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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The theme for the Leadership Conference organized by AAPI was “Leading From The Inside Out,” which was attended by dozens of AAPI members from across the nation. Experts from Brahma Kumaris and Point of Life Foundation presented insightful workshops for the members of AAPI. The workshop was intended to provide healthcare workers with practical self-care tools for health and wellness and help build a simple daily meditation practice.

Dr. Anjana Samadder, in her welcome address, said, “Welcome to the first-ever Leadership Conference by AAPI after the Covid pandemic that impacted our lives in so many ways. This Conference led by Brahma Kumaris and the Point of Life Foundation has been designed to help AAPI leaders develop deeper clarity about the nature, scope, and need for and ways to care for us, who are deeply impacted by the pandemic and the daily stressors of caring for our patients. The workshops today encompass a wide range of skills that not only reflect one’s ability to process emotions but even more importantly, their ability to communicate with, manage, and be true leaders in the modern world.“

Consul General of India, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, praised the achievements and contributions of Indian American physicians in his brief remarks. He highlighted the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, DC, and thanked AAPI members for coming out in large numbers to be part of the event. Calling the Indian American Physicians the “real heroes,” Ambassador Jaiswal said, “You are the real heroes who have risked your lives and have been out to assist others. What is unique about AAPI is that you bring a global perspective to defeat the virus and serve the people. We are proud of your achievements, serving the people all across the United States.”

The AAPI Leadership Conference was sponsored by MOCAAPI, Suresh Nachani, Real Assets, Dr. Nand Panwani, Polina Tours, ABC Billing, Dr. Lokesh Edara, and Dr. Anajana Samadder.

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