Physicians Kick Off 29th Annual Convention in New York

NEW YORK
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) inaugurated its 29th annual convention June 22 at the Hilton Hotel here with the promise of providing education, entertainment and entrepreneurship opportunities to attendees over the course of five days.

More than 2,000 physicians from across North America are attending the convention that began June 22 with a bus tour of the Big Apple, Dr. Ajay Lodha, chair of the convention, told News India Times. More than 80 vendors are displaying their products and services across two floors at the Hilton.

The convention and exhibition was  formally inaugurated June 23 by former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The AAPI board of directors and trustees joined Kalam for the traditional lamp-lighting, followed by an address from outgoing AAPI President Dr. Ajeet Singhvi.

He said the main aim of the convention is to provide a platform for members to “learn, enjoy, network and reminisce with old friends.”

Thanking Kalam for gracing the convention and describing him as the “People’s President” and “Missile Man of India,” Singhvi said Kalam is one of those rare individuals that represent the highest form of human spirit.

In his keynote address, Kalam talked about several important events in his life that were responsible for shaping his views and ideology. The former president, who has received honorary doctorates from more than 30 institutions worldwide, urged AAPI members to “think big” and said the results will follow. Citing examples from his career as a scientist, he said it is very important for physicians and engineers to work together to come up with cost-effective solutions for society.

He said that along with striving for success and perfection, it is also very important to manage failure. “No problem should be so big that it defeats you,” Kalam told the gathering. “You should be the captain of the problem and defeat it.”

Organizing committee members have ensured the convention caters to varied interests and have lined up seminars and discussions covering a wide range of topics like "Improving Global Health” and "Emerging Role of Minority Physicians."
Continuing medical education (CME) seminars cover everything from LASIK surgery updates to heart health and stem cell research, hematology, psychiatry, aging, osteoporosis, robotics, drug abuse and addiction, sleep medicine, dermatology and hepatitis.

Other highlights include yoga sessions and award sessions recognizing community leaders, physicians and elected officials.

Involving women and youth has always been the focus of the group, and this year’s convention includes several events geared towards that. Women make up 50 percent of the AAPI’s membership and this year’s president, Dr. Sunita Kanumury, is the second women to lead AAPI in its 29 years.

The women’s forum held June 24 featured high-profile speakers like Reena Agarwal, the Robert E. McDonough Professor of Business Administration and professor of finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business; Barkha Dutt, group editor with NDTV in India; Ruchira Gupta, founder of Apne Aap Women Worldwide; Liz Krueger, New York state senator; U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.; and Bollywood actress Lisa Ray.

Apart from education and networking, the convention also offered some stellar entertainment. Participants were treated to a fashion show June 23 by Sheetal boutique’s artistic designer Hemant Trivedi. Titled “Anushthan,” the fashion show featured 20 top models from India who displayed the latest trends in ethnic- and party-wear.

A classical music concert featured Pandit Jasraj accompanied by U. Shrinivas, U. Rajesh and Bikram Ghosh. Younger participants could groove to Bollywood songs and Bhangra beats by Mika Singh. A comedy night by Shailesh Lodha and Manoj Sharma followed.