TAMPA, Fla. — The 44th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), held July 2–5, 2026, at the JW Marriott and Tampa Marriott Water Street, concluded with a landmark achievement: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AAPI and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), marking one of the most significant developments in recent Indo‑American healthcare cooperation.
The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed on July 4, 2026, by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President of AAPI during the Convention, and Dr. Urvish Patel, Director of the AAPI–IMA Strategic Initiative. Representing the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr. Dhiren Patel signed the document, with co‑signatures from Dr. Meher Medavaram, current President of AAPI, and Dr. Krishan Kumar, President‑Elect of AAPI, ensuring continuity of collaboration between the two organizations for the years ahead.
The signing took place in the presence of distinguished AAPI leaders, including Dr. Lokesh Edara, past BOT Chair; Dr. Sunil Kaza, past BOT Chair; and Dr. Sashi Kuppla, member of the AAPI BOT, along with several senior leaders from both IMA and AAPI.
Dr. Anil Kumar J. Nayak, President of the Indian Medical Association, has played a pivotal role in building and strengthening the partnership with AAPI. His leadership, commitment, and active coordination have been instrumental in deepening institutional ties between AAPI and IMA — a collaboration that ultimately advances shared medical goals and benefits millions across India.
The agreement brings together two of the world’s most influential physician organizations in a shared commitment to advancing medical education, research, healthcare innovation, humanitarian outreach, and global public health initiatives. For AAPI, which represents more than 120,000 physicians and medical students of Indian origin across the United States, the partnership reinforces its role as a bridge between the healthcare systems of India and the United States.
The MoU emerged as the defining moment of a convention themed “Stronger Together: United in Care, Undivided in Voice,” a gathering that attracted physicians, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals from around the world.
Dr. Meher Medavaram described the partnership as a reflection of the organization’s future direction. “My vision is to lead AAPI with unity, integrity, inclusion, and purpose,” Dr. Medavaram said. “This MoU strengthens our collective ability to serve communities across borders while empowering physicians to work together toward common healthcare goals.”
“This convention is the real stage, the real celebration of our community,” Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, said. “Partnerships like the AAPI–IMA MoU reflect AAPI’s commitment to global medical leadership and our responsibility to build meaningful healthcare collaborations that benefit communities across borders.”
Recalling the collaborative efforts, Dr. Chakrabarty said, “I have been working closely with the IMA leadership over the past year, including face‑to‑face discussions during my visit to the IMA Annual Conference in Ahmedabad. After refining the contents and incorporating the remaining items, I am thrilled that we were able to finalize and sign it at our annual convention in Tampa.”
A Vision for Sustainable Collaboration
According to leaders from both organizations, the MoU establishes a long-term framework for cooperation between AAPI, the AAPI Global Foundation, and the IMA.
Among the major objectives outlined in the agreement are expanded physician exchanges, educational initiatives, mentorship programs, research partnerships, and humanitarian projects designed to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.
Expanding Impact Through Education and Innovation
The agreement prioritizes several areas that align closely with AAPI’s strategic healthcare initiatives. These include joint continuing medical education (CME) programs, telemedicine collaborations linking specialists in the United States with colleagues in India, multicenter research projects, public health programs focused on preventive medicine, and coordinated disaster-response efforts.”
The collaboration comes at a time when healthcare systems globally are seeking innovative approaches to workforce development, medical training, and equitable healthcare access. Dr. Krishan Kumar, President-Elect of AAPI said, “By combining AAPI’s extensive network of Indian-origin physicians in the United States with IMA’s vast membership across India, the organizations aim to create a powerful platform for advancing healthcare delivery and professional development.”
Dr. Lokesh Edara, past Chair of AAPI BOT, who had initiated the collaboration between the two organizations believes that “the partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence in medicine, digital health, cardiology, preventive care, and rural healthcare delivery.”
Strengthening India’s Global Medical Presence
IMA leaders welcomed the agreement as an opportunity to strengthen India’s presence in international healthcare dialogue and accelerate opportunities for Indian physicians through closer engagement with their U.S. counterparts.
The MoU also builds upon years of interaction between AAPI and IMA. Earlier engagements between the organizations included discussions on emergency medicine training, first-responder education, and physician exchanges aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs in India.
“This meeting was not just about agreements—it was about building bridges, fostering trust, and envisioning a future of collaboration,” Dr. Chakrabarty said during previous discussions with IMA leadership.
Convention Highlights
The signing took place against the backdrop of one of AAPI’s most comprehensive conventions in recent years. The four-day event featured CME-accredited educational sessions covering artificial intelligence in medicine, lifestyle medicine, cardiology, primary care, substance abuse, and human microbiome research. Young physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students also presented new research and clinical innovations.
The convention additionally witnessed leadership transitions, including the installation of Dr. Meher Medavaram as President and Dr. Vijay Maurya as Chairman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees. The launch of the AAPI Global Foundation further highlighted the organization’s commitment to cancer prevention, rural healthcare outreach, CPR education, HPV vaccination programs, and research opportunities for medical trainees.
Looking Ahead
As AAPI enters a new chapter under new leadership, the AAPI–IMA MoU stands as a tangible symbol of the growing strength of Indo‑American medical cooperation. More than a ceremonial agreement, it establishes a roadmap for collaborative education, research, innovation, and humanitarian service that could benefit millions of people in both countries.
In his concluding remarks at the convention, Dr. Chakrabarty emphasized the collective nature of the several accomplishments he had led over the past year during his presidency.
In her address during the convention, Dr. Medavaram said, “Our senior leaders built AAPI. Our generation must strengthen it. The next generation must inherit it stronger than we received it.” With unity in purpose and service in action, she called upon every AAPI member to help write the next great chapter in AAPI’s history in collaboration with organizations, including Indian Medical Association.
With the signing of the MoU, that shared vision now extends beyond national boundaries, laying the foundation for a more connected and collaborative future in global healthcare.
For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.orgAAPI–IMA MoU Ushers in New Chapter of Indo‑American Medical Collaboration
TAMPA, Fla. — The 44th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), held July 2–5, 2026, at the JW Marriott and Tampa Marriott Water Street, concluded with a landmark achievement: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AAPI and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), marking one of the most significant developments in recent Indo‑American healthcare cooperation.
The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed on July 4, 2026, by Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President of AAPI during the Convention, and Dr. Urvish Patel, Director of the AAPI–IMA Strategic Initiative. Representing the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr. Dhiren Patel signed the document, with co‑signatures from Dr. Meher Medavaram, current President of AAPI, and Dr. Krishan Kumar, President‑Elect of AAPI, ensuring continuity of collaboration between the two organizations for the years ahead.
The signing took place in the presence of distinguished AAPI leaders, including Dr. Lokesh Edara, past BOT Chair; Dr. Sunil Kaza, past BOT Chair; and Dr. Sashi Kuppla, member of the AAPI BOT, along with several senior leaders from both IMA and AAPI.
Dr. Anil Kumar J. Nayak, President of the Indian Medical Association, has played a pivotal role in building and strengthening the partnership with AAPI. His leadership, commitment, and active coordination have been instrumental in deepening institutional ties between AAPI and IMA — a collaboration that ultimately advances shared medical goals and benefits millions across India.
The agreement brings together two of the world’s most influential physician organizations in a shared commitment to advancing medical education, research, healthcare innovation, humanitarian outreach, and global public health initiatives. For AAPI, which represents more than 120,000 physicians and medical students of Indian origin across the United States, the partnership reinforces its role as a bridge between the healthcare systems of India and the United States.
The MoU emerged as the defining moment of a convention themed “Stronger Together: United in Care, Undivided in Voice,” a gathering that attracted physicians, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals from around the world.
Dr. Meher Medavaram described the partnership as a reflection of the organization’s future direction. “My vision is to lead AAPI with unity, integrity, inclusion, and purpose,” Dr. Medavaram said. “This MoU strengthens our collective ability to serve communities across borders while empowering physicians to work together toward common healthcare goals.”
“This convention is the real stage, the real celebration of our community,” Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, said. “Partnerships like the AAPI–IMA MoU reflect AAPI’s commitment to global medical leadership and our responsibility to build meaningful healthcare collaborations that benefit communities across borders.”
Recalling the collaborative efforts, Dr. Chakrabarty said, “I have been working closely with the IMA leadership over the past year, including face‑to‑face discussions during my visit to the IMA Annual Conference in Ahmedabad. After refining the contents and incorporating the remaining items, I am thrilled that we were able to finalize and sign it at our annual convention in Tampa.”
A Vision for Sustainable Collaboration
According to leaders from both organizations, the MoU establishes a long-term framework for cooperation between AAPI, the AAPI Global Foundation, and the IMA.
Among the major objectives outlined in the agreement are expanded physician exchanges, educational initiatives, mentorship programs, research partnerships, and humanitarian projects designed to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.
Expanding Impact Through Education and Innovation
The agreement prioritizes several areas that align closely with AAPI’s strategic healthcare initiatives. These include joint continuing medical education (CME) programs, telemedicine collaborations linking specialists in the United States with colleagues in India, multicenter research projects, public health programs focused on preventive medicine, and coordinated disaster-response efforts.”
The collaboration comes at a time when healthcare systems globally are seeking innovative approaches to workforce development, medical training, and equitable healthcare access. Dr. Krishan Kumar, President-Elect of AAPI said, “By combining AAPI’s extensive network of Indian-origin physicians in the United States with IMA’s vast membership across India, the organizations aim to create a powerful platform for advancing healthcare delivery and professional development.”
Dr. Lokesh Edara, past Chair of AAPI BOT, who had initiated the collaboration between the two organizations believes that “the partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence in medicine, digital health, cardiology, preventive care, and rural healthcare delivery.”
Strengthening India’s Global Medical Presence
IMA leaders welcomed the agreement as an opportunity to strengthen India’s presence in international healthcare dialogue and accelerate opportunities for Indian physicians through closer engagement with their U.S. counterparts.
The MoU also builds upon years of interaction between AAPI and IMA. Earlier engagements between the organizations included discussions on emergency medicine training, first-responder education, and physician exchanges aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs in India.
“This meeting was not just about agreements—it was about building bridges, fostering trust, and envisioning a future of collaboration,” Dr. Chakrabarty said during previous discussions with IMA leadership.
Convention Highlights
The signing took place against the backdrop of one of AAPI’s most comprehensive conventions in recent years. The four-day event featured CME-accredited educational sessions covering artificial intelligence in medicine, lifestyle medicine, cardiology, primary care, substance abuse, and human microbiome research. Young physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students also presented new research and clinical innovations.
The convention additionally witnessed leadership transitions, including the installation of Dr. Meher Medavaram as President and Dr. Vijay Maurya as Chairman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees. The launch of the AAPI Global Foundation further highlighted the organization’s commitment to cancer prevention, rural healthcare outreach, CPR education, HPV vaccination programs, and research opportunities for medical trainees.
Looking Ahead
As AAPI enters a new chapter under new leadership, the AAPI–IMA MoU stands as a tangible symbol of the growing strength of Indo‑American medical cooperation. More than a ceremonial agreement, it establishes a roadmap for collaborative education, research, innovation, and humanitarian service that could benefit millions of people in both countries.
In his concluding remarks at the convention, Dr. Chakrabarty emphasized the collective nature of the several accomplishments he had led over the past year during his presidency.
In her address during the convention, Dr. Medavaram said, “Our senior leaders built AAPI. Our generation must strengthen it. The next generation must inherit it stronger than we received it.” With unity in purpose and service in action, she called upon every AAPI member to help write the next great chapter in AAPI’s history in collaboration with organizations, including Indian Medical Association.
With the signing of the MoU, that shared vision now extends beyond national boundaries, laying the foundation for a more connected and collaborative future in global healthcare.
For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
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