AAPI members elect new leadership for 2024-2025 and beyond

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Chicago, IL: The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, (aapiusa.org) announced its new leadership for the year 2024-2025, in Chicago on November 15.

“Congratulations and best wishes to the new team of AAPI leadership, who have been elected to lead AAPI in the coming years,” President of AAPI Dr. Satheesh Kathula, is quoted saying in the press release, thanking election officers led by Dr. V. Ranga, and all the members of AAPI for participating in the process.

While thanking the tens of thousands of Indian American physicians, who are active members of AAPI, and the large number who participated, Dr. Kathula said, “We have successfully concluded our Special Election for the year 2024-25 for AAPI leadership position and I am happy to declare that Dr. Meher Medavaram has been elected as the Vice President of AAPI for the year 2024.25.”

Along with Dr. Kathula, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty serves as the President-Elect of AAPI, Dr. Raj Bhayani is the Secretary, and Shirish Patel will serve as the Treasurer of AAPI for the year 2024-25. Representing the young physicians of Indian origin, Dr. Shefali Kothary serves as the YPS President and Dr. Oriya Uppal is the MSRF President for the year 2024-25.

Dr. Kathula did not have to contest the election this year, as he has been serving as the President-Elect during the past year. Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, who has been serving as the Vice President in the past year also did not have to face elections, as he automatically becomes the President-Elect of AAPI for the coming year.

Congratulating the newly elected leaders to the Executive Committee, Dr. Chakrabarty, the President-Elect in 2024-25 said in a statement: “I want to congratulate all the winners of the election. I want to especially thank all the candidates for their passion and dedication to serving AAPI and regardless of the outcome, we need you as a valuable team member of our beloved AAPI.”

Dr. Medavaram is a Board Certified in Family Medicine and is a Fellow of Academy of American Physicians. A graduate of Osmania Medical College, she is serving as the Assistant Director at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Family Medicine Residency Program. She is the Medical Director of Mount Sinai Hospital, FAQH Center, and a Staff Physician Advocate at Good Samaritan  Hospital as well as a Clinical Preceptor at UIC College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine CMU School of Medicine and is the President of Naperbrook Medical Center.

Dr. Medavaram said she wants to “unify and revitalize the AAPI, ensuring and advocating for physician rights and interests. “While recognizing the mission of AAPI, she wants to work towards making AAPI a purely professional organization, while forming a bridge between AAPI Senior Leadership and Young Physicians.” She has served in numerous positions in AAPI over the years.

Dr. Bhayani, who was elected uncontested as Secretary, said, “I am committed to building upon past achievements and leading AAPI with integrity, transparency, and innovation. I will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare, advocating for the needs of our members, and fostering collaboration.”

Dr. Shirish Patel, the Treasurer of AAPI, called it an honor, and promised to uphold the highest standards in managing finances, adding, “I will work to ensure that our resources are used effectively to further our mission of promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our organization.”

Dr. Lokesh Edara, the outgoing BOT Chair thanked the Election Committee for their meticulous planning and organizing of the elections with integrity and fairness. “I congratulate the winners and the new leadership who are entrusted with the responsibility of leading AAPI in the year 2024-25 and beyond. I wish them the very best and my wholehearted support,” he added.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI since its inception in 1982, AAPI has sought to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin.