Dr. Amit Chakrabarty and Dr. Hetal Gor formally took charge as President and Chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT), respectively, of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) during the organization’s 43rd Annual Convention held at the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

In a ceremonial moment marking the transition of leadership, outgoing President Dr. Satheesh Kathula passed the gavel to Dr. Chakrabarty during the Gala on July 26, 2025, concluding the multi-day convention. The symbolic gesture signified the beginning of a new chapter for AAPI, centered on unity, collaboration, and renewed vision. The event was attended by hundreds of AAPI members, past presidents, and incoming leaders, said an official statement from AAPI.

Joining Dr. Chakrabarty on the new Executive Committee are: Dr. Meher Medavaram, President-Elect; Dr. Krishan Kumar, Vice President; Dr. Seema Arora, Secretary; and Dr. Soumya Neravetla, Treasurer. In addition, Dr. Gautam Kamthan and Dr. Priyanka Kolli assumed leadership roles as Presidents of AAPI’s Young Physicians Section (YPS) and Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows (MSRF) Section, respectively.

“Today marks a sacred beginning—one that’s not only about taking oath, but about embracing purpose,” said Dr. Chakrabarty in his inaugural address. “This stage is illuminated not just by lights, but by the commitment of every physician who’s journeyed with faith, resilience, and passion. With this new chapter, we honor our heritage, step forward with courage, and vow to lead with integrity.”

Reaffirming his commitment to organizational unity, he added, “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.”

Having served AAPI for nearly 25 years, Dr. Chakrabarty emphasized the significant role Indian American physicians can play in shaping the U.S. healthcare landscape. “We have the potential to make a significant impact on the healthcare landscape of this country,” he said.

“My goal this year is to unify AAPI by transcending the regional divides that have hindered our progress in recent years. Indian American physicians represent tremendous talent and potential, and the key to realizing that lies in collective action and a united voice—something I am committed to fostering,” he asserted.

As President, Dr. Chakrabarty pledged to expand membership, engage younger physicians, and strengthen AAPI’s presence in national healthcare policy. He envisions a future where AAPI becomes “more vibrant, united, transparent, and politically active,” and noted that the organization must ensure that “AAPI’s voice is heard in the corridors of power.”

He also announced plans to institute regular town hall meetings and increase leadership accessibility. These forums will serve as opportunities for members to voice concerns, while elected BOT and Executive Committee members present updates based on rational, unbiased, and objective reviews—information that will also be made available on the AAPI website.

In his farewell address, outgoing President Dr. Kathula reflected on the past year’s milestones and thanked the organizing committees for orchestrating a memorable convention. “The organizing committees have been working hard to make the AAPI Convention of 2025 rewarding and memorable for all,” he said. He commended Vijaya Kodali for her integrity, dedication, and coordination of AAPI’s operations.

During the BOT luncheon, several physicians were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community and profession. Dr. Navin Nanda, Dr. P.K. Vedantham, Dr. Krishan Kumar, Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Dr. Ravi Parikh, and Dr. Avi Singh Gandhi received AAPI’s prestigious Service Awards. Winners of the national Research/Poster Presentation were also honored with cash awards for their innovative medical research.

Outgoing BOT Chair Dr. Sunil Kaza shared a candid reflection on his term, stating, “Start of AAPI 2024–2025 term was like a storm, the likes of which AAPI had never seen before,” and added, “Despite multiple and significant challenges, together with our EC, BOT and committee members, we have fulfilled our PROMISES.”

Incoming BOT Chair Dr. Gor spoke about her journey from a regular member to her new leadership position. She outlined plans for collaborative initiatives with Dr. Chakrabarty and the new Executive Committee, focused on transparency, member engagement, and organizational growth.

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