41st AAPI Convention: “True and Total Health ... Mind, Body & Spirit”

peaRland: The 41st annual American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Convention and Scientific Sessions with the major theme “True and Total Health is the Wellbeing of Mind, Body, and Spirit” concluded here at the iconic Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA with the new leadership of AAPI assuming charge under the leadership of Dr. Anjana Samadder.

“I am committed to your wellbeing and dedicated to advancing AAPI’s mission for a brighter future,” Dr. Anjana Samadder, the new President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) declared during her Presidential Inaugural address on July 8th, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA.

Along with Dr. Anjana Samadder, Dr. Satheesh Kathula assumed charge as the PresidentElect; Dr. Amit Chakrabarthy as the Vice President; Dr. Sumul Raval as the Secretary; Dr. Sreeni Gangasani as the Treasurer; and Dr. Lokesh Edara as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

A Gastroenterology Specialist in Columbus, OH, Dr. Anjana Samadder is the spouse of AAPI’s past President, Dr. Gautam Samadder. Dr. Anjana Samadder is affiliated with Mount Carmel West and Mount Carmel East and is a winner of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award.

The Convention was officially inaugurated with the chanting of the Sanskrit Mantras, seeking blessings from above, Ribbon cut- ting and lighting of the traditional Lamp by AAPI leaders and distinguished guests on July 7th, 2023 in Philadelphia, the birthplace of US Independence.

Addressing the over 1,000 delegates from around the nation, Dr. Ravi Kolli, Immediate past President of AAPI spoke about the origins of AAOI 41 years ago and how the physicians of Indian origin have been sought after for their excellence in Medicine. “I applaud you and thank you for your support all through the year. And your presence here with your blessing and your goodwill and warm wishes for the successful 41st Ave annual convention here in our brother City of Brotherly Love Philadelphia,” Dr. Kolli said.

“AAPI has a long and illustrious history of 41 years of existence. Started by a few physicians of Indian origin as they started their journey to this land of opportuni- ties, today, they have succeeded beyond anybody’s expectations. And they have been contributing to our communities and our societies in every possible way. And they’re the most respected physicians of any group that we can call. So, we all should be proud of our heritage and our dedication to our patient care and our successful transition from one to another world and being a role model and almost model citizens in the United States,” Dr. Kolli added.

In his farewell address, Dr. V. Ranga, immediate past Chair of the BOT, “AAPI is stronger and in safer hands. AAPI is an umbrella organization that has nearly 250 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. For over 40 years, Indian physicians have made significant contributions to health care in this country, not only practicing in inner cities, rural areas and peripheral commu- nities but also at the top medical schools and other academic centers.”

In his keynote address, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice President of India stressed the importance of giving back to one’s Motherland, Janmabhoomi, one’s native place as way of returning the many blessings one has received. He highlighted the importance of taking care one’s Mother, Janmabhoomi and Motherland. Praising the many initiatives of AAPI, Shri Naidu said, “AAPI’s programs are more centered around addressing the issues related to the stigma of mental illness and the importance of the practices such as meditation, and yoga, which is a connectivity between the body and the mind.”

“The secret of meditation is in letting go,” Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the gathering, which included AAPI members and their families. “Stress arises when we have too much to do, and not enough energy or time to do it. We can neither change time nor the number of things we need to do. So, the only option is to increase energy levels. And this can be accomplished through yoga, breathing techniques and meditation,” Sri Sri told the delegates. “A happy mind lets you stay calm; make better decisions and improve the overall quality of life,” he told the Doctors, acknowledging that they lead a stressful life. “You live on average ten years less than the patients you treat, as a consequence of the stressful life you lead.”

Mr. Vivek Ramaswamy in his address passionately spoke about the reasons for his Presidential ambitions. Leaving his successful business, the young and talented Ramaswamy said, “I stepped down from my job as a biotech CEO to focus on a different kinds of cancer. Not a biological cancer, but a cultural cancer that threatened to kill that dream that Martin Luther King had 60 years ago, and that tried to kill the dream that allowed me to achieve everything I had in my life You do get ahead in this country, not on the color of your skin, but on the content of your character and your contributions. A dream that says that any child no matter who they are, where their parents came from, or how long their last name is that we still achieve what we want in this country through our own hard work, our own commitment, our own dedication, that’s the American dream.”