Anjana Samadder Wins Prestegious AAPI Elections
Vows AAPI Reforms
by Jatinder Singh Bedi, Chief Editor, Hello NRI
CHICAGO – Dr Anjana Samadder has been elected the prestigious Vice President of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). She defeated her opponent Dr Amit Chakrabarty by a colossal margin of votes. This prestigious victory paves way for her to automatically be AAPI President during the year 2023. The bitterly fought elections concluded 10 April 2021.
The candidates who have been declared victorious are: Dr Anjana Samadder, the Vice President; Dr Satheesh Kathula, the Secretary; and Dr Krishan Kumar the Treasurer. Three Board of Trustees (BOT) have also been elected for a three-year term. These include: Dr Sapna Aggarwal, Dr Lokeswara Edara, and Dr Srinagesh Paluvoi.
Reacting to her landslide victory, Dr Anjana Samadder said, “AAPI has been at the forefront of Indian physicians’ struggle in procuring front-seat in the American medical fraternity. I assure you that I will continue to carry the torch forward. I will leave no stone unturned to take the AAPI to the glorious heights.” Dr Anjana added that “We, at AAPI, are a large extended family. I look forward to creasing the existing issues, besides bringing about reforms to further enhance the prestige that the AAPI commands.”
THE VICTORS (From Left to Right): Dr Anjana Samadder, Vice President; Dr Satheesh Kathula, Secretary; Dr Krishan Kumar Treasurer; Dr Srinagesh Paluvoi, Dr Lokeswara Edara and Sapna Aggarwal, Board of Trustees.
This newly elected executive members will have pre-elected Dr Anupama Gotimukula as President. While welcoming her new team, Dr Anupama Gotimukula stated: “I consider myself fortunate to lead AAPI with the cooperation of this excellent group of hardworking, and loyal officers and executives who are there to take AAPI to new heights.”
The polling process has been shifted online this year onwards. In a historic shift, AAPI had moved away from the traditional ballet paper voting, and switched to the electronic online voting process. The elections were conducted and overseen by the AAPI Election Committee headed by Dr Seema Arora, AAPI’s Chief Election Officer. She described the election process as “fair,” and a “job done right.”
AAPI press release reported Dr Seema Arora to have “[dealt] with big challenges in implementation of the electronic process.” This involved “resolving disputes and concerns of the members.”
AAPI Governing Body meeting at San Francisco
While affirming Dr Seema Arora’s statement, some AAPI members commented with a smirk, “Such concerns were noticed all along the election period. ...Tempers heated up when a senior member of the nomination committee surprised all by broadcasting his own preference of a slate of candidates to be voted to victory."
"Furiously hitting back, a group of influential past presidents and BOT Chairs tore apart this attempt while quoting straight from the AAPI ByLaws Book, thy said. "Not only this, some of the candidates even stonewalled election committee’s last-minute attempt at shifting the last date for polling to a day prior,” they continued.
Recent election also allegedly witnessed attempts at block-voting based on regional sentiments, alumni propaganda, family member appeals, as well as delayed delivery of ballot material. Extreme interest on part of the voters was also seen who would knock Election committee’s door, again and again, while complaining non-receipt of the Ballot material.
But the current President, Dr Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, looks much beyond and sees a silver horizon. “Regardless of the outcome, we need you as a valuable team member of our beloved AAPI. We will work together to…enhance AAPI's reputation as a premiere professional organization offering educational programs and advocacy,” Dr Sudhakar has been quoted as saying. He termed the victors “a dynamic team.”
Dr Anjana Samadder with AAPI Delegation at the Capitol Hill
In reciprocity, candidates took turns to acknowledge voters’ support. Dr Satheesh Kathula, thanked all the AAPI members for honoring him with the victory, and assured that he will sincerely work for the betterment of the AAPI.
Dr Krishan Kumar said, “AAPI is committed to empowering young physicians to play a key role in healthcare advocacy and community service.” “I will continue my dedicated work of several years helping fulfil our mission,” he added.
Dr Lokeswara Edara while thanking the voters for helping him win, said: “My passion has been improving medical education in India as well as in the USA. I will pursue the following goals along with the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of AAPI.”
The new executives will be installed at the Atlanta AAPI Convention slated for July 2021. The new team comprises: Dr Anupama Gotimukula President; Dr Ravi Kolli President-Elect; Dr Anjana Samadder Vice President; Dr Satheesh Kathula Secretary; Dr Krishan Kumar Treasurer; Dr Sudhakar Jonnalagadda Immediate Past President.
Dr Kusum Punjabi, Chair, Board of Trustees. Dr Srinagesh Paluvoi, Dr Lokeswara Edara, Dr Mukesh Nigam, Dr Tarak Vasavada, Dr Jagdish Gupta, Dr Raghu Lolabhattu, Dr V. Ranga, and Dr Sapna Aggarwal, all Board of Trustees. Dr Sajani Shah Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trustees.
Dr Srinagesh Paluvoi also thanked the voters while assuring that “as an elected BOT and member of legislative committee, I would work with AAPI leaders to improve the permanent residency backlog of US trained Indian physicians working in underserved areas. I would lobby the legislators to help increase the residency slots to meet future need.”
The unsuccessful candidates took the results with a sporting spirit. Dr John Johnson congratulated his opponent Dr Srinagesh as well as the other winners. “They all will make an experienced, mature, and a wonderful team,” he said. Dr Vinod Sancheti expressed similar sentiments and congratulated all on their victory. "I will work with the team, " he said.
The new executives will be installed at the Atlanta AAPI Convention slated for July 2021. The new team comprises:
Dr Anupama Gotimukula President; Dr Ravi Kolli President-Elect; Dr Anjana Samadder Vice President; Dr Satheesh Kathula Secretary; Dr Krishan Kumar Treasurer; Dr Sudhakar Jonnalagadda Immediate Past President.
Dr Kusum Punjabi, Chair, Board of Trustees.
Dr Srinagesh Paluvoi, Dr Lokeswara Edara, Dr Mukesh Nigam, Dr Tarak Vasavada, Dr Jagdish Gupta, Dr Raghu Lolabhattu, Dr V. Ranga, and Dr Sapna Aggarwal, all Board of Trustees. Dr Sajani Shah Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trustees.
Dr Sujeeth Punnam Regional Director Pacific Region; Dr Raghuveer Kura Regional Director, NW Central Region; Dr Roshan Shah Regional Director, SW Central Region; Dr Meher Medavaram Regional Director, NE Central-I Region; Dr Dharmesh Gandhi Regional Director, NE Central-II Region; Dr Shirish Kumar Patel Regional Director, SE Central Region; Dr Subbarao Bollepalli Regional Director, New England Region; Dr Raj Bhayani Regional Director, Mid Atlantic-I Region; Dr Vasu Singh Regional Director, Mid Atlantic-II Region; Dr Malti Mehta Regional Director, South Region.
Dr Soumya Neravetla President, AAPI YPS; Dr Ami Baxi YPS Representative on Board; Dr Ayesha Singh President AAPI MSRF; and, Dr Kinjal Solanki MSRF Representative on Board.