Events
18th Sep 2010
TIPS Presents
**Shanti: Avatars of Peace
Second Annual TIPS Charitable Gala
.. More details...Sponsorship
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History of TIPS SW Chapter
1980-1989
In the winter of 1981, during a “fire-side chat” at Dr. Ujamlal Kothari’s residence in Michigan, a group of physicians discussed the prevailing conditions for foreign medical graduates (FMGs). Several articles appeared in the media about FMGs and their lack of training. A few concerned physicians from various states met at Dr. Kothari’s home and formed an umbrella organization comprising of all local medical organizations. In August 1982, a steering committee to hold a national meeting was formed. Dr. Kothari was chair, and Drs. Jagan Kakarala, Ratnakar Kini, Bhimsen Rao and Bhanu Shah served as members. As these dedicated few struggled together to form an alliance, little did they realize that their efforts would lead to a great success story.
The group’s first national meeting was held at Dearborn, Michigan, hosted by MAPI. Dr. Kakarala and Dr. Rao drafted the constitution and bylaws. The other organizations that were present were Alabama Association of Indian Physicians, Association of Indian Urologists, IMA of New England and Indian Physician’s Club of Houston. This historic meeting led to the formation of the American Association of Physicians from India (AAPI). Dr. Kothari was elected the first president, Dr. Navin Shah the vice president, and Dr. Kakarala the secretary.
The fledgling organization spent the next few months recruiting members and co-opting other organizations. The second annual convention was held in Boston in June, 1984. By this time thirteen other organizations had joined AAPI. IMA of Illinois was the host for the third annual convention at Chicago in May of 1985. The President of AMA, Dr. Harrison L. Rogers was the chief guest and thus AAPI was introduced to organized medicine. Dr. Shah was elected the second president. By this time FMG’s were almost one-fifth (120,000) of the physician force in the U.S. and everybody was feeling the pinch of discrimination in some form or other. They all found a common ground in the AAPI.
The fourth annual convention was held in Washington, D.C., in June 1986. Dr. Roshan Lal took over as president. This was co-hosted by the AAPI, the American College of International Physicians (ACIP), Association of Pakistani and Islamic Physicians, Filipino Medical Association and South American Physician Association. A political action committee (PAC) was created on behalf of all the ethnic medical associations to advance the cause of all the FMG’s. Keef & Co. was selected as the full time lobbyists for the group. CME programs were conducted for the first time in India on behalf of AAPI.
The fifth annual convention was held in Atlantic City in June of 1987 under the chairmanship of Dr. Sunder Mansukhani. Thirty-two associations had joined the AAPI by this time. Patron membership was initiated to improve the long-term financial stability of the organization. Dr. Jagan Kakarala was inducted as president and permanent headquarters was established in Flint, Michigan. A bill was introduced in the U.S. congress to eliminate discrimination in licensing reciprocity. Fifty local associations had joined AAPI by this time. The AAPI was able to raise $100,000 as part of its Patron Trust Fund.
The sixth annual convention was held in June 1988 at San Francisco and Dr. Suvas Desai took over as president. There was some internal strife and polarization among the leadership, but the AAPI soon overcame these growing pains. The PAC worked successfully on the bills in Congress.
The seventh annual convention took place at Orlando, Florida in June of 1989 under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijayanagar and for the first time the AAPI garnered a net income of $35,000. The AAPI Charitable Foundation was established. Dr. Gautham Shah served as its first chair. With the help of the Indian Embassy, medical equipment and technology transfer to India was initiated. Dr. Navin Nanda took over as president.
The AAPI started getting recognition for its activities in continuing medical education (CME) and for the Charitable Foundation and PAC. Patron fund grew to $200,000. A comprehensive membership directory was published for the first time. There were about 15,000 potential members and more than 50 member organizations. Communication with the membership started to improve through the Newsletter. The General Accounting Office’s report, favorably addressing some of the grievances of FMGs, was released.
Ranga Reddy, M.D.