Ambassador Arun Singh inaugurates AAPI's 34th annual convention in New York City

New York, NY: July 1st, 2016: With ribbon cutting and lighting of the traditional lamp below a beautifully decorated arch, Ambassador Arun Singh, India's Ambassador to the United States, officially inaugurated the 34th annual convention of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square, New York City on July 1st, 2016.

 

In her warm welcome address, Dr. Seema Jain, President of AAPI, reminded the nearly 1,500 AAPI delegates from across the nation of the historic nature of the convention. 'The Future is now-- Its time to step up to a new era of innovation through a new age of digital healthcare that transcends biological and chemical medicine into the future. As physicians we must be equipped to tackle the next generation's unique set of challenges and opportunities in healthcare. The 34th annual AAPI Convention is geared to the future to better prepare us physicians with groundbreaking events such Futuristic Alley, which will have a state of the art and interactive displays of new products from innovators in the field of healthcare. Participants will include companies from the medical device, pharmaceutical, & technology industries,' Dr. Seema Jain said.

 

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Singh praised the many contributions of AAPI members in the United States and back home in India. 'You have excelled in your fields of medicine, and thus make significant contributions through hard work, commitment and dedication to your profession and the people you are committed to serve,' he said. While conveying his greetings and best wishes to AAPI leaders for the success of the convention, Ambassador described the fast growing health sector, particularly the pharmaceutic industry in India.

 

Ambassador Arun Singh said, the Indian pharmaceuticals market is growing rapidly, from US$ 6 billion in 2005 to US$ 55 billion by 2020. He also allured to the fact that by 2020, India is likely to be among the top three pharmaceutical markets by incremental growth and sixth largest market globally in absolute size. 'Branded generics dominate the pharmaceuticals market, constituting nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the market. India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally with the Indian generics accounting for 20 per cent of global exports in terms of volume,' he said. India's cost of production is significantly lower than that of the US   and almost half of that of Europe. It gives a competitive edge to India over others, he said.

 

In his passionate address, Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, a State Representative of the state of Connecticut, challenged his colleagues in the medical profession to be hardworking, dedicated to public cause, family-oriented and stay focused, which are keys to becoming state and national elected officials. 'We have the choice to be at the table or on the table. Given our heritage, we the Indian Americans belong at the table. Get actively involved in the affairs of the local community and that's the path to larger role in the nation,' he said.

 

India's Consul General in New York, Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, lauded the many initiatives AAPI both in India and the United States, while wishing them a successful convention.  

 

At the Business Meeting, Congressman Lee Zeldin, said, Physicians of Indian origin are well known around the world for their compassion, passion for patient care, medical skills, research, and leadership. 'Indian-Americans constitute about one percent of the country's population, but you account for nine percent of the American doctors and physicians, serving one out of seven patients being treated across the nation.' He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inspiring address to the US Congress and his ale leadership, steering the largest democracy in the world to new heights.

 

The day was packed with back to back seminars and CMEs and conferences, including Auxiliary/Spouse Program, Diamond Selection Activity, India Global Engagement Innovation and Entrepreneur Seminar, and inspiring speeches at the Leadership Seminar on 'Aligning management thinking with patient care: Building an effective medical practice' by Dr. Dipak Jain and 'Should I encourage my child to go to medical school?  The future of medical education and medicine as a profession, and Rutgers' plans as a case study?' by Dr. Brian Storm.

'This is the best of all Leadership Seminars by AAPI,' Dr. Seema Jain declared after the inspirational speeches. During the delicious Dinner Reception, delegates were treated with 'Regional Flavors of India.'

This CME program is being jointly sponsored the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and has been designed to meet the educational needs of Primary Care physicians - Internists, Family Practitioners, Pediatricians, and Specialists - Cardiology, Oncology, Endocrinology, Surgery and other specialties involved in the care of patients with Atrial Fibrillation, HIV disease, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Depression, Prostate and Hematologic malignancies and Back pain.

 

Dr. Rita Ahuja, Chair of the Convention Committee, said, CMEs provided comprehensive and current reviews and guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of various disease states to reduce morbidity and mortality and achieve cost effective quality care outcomes, enabling the attendees to gain an understanding of the causation, diagnosis and the best clinical practices for the management of the diverse group of diseases discussed during this program. AAPI members get 10 hours of CME credit hours for attending in these sessions led by world's leading thought leaders, physicians and healthcare industry leaders.

 

During the luncheon, AAPI honored AAPI members, who had worked hard to make the convention a memorable one for all. At the dinner reception, past Presidents of AAPI were honored for their leadership and dedication to the growth and wellbeing of the 34-yr old organization that represents the interests of over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in this country. Out-going Board of Trustee members were also honored with plaques for their contributions to the growth of the organization.

 

Dr. Charanji Rihal of the Mayo Clinic addressed the audience on 'Effect of Affordable Care Act on Physicians Healthcare Provider and Hospital Systems,' while Naveen Jain, Founder & CEO Blue Dot, spoke passionately about 'Future of Healthcare in the world of Exponential Technologies' Other speakers of the day included, Dr. Chandy Abraham, CEO, Cayman Hospital. The evening ended with a scintillating entertainment performance by Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan. For more information on AAPI and the 34th convention, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org

 

Ambassador Arun Singh, India's Ambassador to the United States, officially inaugurating the 34th annual convention of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square, New York City on July 1st, 2016 with ribbon cutting

AAPI leaders with Ambassador Arun Singh and Consul General Ganguly Das at the inaugural ceremony

A section of the audience at the inaugural luncheon

Past Presidents of AAPI are being honored with plaques during the 34th convention in New York