and watch me,<br />
As “me” loses all meaning.<br />
3 rd<br />
Vaseem Ahmed *<br />
Some say I tick, o<strong>the</strong>rs say I thump,<br />
But we can all agree it’s important that I<br />
pump.<br />
My 4 chambers fill with blood <strong>on</strong> every beat,<br />
My valves help oxygen reach <strong>the</strong> ends <strong>of</strong> your<br />
feet.<br />
Exercise keeps my muscles healthy and str<strong>on</strong>g,<br />
Without it, I wouldn’t be able to keep you<br />
alive for very l<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
It’s important to eat healthy and exercise,<br />
Eat more salads, but avoid those fries.<br />
Every so <strong>of</strong>ten, <strong>the</strong> doctor has to check me out,<br />
You’ll have to run <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> treadmill ‘til you<br />
scream and shout.<br />
One way to keep me healthy is to stop smoking,<br />
It will make you prettier and str<strong>on</strong>ger, I’m not<br />
joking.<br />
If you think you are<br />
having cor<strong>on</strong>ary attack,<br />
Take an aspirin; be sure to keep <strong>the</strong>m in your<br />
knapsack.<br />
Today my problems are <strong>the</strong> leading cause <strong>of</strong><br />
death,<br />
But I am <strong>the</strong> final organ to go until your very<br />
last breath.<br />
Take care <strong>of</strong> me and d<strong>on</strong>’t let my vessels clog,<br />
Eat an apple a day and d<strong>on</strong>’t forget to jog.<br />
Some say I am filled with blood, o<strong>the</strong>rs say<br />
with love,<br />
But I am <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> hearts when push comes<br />
to shove.<br />
*Medical Student, 3rd Year<br />
<strong>American</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Antigua,<br />
vahmed729@gmail.com<br />
www.aapiusa.org 27
Verma Varun “Window to <strong>the</strong> Soul”<br />
Sara Venkat “Sunbird <strong>on</strong> Flower”<br />
MSR/F/YPS<br />
PHOTO CONTEST<br />
Ami Shah “Sculpture”<br />
Uzma Choudhary “Desert Mountains”<br />
Riddhi Shah “Sunset”<br />
Joseph Marin “In his Steps”<br />
28 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
Vickas Dangyach “Sowing Seeds”<br />
Sandip Patel “Dogged Persistence”<br />
Sheila Krishna “Tokyo at Play”<br />
Serena Jain “Self Discipline”<br />
Subhasis Misra “Endless Possibilities”<br />
Jaya Padmanabhan “Selling Flowers in Jaipur”<br />
www.aapiusa.org 29
Niru Madduri “Purity <strong>of</strong> Aging” Deepak Pahuja “Solitary Boat”<br />
Amit Momaya “Balance”<br />
Morargi Pesai “Birth <strong>of</strong> a Storm”<br />
Hetal Bhingradia “Endless Serenity”<br />
Sunita Nathan “Look What I Found ”<br />
30 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
Sirkar Kumkum “Medical School Begins in Paradise”<br />
Ankita Sagar “Tranquil Twilight”<br />
Madhuri Saligrama “Fortitude”<br />
Vidya Pai “A Midsummer’s Night”<br />
Shashank Jain “Ephemeral” Rajiv Bhal “The Chase”<br />
Rippal Shah “Vadodara”<br />
www.aapiusa.org 31
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
Networking Beats Not Working<br />
Pooja Voria, MD, MBA *<br />
going to hire me?<br />
Now that you’re completing<br />
residency/fellowship, what<br />
next? You must be thinking<br />
- How do I find a job? Who’s<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> us have been in school/training for most <strong>of</strong><br />
our lives. We’ve always had specific goals to achieve and<br />
have known exactly what steps to take. In college, our goal<br />
was to get into a medical school so we took <strong>the</strong> MCAT<br />
and filled out <strong>the</strong> AMCAS applicati<strong>on</strong>. In medical school,<br />
our goal was to get into a residency so we filled out <strong>the</strong><br />
ERAS applicati<strong>on</strong> and waited for <strong>the</strong> dreaded match. But<br />
<strong>the</strong>re is no structured method <strong>of</strong> finding a job. So what<br />
can you do to improve your chances <strong>of</strong> getting your dream<br />
job?<br />
Here’s a little secret. The best jobs are found by word<strong>of</strong>-mouth,<br />
networking, and referrals. So during residency<br />
and fellowship, you’re not working just to impress your<br />
attendings and studying just to pass your boards, you’re<br />
networking with people who have been immersed in <strong>the</strong><br />
marketplace for many years. This includes attendings,<br />
nurses, technologists, and administrators. All <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
people have more experience in <strong>the</strong> workplace and may<br />
know some “gossip” that could land you a job. If <strong>the</strong>y like<br />
you enough, <strong>the</strong>y may even make a ph<strong>on</strong>e call <strong>on</strong> your<br />
behalf to help you out.<br />
It’s also important to be actively networking when<br />
you can. Go to your specialty’s annual meetings, especially<br />
locally. It’s rare for residents to go to <strong>the</strong>se meetings,<br />
because most feel that <strong>the</strong>y could be using <strong>the</strong>ir time<br />
doing something else, i.e. studying, sleeping, or having<br />
fun. But spending even a few hours at <strong>the</strong>se events can<br />
be worth it. You’ll stand out since you’ll be <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
few residents <strong>the</strong>re. And you never know who will be<br />
sitting at your table. It could be <strong>the</strong> CEO <strong>of</strong> a group in <strong>the</strong><br />
area. And <strong>of</strong> course, d<strong>on</strong>’t forget AAPI. AAPI has many<br />
different events thoughout <strong>the</strong> year, including <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>, all <strong>of</strong> which are great avenues to meet people<br />
as well as have fun.<br />
If you d<strong>on</strong>’t live in <strong>the</strong> area you want to work, you can<br />
use a physician recruiter. Recruiters are hired by hospitals<br />
and groups. But not all groups use recruiters. Groups with<br />
good jobs in popular markets and groups in major cities<br />
typically d<strong>on</strong>’t use recruiters because it’s expensive and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y d<strong>on</strong>’t need to (word <strong>of</strong> mouth or referrals).<br />
You can also look <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> website <strong>of</strong> your specialty’s<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al associati<strong>on</strong>. There is usually a job posting<br />
secti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Start early, but d<strong>on</strong>’t dismay if you can’t find<br />
anything. If jobs are tight in <strong>the</strong> area you’re looking, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
<strong>the</strong>y may <strong>on</strong>ly open up if a group acquires a new c<strong>on</strong>tract<br />
with a hospital or if some<strong>on</strong>e retires. Something may be<br />
available just a few m<strong>on</strong>ths before you need to start. It’s a<br />
very fluid market right now, and people aren’t hiring like<br />
<strong>the</strong>y used to.<br />
Remember, it’s in your best interest to find all <strong>the</strong><br />
available jobs in <strong>the</strong> market. So, during residency, set<br />
yourself up a little bit. Network when you can. And d<strong>on</strong>’t<br />
be scared to stand out, especially in today’s job market.<br />
*MSRF Communicati<strong>on</strong>s Chair<br />
Breast Imaging Fellow in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Radiology<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Washingt<strong>on</strong> pvoria@hotmail.com<br />
32 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
Medical Rotati<strong>on</strong> to India:<br />
First Hand Experience<br />
MSR/F/YPS AAPI Journal<br />
With much interest, enthusiasm and support, AAPI has launched a new endeavor under<br />
<strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> President Ajeet R. Singhvi, MD. The purpose <strong>of</strong> this program is to<br />
send <strong>American</strong> Medical Students and Residents <strong>of</strong> Indian origin from accredited medical<br />
schools or Residency program for four weeks rotati<strong>on</strong> to India. This would expose <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Indian Medical System, have <strong>the</strong>m learn clinical skills as well as have <strong>the</strong>m experience<br />
<strong>of</strong> working in suboptimal c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s. Few weeks <strong>of</strong> work experience is expected to be a life<br />
time <strong>of</strong> learning through this program. This program is sp<strong>on</strong>sored by AAPI members and o<strong>the</strong>r sp<strong>on</strong>sors. We<br />
would like to thank all <strong>the</strong> committee members for raising <strong>the</strong> funds for <strong>the</strong> program and participating in <strong>the</strong><br />
candidate selecti<strong>on</strong> process. Four candidates have completed <strong>the</strong>ir rotati<strong>on</strong> and 4 are currently in India. With <strong>the</strong><br />
support <strong>of</strong> our members we hope to send about 10 candidates this year.<br />
Here are experiences <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four candidates who have completed a clinical rotati<strong>on</strong> in India<br />
through this program.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Vinod Sancheti, MD<br />
Vinod Sancheti, MD<br />
Chair<br />
MedicalRotati<strong>on</strong>s@aapiusa.org<br />
Mamta Singhvi, MD<br />
President, AAPI MSRF<br />
mamtasinghvi@gmail.com<br />
Shashi Shah, MD<br />
Advisor & Chair, AAPI-CF<br />
shashimd@gmail.com<br />
Amit Bhakoo, MD<br />
Community Service Chair, MSRF<br />
communserv@aapimsr.org<br />
The Aravind Eye Care System:<br />
An Analysis and An Experience<br />
Swarup S. Swaminathan *<br />
As a young medical student interested in ophthalmology, I was enamored by <strong>the</strong> opportunity to<br />
c<strong>on</strong>duct a study at <strong>the</strong> Aravind Eye Hospital thru <strong>the</strong> AAPI medical rotati<strong>on</strong> to India program.<br />
The postgraduate residents to let me examine patients with unique ocular c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s, which are uncomm<strong>on</strong> in <strong>the</strong> US.<br />
I was thus able to examine patients with fungal keratitis, complete ophthalmoplegia, and Loa loa filariasis to name a few.<br />
I was also able to attend grand rounds at <strong>the</strong> base hospital <strong>on</strong> a weekly basis, which was a w<strong>on</strong>derful way to learn more<br />
about ophthalmology and interact with <strong>the</strong> local residents. I was also able to observe several surgeries in <strong>the</strong> OR, spend<br />
time in <strong>the</strong> subspecialty clinics, and visit <strong>the</strong> free hospital clinic, all which were incredibly valuable learning opportunities.<br />
I am extremely grateful to AAPI-MSRF for supporting me in this endeavor and allowing me to gain first-hand<br />
experience in ophthalmology.<br />
*MS2 – Harvard Medical School<br />
swarups@gmail.com<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> page 34)<br />
www.aapiusa.org 33
Global and Cross-Cultural Mental Health in India<br />
Neil Krishan Aggarwal, MD, MBA, MA *<br />
I travelled to Sri Guru Ram Das<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Medical Sciences<br />
Throughout my residency, I have<br />
explored issues in cross-cultural and global mental health,<br />
specifically am<strong>on</strong>g South Asian populati<strong>on</strong>s. The AAPI<br />
MSRF Internati<strong>on</strong>al Externship program supplemented<br />
additi<strong>on</strong>al funding from <strong>the</strong> <strong>American</strong> Psychiatric Associati<strong>on</strong><br />
and <strong>the</strong> Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services<br />
Administrati<strong>on</strong> to provide me with field experiences.<br />
I worked with Drs. Vikram Patel and Neerja Chowdhury<br />
in summarizing all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> published academic literature<br />
<strong>on</strong> mood and anxiety disorders am<strong>on</strong>g South Asians.<br />
Everyday, I met with a team <strong>of</strong> researchers to debate <strong>the</strong><br />
findings <strong>of</strong> latest studies and to spend <strong>the</strong> next nine hours<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidering research design and implementati<strong>on</strong> for a future<br />
randomized c<strong>on</strong>trolled trial <strong>of</strong> psycho<strong>the</strong>rapeutic<br />
treatments in resource-challenged settings. The work was<br />
difficult, but stimulating, as we struggled to apply <strong>the</strong> latest<br />
scientific findings to real world problems. Hopefully, our<br />
efforts will be rewarded with <strong>the</strong> publicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> a systematic<br />
literature review.<br />
After a m<strong>on</strong>th <strong>of</strong> intense research, I spent two weeks<br />
working at a public outpatient clinic in Amritsar affiliated<br />
with Sri Guru Ram Das Institute <strong>of</strong> Medical Sciences and<br />
Research. For a populati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> four milli<strong>on</strong> people, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are <strong>on</strong>ly twelve psychiatrists in <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> whom five work<br />
in <strong>the</strong> government sector. Everyday, I saw between fifty and<br />
eighty patients in seven hours, c<strong>on</strong>ducting evaluati<strong>on</strong>s and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s in Hindi and Punjabi under <strong>the</strong> supervisi<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> an attending physician. A number <strong>of</strong> fascinating crosscultural<br />
differences emerged. Patients c<strong>on</strong>trolled <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
medical charts which <strong>the</strong>y brought to each visit. Given <strong>the</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>straints <strong>on</strong> time and <strong>the</strong> refreshing lack <strong>of</strong> a malpractice<br />
culture, physicians wrote <strong>the</strong> bare minimum defending<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir diagnoses and justificati<strong>on</strong>s for choosing a particular<br />
medicati<strong>on</strong>. In terms <strong>of</strong> clinical presentati<strong>on</strong>, we saw patients<br />
mostly with depressive, bipolar, anxiety, psychotic,<br />
and substance abuse disorders. Interestingly, psychiatrists<br />
manage epilepsy in India, a disorder comm<strong>on</strong>ly referred to<br />
neurologists in <strong>the</strong> United States. Finally, psychiatrists and<br />
patients <strong>of</strong>ten collaborated to devise innovative clinical soluti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
regarding <strong>the</strong> immense expenses <strong>of</strong> transportati<strong>on</strong><br />
and medicati<strong>on</strong>s: psychiatrists <strong>of</strong>ten started medicati<strong>on</strong>s at<br />
higher doses and patients preferred brief directive recommendati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r than exploratory psycho<strong>the</strong>rapy.<br />
Such internati<strong>on</strong>al experiences are invaluable for<br />
future clinical researchers. Next year, I will start a fellowship<br />
at Columbia University designed specifically to learn<br />
how to research <strong>the</strong> prevalence and treatment <strong>of</strong> mood and<br />
anxiety disorders am<strong>on</strong>g South Asians in <strong>the</strong> United States.<br />
These rotati<strong>on</strong>s were indispensable in helping me understand<br />
how to c<strong>on</strong>duct research <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> expectati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> treatment<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g South Asian patients. I am grateful to AAPI<br />
MSRF for generously underwriting a porti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> my visit<br />
which exposed me to <strong>the</strong> Indian academic envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
and to Indian community psychiatry.<br />
*Psychiatry Resident, Yale University<br />
neil.k.aggarwal@gmail.com<br />
Scholar’s Experience in Indore, India<br />
Priti Dangayach *<br />
One <strong>of</strong> first few students sent to<br />
India; here is her experience. I was<br />
pleasantly surprised when I was<br />
awarded <strong>the</strong> AAPI Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Externship Scholarship to India. I wanted to learn more<br />
about tropical infectious diseases. Through AAPI, I was<br />
c<strong>on</strong>nected with Dr. Ashmeet Choudhary and Dr. Manish<br />
Jain in <strong>the</strong> departments <strong>on</strong> Gastroenterology and Internal<br />
34 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
Medicine, respectively at <strong>the</strong> Bombay Hospital in Indore.<br />
I arrived in Indore <strong>on</strong> October 4, 2010, to start my m<strong>on</strong>th<br />
l<strong>on</strong>g rotati<strong>on</strong>. I had no idea that this m<strong>on</strong>th would reignite<br />
my passi<strong>on</strong> for internal medicine and enroot a deep love<br />
for India. With Dr. Choudhary, we started our mornings<br />
by rounding <strong>on</strong> all our patients in <strong>the</strong> ICU and wards. Afterwards,<br />
we would see patients toge<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> outpatient<br />
department, where I had a chance to enhance my physical<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)
examinati<strong>on</strong> skills and ability to form a differential diagnosis.<br />
To my surprise, I saw a tremendous number <strong>of</strong> alcohol<br />
related GI cases, such as pancreatitis and cirrhosis as well as<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir complicati<strong>on</strong>s. Endoscopic evaluati<strong>on</strong> introduced me<br />
to H. Pylori induced gastric and duodenal ulcers, varices,<br />
esophageal and gastric cancers and <strong>the</strong>ir treatments. In <strong>the</strong><br />
outpatient department, I saw interesting cases like str<strong>on</strong>glyoides,<br />
typhoid, hepatitis C, ulcerative colitis, GERD, and<br />
Barrett’s. I even had <strong>the</strong> chance to perform several paracentesis<br />
procedures. For <strong>the</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>d part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rotati<strong>on</strong>, I<br />
rotated with Dr. Manish Jain, who inspired me in general<br />
medicine. We faced a large volume <strong>of</strong> patients and <strong>the</strong> importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> quickly using <strong>on</strong>e’s clinical skills and diagnostic<br />
testing, was emphasized and encouraged. I was ecstatic in<br />
my pers<strong>on</strong>al improvement in physical examinati<strong>on</strong> skills.<br />
I also learned <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> tailoring lab tests in a resource<br />
limited areas. I learned through many cases <strong>of</strong> dengue,<br />
TB, swine flu, and neurocystercercosis, <strong>of</strong> how to diagnose<br />
and treat <strong>the</strong>se infectious disease patients. In clinic,<br />
I also encountered cardiac, heme, pulm, <strong>on</strong>c, and rheum<br />
patients as well. I was c<strong>on</strong>stantly challenged by interesting<br />
cases <strong>of</strong> Lupus, AIHA, vitamin B12 deficiency, hepatitis,<br />
TB, and fevers <strong>of</strong> unknown origin. I am grateful that i was<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered and opportunity for this rotati<strong>on</strong> opportunity thru<br />
AAPI.<br />
*Baylor College <strong>of</strong> Medicine<br />
Chai Time: with an Internati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Kinjal Shah *<br />
We live in an increasingly mobile<br />
society, which lends to <strong>the</strong> transfer<br />
<strong>of</strong> disease across oceans. I want to<br />
be competent in providing care for<br />
my patients, wea<strong>the</strong>r it is treating <strong>the</strong> neighbor next door or<br />
a patient half way across <strong>the</strong> world. To that end, I wanted<br />
to see how healthcare is delivered in India and decided to<br />
spend a m<strong>on</strong>th <strong>the</strong>re this January.<br />
I embarked <strong>on</strong> this journey under <strong>the</strong> mentorship<br />
<strong>of</strong> Dr.Nitin Shah, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Anes<strong>the</strong>siology at Loma<br />
Linda University, California. Our trip itinerary in Jaipur;<br />
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas c<strong>on</strong>ference 2011 in Delhi; 37th Annual<br />
Medical highlights included attending <strong>the</strong> : 4th Annual<br />
AAPI Indio-US Healthcare summit & Surgical camp in Bidada,<br />
Kutch; Kalidas Hospital Surgical Camp, Vyara, Gujarat;<br />
Bardoli Surgical Camp, Bardoli, Gujarat. The Bidada<br />
camp was <strong>the</strong> highlight <strong>of</strong> my trip- we had camps in various<br />
specialties- from General surgery to Urology to Dermatology,<br />
and even Visi<strong>on</strong> and Dental Care; a similar panel existed<br />
for <strong>the</strong> pediatric populati<strong>on</strong>. This 20 day Camp in January<br />
at Bidada provided health care related services to thousands<br />
patients! Bidada satisfied my intellectual curiosity as I saw<br />
“zebra” cases such as Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy, Pustular<br />
Psoriasis, and Rubella associated C<strong>on</strong>genital Cataracts<br />
and Heart Disease.<br />
In additi<strong>on</strong> to h<strong>on</strong>ing my clinical skills, I encountered<br />
and have gained an appreciati<strong>on</strong> for medical problems uncomm<strong>on</strong><br />
in <strong>the</strong> US. I would like to thank AAPI for giving<br />
me this opportunity and encourage <strong>the</strong> AAPI community<br />
to support <strong>the</strong> AAPI Scholarship for Internati<strong>on</strong>al Electives.<br />
I come out <strong>of</strong> this elective with a broader perspective <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
practice <strong>of</strong> medicine.<br />
This trip was….inspiring, refreshing, and served as a<br />
reminder for why I wanted to enter medicine in <strong>the</strong> first<br />
place.<br />
*UTHSC, Memphis, TN<br />
Without a doubt, I can say this was <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>al endeavors I have embarked <strong>on</strong>. Where else will<br />
I get to negotiate with <strong>the</strong> rickshaw driver, drink fresh coc<strong>on</strong>ut<br />
water in <strong>the</strong> surge<strong>on</strong>’s lounge, diagnose Duchene’s dystrophy,<br />
visit 72 jinalaya(a Jain tirth) and watch a breathtaking<br />
sunset at <strong>the</strong> Mandavi beach—all in <strong>the</strong> same day!<br />
www.aapiusa.org 35
AAPI charitable activities<br />
Report from <strong>the</strong> Committee <strong>on</strong> Medical<br />
Missi<strong>on</strong>s & Community Service<br />
Ram Upadhyay, MD *<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> us, as volunteers, are<br />
individually involved in various<br />
philanthropic and charitable<br />
projects. It will not be an exaggerati<strong>on</strong> to say that, due to<br />
our upbringing in India, it is a kind <strong>of</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>d nature to us,<br />
to do some ‘seva’ or extend <strong>the</strong> helping hands to o<strong>the</strong>rs. We<br />
have been taught that ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ i.e., this<br />
whole world is my family. In order to be happy, we need to<br />
try to make this family happy.<br />
• As our AAPI members have expressed <strong>the</strong>ir keen<br />
desire to serve <strong>the</strong> underserved, needy and poor, both<br />
in USA and abroad as volunteers…..<br />
• As our medical students/ residents expressed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
interest to work as volunteers. To serve & learn<br />
globally….<br />
• As many <strong>of</strong> our AAPI members and <strong>the</strong>ir families<br />
have shown interest to work with various NGOS in<br />
India and o<strong>the</strong>r countries in Medical as well as n<strong>on</strong><br />
medical social projects.<br />
With great admirati<strong>on</strong> and gratitude for AAPI<br />
member’s noble desire to serve, our current AAPI<br />
leadership, President Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi and Executive<br />
committee al<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong> BOTs, established an Ad Hoc<br />
committee known as <strong>the</strong> COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL<br />
MISSIONS & COMMUNITY SERVICE.<br />
Activities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Committee include:<br />
1. Preparati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> appropriate Forms for potential<br />
Volunteers including Release <strong>of</strong> Liability form.<br />
2. Dr. Sudeep Kukreja’ Trip to Egypt from Sept. 17 to<br />
October 2nd, 2010 (published in Winter 2011 AAPI<br />
Journal)<br />
3. Haiti Project: this is an <strong>on</strong>going activity.<br />
4. C<strong>on</strong>tacting Various NGOs for working toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
5. Placement <strong>of</strong> Volunteers in India.<br />
6. Collecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> old working equipment and supplies to be<br />
distributed to needy instituti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
7. Storage space for supplies being established with <strong>the</strong> help<br />
<strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r charities.<br />
8. C<strong>on</strong>tacting various agencies for transportati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
supplies to target sites.<br />
9. Preparing pertinent Travel informati<strong>on</strong> about target<br />
site, including Political stability etc.<br />
10. Collecting <strong>the</strong> necessary funds. Of course this is a real<br />
challenge!<br />
11. Periodic Tele C<strong>on</strong>ferences, <strong>the</strong> last <strong>on</strong>e was <strong>on</strong> 3/10/11<br />
So far our Committee Members have put in a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> work. Currently <strong>the</strong>y are involved in very extensive<br />
Community Services with o<strong>the</strong>r organizati<strong>on</strong>s. We are<br />
collecting all <strong>the</strong> informati<strong>on</strong> and will present to <strong>the</strong><br />
AAPI Membership in <strong>the</strong> near future. Our Heartiest<br />
appreciati<strong>on</strong>s and c<strong>on</strong>gratulati<strong>on</strong>s to <strong>the</strong> following<br />
members:<br />
Dr. Kukreja who is taking a team to China in a few m<strong>on</strong>ths.<br />
Dr. Nitin Shah.<br />
Dr. Gopal Badlani and<br />
Dr. V.K. Raju.<br />
They are planning to give more informati<strong>on</strong> to our<br />
membership about <strong>the</strong>ir activities.<br />
Our Challenges:<br />
This committee needs funding as <strong>the</strong>re are no specials<br />
funds allotted from AAPI. This creates a big hurdle.<br />
As o<strong>the</strong>r NGOs who give logistic support expects some<br />
sharing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir expenses.<br />
Our sites need supplies and o<strong>the</strong>r resources for which<br />
financial support is needed. Also, we need to make our<br />
36 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
AAPI Charitable clinics potential sites for volunteers<br />
to stay and provide <strong>the</strong> medical care. They need to have<br />
an <strong>on</strong>going relati<strong>on</strong>ship with <strong>the</strong> adjacent hospitals for<br />
appropriate referral. Our Charitable Foundati<strong>on</strong> needs to<br />
take lead towards this goal.<br />
This committee needs to be upgraded to <strong>the</strong> status<br />
<strong>of</strong> a full permanent committee. It’s Chair should be a<br />
voting member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Governing Body, so that <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
participate in <strong>the</strong> discussi<strong>on</strong>, since <strong>the</strong> decisi<strong>on</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Fall<br />
Governing Body in 10/10, in California, unfortunately<br />
has effectively taken <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> right to express <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong><br />
n<strong>on</strong> voting members even if <strong>the</strong>y are present during <strong>the</strong><br />
meeting. The healthy traditi<strong>on</strong> practiced before need to be<br />
restored.<br />
On March 11, 2011, <strong>the</strong> whole world was shocked at<br />
<strong>the</strong> massive tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan. We<br />
had numerous calls and emails from our AAPI members<br />
to help and participate in relief efforts. We immediately<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tacted Japanese C<strong>on</strong>sulate. After hearing all details<br />
about our organizati<strong>on</strong>s, about numbers and doctors <strong>of</strong> all<br />
<strong>the</strong> specialty, <strong>the</strong>y agreed to put AAPI’s name, al<strong>on</strong>g with<br />
Doctors without Borders and Internati<strong>on</strong>al Medical Corp<br />
as a potential Medical Relief providers. This is a great<br />
recogniti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> our organizati<strong>on</strong>. I am proud to say that<br />
<strong>the</strong>re were 15 volunteers, from primary care to orthopedics<br />
physicians, were ready to go <strong>on</strong> 48 hours notice. As <strong>the</strong><br />
alert was taken <strong>of</strong>f by Japanese Emergency management<br />
Administrati<strong>on</strong>, we were informed that <strong>the</strong>y do not need<br />
Medical Teams from outside. They will accept m<strong>on</strong>etary<br />
help thru Red cross, ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>American</strong> Red Cross or Japanese<br />
Red Cross.<br />
Our d<strong>on</strong>ati<strong>on</strong>s can be send to AAPI- CF with <strong>the</strong><br />
memo: Japanese Relief Fund. Yes, we are ready, if <strong>the</strong>y<br />
need us.<br />
It is w<strong>on</strong>derful to see <strong>the</strong> overwhelming resp<strong>on</strong>se from<br />
our membership during <strong>the</strong>se critical times. May every<strong>on</strong>e<br />
be happy and healthy, May no body suffers”<br />
Sarve Bhavatu Sukhina, Sarve santu Niramaya<br />
*Chair Committee <strong>on</strong> Mecical Missi<strong>on</strong>s &<br />
Community Services, Bost<strong>on</strong> MA.<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Emergency Medicine and Global Health<br />
University <strong>of</strong> South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA<br />
Regi<strong>on</strong>al Director for AAPI Regi<strong>on</strong> 10
AAPI charitable activities<br />
Project Pacer Internati<strong>on</strong>al, Inc.<br />
Salil Midha, MD, FACC, *<br />
Susan DeTurk and V.K. Saini, MD<br />
Project Pacer<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
(PPI) is a n<strong>on</strong>-pr<strong>of</strong>it organizati<strong>on</strong> with<br />
<strong>the</strong> single purpose <strong>of</strong> bringing medical<br />
technologies and services to less developed<br />
countries around <strong>the</strong> world. Originally<br />
founded by Dr. V.K. Saini, MD, a<br />
retired cardiothoracic surge<strong>on</strong> from <strong>the</strong><br />
South Shore & Carney Hospitals, and<br />
Dr. Thomas Piem<strong>on</strong>te, from Lahey<br />
Clinic, PPI is currently supported by a<br />
large network <strong>of</strong> highly dedicated and<br />
motivated individuals. In additi<strong>on</strong> to <strong>the</strong><br />
tireless efforts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> PPI team, generous<br />
d<strong>on</strong>ati<strong>on</strong>s from pacemaker companies<br />
such as Medtr<strong>on</strong>ic, Guidant, and St. Jude<br />
Medical make <strong>the</strong> program possible.<br />
2011 marks <strong>the</strong> 21st visit to India<br />
by Dr. Salil Midha, Chief <strong>of</strong> Cardiology at <strong>the</strong> Melrose<br />
Wakefield Hospital, and Ms. Susan DeTurk <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Their PPI team,<br />
made up <strong>of</strong> physicians, nurses, and technologists, has been<br />
performing cardiac procedures such as pacemaker surgery<br />
free <strong>of</strong> charge for patients who can’t afford <strong>the</strong> lifesaving<br />
treatment. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> patients treated have a high degree<br />
AV block and bradycardia and without <strong>the</strong> pacemakers<br />
would have little hope <strong>of</strong> survival. Since Project Pacer<br />
began in 1989, over 350 devices have been in implanted in<br />
India al<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
This year, <strong>the</strong> team led by Dr. Midha, Dr. John<br />
Omara, Jessica Jordan, RN and Ms. DeTurk implanted<br />
24 new pacemaker devices. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se recent efforts in<br />
India have taken place at <strong>the</strong> Sitaram Bhartiya Institute in<br />
New Delhi and Jaswant Rai Specialty Hospital in Meerut,<br />
Uttar Pradesh, India. Both <strong>the</strong> hospital administrati<strong>on</strong><br />
and local staff, most notably Dr. Rajeev Agarwala and Mr.<br />
Tara Phulara, have been absolutely (c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)<br />
Top: Project Pacer Team in Meerut India. (Dr. Rajeev<br />
Agarwala, Dr. Salil Midha, Ms. Susan DeTurk, Dr.<br />
S. Kumar, Mike Ford from Medtr<strong>on</strong>ic and Dr. Suneet<br />
Mittal)<br />
Above: Dr. John Omara and Dr. Salil Midha performing<br />
surgery<br />
38 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
essential in making <strong>the</strong> program possible.<br />
In additi<strong>on</strong>, several o<strong>the</strong>r area hospitals<br />
have participated including: Mool Chand<br />
Hospital (New Delhi), All India Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Medical Sciences (New Delhi),<br />
Ganga Ram Hospital (New Delhi),<br />
PGI (Chandigarh), Fortis Hospital<br />
(Chandigarh), Sai Sathya Sai Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
Higher Medical Sciences (Puttaparthi,<br />
AP), as well as hospitals in Kerala.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir most memorable patients<br />
is Vandana Maini. When <strong>the</strong> team met her,<br />
she was a 17 year old high school student<br />
who had been repeatedly accused <strong>of</strong> faking<br />
blackout spells by her peers and teachers. In<br />
reality, she lacked proper medical care and<br />
was suffering from a complete heart block<br />
and frequent episodes <strong>of</strong> asystole. Thanks<br />
to <strong>the</strong> PPI team, she had her first life-saving<br />
pacemaker surgery 19 years ago and has had 2 successful<br />
battery changes since <strong>the</strong>n. Not <strong>on</strong>ly was Vandana able to<br />
graduate from high school and college, she got married and<br />
teaches children in a local school.<br />
Since <strong>the</strong> PPI team began visiting India, many<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs have joined <strong>the</strong> effort by volunteering <strong>the</strong>ir time and<br />
resources to help support <strong>the</strong> program. New physicians have<br />
been trained in India and pacemaker surgery has become<br />
a routine procedure in <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> UP. Several<br />
local cardiologists dedicate <strong>the</strong>ir time to help care<br />
for patients when <strong>the</strong> team is <strong>on</strong> site. And, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
charities such as <strong>the</strong> Ladies Club in Meerut have<br />
d<strong>on</strong>ated funds to purchase new devices from Indian<br />
companies, allowing <strong>the</strong> team to help a larger<br />
number <strong>of</strong> patients.<br />
“Being able to help those who wouldn’t<br />
survive without <strong>the</strong>se devices and procedures has<br />
been <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most rewarding experiences <strong>of</strong> my<br />
life” says Dr. Midha. “It is very moving to see how<br />
many lives we can touch when we lend a hand”.<br />
If you would like to get involved to help<br />
those less fortunate, please c<strong>on</strong>tact Dr. Salil Midha<br />
at 781-662-6404. For more informati<strong>on</strong> please visit:<br />
melrosecardiology.com/projectpacer.aspx<br />
* Salil Midha, MD, FACC is Chief <strong>of</strong> Cardiology at Melrose<br />
Wakefield Hospital<br />
Melrose, MA 02176 salilmidha@gmail.com<br />
Clockwise: Dr. V. K. Saini, Dr. Salil Midha, Ms. Susan<br />
DeTurk, Dr. S. Kumar, Ms. Bhavana Gandhi, Dr. Suneet<br />
Mittal<br />
Ms. Susan DeTurk, Dr. V. K. Saini, Dr. Salil Midha and<br />
Dr. Suneet Mittal<br />
Staff at SitaRam Bhartiya Hospital in Delhi with <strong>the</strong> PPI<br />
team<br />
www.aapiusa.org 39
AAPI charitable activities<br />
In giving is receiving<br />
Gopal Badlani, MD *<br />
When I was leaving my home<br />
in Bombay for <strong>the</strong> USA, my<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r said, “this country gave<br />
you educati<strong>on</strong>, now that you are<br />
a doctor you are leaving without<br />
giving anything in return?” I was young and naïve and in<br />
my excitement <strong>of</strong> migrating to <strong>the</strong> USA, I chalked it up<br />
to parental separati<strong>on</strong> anxiety. Fast forward to 1994 - I<br />
had by <strong>the</strong>n achieved my pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al goals in academic<br />
urology. I had <strong>the</strong> incredible fortune <strong>of</strong> being introduced<br />
to an individual who opened my eyes to “karma” as <strong>the</strong><br />
path to happiness.<br />
Swamiji at Bairagarh (now known as Sant<br />
Hirdaramnagri) near Bhopal, through his disciple in<br />
NYC, asked for my help to obtain some urological<br />
instruments for “Urology Camps”. Obtaining instruments<br />
was an easy task for me through my friends in <strong>the</strong> industry<br />
as I was doing a lot <strong>of</strong> trials, but my curiosity took me to<br />
Bairagarh to take part in <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> camps. Imagine a small<br />
village in India with not <strong>on</strong>e building more than <strong>on</strong>e floor.<br />
I am introduced to an individual living in a Kutiya, in his<br />
eighties. They tell me he is different, he does not preach, he<br />
shuns meeting people. Then <strong>the</strong>y show me a most modern<br />
gymnasium in this village built with his inspirati<strong>on</strong>, with<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey earmarked to build <strong>the</strong> umpteenth temple. Swamiji<br />
said “<strong>the</strong> youth in this village need a place to go to after<br />
school, we d<strong>on</strong>’t need ano<strong>the</strong>r temple”. I was so impressed<br />
with this out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> box thinking. He told me “The old, <strong>the</strong><br />
children & <strong>the</strong> infirm are <strong>the</strong> God’s favorites, if you serve<br />
<strong>the</strong>m well, he will be your guide through this world.”<br />
During my first experience in <strong>the</strong> camp I cannot explain<br />
<strong>the</strong> phenomen<strong>on</strong>, but I was mesmerized with <strong>the</strong> whole set<br />
up after operating <strong>the</strong>re in <strong>the</strong> most primitive set up <strong>of</strong> a<br />
primary care center. The 19 year old with <strong>the</strong> fistula shunned<br />
by her family, a young spinal cord injury patient with a giant<br />
decubitus begging for a diversi<strong>on</strong>, were challenging cases<br />
without my fancy retractors and automated instruments, but<br />
when I saw <strong>the</strong> same two individuals a year later, <strong>the</strong> smile<br />
<strong>of</strong> gratitude <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir faces was <strong>the</strong> best payment I have ever<br />
received.<br />
Once you decide to start <strong>on</strong> this path it is unbelievable<br />
40 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
Patients awaiting surgery in a camp organized by Jeev<br />
Sewa Sansthan in Bairagarh MP<br />
how many people join you and want to help. My fellow<br />
urologists (Sakti Das, Raju Thomas, BhushanKhashu,<br />
Mantu Gupta, ShibanWarikoo, Shashi Shah), my nurses in<br />
<strong>the</strong> OR, <strong>the</strong> residents, <strong>the</strong> airline employees, <strong>the</strong> shipping<br />
people, <strong>the</strong> drug reps, <strong>the</strong> instrument companies and <strong>on</strong><br />
and <strong>on</strong>. My wife Charu has been my backb<strong>on</strong>e. I learned<br />
to “ask for d<strong>on</strong>ati<strong>on</strong>s” from my friends and family. My<br />
sweet and talented daughter Pooja with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> my<br />
s<strong>on</strong> Chirag, put <strong>on</strong> many art aucti<strong>on</strong> parties. All <strong>of</strong> this<br />
effort however pales in comparis<strong>on</strong> to <strong>the</strong> efforts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
volunteers <strong>of</strong> “JeevSewaSansthan (JSS)” & <strong>the</strong> “Mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Theresa” <strong>of</strong> urology, Dr. Ca<strong>the</strong>rine DeVries from <strong>the</strong><br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Volunteers in Urology. These individuals do<br />
this volunteering year round; I do this for 2 or 3 weeks a<br />
year. The JSS volunteers are candy store owners, bank<br />
clerks, shop keepers, yet <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> weekends or during <strong>the</strong><br />
camps <strong>the</strong>y become <strong>the</strong> most knowledgeable assistants in<br />
<strong>the</strong> operating room or in patient care. Through my positi<strong>on</strong><br />
at <strong>the</strong> <strong>American</strong> Urological Associati<strong>on</strong> we have been able<br />
to partner with Indian <strong>American</strong> Urology Associati<strong>on</strong> to<br />
extend an educati<strong>on</strong>al bridge to <strong>the</strong> Urological Society <strong>of</strong><br />
India.<br />
Current Status:<br />
This is a capsule <strong>of</strong> what we have d<strong>on</strong>e<br />
(c<strong>on</strong>tinued <strong>on</strong> next page)
Medical missi<strong>on</strong>s:<br />
Available throughout <strong>the</strong> world through Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Volunteers in Urology. IVUmed.org.<br />
In India organized through Jeevsewasansthan.<br />
Jeevsewa@gmail.com. http://jeevsewa.org.<br />
In Africa through Internati<strong>on</strong>al Organizati<strong>on</strong> for<br />
Women and Development. ba.margolies@veriz<strong>on</strong>.net.<br />
http://www.iowd.org/<br />
Team leader accompanied by residents and fellows and<br />
supported locally in India by a fellowship trained urologist<br />
who screens patients for surgery. Locati<strong>on</strong>s are in rural<br />
India (mostly north).<br />
- 10 day missi<strong>on</strong>, 125 to 150 cases d<strong>on</strong>e<br />
- 1 pediatric urology camp per year at Christian<br />
Medical College, Vellore<br />
- Equipment and supplies are d<strong>on</strong>ated to local<br />
hospitals<br />
- 2 urology centers built and equipped (Ajmer,<br />
Rajasthan and Bairagarh, Madhya Pradesh)<br />
- Equipment d<strong>on</strong>ated to many free care hospitals<br />
(e.g.: Mahua in Saurashtra, Nair Hospital<br />
Mumbai)<br />
- 4 to 6 missi<strong>on</strong>s per year since 1994<br />
- Each year 12 to 15 residents receive a scholarship<br />
<strong>of</strong> up to $3000 each from IVU<br />
- Report <strong>of</strong> all urology missi<strong>on</strong>s in India <strong>on</strong> website<br />
http://jeevsewa.org/<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong>:<br />
Through India <strong>American</strong> Urology Organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
(IAUA), <strong>American</strong> Urology Associati<strong>on</strong> (AUA) coordinated<br />
with Urological Associati<strong>on</strong> (USI) in India.<br />
- 2 post graduate courses d<strong>on</strong>e in India with US<br />
faculty, including board review course<br />
- 2 faculty and 4 residents supported to come for<br />
AUA meeting annually in <strong>the</strong> USA<br />
- 2 andrology fellowships recently funded in India<br />
- 2 “chakraborty” fellowships in USA, for young<br />
faculty from India (3 m<strong>on</strong>th observer ship)<br />
- 2 junior faculty supported from USA to go to India<br />
- Leadership <strong>of</strong> USI hosted at AUA annual meeting<br />
- IRB approved multicenter RCT trials with<br />
urology programs in Nadiad,SGPGI in Lucknow<br />
- Many individual student rotati<strong>on</strong>s arranged to<br />
various locati<strong>on</strong>s in India<br />
- Internati<strong>on</strong>al Educati<strong>on</strong> through AUA to China,<br />
Brazil and Japan<br />
* Pr<strong>of</strong>essor/Vice Chair, Department <strong>of</strong> Urology, Wake Forest Baptist<br />
Hospital, Winst<strong>on</strong>-Salem, NC.<br />
Dr. Gopal Badlani is <strong>the</strong> Secretary – Elect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>American</strong> Urological Associati<strong>on</strong>, Linthicum, MD<br />
EXCELE<br />
CAPITAC<br />
AL MANAGEMENT CORP.<br />
REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR<br />
Pradeep Niphadkar, PhD<br />
President<br />
Toge<strong>the</strong>r with<br />
Custodia<br />
n<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Over 25 years <strong>of</strong> Investment Experience<br />
In depth knowledge <strong>of</strong> Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, B<strong>on</strong>ds, Opti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Serving <strong>the</strong><br />
needs <strong>of</strong> high net worth clients<br />
A Single Source for 6400 Mutual Funds<br />
Reputati<strong>on</strong><br />
through Excellence, Integrity and Sound<br />
Advice<br />
VISIT V US AT THE NYC<br />
BOOTH<br />
YC AAPI C<br />
H # 401<br />
CONVENTION<br />
1-800-301-3388<br />
www.ex<br />
celcapitalmgt.com<br />
www.aapiusa.org 41
AAPI in <strong>the</strong> news<br />
AAPI Charitable Foundati<strong>on</strong> presenting AED to<br />
Indian C<strong>on</strong>sulate.<br />
AAPI President at Indian Doctors Associati<strong>on</strong> Gala<br />
with Dr. Ashok Tripathy and Dr. Guru Reddy.<br />
AAPI-CF resp<strong>on</strong>ds to natural disaster in Alabama.<br />
Dr. M. S. Arun with volunteers at a medical camp in<br />
Alabama, <strong>on</strong> May 7, 2011.<br />
AAPI President-elect Dr. Sunita Kanumury with AAPI<br />
past leadership at TAPI meeting in PA.<br />
42 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal<br />
AAPI Vice President Dr. Narendra Kumar with former<br />
President <strong>of</strong> India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at a<br />
meeting in Chicago <strong>on</strong> April 24, 2011.
AAPI in <strong>the</strong> news<br />
Dr. Samin K. Sharma h<strong>on</strong>ored with<br />
prestigious NECO/Ellis Island award.<br />
Dr. Nitin Doshi h<strong>on</strong>ored with<br />
prestigious NECO/Ellis Island award.<br />
Dr. Zac Zacharaiah appointed to<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Medicine, Florida<br />
Dr. Pawan Rattan with ACOG President Dr. Richard<br />
Waldman.<br />
New Jersey State Assembly h<strong>on</strong>ors Dr. Sudhir Parikh.<br />
AAPIQLI h<strong>on</strong>ored Nassau County Chief Executive,<br />
h<strong>on</strong>orable Edward Mangano <strong>on</strong> May 11, 2011<br />
BIMDA Expo Committee & Spouses during Medical<br />
Expo Gala <strong>on</strong> April 30, 2011.<br />
www.aapiusa.org 43
AAPI & poetry<br />
“My Battlefield”<br />
Vijay Kulkarni, MD *<br />
You got cancer!<br />
No <strong>on</strong>e likes to hear it. Yet<br />
Some have to. Asking, ‘ why me’?<br />
No; It just happened to be you.<br />
When surge<strong>on</strong>s find cancer<br />
They grab it, excise it, and repair it<br />
All <strong>the</strong> collateral damage left<br />
On this Battlefield-My Body.<br />
Suddenly I know my body is invaded<br />
By a killer disease, growing unseen,<br />
Little known, asymptomatic, relentless<br />
Killer for sure unless fought against.<br />
And yet <strong>the</strong>re is a Hope<br />
In healing body, retreating cancer<br />
Hope for a normal life, albeit with<br />
Cancer lurking in <strong>the</strong> background.<br />
Who are <strong>the</strong> warriors? –The Physicians<br />
What do <strong>the</strong>y fight with?<br />
Chemo, radiati<strong>on</strong>, chemo,<br />
Surgery, chemo, chemo till end.<br />
Will cancer come back?<br />
That depends!<br />
Not <strong>on</strong> what was d<strong>on</strong>e<br />
But <strong>on</strong> what cancer decides to do next?<br />
Where do <strong>the</strong>y fight?<br />
On <strong>the</strong> battlefield-My precious Body<br />
They turn it upside down, inside out<br />
Destroy good with bad tissue.<br />
Who says, I fought <strong>the</strong> cancer?<br />
I was <strong>on</strong>ly a suffering bystander.<br />
*Dr Vijay Kulkarni is a past president <strong>of</strong> AAPI and has published his poems in AAPI Journal and many<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r reputed magazines. Glendale, Wisc<strong>on</strong>sin<br />
44 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
MSR/F/YPS new members<br />
Patr<strong>on</strong> Members from July 1, 2010<br />
Anjaneyulu Alapati, AL<br />
Vidya Alapati, AL<br />
Pradeep Bhambhvani, AL<br />
Dinesh Chandra, AL<br />
Murali Gadde, AL<br />
Bala Gopurala, AL<br />
Muralidhar Nannapaneni, AL<br />
Anitha Padmanabhan, AL<br />
Pradeep Patel, AL<br />
Smitha Persaud, AL<br />
Rakesh Shah, AL<br />
Suparna Shivasahankara, AL<br />
Parekha Yedla, AL<br />
Neeraj Bharany, AR<br />
Sanjay Dass, AR<br />
Sreechandra D<strong>on</strong>epudi, AR<br />
Rangaswamy Govindarajan, AR<br />
Satyanarayan Hegde, AR<br />
Archana Hinduja, AR<br />
Kedar Jambhekar, AR<br />
Supriya Jambhekar, AR<br />
Manish Joshi, AR<br />
Megha Karkera, AR<br />
Vyas Keyur, AR<br />
Nasim Khan, AR<br />
Bhairavi Kharod-dholakia, AR<br />
Govinda Lohani, AR<br />
Bijay Nair, AR<br />
Pramod Nelluri, AR<br />
Naveen Patil, AR<br />
Sowmya Patil, AR<br />
Senthil Raghavan, AR<br />
Roopa Ram, AR<br />
Srinivasan Ramaswamy, AR<br />
Raghu Reddy, AR<br />
Rajesh Sachdeva, AR<br />
Ritu Sachdeva, AR<br />
Rohan Samant, AR<br />
Roopa Samant, AR<br />
Akkaraju Sarma, AR<br />
Sudhir Shah, AR<br />
BK Singh, AR<br />
Saumendra Swain, AR<br />
Sundararaman Swaminathan, AR<br />
Sushma Thapa, AR<br />
Amy Vora, AR<br />
Rama Maganti, AZ<br />
Kiran Mishra, AZ<br />
Zabita Singh, AZ<br />
Dan Inder Sraow, AZ<br />
Umesh Tiwari, AZ<br />
Sheetal Wadera, AZ<br />
Suman Agarwal, CA<br />
Alka Aneja, CA<br />
Rajan Bahl, CA<br />
Gaurav Banka, CA<br />
Rahul Bhardwaj, CA<br />
Sundeep Bhat, CA<br />
Kavitha Bhatia, CA<br />
Sundeep Bhatia, CA<br />
Rakesh Bhola, CA<br />
Barbara Brar, CA<br />
Harbinder Brar, CA<br />
Anjali Butani , CA<br />
Neil Butani , CA<br />
Indraneel Chakrabarty, CA<br />
Patalappa Chandrashekar, CA<br />
Sanjana Chaturvedi, CA<br />
Sumantha Chaudhuri, CA<br />
Raj Chopra, CA<br />
Kulmeet Dang, CA<br />
Snigdha Das, CA<br />
Anil Daya, CA<br />
Priti Desai, CA<br />
Sunita Desai, CA<br />
Karthikeya Devireddy, CA<br />
Amarjit Dhaliwal, CA<br />
Raja Dhalla, CA<br />
Nitin Dhamija, CA<br />
Vamshidhara Gade, CA<br />
Adarsh Gandhi, CA<br />
Gauri Garde, CA<br />
Bimlesh Garg, CA<br />
Rajiv Garg, CA<br />
Jasbir Gill, CA<br />
Ashwin Gowda, CA<br />
Vivek Gupta, CA<br />
Barkha Gurbani, CA<br />
Rajasekar Jagadeesan, CA<br />
Jyoti Jain, CA<br />
Prateek Jindal, CA<br />
Tim Joseph, CA<br />
Amar Kadakia, CA<br />
Hemal Kadakia, CA<br />
Anitha Kankar, CA<br />
Kalyani Karandikar, CA<br />
Sheila Karr, CA<br />
Gauri Kelekar, CA<br />
Priyatam Kesari, CA<br />
Vivek Kesari, CA<br />
Sushma Kola, CA<br />
Amita Kolavala, CA<br />
Rahul Kolavala, CA<br />
Gauree K<strong>on</strong>ijeti, CA<br />
Swapna Kudtarkar, CA<br />
Prashanth Kumar, CA<br />
Pramita Kuruvilla, CA<br />
Hima Lingam, CA<br />
Devanand Manoli, CA<br />
Akshay Mehta, CA<br />
Amal Mehta, CA<br />
Pranav Mehta, CA<br />
Ritvik Mehta, CA<br />
Seema Mishra, CA<br />
Vinu Mohan, CA<br />
Vikrant Moharir, CA<br />
Raj Nihalani, CA<br />
Anuradha Pandya, CA<br />
Kaustubh Patankar, CA<br />
Amit Patel, CA<br />
Sunil Patel, CA<br />
Lori Prakash, CA<br />
Sulochana Pramanik, CA<br />
Krishna Anurag Pulumati, CA<br />
Rajesh Rao, CA<br />
Anisha Rastogi, CA<br />
Anjay Rastogi, CA<br />
Ashish Rastogi, CA<br />
Noor Sachdev, CA<br />
Vaishali Saste, CA<br />
Sajeet Sawhney, CA<br />
Swarnpal Sekh<strong>on</strong>, CA<br />
Ankit Shah, CA<br />
Rajendra Shah, CA<br />
Mangala Shaker, CA<br />
Vikram Shaker, CA<br />
Walavan Sivakumar, CA<br />
Niki Tank, CA<br />
Mahesh Tiwari, CA<br />
G. Sunny Uppal, CA<br />
Nina Vadecha, CA<br />
Venkat Vangala, CA<br />
Anjali Dhurandhar, CO<br />
Bookanakere Niranjan, CO<br />
Neil Aggarwal, CT<br />
Latha Chirunomula, CT<br />
Amar Dalsania, CT<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ica Majmundar Seth, CT<br />
Nishita Patel, CT<br />
Neena Pursnani, CT<br />
Anuj Shah, CT<br />
Manasi Shah, CT<br />
Sapna Tand<strong>on</strong>, CT<br />
Jotika Mangipudy, DC<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ica Mukherjee, DC<br />
Aditya Sharma, DC<br />
Gautam Siram, DC<br />
Chaitra Ujjani, DC<br />
George Verghese, DC<br />
Reema Malhotra, DE<br />
Karuna Ahuja, FL<br />
Sejal Alvarez, FL<br />
Ashish Bhavsar, FL<br />
Vandana Bhide, FL<br />
Harvinder Chadda, FL<br />
Rahul Chopra, FL<br />
Ashish Dalal, FL<br />
Neal Delvadia, FL<br />
Ankit Desai, FL<br />
Rupal Desai, FL<br />
Shailesh Desai, FL<br />
Vijay Desai, FL<br />
Nalini Devabhaktuni, FL<br />
Raghu Devabhaktuni, FL<br />
Gautami Dholakia, FL<br />
Samueal Edwards, FL<br />
Faiz Fatteh, FL<br />
Shahnaz Fatteh, FL<br />
Mufaddal Ghadiali, FL<br />
Ravikiran Ghanta, FL<br />
Anil Gogineni, FL<br />
Indulekha Gopal, FL<br />
Maneesh Gossain, FL<br />
Lav Goyal, FL<br />
Sanjiva Goyal, FL<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ia Goyal, FL<br />
Anjali Gupta, FL<br />
Bharat Gupta, FL<br />
Chander Gupta, FL<br />
Manish Gupta, FL<br />
Meenu Gupta, FL<br />
Vishal Gupta, FL<br />
Vivek Gupta, FL<br />
Irfan Imami, FL<br />
Paul Jayachandra, FL<br />
Shivanand Karkal, FL<br />
Amita Kathuria, FL<br />
Prem Kathuria, FL<br />
Sanjay Khubchandani, FL<br />
Murali Kirshna, FL<br />
Priti Kothari, FL<br />
Aalok Kuthiala, FL<br />
Garima Lal, FL<br />
Haravu Lokesh, FL<br />
Swarnamba Lokesh, FL<br />
Atul Madan, FL<br />
Mayur Maniar, FL<br />
Aruna Marfatia, FL<br />
Ravi Mehan, FL<br />
Ashwin Mehta, FL<br />
Mayur Mehta, FL<br />
Srini Mutyala, FL<br />
Saumil Oza, FL<br />
Samir Padalia, FL<br />
Ketan Pandya, FL<br />
Hiren Parikh, FL<br />
Nigam Parikh, FL<br />
Bhasker Patel, FL<br />
Devang Patel, FL<br />
Jitendra Patel, FL<br />
M<strong>on</strong>a Patel, FL<br />
Neel Patel, FL<br />
Pragnesh Patel, FL<br />
Prashant Patel, FL<br />
Rajendra Patel, FL<br />
Rajiv Patel, FL<br />
Rakesh Patel, FL<br />
Ravi Patel, FL<br />
Sangiv Patel, FL<br />
Varesh Patel, FL<br />
Vanessa Peluso, FL<br />
Srikiran Pothamsetty, FL<br />
Jai Prakash, FL<br />
Vinod Prasad, FL<br />
Harsha Rajashekar, FL<br />
Vidya Rajpara, FL<br />
Keshav Ramireddy, FL<br />
Ramana Rao, FL<br />
Sundeep Rawal, FL<br />
Bhavna Reddy, FL<br />
Mahender Reddy, FL<br />
Nischal Reddy, FL<br />
Sanjay Reddy, FL<br />
Harish Sadhwani, FL<br />
Arhish Sahai, FL<br />
Thomas Samuel, FL<br />
Satinder Sandhu, FL<br />
Mili Saoji, FL<br />
Neelam Seth, FL<br />
Darshan Shah, FL<br />
Devang Shah, FL<br />
Neerav Shah, FL<br />
Nihal Shah, FL<br />
Rajesh Shah, FL<br />
Shivani Shah, FL<br />
Vinay Sharma, FL<br />
Nitesh Shekhadia, FL<br />
Dipak Sheth, FL<br />
Rajesh Shetty, FL<br />
Kahlil Shillingford, FL<br />
Shwetanshu Shukla, FL<br />
Ajit Singh, FL<br />
Vinay Srivastava, FL<br />
Falguni Sura, FL<br />
Sandeep Sura, FL<br />
Sandeep Swain, FL<br />
Mohammad Tahir, FL<br />
Sanjay Tand<strong>on</strong>, FL<br />
Pushpak Taunk, FL<br />
Durgesh Thaker, FL<br />
Lizzy Thomas, FL<br />
Madhavi Uppalapati, FL<br />
Srikar Veerareddy, FL<br />
Ranju Wadhwa, FL<br />
Santokh Walha, FL<br />
www.aapiusa.org 45
Patr<strong>on</strong> Members from July 1, 2010<br />
Nalini Yelamanchi, FL<br />
Dhruv Chawla, GA<br />
Rashesh Dholakia, GA<br />
Amita Ghia, GA<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ique Gupta, GA<br />
Seema Jain, GA<br />
Arati Joshi, GA<br />
Meenakshi Kakarala, GA<br />
Mukti Kanji, GA<br />
Haritha Katamreddy, GA<br />
Kanji Kiran, GA<br />
Kush Kumar, GA<br />
Vaibhav Maurya, GA<br />
Shreedhar Nagnur, GA<br />
Ajit Nemi, GA<br />
Samip Parikh, GA<br />
Ami Patel, GA<br />
Dev<strong>on</strong> Patel, GA<br />
Manojkumar Patel, GA<br />
Neel Patel, GA<br />
Nivedita Patel, GA<br />
Jatin Pithadia, GA<br />
Roshan Prabhu, GA<br />
Shreya Raja, GA<br />
Raj Rajpara, GA<br />
Manan Shah, GA<br />
Rupali Shah, GA<br />
Preeti Subhedar, GA<br />
Sameer Tapryal, Hawaii<br />
Chandramohan Batra, IA<br />
Vikram Agrawal, IL<br />
Mukesh Ahluwalia, IL<br />
Francis Alenghat, IL<br />
Navdip Arora, IL<br />
Nitin Barman, IL<br />
Vishal Bhalani, IL<br />
Pradeep Bhanot, IL<br />
Annapurna Bobba, IL<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ica Borkar, IL<br />
Venkata Buddharaju, IL<br />
Archana Desai, IL<br />
Heyer Devarapalli, IL<br />
Neetha Dhananjaya, IL<br />
Anisha Dua, IL<br />
Sunita Ferns, IL<br />
Shailesh Gandhi, IL<br />
Rishi Garg, IL<br />
Dave Gupta, IL<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ica Jailwala, IL<br />
Aarti Jani, IL<br />
Prerna Khanna, IL<br />
Aatish Madhiwala, IL<br />
Ankur Mehta, IL<br />
Rajul Mehta, IL<br />
Sachin Mehta, IL<br />
Praveen Mulangi, IL<br />
Sindhu Pandit, IL<br />
Ajay Patel, IL<br />
Nipa Patel, IL<br />
Sameer Patel, IL<br />
Premlata Paul, IL<br />
Anjana Pillai, IL<br />
Pravin Pratap, IL<br />
Pravin Pratap, IL<br />
Satish Reddy, IL<br />
Sreenivas Reddy, IL<br />
Vicram Reddy, IL<br />
Vijaya Reddy, IL<br />
Nishi Sahgal, IL<br />
Neha Saraiya, IL<br />
Shefali Shah, IL<br />
Paru Sharma, IL<br />
Tushar Sharma, IL<br />
Kiran Thakrar, IL<br />
Murali Vinta, IL<br />
Harish Yalamanchili, IL<br />
Rachana Yalamanchili, IL<br />
Sameer Bavishi, IN<br />
Vipul Brahmbhatt, IN<br />
Jugesh Cheema, IN<br />
Rita Devnani, IN<br />
Neil Gupta, IN<br />
Shreyas Joshi, IN<br />
Kiran Kareti, IN<br />
Abhishek Khemka, IN<br />
Anuradita Kollipara, IN<br />
Sreenivasa Narran, IN<br />
Sanjay Pathak, IN<br />
Padma P<strong>on</strong>ugoti, IN<br />
Narotham Pradeep, IN<br />
Shalin S<strong>on</strong>i, IN<br />
Jayesh Thakrar, IN<br />
Dhaval Parikh, KS<br />
Amar Patel, KS<br />
Syed Raffi, KS<br />
Pavan Reddy, KS<br />
Subhash Shah, KS<br />
Richa Sharma, KS<br />
Avinash Singh, KS<br />
Arpit Agrawal, KY<br />
Arpit Agrawal, KY<br />
Purvi Amin, KY<br />
Akshay Desai, KY<br />
Rishi Kumar, KY<br />
Mamata Majmundar, KY<br />
Amy Mangla, KY<br />
Amul Shah, KY<br />
Ramesh Ayyala, LA<br />
Tulsi Bice, LA<br />
Varun Choudry, LA<br />
Jama Kaimal, LA<br />
Nita Kohli, LA<br />
Prashant Kumar, LA<br />
Harminder Mallik, LA<br />
Anish Patel, LA<br />
Palvi Patel, LA<br />
Satya Reddy, LA<br />
Venu Vadlamudi, LA<br />
Rita Bagla, MA<br />
Manjula Battaluri, MA<br />
Anurag Das, MA<br />
Priya Desai, MA<br />
Lipika Goyal, MA<br />
Mahesh Jayaraman, MA<br />
Aman Kalra, MA<br />
Nandita Kapoor, MA<br />
B<strong>on</strong>u Kapoor-Mohimen, MA<br />
Anand Kenia, MA<br />
Bharti Khurana, MA<br />
Ramanathan Madras-Seshadri, MA<br />
Manorama Mathur, MA<br />
Kavya Chitra Mekala, MA<br />
Naveen Reddy, MA<br />
Kapil Saxena, MA<br />
Nirav Shah, MA<br />
Ravi Shah, MA<br />
Sachin Shah, MA<br />
Sachita Shah, MA<br />
Raja Shaikh, MA<br />
Manju Sheth, MA<br />
Richa Upadhyay, MA<br />
Ritawaj Upadhyay, MA<br />
Sitaram Upadhyay, MA<br />
Anita Aggarwal, MD<br />
Nisha Aggarwal, MD<br />
Nivee Amin, MD<br />
Dilip Anmangandla, MD<br />
Rachna Arora, MD<br />
Priti Bhansali, MD<br />
Amit Bhargava, MD<br />
Murari Bijpuria, MD<br />
Madhu Chaudhry, MD<br />
Chicky Dadlani, MD<br />
Waseema Dalui, MD<br />
Chinnadurai Devadas<strong>on</strong>, MD<br />
Sameer Dhalla, MD<br />
Shruti Gandhi, MD<br />
Jhansi Ganesan, MD<br />
Rajender Gattu, MD<br />
Sanjay Goel, MD<br />
Angela Gupta, MD<br />
Anuj Gupta, MD<br />
Gaurav Gupta, MD<br />
Sunil Gupta, MD<br />
Suni Jani, MD<br />
Merlynn Jayaraman, MD<br />
Neha Kalaria, MD<br />
Rita Kalyani, MD<br />
Tahoora Kawaja, MD<br />
Sapna Kudchadkar, MD<br />
Pradeep Kulkarni, MD<br />
Aruna Kumar, MD<br />
Priya Kundra, MD<br />
Varkey Ma<strong>the</strong>w, MD<br />
Shoba Ma<strong>the</strong>ws, MD<br />
Manoj Mathur, MD<br />
Mukesh Mathur, MD<br />
Kiran Mehta, MD<br />
Mangal Mohan, MD<br />
Anwarali Munshi, MD<br />
Varada Nargund, MD<br />
Uday Patel, MD<br />
Atul Purohit, MD<br />
Sudhir Rao, MD<br />
Nabila Shad, MD<br />
Ami Shah, MD<br />
Reena Shah, MD<br />
Himani Shishodia, MD<br />
Randip Taneja, MD<br />
Rajshree Thaker, MD<br />
Punit Vaidya, MD<br />
Muzammil Ahmed, MI<br />
Zaheda Ali, MI<br />
Minal Bhanushali, MI<br />
Debashish Bhattacharya, MI<br />
Aditya Bulusu, MI<br />
Usha Bulusu, MI<br />
Priti Chandiwala-Mody, MI<br />
Ami Degala, MI<br />
Gourisankar Degala, MI<br />
Bhogilal Doshi, MI<br />
Anju Goyal, MI<br />
Nikhil Goyal, MI<br />
Vamshidhar Guduguntla, MI<br />
Sanjaya Gupta, MI<br />
Bhavnagri Jamshid, MI<br />
Srinivas Janardan, MI<br />
Annie Kalapparambath, MI<br />
Tomy Kalapparambath, MI<br />
Pratima Karia, MI<br />
Vijay Karia, MI<br />
Vineet Khanna, MI<br />
Michelle Khurana, MI<br />
Parikshit Kumar, MI<br />
Deepthi Lingam, MI<br />
Natesh Lingam, MI<br />
Sushil Mankani, MI<br />
Anup Manoharan, MI<br />
Caroline Ma<strong>the</strong>w, MI<br />
Veeresh Medlery, MI<br />
Manoj Mohan, MI<br />
Rama Mulpuri, MI<br />
Geetha Nair, MI<br />
Sandra Narayanan, MI<br />
Neethi Patel, MI<br />
Rushi Patel, MI<br />
Veera Pavuluri, MI<br />
Kala Ramasamy, MI<br />
Dilli Ramesh, MI<br />
Shabeta Sahore, MI<br />
Mala Sengupta, MI<br />
Dina Shah, MI<br />
Samir Shah, MI<br />
Maanasi Silk, MI<br />
Anil Swami, MI<br />
Ashima Tahilramani, MI<br />
Kiran Talanki, MI<br />
Hima Vanapalli, MI<br />
Gireesh Velugubanti, MI<br />
Shalini Bobra, MN<br />
Ravi Gada, MN<br />
Syed Abbas, MO<br />
Banke Agarwal, MO<br />
Surekha Bidap, MO<br />
Krishna Chunduri, MO<br />
Swapan Dholakia, MO<br />
Nilay Gandhi, MO<br />
Santosh Gupta, MO<br />
Sanjay Havaldar, MO<br />
Ankaj Khosla, MO<br />
Adam LaBore, MO<br />
Rama Naidu, MO<br />
Jyotirmaya Nanda, MO<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ia Partap, MO<br />
Shalini Paruthi, MO<br />
Srinivas Reddy, MO<br />
Rukmini Rednam, MO<br />
Siresha Samudrala, MO<br />
Anjum Shariff, MO<br />
Madhuri Subbaiah, MO<br />
Rajesh Swaminathan, MO<br />
Rama Tallam, MO<br />
Premal Thaker, MO<br />
Sreekanth Cheruku, MS<br />
Anjlee Mehta, MS<br />
Tarun Agarwal, NC<br />
Amrita Desai, NC<br />
Sumina Goel, NC<br />
Tina Gupta, NC<br />
M<strong>on</strong>a Gupta-agarwal, NC<br />
Akhil Hegde, NC<br />
Caren Jhaveri, NC<br />
Ravi Jhaveri, NC<br />
Amit Kumar, NC<br />
uma Nadiminti, NC<br />
Farha Naqui, NC<br />
Sandeep Pangarkar, NC<br />
Pretesh Patel, NC<br />
Aman Pathak, NC<br />
Rickin Shah, NC<br />
Geeta Subramaniam, NC<br />
Rakesh Vaidya, NC<br />
Sara Venkat, NC<br />
Bobbili Williams, NC<br />
Suwarna Bhide-Doeskar, ND<br />
Dhananjay Doeskar, ND<br />
Vinutha Netaji, ND<br />
Tej Bhavsar, NE<br />
Rakesh Agarwal, NJ<br />
Neil Agrawal, NJ<br />
46 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
Patr<strong>on</strong> Members from July 1, 2010<br />
Stuti Agrawal, NJ<br />
Adarsh Arya, NJ<br />
Tarun Bhandari, NJ<br />
Karambir Dalal, NJ<br />
Tejas Deliwala, NJ<br />
Aaditya Desai, NJ<br />
Amita Desai, NJ<br />
Shailendra Desai, NJ<br />
Aditi Dhakar, NJ<br />
Satish Doddakashi, NJ<br />
Shefali Gandhi, NJ<br />
Shveta Gandhi, NJ<br />
Shah Gaurav, NJ<br />
Niraj Govil, NJ<br />
Ranjana Govil, NJ<br />
Pamela Grover, NJ<br />
Adarsh Gupta, NJ<br />
Kavita Gupta, NJ<br />
Rakesh Gupta, NJ<br />
Vidya Gupta, NJ<br />
Vinit Gupta, NJ<br />
Shankar Iyer, NJ<br />
Sandarsh Kancherla, NJ<br />
Mansi Kanuga, NJ<br />
Sheela Kapoor, NJ<br />
Meeta Kashyap, NJ<br />
Mahesh Katta, NJ<br />
Rachna Krish, NJ<br />
Awani Kumar, NJ<br />
Anita Mehrotra, NJ<br />
Jai Mirchandani, NJ<br />
Neelima Myneni, NJ<br />
Lakshmi Nadiminti, NJ<br />
Neil Nagaria, NJ<br />
Sangita Nagpal, NJ<br />
Amit Narula, NJ<br />
Usha Natarajan, NJ<br />
Amay Parikh, NJ<br />
Pranay Parikh, NJ<br />
Sandip Parikh, NJ<br />
Vipul Parikh, NJ<br />
Kiritkumar Parmar, NJ<br />
Dakshesh Patel, NJ<br />
Hitesh Patel, NJ<br />
Kamal Patel, NJ<br />
Manoj Patel, NJ<br />
Parag Patel, NJ<br />
Rajesh Patel, NJ<br />
Anil Pawa, NJ<br />
Sakshi Pawa, NJ<br />
Michael Pereira, NJ<br />
Anoop Porwal, NJ<br />
Satish Potluri, NJ<br />
Manoj Prasad, NJ<br />
Niranjan Rao, NJ<br />
Aj Rastogi, NJ<br />
Sadhna Rastogi, NJ<br />
Surender Rastogi, NJ<br />
Manish Saini, NJ<br />
Vijay Sankhla, NJ<br />
Neel Shah, NJ<br />
Neha Shah, NJ<br />
Anil Sharma, NJ<br />
Naresh Sharma, NJ<br />
Manjula Singh, NJ<br />
Vandana Singh, NJ<br />
Rajan Sivaram, NJ<br />
Ami Vaidya, NJ<br />
Rupali Wadhwa, NJ<br />
Sunishka Wimalawansa, NJ<br />
Febin Jeyam<strong>on</strong>y, NM<br />
Bhaskar Sahay, NM<br />
Chandra Narala, NV<br />
Matt Treinen, NV<br />
Nalini Velayudhan, NV<br />
Amit Aggarwal, NY<br />
Neena Aggarwal, NY<br />
Aziz Ahmed, NY<br />
Ameeta Ahuja, NY<br />
Aafaque Akhtar, NY<br />
Isaac Alamuri, NY<br />
Sandeep Annam, NY<br />
Mukul Arya, NY<br />
Kunjlata Ashar, NY<br />
Venkateswara Atluru, NY<br />
Sunil Babu, NY<br />
Saurabh Bahl, NY<br />
Ritu Bajaj, NY<br />
Dinshaw Bamji, NY<br />
Om Bansal, NY<br />
Usha Bansal, NY<br />
Reema Batra, NY<br />
Sunit Baxi, NY<br />
Ravindra Bhachawat, NY<br />
Dipti Bhoiwala, NY<br />
Rohit Chandra, NY<br />
Visalam Chandrasekaran, NY<br />
Saqib Chaudhry, NY<br />
Chaitanya Chevireddy, NY<br />
Nina Chopra, NY<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ia Chopra, NY<br />
Sunanda Chugh, NY<br />
Nidhi Dugar, NY<br />
Swati Gandhi, NY<br />
Devendra Gill, NY<br />
Anuj Goenka, NY<br />
Pratichi Goenka, NY<br />
Bhaskar Gopalakrishnan, NY<br />
Sameer Goyal, NY<br />
Ekta Gupta, NY<br />
Rahul Gupta, NY<br />
Rakesh Gupta, NY<br />
Saroj Gupta, NY<br />
Sheila Gupta, NY<br />
Swarn Gupta, NY<br />
Yukti Gupta, NY<br />
Mehandi Haran, NY<br />
Smitha Inaganti, NY<br />
S<strong>on</strong>y Jacob, NY<br />
Akshat Jain, NY<br />
Anushri Jain, NY<br />
Manasvi Jaitly, NY<br />
Parul Jajoo, NY<br />
Kenar Jhaveri, NY<br />
Tanmeet Josen, NY<br />
Viral Juthani, NY<br />
Ashutosh Kacker, NY<br />
Jaydeep Kadam, NY<br />
Ranjit Kadam, NY<br />
Sejal Kadam, NY<br />
Shivaji Kadam, NY<br />
Hemant Kade, NY<br />
Padmaja Kandula, NY<br />
Kavita Kantak, NY<br />
Nalini Kanth, NY<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ica Kapoor, NY<br />
Sameer Khanijo, NY<br />
Gopal Kishore, NY<br />
Susheel Kodali, NY<br />
Vineet Korrapati, NY<br />
Binny Koshy, NY<br />
Binny Koshy, NY<br />
Meera Kothary, NY<br />
Paresh Kothary, NY<br />
Shefali Kothary, NY<br />
Rakesh Koul, NY<br />
Atul Kukar, NY<br />
Nina Kukar, NY<br />
Sujata Kulkarni, NY<br />
Atul Kumar, NY<br />
Ankur Lodha, NY<br />
Anupama Lodha, NY<br />
Sanjay Lodha, NY<br />
Saurabh Lodha, NY<br />
Justin Lo<strong>on</strong>a, NY<br />
Reena Lo<strong>on</strong>a, NY<br />
Jay Malde, NY<br />
Sumita Mazumdar, NY<br />
Dhiren Mehta, NY<br />
Neeta Mehta, NY<br />
Nilesh Mehta, NY<br />
Preeti Mehta, NY<br />
Yashodhara Misra, NY<br />
Rajesh Mittal, NY<br />
Neeraj Modi, NY<br />
Suvarna Mohan, NY<br />
Arun Mohile, NY<br />
Unni Mooppan, NY<br />
Manjunath<br />
Muddaraju, NY<br />
Adarsh Mudgil, NY<br />
Ruhayna Mukhir, NY<br />
Hari Nadiminti, NY<br />
Swathi Nadindla, NY<br />
Sandeep Naidu, NY<br />
Veena Nanda, NY<br />
Sowmya Nanjappa, NY<br />
Zeenat Naqvi, NY<br />
Rahul Nayyar, NY<br />
Samir Nayyar, NY<br />
Farida Nentin, NY<br />
Sadik Panwar, NY<br />
Amrish Parikh, NY<br />
Neeti Parikh, NY<br />
Neha Parikh, NY<br />
Sanjay Parikh, NY<br />
Amit Patel, NY<br />
Asha Patel, NY<br />
Chandrakant Patel, NY<br />
Dharti Patel, NY<br />
Kavin Patel, NY<br />
Kunjan Patel, NY<br />
Mihir Patel, NY<br />
Narendra Patel, NY<br />
Natavarbhai Patel, NY<br />
S<strong>on</strong>al Patel, NY<br />
Dileep Puppala, NY<br />
Pamela Puthoor, NY<br />
Holalkere Rajagopal, NY<br />
Sanjai Rao, NY<br />
Rita Ratani, NY<br />
Manish Raval, NY<br />
Chendra Reddy, NY<br />
Chitra Reddy, NY<br />
Ravichandra Reddy, NY<br />
Swetha Reddy, NY<br />
Anita Rohra, NY<br />
Dhanbir Saluja, NY<br />
Aparna Sarin, NY<br />
Akash Shah, NY<br />
Alpesh Shah, NY<br />
Anjali Shah, NY<br />
Ankur Shah, NY<br />
Dhiru Shah, NY<br />
Neena Shah, NY<br />
Nirav Shah, NY<br />
Vaishali Shah, NY<br />
Hita Sharma, NY<br />
Kavita Sharma, NY<br />
Mohan Sharma, NY<br />
Amit Shembekar, NY<br />
Kalpesh Shukla, NY<br />
Meenal Shukla, NY<br />
Viju Sidhwani, NY<br />
Shobha Sikka, NY<br />
Sayantani Sindher, NY<br />
Kailash Singhvi, NY<br />
Vikas Singla, NY<br />
Bhavani Srinivasan, NY<br />
Sathish Subbaiah, NY<br />
Dilip Subhedar, NY<br />
Padma Sundaram, NY<br />
Raj Tand<strong>on</strong>, NY<br />
Mala Tanna, NY<br />
Neil Tanna, NY<br />
Mohina Tejpaul, NY<br />
Samuel Thampi, NY<br />
Deepak Vadhan, NY<br />
Sudeepta Varma, NY<br />
Srinivasan Vasisht, NY<br />
Anitha Vempaty, NY<br />
Kikkeri Vinaya, NY<br />
Devika Vittal, NY<br />
Silaja Yitta, NY<br />
Manish Zinzuvadia, NY<br />
Puja Aggarwal, OH<br />
Ashish Basu, OH<br />
Medha Godbole, OH<br />
Malini Juval, OH<br />
Joseph Karimpil, OH<br />
Nisha Lakhi, OH<br />
Vivek Manocha, OH<br />
Mitul Mehta, OH<br />
Shilpa Mehta, OH<br />
George Nadakav, OH<br />
Shefali Nadler, OH<br />
Rahul Nath, OH<br />
Mohammed Najeeb<br />
Osman, OH<br />
Shital Parikh, OH<br />
Binesh Patel, OH<br />
Parit Patel, OH<br />
Meenakshi Rana, OH<br />
rekha raveendran, OH<br />
Bindu Sangani, OH<br />
Kamlesh Sanghvi, OH<br />
Sydney Saxena, OH<br />
Meera Shah, OH<br />
Niyati Sheth, OH<br />
Sanjay Sheth, OH<br />
Anisha Singh, OH<br />
Manoj Singh, OH<br />
Manish Srivastava, OH<br />
Mothkur Venkat, OH<br />
Satish Arora, OK<br />
Arun Devak<strong>on</strong>da, OK<br />
Madhu Koduri, OK<br />
Gaurav Kumar, OK<br />
Seethal Madhavarapu, OK<br />
Amit Mehta, OK<br />
Aneesh Mehta, OK<br />
Nimish Parekh, OK<br />
Chintan Parikh, OK<br />
Shaurin Patel, OK<br />
Archana Rao, OK<br />
Uma Rao, OK<br />
Prithi Reddy, OK<br />
Anant Singhal, OK<br />
Karunesh Singhal, OK<br />
Sanjeev Trehan, OK<br />
www.aapiusa.org 47
Patr<strong>on</strong> Members from July 1, 2010<br />
Satyanisth Agrawal, PA<br />
Nina Ahuja, PA<br />
Meera Bajwa, PA<br />
Priyanka Chadha, PA<br />
Srikiran Chennupati, PA<br />
Michael Cherian, PA<br />
Shiraz Damji, PA<br />
Nupur Dashottar, PA<br />
Shashi Divaker, PA<br />
Sanjeev Garg, PA<br />
Suresh Ghosh, PA<br />
Narainder Gupta, PA<br />
Priya Jagga, PA<br />
Summit Kundaria, PA<br />
Rakesh Malhotra, PA<br />
Ritu Mckeown-bagla, PA<br />
Ritu Mckeown-bagla, PA<br />
Rajesh Mehta, PA<br />
Lalita Mittal, PA<br />
Aparna Mukherjee-Mele, PA<br />
Pradeep Nair, PA<br />
Deepak Pahuja, PA<br />
Ankur Parikh, PA<br />
Anuj Parikh, PA<br />
Neha Patel, PA<br />
Lisa Pathak, PA<br />
Vijay Peddareddigari, PA<br />
Kiran Perkins, PA<br />
Ji<strong>the</strong>ndra Rai, PA<br />
Leela Raju, PA<br />
Ami Shah, PA<br />
Prashant Shah, PA<br />
Rachana Shah, PA<br />
Ravi Shah, PA<br />
Samir Shah, PA<br />
Jashwant Sharma, PA<br />
Sal<strong>on</strong>i Sharma, PA<br />
Sushant Sharma, PA<br />
Nigam Sheth, PA<br />
Jaspal Singh, PA<br />
Ira Vohra, PA<br />
Anjali Mehta, RI<br />
Kavita Mishra, RI<br />
Bijal Desai, SC<br />
Animesh Sinha, SC<br />
Anil Yallapragada, SC<br />
Sanjay Agarwal, TN<br />
Mayuri Appareddy, TN<br />
Priya Bazzani, TN<br />
Saji Gopinathan, TN<br />
Sheetu Jain, TN<br />
Abhay Kemkar, TN<br />
Nirupama Madduri, TN<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ika Natarajan, TN<br />
Shankar Natarajan, TN<br />
Shankar Natarajan, TN<br />
Hardev Patel, TN<br />
Pushpanshu Pushpanshu, TN<br />
Chetan Shah, TN<br />
Ajay Talati, TN<br />
Samuel Vincent, TN<br />
Sanjay Agarwal, TX<br />
Suneal Agarwal, TX<br />
Murali Alloju, TX<br />
Hari Babu Ancha, TX<br />
Aparna Annam, TX<br />
Parikshet Babber, TX<br />
Devendra Bachawat, TX<br />
Neeraj Badhey, TX<br />
Anju Bhagavan, TX<br />
Vijay Bhagia, TX<br />
Neerja Bhardwaj, TX<br />
Sravana chennupati, TX<br />
Tushar Desai, TX<br />
Sahitya Gadiraju, TX<br />
Silpa Gadiraju, TX<br />
Meera Gangadharan, TX<br />
Sudhir Gogu, TX<br />
Abhijeet Goyal, TX<br />
Saketh Guntupalli, TX<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ika Gupta, TX<br />
Aparna Kamat, TX<br />
Geeta Kandala, TX<br />
Praveen Korivi, TX<br />
Amit Kothari, TX<br />
Kiran Kurichety, TX<br />
Sandra Kurup, TX<br />
Samir Lapsiwala, TX<br />
Anand Lodha, TX<br />
Vasavi Malineni, TX<br />
Preeti Malladi, TX<br />
Sachin Mehta, TX<br />
Vijay Mohan, TX<br />
Rashmi Murthy, TX<br />
Subhash Mutyala, TX<br />
Sreekumaran Nair, TX<br />
Devraj Nayak, TX<br />
Vijayanadh Ojili, TX<br />
Tina Pariani, TX<br />
Chandrakant Patel, TX<br />
Julie Patel, TX<br />
Pulin Patel, TX<br />
Vinisha Patel, TX<br />
Tania Purkayastha, TX<br />
Brinda Rao, TX<br />
Jayashree Rao, TX<br />
Rumya Rao, TX<br />
Vikas Rao, TX<br />
Anil Reddy, TX<br />
Indrani Reddy, TX<br />
Mamta Reddy, TX<br />
Swathi Reddy, TX<br />
Uday Reddy, TX<br />
Kamalesh Sankhala, TX<br />
Aashish Shah, TX<br />
Neela Shah, TX<br />
Shalin Shah, TX<br />
Sunil Sudarshan, TX<br />
Smita Suterwala, TX<br />
Subrata Talukdar, TX<br />
Mahesh Thummala, TX<br />
Anil Tiberwal, TX<br />
Deepti Tolia , TX<br />
Veeral Tolia , TX<br />
Aditya Kaza, UT<br />
Sanjeev Aggarwal, VA<br />
Faisal Ahmed, VA<br />
Sandeep Bagla, VA<br />
Shobha Chidambaram, VA<br />
Sireesha Chimata, VA<br />
Vidya Colospate, VA<br />
Premakumari Duraisami, VA<br />
Ruchi Garg, VA<br />
Prag Gupta, VA<br />
Ami Idiculla, VA<br />
Stanley Idiculla, VA<br />
Manisha Jariwala, VA<br />
Shwetha Kyatham, VA<br />
Mign<strong>on</strong>ette Lobo, VA<br />
Ankmalika Louis, VA<br />
Rushita Mehta, VA<br />
Vivek Nag, VA<br />
Geeta Nayyar, VA<br />
Sobha Paluvoi, VA<br />
Mrinali Patel, VA<br />
Mukesh Patel, VA<br />
Tejas Patel, VA<br />
Seema Qaiyumi, VA<br />
Rajesh Rajpal, VA<br />
Sujatha Ramamurthy, VA<br />
Nikhil Rao, VA<br />
Amy Reddy, VA<br />
Manoj Reddy, VA<br />
Sameer Rohatgi, VA<br />
Pooja Sabharwal, VA<br />
Amit Shah, VA<br />
Renu Shah, VA<br />
Taral Sharma, VA<br />
Pooja Singhal, VA<br />
Sabrena Tangri, VA<br />
Anjali Varandani, VA<br />
Vikrant Virupannavar, VA<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ali Vora, VA<br />
Padmaja Yalamanchili, VA<br />
Shashi Kumar, WA<br />
Shilpen Patel, WA<br />
Ganesh Elangovan, WI<br />
Sweeta Gandhi, WI<br />
Parameswaran Hari, WI<br />
Kailas Laxman, WI<br />
Asha Mehta, WI<br />
Shibani Munshi, WI<br />
Annmarie Sundares<strong>on</strong>, WI<br />
Prasad Devabhaktuni, WV<br />
Manu Kaushik, WV<br />
Venkata M<strong>on</strong>ingi, WV<br />
Narendra Patel, WV<br />
Kumaraswamy Sivakumaran, WV<br />
Vipul Thakkar, WV<br />
Regular Members<br />
Dual Membership & o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
Dibyajiban Mahapatra, AL<br />
Ravindra Mailapur, AL<br />
Vinod Bansal, AL<br />
Dheerendranath Raikhelkar, AZ<br />
Meenakshi Goyal-khemka, AZ<br />
Param Dedhia, AZ<br />
Anitha Mullangi, CA<br />
Gunvantray Mehta, CA<br />
Mohammed Mollah, CA<br />
Nayana Patel, CA<br />
Pravin Kansagra, CA<br />
Rakesh Dixit, CA<br />
Smita Tand<strong>on</strong>, CA<br />
Sunny Shah, CA<br />
Uday Shah, CA<br />
Vikram Kamdar, CA<br />
Jessie Singh, FL<br />
Subash Rege, FL<br />
Vishnu Prasad Yelamanchi, FL<br />
Manel Nayak, GA<br />
Shyam Shah, GA<br />
Sima Pandey, GA<br />
Gopal Madhav, IL<br />
Joshua Mammen, KS<br />
Rajesh Kotecha, MI<br />
Rakesh Alva, NC<br />
Ajai Goyal, NJ<br />
Anil Sharma, NJ<br />
Chakrapani Prakash, NJ<br />
Dharam Pal Mann, NJ<br />
Kausalya Chennapragada, NJ<br />
Krishna Bhaskarabhatla, NJ<br />
Manoj Trivedi, NJ<br />
Rajesh Mohan, NJ<br />
Sandhya Patil, NJ<br />
Vineeta Pathak, NJ<br />
Akhaya Das, NY<br />
Anil Kapoor, NY<br />
Anil Maheshwari, NY<br />
Chitranjan Ranawat, NY<br />
Dayanand Huded, NY<br />
Kishor Zinzuvadia, NY<br />
Meenakshi Jhaveri, NY<br />
Rohit Bhojo Shahani, NY<br />
Samir Desai, NY<br />
Samuel Mark, NY<br />
Sukhvinder Ranu, NY<br />
Sunil Dutt Aggarwal, NY<br />
Dharmesh Gandhi, OH<br />
Mukesh Rangwani, OH<br />
Ravindra Pawar, OH<br />
Shwetal Desai, OH<br />
Suresh Yadav, OH<br />
Atul Kalanuria, PA<br />
Ashok Tripathy, TX<br />
Kalidindi Vishnu, TX<br />
Madhavi Muppidi, TX<br />
Sunil Sahai, TX<br />
Rajendra Rathour, WI<br />
Rajiv Varma, WI<br />
Yoganand Gundamraj, WI<br />
Prasuna Jami, WV<br />
48 Spring 2011 • AAPI Journal
If you need help finding a sp<strong>on</strong>sor, please c<strong>on</strong>tact AAPI Office at (630) 990-2277<br />
<strong>American</strong> Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Physicians <strong>of</strong> Indian Origin<br />
Executive Office: 600 Enterprise Drive Suite 108, Oak Brook, IL 60523<br />
Teleph<strong>on</strong>e: (630) 990-2277, Fax: (630) 990-2281, www.aapiusa.org<br />
AAPI Tax ID: 38-2532505<br />
NOMINATION FORM FOR PATRON MEMBERSHIP<br />
The <strong>American</strong> Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Physicians <strong>of</strong> Indian Origin extends a <strong>on</strong>e time opportunity to its Patr<strong>on</strong>/<br />
Life members to nominate <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e family member/friend as a new Patr<strong>on</strong> Member at a <strong>on</strong>e time fee <strong>of</strong><br />
$100. The <strong>of</strong>fer expires <strong>on</strong> June 30, 2012. Please fill in <strong>the</strong> applicati<strong>on</strong> and fax/mail it to AAPI Office.<br />
This <strong>of</strong>fer is extended <strong>on</strong>ly to <strong>the</strong> Patr<strong>on</strong>/Life members as <strong>of</strong> October 30, 2009 who did not utilize this<br />
opportunity earlier.<br />
NOMINATED MEMBER PERSONAL Informati<strong>on</strong><br />
Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:<br />
Degree:<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r degrees:<br />
(DO, BDS, MBA, PhD etc):<br />
Male ____ Female ____ Private Practice ___ Academics ___ Industry ___ O<strong>the</strong>r(specify) __________<br />
Primary Specialty:<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Specialty:<br />
Current address:<br />
City: State: ZIP Code:<br />
Ph<strong>on</strong>e: Fax: Email:<br />
Medical/Dental School:<br />
Year <strong>of</strong> Graduati<strong>on</strong>: Residency Completi<strong>on</strong> Year: Fellowship Completi<strong>on</strong> Year:<br />
nOMINATED BY<br />
Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:<br />
AAPI Membership Number:<br />
Current address:<br />
City: State: ZIP Code:<br />
Ph<strong>on</strong>e: Fax: Email:<br />
Medical/Dental School:<br />
Private Practice ___ Academics ___ Retired ____ O<strong>the</strong>r(specify) __________<br />
Payment informati<strong>on</strong><br />
Visa _____ <strong>American</strong> Express _____ Master Card ____ Check_____ Charge Amount: $100.00<br />
Credit Card Number: Exp Date: Security Code:<br />
Name <strong>of</strong> Cardholder:<br />
Credit Card billing address:<br />
City: State: ZIP Code:<br />
Signature<br />
I agree to pay <strong>the</strong> total amount according to card issuer agreement. All credit card transacti<strong>on</strong>s are processed in<br />
U.S. dollars and are subject to <strong>the</strong> current exchange rates. Membership dues may be tax deductible as an ordinary<br />
business expense. C<strong>on</strong>sult your tax advisor. AAPI Tax ID # 38-2532505.<br />
Signature <strong>of</strong> Applicant:<br />
Date:
AAPI Executive Office<br />
600 Enterprise Drive, Suite 108<br />
Oakbrook, IL 60523<br />
prsrtd std<br />
u.s. postage<br />
paid<br />
tampa, fl<br />
permit no. 4309<br />
<strong>American</strong> Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Physicians <strong>of</strong> Indian Origin<br />
More C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><br />
Informati<strong>on</strong> Inside<br />
Back Cover<br />
Ajeet R. Singhvi, MD, President • Shashi Shah, MD, Host City President • Ajay K. Lodha, MD, C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> Chairman<br />
www.aapic<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>.com • c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>@aapiusa.org