CINCINATI, OH: Dr. Hetal Gor, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist from New Jersey, assumed charge as the Chair, Board of Trustees of AAPI, during the 43^rd annual convention being organized here at the iconic Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter and Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH on Saturday, July 65, 2025. Dr. Sunil Kaza, the outgoing BOT Chair, during the luncheon meeting as part of the Convention, officially handed over the mantle to Dr. Gor.

“Reflecting on AAPI’s progress over the last year, Dr. Sunil Kaza, the outgoing BOT Chair, said during the luncheon meeting, ‘Start of AAPI 2024-2025 term was like a storm, the likes of which AAPI had never seen before !” Quoting Sadhguru, Dr. Kaza said, “You can learn to prevent the storm, or you can learn to ride the storm! If you can learn how to ride the storm, the storm is not a problem anymore. We decided to ride the storm! We decided to right the ship !” and added, “Despite multiple and significant challenges, together with our EC, BOT, and committee members, we have fulfilled our PROMISES.”

Highlighting some of the major initiatives under his leadership, Dr. Kaza said, “We provided scholarships through the Kakani educational scholarship for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. For medical students, residents, and fellows, funds were secured and raised to support MSRF and its convention. For young physicians, funding was obtained to support YPS and their convention.”

For AAPI, Dr. Kaza said, “BOT helped address various legal matters. We secured IMRA membership for AAPI and united Indian physicians regardless of their state of origin. We prioritized fiscal responsibility by minimizing social event expenses and ensured AAPI elections followed ethical standards. Collaboration with the Executive Committee maintained transparency and continued a conservative approach to spending.”

Regarding the activities from the US to India, Dr. Kaza referred to an AAPI meeting with India’s Health Minister, Mr. JP Nada, to discuss improvements in emergency medicine care, including expanding education and increasing the availability of EMT technicians. Discussions also focused on increasing residency seats in family and emergency medicine.

During his leadership, he said, AAPI sponsored research awards for GAIMS, supported its peer-reviewed journal, collaborated to promote HPV vaccination awareness and raise $45,000 for health and education initiatives in India, began work on the AAPI Global Foundation, raised $31,000 to support 62 tribal schools through Ekal Vidyalaya, and worked to obtain FCRA exemption for future charitable activities via the AAPI India Foundation.

Dr. Hetal Gor is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, is the president/Founder of Bergen Indian Medical Association, President /Founder of US chapter of FOGSI (Federation of OBGYN Society of India, and had served as the past President of the American Association of OBGYN of Indian Origin. Dr Gor is the Chair of the North NJ chapter of the Indian American Women Entrepreneurs Association, and serves on the Board of Trustees of Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ, where she brings Indian art and artists to showcase Indian Heritage.

Dr. Gor shared with the audience her ten-year journey in AAPI, from co-Chair of the NYC Convention in 2016 to the chairwoman of the AAPI BOT. Dr.Gor described her plans for AAPI as the new Chair -Her plans in collaboration with the new Executive Committee led by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty.

“One thing that I’m very passionate about is knowledge, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, so starting this year a medical Legal monthly Zoom webinars, this  will be in collaboration with SABA -South Asian Bar Association.”

Integrative medical wellness is another area Dr. Gor wants to focus on, she said. “This will help us have work-life balance, tackle physician burnout, and create a demanding, stressful work environment,” said Dr. Gor

“A well-balanced person is a better physician,” Dr. Gor said. Another area where AAPI plans to engage is organizing free health fairs and lecture sessions, educating the general public on common health issues that impact our communities.

“This year, we plan to implement and continue with the mentorship mentee program, guiding the junior physicians, medical student residents, alongside working with AMA,” Dr. Gor said. She promised financial stability, transparency, integrity, and hard work. “So, we’re going to make it a fun, entertaining, stress-free environment with positive vibrations, and everybody will be part of it.”

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, the outgoing President of AAPI lauded the support and guidance he received from Dr. Kaza and other members of the BOT, including the incoming BOT Chair, Dr. Gor. Expressing his gratitude to AAPI’s executive committee members, including  AAPI’s Convention committee chairs and members, volunteers and sponsors for their continued dedication and visionary leadership in their efforts to make this convention truly a historic one for all, Dr. Kathula, said. “The organizing committees have been working hard to make the AAPI Convention of 2025 rewarding and memorable for all.”

Announcing the recipients of the prestigious AAPI Service Awards, Dr. Uma Jonnalagadda said,  “AAPI is glad to recognize and honor your accomplishments, hard work, dedication, and  contributions to the cause of AAPI.”

Dr. Navin Nanda, Dr. P.K. Vedantham, Dr. Krishan Kumarm, Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Dr. Ravi Parikh, and Dr. Avi Singh Gandhi were honored with the prestigious AAPI awards at the luncheon event. 

Dr. Sudhir Parikh, CEO of Parikh Media, shared with the audience his vision to share our heritage with the next generation of Indian origin people through his media platforms. He assured the audience of his collaboration and support for AAPI in reaching its message across the Indian American community. “It’s been an honor and privilege for me to be associated with AAPI because I recognize the tremendous role that is being played by AAPI in promoting friendship between India and the United States,” he said.

In his keynote address, Aftab Pureval shared with the audience his life story as a child born to refugees from the Himalayas in the United States. “I’m the son of a refugee. My mom was born in Tibet, and she was forced to flee when the Communists took over. So my mom and my grandparents picked up, made their way through the Himalayas, through Nepal, and into India. Against all odds, she made it to college by the grace of the support and generosity of the Indian government, where she met my father, who’s from Punjab, India. The young couple got married and decided to come to the United States.”

Pureval went on to add, “I’m proud of my parents’ story, and proud of the fact that the generations that came before you had to struggle and progress to create community. Had to take racism and xenophobia head-on and nevertheless create community, whether it be religious or cultural, or professional, to continue to thrive and grow in this country. My parents loved America even before they themselves were Americans. They loved the idea of the American dream, and they came here hard, and they achieved that dream for themselves, but also their kids.”

Referring to the flourishing community of Indian Americans, Pureval said, “Our community is so drawn to healthcare, so drawn to helping others, so drawn to public service, so drawn to supporting the most vulnerable in our community. And it’s because of Trailblazers like you that next generations like me and my brother can pursue our dreams in whatever field that may be. Congratulations, everybody, so excited for you to choose Cincinnati, and I hope you have a wonderful conference.”

The growing influence of doctors of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academia, research, and administrative positions across the nation. With their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills, they have thus carved an enviable niche in the American medical community. AAPI’s role has come to be recognized as vital among members and lawmakers. AAPI is also transitioning into a multiyear thinking and behavior by maintaining core continuity.

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PUNE: Haworth, a 2.57 billion US dollar company, offering premium global workspace solutions, announced its expansion in India with the inauguration of its first dealer showroom in Pune, in partnership with Matrix Workspace Solutions. Matrix has been at the forefront of architectural innovation, offering a seamless blend of design, fabrication, and installation solutions. This is Haworth’s first dealership in Pune, underscoring its commitment to strengthen its presence in India and the broader Asia Pacific region.

The 5,000 sq ft showroom will offer the best of international design, and quality and showcase Haworth’s Executive and Premium range of furniture for future workspace. The showroom will house eclectic products from eminent designers like Patricia Urquiola and Mac Stopa. The showroom is an architectural innovation that will give clients an immersive experience on total floorplate perception, enabling them to visualize the blueprint of the next-gen workplace. The showroom will give future creators of ‘Office Space’ a sneak peek into upcoming trends and throw light on how to create a productive environment.

Haworth has witnessed robust growth in the Indian market in recent years and now focuses on strengthening its presence in the country. Haworth is setting up its second state-of-the-art factory in Sriperumbudur, with the aim of further increasing its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. Haworth is investing $8 – $10 million, in setting up this factory in Chennai, doubling the space of its current plant totaling 113,000 sq. ft. Recently, Haworth also inaugurated its brand-new 26,000 sq. ft. largest showroom in Chennai. Haworth is further exploring new markets in emerging cities and has recently onboarded new dealers in Delhi NCR and Ahmedabad. The company continues to bag orders from across various verticals, as well as from leading organizations, government entities, and the education sector, reinforcing its position as a preferred workspace solutions provider.

Henning Figge, President of Haworth International said, “Our continued focus on expanding in India has just inched further. We are elated to announce our presence in the most promising market in the West, Pune. The decision to expand our operations in Pune stems from our commitment to meeting the growing demands of our customers and seizing new opportunities in the region. We have been in India since 1997 and have been an integral part of the development of high-grade office furniture. With the expansion of Grade A spaces across India, we expect to increase our business in emerging markets in the country. Localization of key products in India, supply chain optimization, implementation of a new ERP system, onboarding new dealers, market expansion, and investment in new showrooms are our strategic imperatives.”

 “Strategic focus on localization of key products will help us address the growing market needs and improve our delivery timelines. We are also focused on premium seating while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in systems and pods. We are also driving big on technology, a fundamental part of a user-friendly workplace. Furniture settings with built-in power outlets, USB ports, and wireless charging stations will be the highlight at the Pune showroom and will help build agile workplaces. Matrix showroom aligns with our commitment to continue to deliver excellence across various sectors where we are eager to make a curious lasting impact,” said Praveen Rawal, Vice President of Sales of Haworth APAC.

“We are excited to enhance our presence in the Pune market through our partnership with a global brand like Haworth. By bringing the latest workplace design trends to Pune, one of India’s leading markets for commercial leasing, we aim to elevate the workplace environment and living spaces. At Matrix, we offer comprehensive solutions from entry to exit. With Haworth, experience a workplace that seamlessly combines functionality with aesthetic allure, inspiring creativity and fostering productivity,” said Kewwal Thakkar, Managing Director of Matrix Architectural Solutions.

Haworth has a presence in over 150 countries and employs more than 8,000 professionals worldwide. In India, Haworth operates 5 showrooms and offices as well as two dealer showrooms with over 300 employees. Additionally, the company has established a global Shared Services Centre (SSC) in Chennai as part of its bestshoring initiative.

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The Board of Governors has also designated Pat Wang, president and chief executive officer of Healthfirst, as deputy chair of the Board. She joined the New York Fed’s Board as a Class C director in January 2023.

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