Congressman Thanedar kicks off AAPI’s 41st Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA

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The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin kicked off its 41^st Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions (aapiconvention.org) July 6, 2023 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia. The highlight was keynote speaker Congressman Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan, who spoke about his journey from India to the US, and his success, while praising Indian American physicians for their contributions.

Attended by more than 500 delegates from around the nation, the Convention is a venue for networking with healthcare professionals, academicians, and scientists, participating in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, developing health policy agendas, and encouraging legislative priorities in the coming year.

Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of AAPI welcomed attendees, saying, “The convention provides a forum for members to facilitate and enable physicians to help excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs, by providing opportunities for business partnerships and relationships and to celebrate, coordinate and communicate.”

Several other executive members of AAPI also greeted the crowd, and gave credit to the team that made the Convention possible.

Chair and ECO of the Convention Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, said, “We have been working hard to put together an attractive program for our annual get together, educational activity and family enjoyment. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of convention committee members helping us to make this event truly historic.”

Dr. Sreeni Ganagsani, incoming Treasurer of AAPI and Chair of the Continuing Medical Education (CME ) Committee, said, “Shri Thanedar proudly represents the people of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. Congressman Thanedar is passionate about fighting to improve the lives of hard-working families across the United States.”

In his keynote address, Rep. Thanedar, the 5th member to join the ‘Samosa Caucus’ in the US House talked about his humble beginnings in India and how his application to come to the United States to pursue Doctoral Degree was denied four times by the Indian Consulate in Mumbai. “Today, I am proud to state that I had the honor of escorting the Prime Minister of India to deliver his address to the joint session of the US Congress,” said the successful businessman from Michigan.

Born into a large family in Southern India, Rep. Thanedar said he knows firsthand the struggles and stigma of poverty, “and I had started working as a janitor to meet the needs of my family.”

That is why, he said, he is committed to fighting for more education and job training resources for southeast Michigan, a higher minimum wage, universal health care, and programs to jumpstart entrepreneurship in historically disenfranchised communities. “Together, these initiatives will close the racial wealth gap and help more families in the United States,” he said.

Rep. Thanedar praised the physicians who worked so hard, especially during Covid, saving millions of lives. He is credited with setting up the Hindu Caucus in the US House with the intention of eradicating discrimination on the basis of religion or any other means. He vowed to “fight for the transformation of the broken immigration system in the US.”

Dr. Sunny Anand of the Heart to Heart Foundation, spoke about delivering healthcare to villages in India, “and it’s been a journey of more than 50 years. Within the last 10 years, we have set up 10 hospitals where there is no cash counter there is no billing department. All the care is given totally free of course. Our Foundation has touched the lives of so many with more than 220,000 consultations 26,000 heart surgeries or cat interventions completely free of cost. And we are now talking to you about rural Medical College. Come join us in our endeavor to touch many more lives and transform the lives of the rural poor.”

The Regional Directors of AAPI were recognized during the first day of the Convention, for their leadership and commitment to the mission o0f AAPI. Rep. Thanedar presented each of them with a plaque.

The entertainment sessions of the inaugural night featured the “AAPI’s Got Talent “contest  where members showcased their hidden talents. The highly sought after event was led by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, the incoming VP of AAPI, and Dr. Seema Arora, past Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees. Other cultural programs for the evening included, Bishakh Jyoti Live, Garba and Mehfil & Khaas.