The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s New Jersey chapter (AAPI-NJ) held its annual convention gala October 8, 2022 at Imperia in Somerset. Attendees also marked the occasion for celebrating the Festival of Lights – Diwali.
The program was attended by more than 200 guests, Dr. Pradip Shah, president of AAPI-NJ (njstateaapi.org) told Desi Talk.
Several speakers addressed the gathering including Dr. Pradip Shah, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, advisory board member of AAPI-NJ, and Congressman Frank Pallone.
Dr. Pradip Shah outlined the vision of the AAPI-NJ which included but was not limited to, Continuing Medical Education seminars for members, community service which also includes the wider community with initiatives during COVID during which millions of dollars of aid was sent to India, help to those in need through pharmacies. Other AAPI-NJ initiatives Dr. Shah mentioned included donating blankets, supporting and helping soup kitchens, and assisting international medical graduates get residency, disease awareness and prevention, women’s health, and encouraging the younger generation of doctors to join the AAPI events.
Attendees at the event included Congressman Frank Pallone, D-NJ, who also took part in the lamplighting ceremony along with Dr. Shah and Dr. Parikh. Pallone also outlined the importance of the Indian-American community in the U.S. and thanked physicians for their hard work during the pandemic. “We are really trying really hard in Congress to spend money and be up to date for another crisis,” Rep. Pallone said, in order to have the research and the ability to deal with the crisis better than before.
Congressman Pallone also said the U.S. Congress is concerned about heart health in the South Asian community, and that he and others are trying to get the bill on this matter passed through the U.S. Senate. It has already been passed through the House of Representatives recently.
Dr. Parikh said it was good to see how “well, alive and vibrant” the New Jersey chapter of AAPI has become since he was involved in the founding of the organization.
“We must do from this platform, a lot of charity work,” for those in need, Dr. Parikh said. He also harked back to the time when he was involved in establishing the India Caucus in Congress and how Rep. Pallone was involved in co-founding it.
Several health care industry representatives had stalls at the Convention.
Live entertainment brought doctors and their family members to the floor to celebrate.
Dr. Sanket Rupareliya, member of AAPI-NJ, speaking to ITV Gold, thanked Dr. Shah for the well-organized gala and the many specialists gathered there, and for celebrating Diwali. He also appreciated Dr. Parikh for his ongoing support for the organization.
Dr. Pooja Shah, infectious disease expert in New Jersey, said it was great to be at the gala and celebrate Diwali.
General Secretary of AAPI-NJ, Dr. Pooja Patel, said she was excited at this 4th annual gala of the chapter. “We are looking forward to carry forward the work done by NJ state AAPI.” She encouraged younger physicians to join the organization.
Dr. Jayesh Patel said Indian-American physicians provide care to the indigent and to the well-to-do, and this event shows their solidarity.
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