Indian-American physicians in New Jersey hold 3rd Annual Convention

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More than 300 Indian-American physicians met Nov. 6, 2021, for the 3^rd Annual Convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin -New Jersey (AAPI-NJ) at the Delta Marriot in Woodbridge.

The mood was jubilant as physicians, colleagues, friends, and family met in person after nearly two years of communicating online and through zoom meetings, Dr. Raj Bhayani, chair of the convention told ITV Gold. He praised the team at AAPI-NJ for organizing the event which had at least 15 sponsors.

Actor and comedian Omi Vaidya emceed the event.

The Chief Guest was renowned urologist Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari, chairman of the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Several awards were bestowed on physicians for their accomplishments and work for the community, including Dr. Kusum Punjabi, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Dr. Bhayani, among others.

Dr. Binod Sinha, one of the founders of AAPI-NJ, which came into being in November 2018, through his efforts along with Dr. Bhayani, Dr. Kishore Ratkalkar, Dr. Hemant Patel, said he was excited by the turn out at the NJ convention.

Dr. Jonnalagadda thanked Dr. Sinha for bringing everyone together and holding the gala. He complimented AAPI for the “excellent job” it had done during the pandemic, not only in the U.S., but also with the Government of India.

Dr. Sinha reiterated that the vision of AAPI-NJ was to become the strongest chapter of national AAPI. Dr. Bhayani spoke of the commitment of Indian-American physicians to their patients, and thanked everyone for being given the opportunity to serve.

Dr. Punjabi, one of the award recipients, spoke of her experience. “At the end of the day, when I walk into a patient’s room, I am an Indian, an Indian doctor. I am very proud to be an Indian-American physician,” she said.

Dr. Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, was bestowed the Distinguished Service Award at the event.

In his acceptance speech, he said, “I feel very satisfied, very grateful because I started the federation of AAPI to combine New Jersey physicians 20 years ago in 2000. And now I can see that two of my good friends, Dr. Binod Sinha, who is continuing New Jersey (chapter), and Dr. Raj Bhayani who is holding the baton in Queens/Long Island.”

He added that he felt great to be in the company of physicians who all together do good work, empower the second generation, and do philanthropic work, which should be the motto and driving force for physicians.