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American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is a professional association for Indian American physicians.

The association is based in Chicago and was founded in 1982. As of 2019, it claims a membership of 80,000 physicians.[1]

History

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Founding

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From the 1960s to the 1970s, the United States saw a large influx of medical students and physicians from India who were looking to continue their studies, intern or practice. However, while trying to apply for residencies, promotions, medical licenses, etc., many experienced discrimination and difficulties despite being qualified for these positions.[2] This led to the formation of regional Indian-origin physician organizations such as the Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (MAPI), which was established in 1976 to support Indian medical graduates in the area.[3] Leaders in organizations across U.S., such as Dr. Navin Shah from Washington D.C., reached out to other organizations proposing that they all come under one national organization,[2] and in 1982, the first national meeting was hosted by MAPI in Dearborn, Michigan. The new organization started out small, with there only being five organizations at the meeting. During the meeting, they elected people for various leadership positions and drafted a Constitution and Bylaws.[4] AAPI's initial goals thus became to lobby Congress and confront the American Medical Association in order to receive fair treatment.[2][5]

Doctors of Indian origin

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As of 2019, there were about 938,980 active physicians in the US;[6] Indian-origin physicians account for at least 8.5% of the total physician population.[7]

It is noteworthy that India provides the largest number of International Medical Graduates to the US in absolute numbers.[8] More generally, India has been an important source of medical doctors for foreign countries since the 1960s.[9]

Dr. Anjana Samadder, Gastroenterologist from Ohio is the organization's president.[10]

Jagdish Tytler controversy

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In June 2004, AAPI became involved in a controversy for its invitation to Indian Minister for NRI Affairs Jagdish Tytler to be honored at a dinner gala.[citation needed]

Various human rights and Sikh groups threatened to hold demonstrations at the venue and the invitation to Jagdish Tytler was withdrawn.[11] Tytler resigned from the Indian government after being indicted by the official Nanavati Commission of inciting mobs for violence.[12][13][14]

Events

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American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin organised 15th Annual Global Health Summit as part of 5th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative at Avasa Hotel, Hyderabad, India, during January 2022. Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Hon'ble Vice President of India, was the Chief Guest.[10] At the summit the theme on the benefits of Yoga and Meditation on mental and emotional health was stressed. [15]

References

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  1. ^ "AAPI USA". AAPI USA. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  2. ^ a b c The Trailblazers: Dr. Navin Shah, co-founder and former president of AAPI, retrieved 2023-04-17
  3. ^ "Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (MAPI) | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  4. ^ Reddy, Ranga; Reddy, Suresh (2020). "History of AAPI". Annals of AAPI. American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. pp. 10, 66.
  5. ^ Bhalla, Vibha (Spring 2010). ""We wanted to end disparities at work": physician migration, racialization, and a struggle for equality"". Journal of American Ethnic History. 29 (3): 40–78. doi:10.5406/jamerethnhist.29.3.0040 – via Gale General Onefile.
  6. ^ "Active Physicians in the Largest Specialties, 2019".
  7. ^ "American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin – AAPI USA".
  8. ^ Mullan, Fitzhugh (2005). "The Metrics of the Physician Brain Drain". New England Journal of Medicine. 353 (17): 1810–1818. doi:10.1056/NEJMsa050004. PMID 16251537.
  9. ^ Wright, D.; Flis, N.; Gupta, M. (2008). "The 'Brain Drain' of Physicians: Historical antecedents to an ethical debate, c. 1960-79". Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine. 3: 24. doi:10.1186/1747-5341-3-24. PMC 2613146. PMID 19000306.
  10. ^ a b "'Send Me As Many Restless Minds As Possible And See The IMPACT' – Says Daaji". businessfortnight.com. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Members". 25 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Data" (PDF). www.witness84.com. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  13. ^ "Nanavati report: Credible evidence against Tytler". Rediff.
  14. ^ "Congress.gov - Library of Congress". www.congress.gov.
  15. ^ Pereira, James (8 January 2022). "Meditation and Yoga for a Healthy and Happier Life" (Press release). techilive.in. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
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