Over 3,000 Delegates to Attend Convention from May 23rd – May 27th 2013

NEW YORK (TIP): Over 3,000 talented and dedicated physicians of Indian origin are expected to gather and deliberate on ways to enhance their own professional growth and identify ways to network and stay united and offer a unified voice to protect their rights as well as explore possibilities to give back to the society at the 31st Annual AAPI Convention to be held from May 23rd – May 27th 2013 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Chicago, IL. “On behalf of the AAPI Executive Committee and the Convention team, we would like to invite you, your family and friends to the “Windy City” for the 31st AAPI Annual Convention,” said Dr. Narendra R. Kumar, President, AAPI. Lauding the hard work, planning and organization of the host committee, Dr. Kumar said, “The convention team is working very hard to bring an outstanding convention to our members.”

The annual convention this year is being organized by AAPI’s largest and most active chapters, The Indian American Medical Association of Illinois. Elaborating on the efforts and preparations that have been devoted to put together this unique event, Dr. Birinder Marwah, Chairman of AAPI 2013 Annual Convention, said, “We have been working for more than a year in putting together an attractive program for our annual get together, educational activity, family enjoyment. I am fortunate to chair this dedicated team of convention committee members from Chicago and surrounding areas.”

On the programs and events that will make the convention a memorable event, Dr. Marwah said, “The programs are very well thought out and we are confident that you will enjoy it. I am extremely delighted to work with this team and also to get guidance and help from the convention advisors, co-chairs and also from AAPI Executive committee.

Our AAPI President is always there for timely advice. We are expecting a record turnout and hence I would encourage early registration to avoid later disappointment.” “The preliminary program is in place, the major attractions include cutting-edge CME with renowned speakers, women’s forum, Alumni meetings, delicious ethnic cuisine, fashion shows, the best of the Bollywood entertainment with outstanding artists, and a Friday evening cruise where the City of Chicago will raise the bridge for AAPI Convention,”” Dr. Kumar elaborated.

“Most important of all, the Convention will give us the chance to meet old friends, make new friends, and provide a great opportunity for professional networking.” The cultural programs will be performed by some of the top Indian artists and groups like KK, comedian Raju Srivastava, and Soorya Festival. Among the speakers who are expected to attend and address the delegates include Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Dick Durbin, Assistant Senate Majority Leader, Rep. Dave Camp, Chair, House Ways & Means Committee, Jeb Bush, Chairman of the National Constitution Center Board of Trustees, Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Congressman Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader, Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Tina Ambani, Chairperson, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Jeremy Lazarus, AMA president, Amb. Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to the United States, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Managing Director & CEO, Biocon, Christopher Kaplan, senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc., Omar Ishrak, CEO of Medtronic, Ghulam Nabi Azad, India‘s Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Vayalar Ravi, India’ s Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs. was formed in the midst of challenges that physicians of Indian origin have faced due to cultural barriers and bias against international medical graduates. Those barriers created obstacles to immigration and licensing opportunities,” Dr. Jayesh Shah, President-Elect of AAPI, explained.

“Today, the organization is a dynamic body, spearheading legislative agendas on health care and influencing the advancement of ethnic medical organizations.” “AAPI members represent a variety of important medical specialties. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of the many sponsorship packages at the 31st annual convention, creating high-powered exposure to the highly coveted demographic of AAPI’s membership,” Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, vice -president of AAPI noted. “Many of the physicians who will attend this convention have excelled in different specialties and subspecialties and occupy high positions as faculty members of medical schools, heads of departments, and executives of hospital staff.

The AAPI Convention offers an opportunity to meet directly with these physicians who are leaders in their fields and play an integral part in the decision-making process regarding new products and services,” Dr.Seema Jain, Secretary of AAPI, said. While explaining the many opportunities the convention offers to sponsors and advertisers, Dr. Ajay Lodha, Treasurer of AAPI said, “In addition to consumers of medical and pharmaceutical products, devices and equipment, practice-related services, financial services, office supplies, etc., you will also meet senior members of management who influence the purchase of such services for hospitals, medical schools, and health care facilities. The AAPI Convention is where you can reach your target audience of several thousand under one roof.” The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States.

AAPI is an umbrella organization which has nearly 130 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. For over 30 years, Indian physicians have made significant contributions to health care in this country, not only practicing in inner cities, rural areas and peripheral communities but also at the top medical schools and other academic centers. Almost 10%-12% of medical students entering US schools are of Indian origin. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, AAPI represents the interests of over 60,000 physicians and 15,000 medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States. It serves as an umbrella organization for over 160 professional associations. It is the largest ethnic medical organization in the nation. For more details, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org and www.aapiusa.org. (Based on a Press Release)