Harvard University honors Dr. Chander Kapasi with alumni award

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Harvard University recently recognized Dr. Chander Kapasi with its first Clanton-Moser Award September 27, 2024, for alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields; served in local, state or national affairs or provided service to society; and demonstrated outstanding support of the school.

“I am so honored and grateful to be the first recipient of this prestigious award from Harvard Chan School of Public Health. Thank you Harvard for recognizing my efforts. It was (a) great pleasure to receive it in the presence of my family and celebrate with my friends of last 50 years,” Dr. Kapasi said in her communication with News India Times.

Dr. Chander Mukhi Kapoor Kapasi was born in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India to Sharda and Shadi Lal Kapoor. She completed her pre-medical training at Vallabh Mahavidyalaya Mandi and studied medicine at Lady Hardinge Medical College. She also received a diploma for International Understanding from the University of Delhi and was awarded a fellowship from Honolulu, Hawaii for young physicians. She completed her post graduate M.D. in Preventive and Social Medicine from University of Delhi in 1971, the year she got married to Dr. Onaly Kapasi. She later had two children, daughter Sameera Kapasi Mahendru and son Sameer.

In 1972 she migrated to Kenya and joined I.P.P.F. (International Planned Parenthood Federation) in Nairobi, where she was the medical director for 17 Mobile clinics, including one in Kenyatta National Hospital, training health workers from all over Africa in Gynecology and Family Planning.  In 1974 she moved to the U.S. to pursue a Master in Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. She later worked as a fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Kapasi was the first woman to chair the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Physician of Indian Origin (AAPI) in 1993-94. She has actively participated in AAPI since 1984, the second year of AAPI’s existence, in numerous capacities. She has also served as president of the Indian Medical Association of New England.