BROOKLYN, NY (TIP): The Medical Society of the County of Kings (MSCK), Brooklyn’s oldest scientific organization, honored Dr. Jagdish K. Gupta with the President Gold Medal, inducting him into its Prestigious President-Club. The County Society was celebrating its 174th President’s Dinner at Dyker Beach Golf Club, culminating in a grand finale to its Bicentennial Year Celebrations. MSCK President Dr. Madhu Gudavalli introduced the guest of honor, Dr. Gupta, President of the Association of Indians in America – (AIA-NY chapter), and invited 14 past presidents of the society, along with Dr. Parag Mehta, past President of the Medical Society of the State, to honor Dr Gupta with the 174th President Gold Medal. Dr. Robert Frankle, Chairman of the Board of the Medical Society of the State of New York, presented the plaque-award to Dr. Gupta. Additional citations from NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblyman Lester Chang were presented to Dr Gupta by Dr. Lance Austein, past President, and Dr. Donald Moore, past President and Vice Chairman of MSCK. Mrs. Meena Gupta was presented with the Golden Charm as the 174th First Lady. While accepting the honor with humility, Dr. Gupta reflected on the highlights of the MSCK’s Bicentennial Year Celebrations that started last year marking 200 years of its advocacy, dedication, and patient care. Proclamations at the state Assembly and City Council had declared May 25, 2022 as the “Bicentennial Celebration Day for MSCK.” Another notable achievement of MSCK involved a collaborative session with other New York counties and MSSNY at the iconic Brooklyn Borough Hall. A video message from NYS Senate Majority Leader Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and a personal session with NYS Health Committee Chairman, Hon. Gustav Rivera, and six other Assembly members emphasized opposition to the Wrongful Death Liability Expansion Bill. The successful veto of the bill by Governor Kathy Hochul marked a rare achievement against the trial lawyers’ association.
The prestigious event was chaired by Dr. Neeraj Acharya, Past President and Treasurer of MSCK, and unfolded under the guidance of Dr. Sherman Dunn, Chairman of the MSCK Board, and Dr. Gudavalli, the current President. The keynote address by Dr. Sanjiv Chopra on “Reflections on Lasting Happiness and Living with Purpose” received a standing ovation. An exhibition curated by County Historian, Dr. Moore, displayed historical artifacts, The dinner event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, where the past Presidents of the MSCK and other prominent guests joined Dr. Jagdish Gupta to celebrate his induction into the Board of Trustees of the Academy of Medicine of Brooklyn.