In a historic first for the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Dr. Amit Chakrabarty and Dr. Hetal Gor were formally sworn in as President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees (BOT), respectively, during a special ceremony held on July 3, 2025, at the AAPI office in Oak Brook, Illinois.

The oath of office was administered by Dr. Suresh Reddy, a past President of AAPI and an elected Trustee of Oak Brook Township. The ceremony marks an important leadership transition for the organization, as both incoming leaders prepare to guide AAPI through a new chapter of growth and impact, according to a statement from AAPI.  

AAPI President, Dr. Satheesh Kathula, emphasized the significance of the occasion: “In accordance with AAPI Bylaws, the President-Elect and Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees officially assumed office on July 3. While the ceremonial Gavel Transfer will be held during the Annual Convention Gala on July 26, the formal Presidential & BOT Chair Handover Ceremony was held on July 3. This ceremony marks a meaningful leadership transition for our organization.”

Expressing his vision for the year ahead, Dr. Chakrabarty stated, “We have the potential to make a significant impact on the healthcare landscape of this country. 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.”

Dr. Gor, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, brings decades of leadership experience to her new role. She is the Founder and President of the Bergen Indian Medical Association, as well as the U.S. Chapter of the Federation of OBGYN Society of India (FOGSI). A past President of the American Association of OBGYN of Indian Origin, Dr. Gor also chairs the North New Jersey chapter of the Indian American Women Entrepreneurs Association and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ, where she promotes Indian culture and heritage through the arts.

During the ceremony, Dr. Meher Medavaram was also sworn in as President-Elect of AAPI. A board-certified family medicine physician and Fellow of the Academy of American Family Physicians, Dr. Medavaram serves as Medical Director at Mount Sinai Hospital’s FAQHC Center.

Highlighting the growing footprint of Indian American physicians, Dr. Medavaram noted, “The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, and our adopted land, the US.”

Reflecting on the organization’s legacy, Dr. Kathula added, “Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. I trust and believe that the new Team under Dr. Amit Chakrabarty will continue the noble mission and strengthen our efforts to make AAPI reach greater heights.”

The statement added that currently, AAPI members serve 1 in every 7 patients in the United States. Beyond their clinical contributions, many hold influential positions that shape healthcare policy, innovation, and delivery—both nationally and globally.

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