The Indian Panorama

Tag: Dr. Seema Arora

  • AAPI’s First Ever Nationwide Stem Cell Donor Drive for Indian American Community Receives Overwhelming Responses Across the US

    AAPI’s First Ever Nationwide Stem Cell Donor Drive for Indian American Community Receives Overwhelming Responses Across the US

    PITTSBURGH, PA (TIP): In a groundbreaking initiative, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has launched the first-ever nationwide campaign to expand the stem cell donor pool among Indians. This effort addresses a critical gap in cancer treatment options for patients of Indian descent, who face significant challenges in finding compatible donors due to ethnicity-specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching. This noble initiative was launched in 2024 under leadership of AAPI’s immediate past President. Dr. Satheesh Kathula.

    The Urgency Behind the Mission

    Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, AAPI President expressed deep gratitude to the many AAPI members and students across the nation, who have been part of these initiatives. “Stem cell transplants are a vital treatment for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma HLA markers, which determine donor compatibility, are inherited and vary by ethnicity. I’m thankful to our local AAPI Chapter leaders, members and volunteers across the nation who have initiated and are spearheading the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Registration across the nation, joining hands with the national AAPI in our efforts in creating awareness and enrolling more youth and adults to be part of this noble mission.”

    Patients of Indian ethnicity are more likely to match with Indian donors—but the existing donor pool is alarmingly small. Until now, families have had to organize donor drives independently, while also coping with the emotional and medical toll of a cancer diagnosis.

    Stem cells are one of the treatment options for certain types of cancers. HLA typing, based on which stem cell donors and patients are matched is ethnicity specific. Indian patients have higher chances of matching with Indian donors. Unfortunately, Indian donor pool is very limited, making it difficult for patients to find a proper match. Moreover, until now, patients and their families are doing these drives on their own to find the match in addition to dealing with the diagnosis. There has been no unified push to increase the Indian donor pool.

    Recognizing this urgent need, AAPI partnered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the world’s largest stem cell registry—in 2024 to launch a unified, nationwide campaign.

    Mobilizing Communities Across the U.S.

    Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Chair of the Stem Cell Drive, while explaining the science, said “Matching donors is based on HLA typing, which is inherited and ethnicity-specific. Thousands of patients rely on transplants to survive.” Dr. Kuppala pointed to the “tremendous response to this initiative from the AAPI members and the wider Indian community.”

    Since November 2024, AAPI has organized drives in Milwaukee, Atlanta, Louisville, Evansville, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Little Rock, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Columbus, Edison, Chicago, Charlotte, Scranton, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Frisco, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Leesburg, and San Diego under the leadership of the local high school and college students. AAPI provides volunteer certificates to the students who participate in the drives.

    Dr. Hetal Gor, Chair of AAPI BOT, emphasized the need for commitment. She said, “You could be someone’s only match—their only hope. Registering is a serious promise, but the donation process is safe and complication-free.”

    Expanding the Effort to India

    With the experience gained in the US, AAPI is expanding the stem cell drives to India. AAPI has partnered with the Global Association of Indian Medical Students, and DATRI, the stem cell bank in India and launching the stem cell drives at the Global Health Summit in Bhubaneswar, Odisha in January, 2026 in a grand scale. The campaign will then expand to medical schools across the country.

    Dr. Meher Medavaram, President-Elect, outlining the process, said, “Registration is simple. Scan the QR code, fill out your details, and return the cheek swab kit. Your HLA data will be stored securely.”

    Dr. Krishan Kumar, Vice President-Elect, while highlighting the disparity, said, “70% of patients lack a family match. For Indians, the odds are even lower due to the limited donor pool.”

    Dr. Seema Arora, Secretary, described the donation logistics, stating, “If matched, you’ll provide blood samples locally. Travel may be required, but all costs are covered. The process takes 20–30 hours over 4–6 weeks.”

    Dr. Soumya Nerevetla, Treasurer, in reinforcing the impact of Stem Donors on saving lives, said, “Finding a match is especially difficult for South Asians. Every donor helps save lives.”

    Dr. Kuppala and the AAPI leadership encourage individuals and communities to host local drives and spread awareness.  For more information or to organize a drive, contact: Sashikuppala@yahoo.com Learn more at: www.aapiusa.org

    (Based on a Press Release issued by Ajay Ghosh)

  • AAPI’s 17thGlobal Healthcare Summit Announced During Curtain Raiser in Delhi

    AAPI’s 17thGlobal Healthcare Summit Announced During Curtain Raiser in Delhi

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): “After the highly successful Global Healthcare Summit in Visakhapatnam last weekend, I am happy to announce that the 17th annual Global Healthcare Summit will be held in New Delhi from January 2nd to 4th, 2024,” Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) announced here during a Curtain Raiser held at the prestigious Constitution Club in New Delhi on January 9th, 2023.

    Organized under the leadership of Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Women’s Forum Chair of AAPI, the kickoff event and press conference was attended by nearly 50 journalists from the nation’s capital and several leaders of APPI, who had come all the way from the United States to be part of this important ceremony. Prominent among those who attended the event included Dr. Seema Arora, past BOT Chair of AAPI, Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, vice chair of AAPI BOT, Dr. Gautam Samadder, past president of AAPI, Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Dr. Raj Bhayani, and Dr. Joseph Chalil. Dr. Sampat Shivangi, Chair of AAPI’s Legislative Chair joined the meeting through a message of felicitation sent to the media and AAPI leadership.

    In her address, Dr. Anjana Samadder said, the theme for the next global healthcare summit will be “Maa Bachao,” meaning, protecting the mother, which will be a great way to strengthen families and humanity as a whole.

    Dr. Sushi Singh, chief guest at the event said, saving the mother and giving her due respect and honor is essential today more than ever. She pointed to the high infant mortality rate in India and urged all sections of society to work together to save girl children.

    Shri Karthikeyan, a decorated former IPS Officer, in his keynote address,  shared of the many sacrifices and contributions by the fraternity of doctors, and lauded them for their services to humanity, especially during the covid pandemic. He shared with the audience his personal experiences working with the most vulnerable people across society and urged everyone to work compassionately towards the poor and help uplift their lives.

    At the Delhi Press conference. From L to R: Dr. Anjana Samadder, Shri Karthikeyan, Dr. Sushi Singh , Dr. Udaya Shivangi

    In a message, Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of AAPI said, “The Global Healthcare Summit held annually in India across several states, has become a major contributing factor, where Indian American Doctors focus on various programs and policies in their efforts to make a huge difference in the delivery of healthcare in India.”
    “Coming from a nation that has given us so much, today Physicians of Indian origin have become a powerful influence in healthcare across the world,” said Dr. Shivangi.  “Nowhere in the world is their authority more keenly felt than in the United States. The overrepresentation of Indians in the field of medicine is striking – in practical terms, one out of seven doctors in the United States is of Indian Heritage. We provide medical care to over 40 million of the US population.”

    During an interactive session with the media persons who had filled the meeting venue, the leaders of AAPI shared with them of the numerous initiatives taken up by AAPI during the course of the past four decades in India as well as in the United States.

    “We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations and help India to have a cost-effective, efficient and advanced healthcare delivery benefitting India’s 1.4 billion people,” they pointed out.

    The Global Health Summit held annually in India has been a major contributing factor by Indian American Doctors, focusing on various programs and policies, and making a difference in the delivery of healthcare in India.

    In addition to educational seminars/workshops on current topics, the GHS includes a well-organized CEO forum with a panel of eminent healthcare leaders from the US and India, reinforcing the need for preventive care rather than disease management, to control the non-communicable diseases which are the biggest silent killers.

    Areas of ongoing skill training, investment in infrastructure, modernizing healthcare delivery, and private-public collaboration specific to each state in the healthcare sector are discussed and specific plans laid out, which are sent in a White Paper report for follow up in the coming months.

    Over the past 17 years and beyond, AAPI leadership has been able to establish Collaboration and multiple medical organizations – ACP – FSMB – ECFMG – NMC (India) – IMA (India) – GAPIO – UNICEF – Red Cross Society – CWC – Lifestyle Medicine – MDTok – Apollo Groups, only to name a few. These connections and collaborations are vital for us to stay connected and make a powerful impact on our communities.

    Through AAPI’s charitable activities with service to our motherland as the motto, AAPI has several programs in India and the United States.  Despite the Covid challenges of Delta and Omicron waves, in spite of limited resources, AAPI blood donation drives were done in several cities with several of them organizing multiple events.

    Journalists at the press conference

    Among several other initiatives, AAPI’s “Adopt a village” Rural Preventive Healthcare Screening Initiative in India, where free health screening camps with free physician consultations were done in several Indian rural villages in the middle of Covid pandemic.

    Continuing the efforts towards the Covid-19 Fund – Post-Covid Relief Activities, AAPI has raised over $5 million during the delta wave in India. The ongoing Covid-19 relief work in India is in progress, donating lifesaving equipment to support critically ill patients – Biochemical Analyzers, Ventilators, Oxygen Flow Meters, and Oxygen Plants. The funds will continue to support Covid patients in rural hospitals. Since its inception 40 years ago, AAPI has served as a link to foster stronger US-India relations and has been lauded by the governments of both nations for their great achievements and contributions.

    “We urge you to be part of this event in January 2024 and help create awareness and reach our services to the neediest in India and the United States,” said Dr. Anjana Samadder. For more details about AAPI and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

  • At AAPI’s Popular Women’s Forum “Trailblazing Titans to Share their Tales”

    At AAPI’s Popular Women’s Forum “Trailblazing Titans to Share their Tales”

    Throwbacks from AAPI Healthcare Summit at Hyderabad in January 2022

    SAN ANTONIO, TX (TIP): “During the 40th annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, leading women leaders in pharmaceuticals, academic and private settings will inspire us with how they tackled the hurdles,” said Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, the only 4th Woman President of AAPI in the four decades-long history, a Woman Leader, who has made huge contributions to AAPI in her own unassuming manner, while taking AAPI to newer heights.

    Organized by the Texas Chapter of AAPI, the 40th Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions of the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) will be held from June 23-26, 2022 in the historic city of San Antonio, Texas at Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center.

    The Women’s Forum is organized by the Convention Committee led by Dr. Chaithanya Mallikarjun, Chair with its members: Dr. Heta Javeri, Dr. Ruchi Kaushik, Dr. Hetal Gadhia, and Dr. Dharam Kaushik, with the help of National AAPI Women Physicians Committee Chair, Dr. Seema Arora, has put together a galaxy of successful women, who will share with the AAPI delegates their own stories of growing up and facing challenges with conviction and courage, and have today become role models for other women around the world.

    Dr. Chaithanya Mallikarjun, Chair of Women’s Forum Convention Committee, while announcing that the much-anticipated Women’s Forum will be held on Friday June 24th said, “The Women’s Forum titled “Trailblazer Titans Tell Their Tales” will have a panel of accomplished women leaders from various fields who will speak about their successful journey and experiences while achieving their goals.

    The confirmed panelists at the prestigious Women’s Forum include: Dr. Juby A. Jacob-Nara, a Public Health Physician, Vice President and Head of Global Medical Respiratory Allergy & Gastroenterology (Sanofi-Genzyme) who has been a part of over 50 new medicines successfully launched including vaccines in the US and globally; Dr. Kalpalatha Guntupalli, Endowed Professor for Pulmonary Disorders, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Sowjanya Mohan, Group Chief Medical Officer, Texas Group/Tenet Health; and, Ms. Rosemary Hickman, Semmes Foundation Education Manager at the Mcnay Art Museum. Dr. Seema Arora, Chair, AAPI National Women Physicians Committee, a Past Chair Board of Trustees of AAPI, said, “The Women’s Forum titled ‘Trailblazer Titans Tell Their Tales’ will have a panel of Trailblazer Women who have achieved extraordinary feats in each of their phenomenal lives. This exhilarating forum is being organized with the objective of bringing together some of the most accomplished women under one roof who will be sharing their extraordinary experiences while climbing the ladder of success, thus inspiring other women.”

    Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Advisor to AAPI Women’s Forum underscored the importance of the Women’s Forum in AAPI Convention and how it has evolved and today it’s one of the much sought-after events, with distinguished panelists on the Forum. “The Women’s Forum is where successful and powerful women come and share their life’s dreams, challenges and this empower and inspire other women. Today’s Forum is about how career changes by women affect t them and the larger society.”

    Dr. Jayesh Shah, Convention Chair and Past President of AAPI said in Texan style. “It is with great pleasure that I, along with the San Antonio -2022 Convention Team, welcome you to the 40th AAPI Annual Convention in San Antonio, the 8th largest city in the US. I still have vivid memories of inviting you to San Antonio in 2014. This is going to be the 4th convention in Texas.”

    Representing the interests of the over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic organization of physicians will be 40 years old. For more details, please visit: https://aapiconvention.org

    (Based on a press release)

  • AAPI Organizes Cervical Cancer Vaccine Camp in Hyderabad

    AAPI Organizes Cervical Cancer Vaccine Camp in Hyderabad

    HYDERABAD/CHICAGO (TIP): “We at AAPI, in keeping with our efforts and initiatives to educate, create awareness and provide support on disease prevention, I am pleased to announce that API organized a Cervical Cancer Vaccine Camp On January 9th at Tanvir Hospital in Hyderabad as part of the ongoing APPI’s 15th annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2022 being held at the Hotel Avasa in Hyderabad, India,” Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President of Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) said here today. “I am grateful to Dr. Meeta Singh and Dr. Naunihal Singh, who led the Vaccination camp in Hyderabad,” she added.

    The Global Healthcare Summit 2002 was inaugurated on Jan 5th at Hotel Avasa in Hyderabad by Honorable Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu. In his address, delivered virtually he said, ““With numerous initiatives, AAPI has come a long way since its inception and has proved to be beneficial not only to Indian-origin American Physicians, but to Indian healthcare as well,” Mr. Naidu observed. He urged the medical fraternity and told them: “As you seek excellence in human health and well-being, do not forget the power of a kind human touch when treating your patients.” The Vice President complimented AAPI for its services in India – for raising $5 million during the second wave of the pandemic, for its ‘Adopt a Village’ program among its other initiatives.

    The Vice President of India noted that “AAPI, founded in 1982, is one of the largest groups that represent the interests of more than 80,000 practicing Indian-origin physicians in the United States and 40,000 medical students, residents and fellows of Indian origin.”

    Usually, cervical cancer develops slowly over time, and another powerful preventive measure is Pap test screening, a procedure during which cells are collected from the surface of the cervix and examined. The Pap test can both detect cancer at an early stage, when treatment outcomes tend to be better, and detect precancerous abnormalities, which can then be treated to prevent them from developing into cancers.

    “January is #CervicalCancer Awareness Month! In coordination with the local organizers of the GHS, AAPI donated the funds for the HPV Vaccination, a total of 200 doses of the vaccine for 100 children from the state of Telangana on January 9th,” said Dr. Meher Medavaram, an organizer of the program. “AAPI’s this new initiative through education and awareness programs, is aimed at helping save millions of lives in India,” she added.

    “GHS 2022, which has initiated several new programs benefitting India, has become an effective forum to educate and create awareness about these deadly diseases that are preventable,” Dr. Udhaya Shivangi, Chair of AAPI GHS 2022 said. “If vaccination programs are effectively implemented, approximately 90 percent of invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, in addition to the majority of precancerous lesions.”

    Patients being examined at the camp.

    Dr. Ravi Kolli, President-Elect of AAPI, said, “Our theme for GHS 2022 is: ‘Prevention Better than Cure.’ Cervical Cancer is preventable through Vaccination and Early Pap smears and cervical examinations. Justifiably so, one of our preventive campaign goals this year is to provide education and prevention of Cervical Cancer in India.”

    While elaborating the objectives of the Summit, Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Secretary of AAPI, said, “In addition to Cervical cancer, GHS 2022 has provided education on: Chronic diseases which can be prevented- notably diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension, COPD, oncology, maternal and infant mortality, lifestyle changes, geriatrics, management of neurological emergencies, ENLS, a certification course”. Dr. Krishan Kumar, Treasurer of AAPI said, “Through Continuing Medical Education and non-CME seminars by experts in their fields, AAPI provides comprehensive and current reviews and guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of various disease states to reduce morbidity and mortality and achieve cost effective quality care outcomes.” According to The American Cancer Society, Cervical Cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test for screening. Cervical cancer is among a number of cancers that can be caused by infections with pathogens – bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

    Cervical cancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if: 90 % of girls are vaccinated; 70% of women are screened; and, 90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment.

    Once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Today, screening and prevention have greatly reduced the impact of this form of cancer. Increasing screening and prevention are key components of the effort to eradicate cervical cancer. Since almost all cases of the disease are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaccines that protect against the virus could prevent the vast majority of cases. Moreover, regular Pap tests can catch – and lead to treatment of – the disease at the precancerous stage.

    There are several AAPI leaders who have worked hard to make the GHS a memorable event, said Dr. Gotimukula. “Among them, I want to recognize Dr. Sujeeth Punnam, US Coordinator, Dr. Dwarkananda Reddy, GHS Indian Coordinator; Dr. Lokesh Edara, Chair Global Medical Education; Dr. Prabhakar Sharma, CME Chair, Dr. Prabhat Sinha, Chair Sponsorships and Exhibits, Dr. Seema Arora, Chair of Women’s Forum; Dr. Joseph M. Chalil, Chair of CEO Forum; Dr. Belani Kumar, Chair of the Medical Students Research Poster presentations; Dr. Lakshmi Thirunagari and Coordinators of Medical Jeopardy. Expressing confidence, Dr. Gotimukula, the 4th ever Woman President in the four decades long history of AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, said, “Together we can all bring the awareness in the community to prevent Cervical Cancer in India which is 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in women!” For more information, please visit www.aapiusa.org/ https://summit.aapiusa.org