ATLANTA (TIP): An Indian American doctor has agreed to pay approximately $1,850,000 for allegedly billing the government for cataract surgeries and diagnostic tests that were not medically required.
Aarti D. Pandya and her Pandya Practice Group violated the False Claims Act by also performing and billing for tests that were incomplete or of worthless value, and office visits that did not provide the level of service claimed.
“Physicians who perform procedures and tests without a legitimate medical need place profits ahead of patients and subject those patients to unnecessary risk,” told US Attorney Ryan K Buchanan in a statement released on Monday. “This settlement represents our office’s commitment to ensuring accountability for physicians who subject patients to unwarranted medical care and waste taxpayer funds,” Buchanan said.
From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016, Pandya knowingly submitted false claims to federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary cataract extraction surgeries and YAG laser capsulotomies, according to a Justice Department release.
The prosecution alleged that Pandya performed these procedures on patients that did not qualify for the procedure under accepted standards of medical practice and, in some cases, caused injury to her patients.
Additionally, it accused Pandya of falsely diagnosing patients with glaucoma to justify unnecessary diagnostic testing and treatment that was billed to Medicare.
The prosecution also said that many of the diagnostic tests that Pandya ordered were not properly performed, were performed on a broken machine, or were not interpreted in the medical record, as required by Medicare.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) imposed in 2019 a payment suspension on the Pandya Practice Group that precluded it from receiving any reimbursement from Medicare for Part B claims.
As part of the settlement of the government’s claims in this case, the Pandya Practice Group agreed to forfeit the suspension amount to the government. The payment suspension will also be lifted as part of the settlement.
To protect federal healthcare programs and beneficiaries going forward, Pandya and the Pandya Practice Group have entered into a detailed, multi-year Integrity Agreement and Conditional Exclusion Release (IA) with the Office of Inspector General. “We must assure patients and taxpayers that healthcare is dictated by clinical needs, not fiscal greed,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This settlement should serve as a reminder that the FBI will not tolerate healthcare providers who engage in schemes that defraud the industry and put innocent patients at risk.”
NEW YORK (TIP): The Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council in association with the Consulate General of India, New York organized the second webinar in the series “Augmenting US India Trade Relations – 2020” on July 1.
Welcoming the panelists, Mr. H.S. Panaser, President of The Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council said, “US strategic and trade affairs experts feel that US and India will be key to future production of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals not only to fight Covid-19 crisis but long thereafter.
“In the United States, every seventh American is seen by an Indian doctor, which will soon be 6:1, signifying the contribution of the diaspora in the American healthcare system. Today, as the world fights the corona pandemic and the US becomes its worst victim, with over 100,000 deaths and counting, health diplomacy has emerged as the new unifier for the two democracies and the driver for an intense partnership promising a big relief to the world with a timely vaccine against the coronavirus.
“Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council” wants to accelerate and promote US India Relation in Healthcare industry. We are helping in FDI, collaborations, mergers and technology transfers and researchers and students exchange programs. The US has already identified Indian pharmaceutical companies as one of the partners for mass productions to meet global demands. We were privileged to have CFO of Bharat Biotech Mr. T Srinivas in our first Webinar and you will find another Executive who are launching a Covid vaccine
Panelists included Devi Prasad Misra, Consul (Trade, Education and Commerce), Dr. Subroto Chatterjee, Dr. H. G. Koshia, Mr. Suresh Khanna, Mr.Roopesh Bhargava, Mr. Anand Krishnamurthy, : Mr. Gary Pasricha, Mr. Ajit Chawla, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, and Mr. H.S. Panaser
Mr. Devi Prasad Misra
Mr. Devi Prasad Misra, Consul Trade, Education and Commerce at the Indian Consulate in New York participated briefly.
Dr. Subroto Chatterjee
Dr. Subroto Chatterjee is a Professor of Pediatrics and medicine in the division of Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of a Medicine. His expertise is in the area of heart disease and inflammation. He has published over 200 papers book chapters. And has received international and national awards for his discoveries and patents. He serves as a thought leader to Merck, Novartis and has founded several Biotech companies
Prof Chatterjee said, “Studies show that inflammation is the underlying factor among others contributing to excessive morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. And this pathology is attributable to the release of cytokines subsequent to the binding of the virus to the angiotensin-2 receptors in white cells circulating in the blood. One of these cytokines ,known as interleukin-6(IL-6) bind to cells in the blood vessels -further amplifying the release of cytokines causing multi-organ failure and death. Immunotherapy using antibody against IL-6 /IL-6 receptors has shown promise with delayed viral clearance and markedly improved recovery from infection and reduced hospitalization time.”
Dr. H. G. Koshia
Dr. H. G. Koshia is working as Commissioner at Food & Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, INDIA since January 2009. Notified as Commissioner of Food Safety of the Gujarat State from 5th August 2011. Diverse experience of 33 years in regulatory affairs working in government and industry. Leading a cross-functional team of 1465 diverse regulatory experts to implement; enforce applicable regulation to regulate 4697 drug manufacturers and 39865 sales units in Gujarat.
Hemant said, “The crisis has faded many boundaries and brought people and countries together to stand united against the fight! More so true when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry – India has stood as a strong partner and friend with many countries including the US and fulfilled the duty of ‘Pharmacy of the World’. I see tremendous avenues of US-India continued partnership in biomedical & pharmaceutical research and strengthen our regulatory & scientific relationship further. Exchange of knowledge, technology, science, and talent are few to name.”
Mr. Suresh Khanna
Mr. Suresh Khanna, Engineer by education, was Founder Chairman of M/s.Stabicon Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. A Contract Research & Development Organization and Designated Partner of M/s. Dossiers Solutions Services LLP, a leading Regulatory Affairs Company. He is a Business Advisor and Member of the Boards of a few companies in both India and abroad. Currently he is a Steering Committee Member of KDPMA, Chairman of Pharma Training Institute and Permanent Trustee of Karnataka Pharmaceutical Trust (KPT), a not for profit Organization, engaged in the upliftment of Pharmacy Education in India.
Mr Suresh Khanna said “India stated that India has a huge potential for providing Pharma Services which people generally don’t talk about. India has very experienced and qualified pool of professionals who can assist in Formulation Product Development, Compiling Product Dossiers/API DMF’s for registration in markets worldwide, SOP Writing, Clinical/BE studies & Clinical Data Management, Validation protocols, setting up Pharmacovigilance Call etc. at a very competitive cost. These costs will be affordable by many small and medium Centers scale companies in USA, thereby making them more competitive commercially worldwide. These services are akin to services provided successfully by Indian software Industry worldwide.”
Mr. Roopesh Bhargava
Mr. Roopesh Bhargava is an Experienced in leading and growing all sectors of a business (Pharmaceuticals/ Nutraceuticals/ Vaccines) for the last three decades with Proven Credentials. He has served Companies like Sanofi as Senior Director / Besins Healthcare as Managing Director and Bharat Serums & Vaccines as Chief Operating officer till very recently .He has the experience of having Worked in Greater India, China and US markets. Currently, he is a consultant to the Pharmaceutical Companies to make it dynamic and Progressive organization. Possessing excellent communication skills and able to establish sustainable and profitable relationships with Customers, suppliers and stakeholders across the country.
He said “India and US have to augment each other to ensure that best of the Medicines / Vaccines reach to fellow humans at an affordable price with excellent Quality. India Supplies 40% of total Generic medicine required by USA. The Capacity to Produce vaccines also lies with India as required. Hence faster approvals and joint efforts by each other is the call of the day. The advantage which India has in terms of cost efficiency, Economic drivers, Policy support and Investments can be fully leveraged under the trying circumstances for a Win- Win situation.”
Mr. Anand Krishnamurthy
Mr. Anand Krishnamurthy, CEO, Coolsoft LLC, is a fast-growing company, focused on AI and ML it is providing consulting and application development services in Information Technology. COOLSOFT combines technical expertise with in-depth business knowledge to provide the best solutions to organizations in Healthcare, Transportation and Telecom.
Anand said “In the area of Pharmaceuticals, Science and technology will and should play a key role. Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning will assist us in finding new cures for diseases. This will aid in discovery of cures for rare diseases where the ROI for the drug companies is not significant. Technologies such as blockchain will aid in the fight against counterfeit drugs which will save lives lost due to fake drug usage and administration. AI/ML and Genomics will cause as much a change to the human race as the industrial revolution did. More importantly, the close collaboration between academia, researchers and philanthropist between India and US should and will result in making new and affordable drugs for now and the future.”
Mr. Gary S. Pasricha
Mr. Gary S. Pasricha is the managing partner of the law firm of Pasricha & Patel LLC. He has been practicing law for over 25 years, specializing in representing businesses and individuals in business law matters such as contracting, mergers and acquisitions, secured lending, import and export regulations, labor law, and business immigration
Garry presented a ppt on laws in US under Covid 19 especially PPE
Mr. Ajit Chawla
Mr. Ajit Chawla is SVP & Global Head, Digital Business Unit, Birlasoft, a CK Birla group company whose Mission statement is “Making Societies more productive by helping our customers run their business”. Guided by the company mission,
“Both lives and livelihoods are important. Return-to-work strategies need to be comprehensive yet pragmatic. While on one side, organizations in sectors such as Pharmaceuticals who engage in mission-critical operations cannot afford more disruptions, their employees also look for confidence and assurance on health & safety front to return to work. Guided by its Mission statement “Making Societies more productive by helping our customers run their business”, Birlasoft has launched a solution named intelliOpen™ that leverages digital technologies to empower its customers to make their facilities safer during and post COVID-19. intelliOpen can help organizations in all industries but considering the ones in life-sciences industry touch human-lives directly, we are specially motivated in helping them balance productivity with safety.”
Prof. Indrajit Saluja
Prof. Indrajit S Saluja is the Publisher-Editor of The Indian Panorama (New York; Dallas), Advisor on Board at Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council., USA, President, Indo-US Media Inc., President, Opinio Media, Inc. is an Academician, Journalist, Writer, Poet, Speaker, Actor, Television Host/ Anchor. Recipient of many honors and awards, Prof. Saluja has served on Panjab University Academic Council and Languages Faculty and was nominated to a 2-year term on the National Youth Advisory Committee, headed by Prime Minister of India. Currently based in New York, he hails from Punjab, India where he was a college teacher of English language and literature for 35 years.
Prof. Saluja said there were enough areas and opportunities for cooperation between US and India. He underlined the present geopolitical scenario in which China which has hitherto been monopolizing trade with US , has fallen out with the nation which contributed most to its growth. It is an opportune time for India to take advantage of the situation and broaden its manufacturing base to substitute China for US needs of products from pins to toys to electronics etc.
Mr. H.S. Panaser
Mr. H.S. Panaser is the Founder and President of Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council, USA. He is a strong and innovative leader with more than three decades of experience in fortune 500 companies in Pharmaceutical, Medical Tourism and Food and Health segment in Global Marketing. Harinder had been working for over a decade as Chair for a Super PAC promoting US India relations. His Other affiliations and experience includes Chair, NJ, NY Chapter, US India Political Action Committee, Ex. President, Global Haryana Chamber of Commerce, Advisor on Board, C3Summit International LLC, Ex. President, US SAARK Business Forum, Director A I Nexus, President – Global Marketing NYSO, India and Ex. Member on Board, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, USA.
Panaser concluded by thanking the speakers at the panel of this webinar and saying as we quote “India has emerged as a global capital of generic medicines and can contribute to the world by producing cheap drugs, including vaccines. With US support in scientific advancement and technology at its command, a high-quality medical research enabled to India can aid the mass production of vaccines and essential drugs in India, eventually helping the world facing a crisis like Covid-19 currently.”
“In a continued effort of this series of webinars we are trying to get representatives from The Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Chemicals, Government of India to join our webinar and address The Indian diaspora connected to the health care industry in the United States”, Panaser concluded. .
HOUSTON (TIP): Advanced Cardiovascular Care Center P.A. and its owner and administrator have agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act (FCA), announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Owner Dr. Annie T. Varughese, 57, and administrator Babu Varughese, 64, both of Spring, conducted business in three clinics located in Houston, Conroe and The Woodlands.
From June 4, 2013, through June 4, 2016, the company submitted claims to Medicare for cardiology services. These included cardiac external counterpulsation treatments, transthoracic echocardiography studies and duplex scans that were not reasonable and medically necessary. Therefore, they failed to meet the Medicare coverage and documentation requirements.
Further, patient files lacked documentation that Varughese directly supervised the cardiology services as Medicare requires. The company billed Medicare for services under Varughese’s provider number when she was not in the office and, at times, not even in the United States.
“Putting financial gain ahead of medical necessity undermines the integrity of the Medicare program,” said Special Agent in Charge Miranda Bennett of the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG). “We will continue investigate and hold accountable those who submit false claims to federal health care programs.”
“The largest area of fraud committed against the federal government today is by unethical healthcare providers who inflate or fabricate Medicare or Medicaid bills,” said Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI. “Billing Medicare for services that are not necessary and/or not provided constitutes fraud. American taxpayers are the ones who ultimately bear the financial burden created by this, as healthcare fraud translates into higher premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for consumers. We ask for the public’s help in reporting and exposing dishonest healthcare providers.”
The execution of his vision, affordable and accessible healthcare, has provided innumerable individuals with the invaluable gift of sight. In children, this gift results in 75 years of a full and productive life. These children, who would be considered a burden to society, are then able to contribute and to their families and to society.
While living in London, Dr. V.K. Raju traveled home to India on vacation, where a farmer asked him to examine his eyes. Dr. Raju complied, but without any instruments. In 1977, Dr. Raju returned to rural India with personnel and equipment and offered his first eye campnear his hometown; this was the inception of the Eye Foundation of America (EFA).
For the past 4 decades, Dr. Raju and the EFA have been actively and tirelessly on a crusade to eliminate avoidable blindness in areas plagued by poverty and poor access to medical care. Because Dr. Raju feels so incredibly thankful for his personal and professional gifts, he makes great effort to share those gifts with those in need of his services. He believes that medical professionals in the United States are afforded many material comforts, and as such, only voluntary service can alleviate the feeling of intellectual poverty. He gives freely of his own time, money, and medical expertise to help the less fortunate.
The EFA’s mission is to eliminate avoidable blindness under the guiding principles of service, teaching, and research. This is accomplished througheye camps and brick-and-mortar hospitals in developing countries, training of medical personnel to serve the needy, and educating the population at large on preventative eye care and healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Raju quotes his mentor in London as saying, “There are 3 solutions for any problem. The first is education, the second is education, and the third is education.” With this education, patients are empowered to take charge of their lives and their own health and prevent further deleterious consequences of their poor lifestyle choices, while sharing this knowledge with their friends and families.
When education and preventative measures are insufficient, medical and surgical interventions are performed. With the aim of permanently providing world-class state-of-the art services to populations with poor access to health care, the EFA helped to build 2 hospitals in rural India: the Srikiran Eye Institute and the Goutami Eye Institute. The Goutami Institute has a wing dedicated to exclusively to children, and the EFA has future plans to build a service and research eye hospital in India where no child will be denied treatment and children from around the world can come to receive services. Dr. Raju and the EFA are also committed to finding new cures for age-old eye disease in children.
With all of Dr. Raju’s momentous achievements, he has also ensured that his life’s work and vision are self-sustaining. Dr. Raju has passed on his knowledge, plans, and vision to the future leaders of this movement: Dr. Leela Raju, Dr. Raju’s daughter and fellow ophthalmologist, is the EFA’s Secretary and Coordinator for Education and actively participates in its mission. “Our work is only just beginning,” affirms Dr. Raju.
Dr. Raju was born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India. He earned his medical degree from Andhra University and completed an ophthalmology residency and fellowship at the Royal Eye Group of Hospitals in London, England. He is board certified in ophthalmology and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. He has resided in Morgantown, WV since 1976, where he is currently a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at West Virginia University (WVU), the Section Chief of the Ophthalmology Department at Monongalia General Hospital, runs a private practice at the Monongalia Eye Clinic, and is the Founder and Medical Director of the EFA, a registered non-profit organization.
Dr. Raju began the work of the EFA in 1977 by offering eye camps. The West Virginia Ophthalmology Foundation was subsequently created in 1982 and became the EFA in 1992. The realization of Dr. Raju’s vision, the EFA, has a reach that currently extends to 30+ developing countries and the USA. The EFA has served approximately 2 million patients and performed 300,000+ vision-saving surgeries, with 25,000+ surgeries performed on children alone.
Awards/Recognition Received by Dr. Raju
State
Dr. Raju has received many honors and awards, including 26 distinguished awards and 17 gold medals. In Dr. Raju’s adopted home state of West Virginia, he was awarded both the Lions Club International (Morgantown) Jarrett Award and the WVU International Service Award in 1995. Morgantown Rotary International presented Dr. Raju with an award for community service in 2000. He also received the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Awardfrom WVU in 2008.
National
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has awarded Dr. Raju 4 times for his teaching and research contributions, including the Outstanding Humanitarian Awardin 2002. Dr. Raju received this honor because of the more than $1 million dollars of his own money that went into building hospitals in India, teaching, and providing services to needy patients. At the same meeting in which Dr. Raju was presented with this award, he also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Association of Asian Indians in Ophthalmology. That same year, Dr. Raju received the Free to Achieve Award from the Maryland chapter of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) for his philanthropy. The AAPI also awarded Dr. Raju with their prestigious Distinguished Community Service Award in 2007 for his service, patient care, teaching, research, and professional and community involvement. In 2011, he received a Senior Achievement Award from the AAO. He has received awards from Lions International and Rotary International. For his humanitarian work, the American Medical Association Foundation acknowledged him with the prestigious Dr. Nathan Davis International Award for Excellence in Medicine in 2013. For the past 2 years, Dr. Raju has expanded his humanitarian efforts in African countries by joining the Carter Center’s Ambassador Program. President Barack Obama presented Dr. Raju with the 2016 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was recently inducted into the University of Toledo Global Medical Missions Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
International
Dr. Raju’s international awards date back to the 1970s, when he received 2 separate awards for service for the blind: Lions (India) and Jaycees (Vijayawada, India). He received several gold medals, including the AP (India) Gold Medal for Contributions to Advance Ophthalmology in 2001; the Dr. Hardia Gold Medal for Best Paper on Refractive Surgery for the All Indian Ophthalmology Society in 2002; Gold Medal from the President at the All Indian Ophthalmology Society Meeting in Cochin in 2012; the Rameshwar Sharma, MD Gold Medal Oration from the Indian Academy of Medical Sciences, Rajasthan Chapter, in 2012; the Gold Medal Oration at the Vijayawada Academy of Ophthalmology in 2014; and the Gold Medal Award from the International Academy for Advances in Ophthalmology, Bombay Ophthalmologists Association, in 2014. He received the Vaidya Ratna in 2002, as well as an achievement award from the House of Lords, London, and the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman Award for Achievement in Medicine in 2014. He was also recognized as one of the Leading Physicians of the World by the International Association of Ophthalmologists in 2014. Dr. Raju was an invited guest of honor at GITAM University and the All Indian Ophthalmology Society Meeting in 2012.
Since its inception, the EFA has facilitated 600+ physician exchanges and trained 200+ ophthalmologists, equipping these medical practitioners with the tools to join the global fight against blindness. The EFA not only trains medical practitioners to join the global fight against blindness through exchange programs, but also provides workshops and training opportunities for medical students and physicians. Dr. Raju’s charisma and vision inspire the EFA’s trainees return to their native countries to prevent and/or alleviate blindness in the field. For example, India and Ghana are actively engaged in avoidable blindness elimination projects with cooperation from their governments. In 2016 in India, 4,889 vision and 374 retinopathy of prematurity screenings were conducted; 779 eye glasses were distributed, and 162 pediatric surgeries were performed. In Ghana in 2016, the Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep@5) and the World Sight Day Kids Funfair screened 9,763 people, including 7,453 children, and detected ophthalmologic diseases in more than 1,000 individuals who consequently received treatment, which included 157 surgeries. More than 11,560 children received vision screenings in Ghana schools; eye glasses and follow-up care were provided when necessary.
Dr. Raju contributes to society in his home country of India and his adopted home state of WV. He believes in and practices Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health care philosophy that emphasizes a holistic approach in which prevention is preferable to treatment. In some cases, blindness and visual impairment can be prevented in developing countries by simply providing a pair of corrective glasses costing less than $10 or delivering vitamin A supplements for just a few cents per dose. The public is educated on eye care and injury prevention, and local teachers are taught how to screen for early eye problems in children. Patients, their families, and the greater community benefit from preventative medical care, free procedures, and access to education.
In WV, Dr. Raju accepts patients that do not have medical insurance and performs surgical procedures that are not covered. If a patient is unable to pay for the costly services rendered, he asks for a small donation to the EFA. Dr. Raju performs free procedures that amount to an estimated $25,000–45,000 per year. This allows many of these patients to remain functional members of society.
The execution of his vision, affordable and accessible healthcare, has provided innumerable individuals with the invaluable gift of sight. In children, this gift results in 75 years of a full and productive life. These children, who would be considered a burden to society, are then able to contribute and to their families and to society.
“(What) makes me most excited about going to work everyday is that I have the ability to truly help people get back to the activities and things that they love to do in their life.”-Arun Rajaram, M.D.
Dr. Arun Rajaram, M.D. is a New Jersey native, born and brought up in Morris County, New Jersey.
Dr. Rajaram completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Yale University. He completed his orthopedic sports medicine fellowship through the Baylor College of Medicine at the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. During his fellowship, he gained phenomenal experience while serving as an assistant team physician for multiple professional teams, including the Houston Texans, Rockets, Astros and Dynamo. He received his medical degree (with distinction) and bachelor’s degree in computer science from The George Washington University.
An orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, Dr. Arun Rajaram uses the most advanced techniques available to surgeons.
Dr. Rajaram chatted with Mabel Pais about his work as an Orthopaedic surgeon.
What is your specialty?
I’m a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with a specialty in Sports Medicine andarthroscopic surgery, using the most advanced techniques. I’m from the IGEADivision of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Prior to returning home to practice in New Jersey, I was anassistant team physician for multiple professional teams, including the Houston Texans, Rockets, Astros and Dynamo.
What are some of the most common causes of back issues? Are there preventive measures?
Some of the most common causes of back issues can come from traumatic injuries, overuse injuries or postural imbalance.
Many of these injuries can be prevented by strengthening the lumbar muscles and the core muscles of our body.
What are some of the common problems you have found in your patients?
When you are sitting at a desk for several hours a day, a lot of your muscles tend to develop tightness and weakness. We see a lot of patients develop shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tendonitis and shoulder pain because of their position on the keyboard, the position at their desk. We also see people develop knee pain issues from their position at the desk or sitting in their vehicle for long periods of time. This puts a lot of pressure on the inside of the knee and causes knee symptoms. The problems we see in a lot of athletes, we also see in a lot of professionals working at the desk.
Do you use holistic approaches to treatment? Explain.
As a result of the experience I gained working with professional athletes, I have incorporated many biologic treatment options into my practice. Working in that world of orthopaedics, I have included alternative methods, therapies in my practice. Many of these treatments help the body repair and recover from a variety of athletic, work related, and day to day activities. As a result, in addition to surgical options, biologic therapies are also available for my patients.
Ortho-Biologics such as Platelet Rich Plasma is an alternative therapy where we draw blood from the patient’s arm and then the blood is placed in a centrifuge. It is then spun for 5 minutes in the centrifuge, which then separates the blood from the plasma layer. We then extract the plasma layer with all of the platelets. Then we inject the platelet-rich plasma back into the site of the injury. This is a common form of biologic cell therapy.
It has been very successful. The 4 most common joints that we use this therapy for are the knee, elbow, hip and shoulder. We have many other treatments whereby we are able to optimize the patient’s recovery and healing and enable them to return to their normal activities.
What is the connection between the brain, spine, and sports medicine?
The most common brain injury we see in sports medicine is concussions. Spine injuries can also occur in sporting activities. The brain and spine injuries must be taken very seriously and cared for by the appropriate team of specialists.
Explain the use of the Stability Ball?
The stability ball helps to strengthen and stabilize the core muscles of our body which help improve and prevent a lot of injuries. The two most important core muscles are the abdominal muscles and the lumbar muscles. These muscles stabilize your core, whether you’re standing, walking or sitting. These muscles stabilize the central portion of the body in all activities.
What self-help or healing modalities do you recommend to your patients?
We absolutely recommend exercises on quadriceps-strengthening to help improve the function of the knees. I demonstrate these exercises to the patients in our office. I also work closely with many physical therapists to continue our patient’s treatment plans outside of the office.
Do you incorporate exercise and nutrition in your therapy?
I spend a lot of time on nutrition. Protein in the diet will help with muscle healing and growth. We discuss the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet, and Vitamin D for the need for strong bones, and overall a well- balanced diet to fuel the body.
I’ve been in practice with IGEA since December 2017 and in Sports Medicine since 2014.
Why choose to practice in IgeaNeuro?
What I like about IGEA is that we are a multi-specialty practice that is able to help patients from head to toe and we’re able to provide world-class care in a comforting private practice setting. We strive to provide excellent care and create great relationships with our patients in the IGEA.
Why do you love your job?
One of the things that makes me most excited about going to work everyday is that I have the ability to truly help people get back to the activities and things that they love to do in their life.
The entire mission of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine is to help people get back to doing everything they want to do in life.
At which locations do you practice?
I practice at the following locations: Union, Florham Park, and Hazlet in New Jersey; and New York City at 86thStreet & Park Avenue and Broad Street in the Financial District.
For more information on Arun Rajaram, M.D. and IGEA, visit
“We look forward to seeing you in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Dr. Ajay Lodha,AAPI President
Representing the interests of the over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, leaders of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic organization of physicians, for 35 years, AAPI Convention provides a platform to the medical fraternity to discuss issues relating to their profession, including assessing their role in the ever evolving situations – medical, political and social. The annual convention this year, from June 21 to 25 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, is being organized by AAPI’s New York Chapter. Those responsible for the big event are Convention Chair, Dr. Raj Bhayani, Co-chairs, Drs. Vinod Sanchetti, Kishen Kumar, Jayesh Kanuga, and Kusum Punjabi; Convention Advisory Committee Chair, Shashi Shah; and Drs. Hetal Gor, Jagdish Gupta, and Himanshu Pandya. AAPI’s new executive committee includes Dr. Gautam Samadder President, Dr. Naresh Parikh, Vice President; Dr. Suresh Reddy, Secretary; Dr. Manju Sachdev, Treasurer; Dr. Madhu Agarwal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Aditya Desai, YPS president; and Atul Nakhasi, MSRF President. The Indian Panorama is introducing here two of the incoming leaders of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. One is the Presidentelect Dr. Gautam Samadder, and the other, Dr. Ashok Jain Elected Chair, BOT of AAPI.
Dr. Gautam Samadder, President Elect of AAPI
“AAPI must be responsive to members, supportive of leadership and a true advocate for our mission”
“AAPI must be responsive to its members, supportive of the leadership and a true advocate for our mission,” Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, says. “I am committed to unify AAPI by breaking down the barriers of various regions, languages, medical education within the organization and bringing everyone together as a whole organization rather than separate fragments of the organization,” Dr. Samadder says.
At AAPI, where he will assume charge as the president of AAPI at the annual convention in Atlantic City on June 25th, Dr. Gautam Samadder rose through the ranks due to his hard work and dedication. He was a Regional Director for the AAPI NE Central-II Region, and had served as the Editor-in-Chief of AAPI Journal, a quarterly published by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI). He was instrumental in reviving the journal and turning it around to a ‘sought-after’ publication.
“My leadership involvement with the AAPI started during my Global Health Summit trip to India in Rajasthan in the year of 2010 although I have been a patron member of AAPI for more than 20 years. I had the opportunity to know Dr. Ajit Singhvi, who had encouraged me to take on a leadership role at AAPI and here I am seven years later.”
According to him, “One thing is clear, if you are a team player, hardworking, and willing to serve in the best interests of the organization. There is always a leadership opportunity for you in AAPI.”
The Incoming President Dr. Gautam Samadder and family L to R: Dr.Samadder, wife, son and daughter
Dr. Samadder was elected as Secretary of AAPI in 2014. Prior to this, he served as the Regional Director in Ohio and Michigan for two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011. “I have been involved in the grass-root level to form all Ohio AAPI chapter which includes (AIPO) local chapters from Columbus Cleveland Cincinnati Dayton, Youngstown, and Toledo and served as the president in 2012. In addition, I have been the president of the local Chapter of AAPI Central Ohio (Columbus) from 2008-2010.
Working with his dedicated executive committee, Dr. Gautam wants to “establish a strategic plan for AAPI that can sustain change in leadership. “AAPI members should be at the table during planning and implementation stages of the health care reforms,” Dr. Samadder says. “I want to encourage medical students, residents, and fellows and all second-generation Indian American physicians to be actively involved in both local and national level. Efforts go to building a strong association focusing on leader development and strengthening our professional relations.”
“In my capacity as the President of national AAPI, I want to support the growth of global and Indo-US relationship and to support and promote charitable activities through AAPI both in the US and India,” Dr. Samadder says.
“As I have shown over the past decades in my roles as a Regional Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President Elect of AAPI, and now as the President, I will continue to work to create advocacy and community services, escalating profitability, productivity and popularity of AAPI.
“I will also promote globalization of education as well as work towards creating awareness and promote the level of involvement of the Indian American Medical Community and to foster the increasing strength and grown of our beloved Nation.
While working in close cooperation with AAPI at all levels, we will together address the issues affecting the physicians at the state and national level. I envision promoting health care advocacy and community services, escalating profitability, productivity and popularity of AAPI,” he adds.
Dr. Samadder wants to “amplify participation among young physicians and medical students, strengthen AAPI’s financial security through profitable corporate sponsorships and facilitate collegial cooperation between local and state chapters, as this will increase AAPI’s global stature and eminence, which will ultimately make healthcare more efficient and effective in USA and India.”
His “work ethic, integrity and self-reliance will help propagate AAPI’s mission and instill renewed energy and participation. My leadership experience demonstrates in the private and nonprofit sectors will be advantageous in increasing participation, chapter cooperation and awareness of exchange programs. I am dedicated to helping chart a course toward AAPI’s true mission.”
Under his leadership, Dr. Gautam will strive to make AAPI an organization where people feel proud to contribute their time and energy for the greater good of the members and the society. “AAPI is a platform to cherish their achievement and creating a platform to further enhance and provide opportunities to our budding physicians to be successful in academic medicine and to the rest of the world, and to India in particular.Leading a major organization like AAPI and providing a forum to its members to collectively work together to meet their diverse needs is a major challenge.”
Dr. Samadder’s presidency will start with AAPI’s family trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana from August 4-13, 2017, which will provide twelve hours CME credits and include a jungle safari at a world famous resort and extensive site seeing opportunities.
The AAPI Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) from December 28-31, 2017 in the beautiful city of joy, Kolkata (West Bengal, India), will continue to make progress on AAPI’s past initiatives, including the traumatic brain injury (TBI) guidelines dissemination, training of first responders, and engaging local authorities to help address one of the major causes of road fatalities by pursuing four key aspects which are awareness, free hospital care, in hospital, and rehab.
According to him, the GHS will serve as a sounding board for many health care leader to freely exchange ideas, and help resolve challenges that are addressed during the very effective CEO forums usually chaired by MOH officials and leading CEOs. This will help in attracting investments, advanced training, and setting up hospitals, medical institutions, etc. AAPI GHS will continue the International Research Competition, EP, Cardiology, Urology, and other workshops that will help in training several India based physicians. Finally, the women’s forum under the banner of women’s leadership forum will serve as an inspiration for aspiring female leaders to see and hear from their role models.
Gautam spends most of his life in the private sector and is presently the CEO and managing director of Columbus Sleep Consultants, which he has built up from the ground. He was instrumental in the formation of Indian Sleep Society, with the objective of promoting sleep research and publications within Asian Indian communities. He is a speaker for several pharmaceutical companies and the physician advisor to several medical technology companies and recently collaborated with Fisher and Paykel to establish diagnostic centers in several major cities in India.
Born and growing up in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, young Gautam was always eager to learn and develop the talents and skills, overcoming numerous obstacles and turning them into small town opportunities, he took on the challenge of pursuing his career in Medicine by competing in the medical admission process and graduated from Rani Durgawati Medical College, Jabalpur.
With his passion for knowledge, determination, perseverance, and success, Dr. Samadder came to the United States in 1985 for higher education. After completing his Residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai affiliate hospital-North General, New York, he did his Pulmonary Fellowship at SUNY affiliate-Brookdale Hospital, New York and Sleep Fellowship at Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Subsequently, he moved to Ohio in 1995. “While doing pulmonary fellowship, I was very intrigued with obstructive sleep apnea – a very dangerous medical condition but an easily treatable condition,” recalls Dr. Gautam Samadder, Founder and CEO of Columbus Sleep Consultants. “Also, this is one of the rare specialties, where patient satisfaction is enormous because of the successful outcome of the treatment.”
With aspirations to develop and become an entrepreneur, he took on the challenge of opening an independent practice of Pulmonary and Sleep medicine in 1997. His hard work and dedication paid off. He was successful in expanding the practice to be one of the biggest networking of independent sleep labs in Ohio, employing more than 50 employees, including three physicians and two physician assistants. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director at a multi-locational and Multispecialty Sleep facility, Columbus Sleep Consultants.
Dr. Gautam Samadder built his career on hard and dedicated work in the private and public sectors. He spearheaded the formation of Indian Sleep Society (AAPIOS) and is actively involved in promoting Sleep Research and Awareness both nationally and Internationally including India. He recently collaborated with Fisher & Paykel to establish diagnostic centers in major Indian cities.
Even though working as an entrepreneur, owning a large sub-specialty involving community service, he had a deep desire to give back to the community. Having worked with the local and state medical society, being the regional director and local chapter president of AAPI he has a deep desire to give back to this extra ordinary organization (AAPI).
He is actively involved with the Indian community and member at large of the Asian Indian Alliance, which actively participates in a bipartisan way to support and fund electoral candidates. He is actively involved with the Bharatiya Hindu Temple and free health clinics.
Serving as a core member of the Advisory Board of the Ohio State University Gateway Project, which supports Exchange programs between USA and India including student’s scholarships, Dr. Samadder is also an active member of the Ohio State Medical Association and was the first counselor of the International Medical Graduates for the state of Ohio. Dr. Samadder was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State University.
“These experiences, along with others, have provided me with a strong foundation from which I can offer fresh ideas and responsible leadership,” he says. For someone who in his own words is “always looking to strengthen AAPI”, a set of more responsibilities would certainly be welcome. “Having worked with Dr.Narendra Kumar on the 9- city tour event, I would like to lead AAPI with my dream team to new heights.” he says. “I am always looking for opportunities to help AAPI in making it powerful so that members get benefit they deserve, and spread awareness at local and state level and unite local chapters.”
Among the many mentors, who had inspired him, Dr. Samadder has been impressed by Dr. Kumar and Dr. Ajit Singhvi, past Presidents of AAPI. “I have been especially fascinated by the commitment of Dr. Kumar. He is fortunately in the same specialty as me and I have had several interactions with him. When I see him working for AAPI, his unselfish commitment, time and family wise, I am so awestruck. If I can replicate that, I will be blessed,” he says with modesty.
His wife is a practicing gastroenterologist in Columbus. The couple have been married for about 25 years now. They have a son who is in medical school and their daughter is in high school.
“AAPI has a mandate to help disseminate our medical knowledge, our expertise and technological advances to the entire world,” Dr. Samadder says. Utilizing AAPI membership, AAPI, Dr. Samadder wants to create and lobby for the legislative agenda at the federal level, supporting the policies and programs benefitting AAPI members. He wants to bring in second generation Indian American members into AAPI leadership roles and positions, and thus “ushering in a new era of cooperation, stability, and sustained growth for AAPI.”
Years of health care management experience: Dr. Ashok Jain Elected Chair, BOT of AAPI
Dr. Ashok Jain, Chairman elect of AAPI BOT
DrAshok Jain, M.D., M.S., FACR, chief medical officer for Beaumont Hospital, Wayne, MI, has been elected Chairman of Board of Trustees, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin for the year 2017-18.
Soft spoken, caring, gentle, intelligent, and committed to give back to the society, and gentle in his approach, Dr. Jain has been associated with AAPI since its initial launch over 35 years ago. “I have been involved with AAPI since its inception in 1983 as a young physician who had just started practicing in Michigan.” Ever since, he has been actively associated with AAPI and worked hard to the growth of this organization since its inception.
As a young physician filled with love and commitment, he had worked with Wayne County Medical Society and Michigan State Society for the establishment of first IMG section at state level in Michigan.
One of his contributions, Dr. Jain feels very proud of today is that, “I worked for keeping same criteria for IMG’s and AMG’s for state medical licensure.” Dr. Jain was elected as MAPI President in 1994, and had served at the AAPI Executive Committee as the Regional Director in 1995-1996.
His connections with the political leaders from India and the US made Dr. Jain more popular and much sought after. Dr. Jain served as the Alumni Committee Chair, and AAPI’s prestigious Legislative Affairs Committee Chair in 2004- 2005.
All along his life, Dr. Jain was filled with passion for giving back to the society. He was elected to serve as the MAPI Board of Trustees Chair and the Foundation of MAPI (FOMAPI) Chair in 2015. His visionary and leadership skills were seen all over as Dr. Jain, helped FOMAPI raise $180,000 for MAPI free clinic, serving the less privileged. In the 1980’s Dr. Jain raised $500,000 in five years benefiting Nargis Dutt Foundation for cancer patients for different charities in India.
His love for his country of birth was seen in Dr. Jain building and running Girls High School in his village in Rajasthan in 1997, where 650 girls study year until they complete High School. Dr. Ashok Jain had also served as a member of the Board of Trustee of Jain Temple in Detroit.
Dr. Ashok Jain, who serves as the Senior Vice President at Beaumont Health and as the Chief Medical Officer at Beaumont Hospital in Wayne, MI, has a Master of Science Degree in Medical Practice Management. Dr. Jain has served as a member of Board of Trustee at Oakwood Health Care System and now at the Beaumont Health. Dr. Jain serves as Chief of Medical Staff of Beaumont Hospital, Wayne from 2011 onwards.
Dr. Jain is married to his beautiful wife, who is also involved with MAPI auxiliary. His son finishing medical school and his daughter has a degree in MHA, Masters in Healthcare Administration, and is Trinity Health in Ann Arbor, MI. Beaumont Hospital, where Dr. Jain serves as the Chief Medical Officer, is a 185?bed teaching hospital that is part of Beaumont Health, Michigan’s largest health care system, based on inpatient admissions and net patient revenue. Dr. Jain was appointed to this role at Beaumont, Wayne in 2015. He closely collaborates with medical and hospital leadership, including its Medical Executive Committee, hospital president and elected chief of staff.
Dr. Jain is responsible for overall hospital performance and developing the vision and strategic plan for clinical activities. He also serves as the hospital’s patient safety officer and oversees site?related patient safety and quality activities.
A practicing radiologist, Dr. Jain joined Beaumont Hospital, Wayne in 1982 and was elected chief of staff in 2011. Dr. Jain is a graduate of the M.S. University of Baroda Medical College and completed a residency in radiology and fellowship in ultrasound/CT through the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Ashok Jain, M.D., M.S., FACR Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer Beaumont Hospital, Wayne Beaumont Health is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2014 by Beaumont Health System, Botsford Hospital and Oakwood Healthcare to provide patients and families with compassionate, extraordinary care, no matter where they live in Southeast Michigan. It consists of eight hospitals with 3,429 beds, 174 outpatient sites, nearly 5,000 physicians, 36,000 employees and 3,500 volunteers. In 2016, the organization had $4.4 billion in net revenue with nearly 178,000 inpatient discharges, 568,000 emergency visits and more than 17,500 births.
“I bring years of health care management experience, organized medicine leadership experience to AAPI,” Dr. Jain says the newly elected Chair of AAPI BOT. “My goal as the BOT, AAPI in the coming year is to formalize and create AAPI leadership academy working with American college of physician executives for development of leadership roles for all AAPI membership. I want to work hard to engage young physician and attract them to AAPI. They are the future of AAPI.”
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