GAPI’s informative regional meeting headlined by Consul Srinivasan and Dr. Manoj Shah
(Left) Dr. Indrakrishnan, Consul Srinivasan, and Dr. Naresh Parikh at GAPI's Atlanta regional meeting. (Photo: Ravi Ponangi)
Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) held its Atlanta regional meeting on December 13, 2014 at the Impact Hall in Global Mall, for more than 100 attendees. The occasion was graced by chief guest Mr. R. Srinivasan, India’s Commercial and Political Affairs Consul for the Southeast USA; Dr. Manoj Shah, President of Medical Association Georgia (MAG); and many other notable community healthcare leaders. The meeting agenda was unique with a wide range of pertinent topics from education, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship to financial management.
Emory's "Ebola doctors," Dr. Aneesh Mehta and Dr. Jay Varkey with Dr. Indrakrishnan and Dr. Sudha Tata. (Photo: Dr. Anju Iranganti)
Dr. Indran Indrakrishnan, President of GAPI, in his welcome speech congratulated Dr. Manoj Shah for becoming the first Indian-origin president of MAG. He then apprised the attendees of GAPI’s recent educational, philanthropic, humanitarian, political, entertaining, and social activities. He spoke about the health fair inaugurated by Governor Nathan Deal, Augusta regional meeting, awarding Indian Health minister Hon. Harsh Vardhan during his Atlanta visit, Indian Prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s NY reception, Diwali function at BAPS temple with chief guest Senator Mike Dugan, “Beauty and the Beast” musical dance-drama production graced by chief Guest Senator David Shafer, and GAPI leadership at the Indian Ambassador for USA Hon. S. Jaishankar’s Atlanta reception. A beautiful and illustrative slide show was presented on GAPI’s 2014 events.
(Photo: Ravi Ponangi)
Chief guest Consul R. Srinivasan spoke about the current status of the Indian healthcare industry, which has registered a double-digit growth in the last few years, and the available areas of opportunity for investments in India. He highlighted medical tourism, cost comparisons, success rate of surgeries, and the professional competence of the healthcare industry in India. He assured the availability of his good offices and the Consulate for facilitation of investments in India.
(Photo: Ravi Ponangi)
Dr Manoj Shah, MAG President began his keynote address by thanking GAPI president Dr. Indrakrishnan for his strategic leadership in transforming GAPI to a more active and vibrant organization with community leaders’ participation. He informed the audience that 7200 members strong, MAG is a leading advocacy organization that prioritizes its work on physician autonomy, transparency in the healthcare insurance, medical malpractice tort reform, and increasing healthcare access in underserved areas.
(Photo: Ravi Ponangi)
Star physicians (left) , Dr. Jay Varkey, the first physician to care for a patient with Ebola in the US, and Dr. Aneesh Mehta shared their experience in caring for patients with Ebola Virus Disease at Emory University Hospital.
Dr. Deepa Ranganathan, board member of MD Junior, a student-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, spoke about its humanitarian activities. Recognized by the White House, Jefferson Awards, and several others, this organization brings together passionate healthcare professionals and students who have a strong desire to reach their full potential. Chapters are established in different schools and colleges, for local and global initiatives.
Dr. Naresh Parikh, AAPI Treasurer, complimented Dr. Indrakrishnan for his hard work and dedication since he became a president early this year. He thanked Dr. Indrakrishnan for elevating GAPI’s esteem and status to a much higher status than it was before. He briefed the attendees about GAPI’s concerted efforts to confirm the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as the first US Surgeon General of Indian origin.
Vijay Patel from Merrill Lynch gave a brief presentation on retirement planning for physicians, including year-end planning and maximizing savings for retirement. He discussed the benefits of using “after-tax” savings in a 401k to save more.
Dr. Manoj Shah, Dr. Gangasani, Dr. Yogesh Joshi, Mr. Jayathibhai Patel, Mr. Sanjay Pandya, Consul R. Srinivasan, Dr. Indrakrishnan, and Dr. Naresh Parikh. (Photo: Dr. Anju Iranganti)
As the concluding event, GAPI donated $4,000.00 each to Lydia House, a nonprofit organization in Augusta caring for women with cancer, and to BAPS Health Fair of Lilburn, GA. Dr. Bipin Chudgar, the founder of Lydia House, and Mr. Sanjay Pandya and Mr. Jayanthibhai Patel from BAPS received the checks from Drs. Sreeni Gangasani and Yogesh Joshi on behalf of GAPI board of trustees.
Dr. Indrakrishnan thanked the Chief Guest, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, and all the attendees for making the 2014 Atlanta Regional meeting a successful and memorable one.
The meeting ended with a sumptuous dinner catered by Ashiana Restaurant.
Website Bonus Feature
GAPI board meeting
A GAPI board meeting was also held from 4pm to 5pm, presided over by GAPI President Dr. Indrakrishnan and attended by Drs. Manoj Shah, Yogesh Joshi, Arvind Gupta, Sudha Tata, P.B. Rao, Dilip Patel, Sudhakar Jonnagalada, and Tarun Gosh. Dr. Joshi presented a proposal on the management of the Endowment Trust Fund for trustees' consideration. A membership drive and planning of the annual convention for 2015 were also discussed in detail. A membership drive committee chaired by Dr. Sudha Tata and consisting of board of directors was proposed & approved.
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