Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 at formal ceremony

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Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, immediate past president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), was conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA 2021) in person during a solemn ceremony at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta, GA on December 5, 2021.

Dr. Jonnalagadda was officially recognized with the prestigious award during the 16^th edition of the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, held virtually on January 9^th, 2021. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards were conferred by the President of India Ramnath Kovind at the PBD Convention in the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honor conferred on non-resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) or an organization/institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

Dr. Jonnalagadda said it was a great honor and privilege to have been chosen for the award by the Government of India as it is the highest honor conferred on people of Indian origin for their outstanding achievements in both India and abroad.

“In recognizing me, the government has recognized all the medical professionals who have been in the forefront, fighting Covid -19, including those who have laid their lives while treating patients infected with the deadly virus,” Dr. Jonnalagadda went on to say

“It’s fitting to dedicate this award to all my AAPI family members and the entire medical fraternity, This award will strengthen us all to recommit our skills, talents and efforts for the greater good of humanity, as the Covid pandemic continues to devastate many countries, impacting the lives of  millions of people around the globe. Together we will face the challenges and defeat the virus and make this world a better and safer place for all of us to live and flourish,” Dr. Jonnalagadda went on to say.

Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda assumed office as the 37^th President of AAPI  in July 2020, and committed himself to “make AAPI stronger, more vibrant, united, transparent, politically engaged, ensuring active participation of young physicians, increasing membership, and enabling that AAPI’s voice is heard in the corridors of power.”

Born into a family of physicians and originally from Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Jonnalagadda’s father was a Professor at a medical college in India and his mother was a teacher. He and his siblings aspired to be physicians and dedicate their lives for the greater good of humanity. “I am committed to serving the community and help the needy. That gives me the greatest satisfaction in life,” he said He is married to Dr. Umamaheswari, who also comes from a family of physicians. His daughter, Dr. Hema Jonnalagadda is also a physician.

He currently serves as the president of the Medical Staff of the Hospital in Douglas, Georgia.

A Board-Certified Gastroenterologist/Transplant Hepatologist, working in Douglas, GA, Dr. Jonnalagadda is a former Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia. He was the President of Coffee Regional Medical Staff 2018, and had served as the Director of Medical Association of Georgia Board from 2016 onwards. He had served as the President of Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) 2007-2008, and was the past chair of Board of trustees, GAPI. He was the chairman of the Medical Association of Georgia, IMG section, and was a Graduate, Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy (advocacy training).

Dr. Jonnalagadda worked hard while AAPI president, to develop a committee to work with children of AAPI members who are interested in medical school, to educate them on choosing a school and gaining acceptance; Developed a committee to work with medical residents who are potential AAPI members, to educate on contract negotiation, patient communication, and practice management; Develop a committee to work with AAPI medical students, and to provide proctorship to improve their selection of medical residencies, the press release said.

Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda assumed office as the 37^th President of AAPI  in July 2020, and committed himself to “make AAPI stronger, more vibrant, united, transparent, politically engaged, ensuring active participation of young physicians, increasing membership, and enabling that AAPI’s voice is heard in the corridors of power.”

Born into a family of physicians and originally from Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Jonnalagadda’s father was a Professor at a medical college in India and his mother was a teacher. He and his siblings aspired to be physicians and dedicate their lives for the greater good of humanity. “I am committed to serving the community and help the needy. That gives me the greatest satisfaction in life,” he said He is married to Dr. Umamaheswari, who also comes from a family of physicians.

He currently serves as the president of the Medical Staff of the Hospital in Douglas, Georgia.

A Board-Certified Gastroenterologist/Transplant Hepatologist, working in Douglas, GA, Dr. Jonnalagadda is a former Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia. He was the President of Coffee Regional Medical Staff 2018, and had served as the Director of Medical Association of Georgia Board from 2016 onwards. He had served as the President of Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) 2007-2008, and was the past chair of Board of trustees, GAPI. He was the chairman of the Medical Association of Georgia, IMG section, and was a Graduate, Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy (advocacy training).

Dr. Jonnalagadda worked hard while AAPI president, to develop a committee to work with children of AAPI members who are interested in medical school, to educate them on choosing a school and gaining acceptance; Developed a committee to work with medical residents who are potential AAPI members, to educate on contract negotiation, patient communication, and practice management; Develop a committee to work with AAPI medical students, and to provide proctorship to improve their selection of medical residencies, the press release said.