GAPI Columbus Regional Meeting
Focus on education and
healthcare politics
Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) held
its Columbus regional meeting on Feb. 7th, 2015 at the Columbus
Georgia convention & trade center. Dr Piyush Patel, past
president of GAPI spearheaded the event which was co-hosted by
Medical Association of Georgia (MAG), Columbus Fort-Benning
Association, Muscogee County Medical Society, and Georgia
chapter of Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of
North of North America (APPNA). More than 150 attendees from
Columbus and neighboring cities participated in this meeting
which provided ample education and entertainment combined with
an Indian Taste.
GAPI board meeting was presided by GAPI President Dr. Indran
Indrakrishnan and the participants were the executive committee,
past presidents & Board of directors - Drs. Manoj Shah, Naresh
Parikh, Asha Parikh, Sudha Tata, Piyush Patel, Raghu Lolabattu,
P.H. Patel, Vijay Maurya and Mahesh Patel. Upcoming annual
convention and the election for the new officers were discussed.
Tennent Slack, M.D, a pain management specialist & the co-chair
of the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation’s ‘Think About
It’ campaign gave an interesting topical presentation titled
“Prescription Opioid Overdose Epidemic”. He detailed the
attendees about narcotic use in USA and the ways to be familiar
with database started in Georgia in tracking the patients who
use narcotics and schedule II meds.
The Chief Guest, Congressman Dr. Tom Price, chair of budget
committee in Washington D. C., on his key note address
elaborated the current difficult issues faced by physicians &
the patients under the current healthcare system. He explained
the steps which he & his colleagues are working on to provide a
better healthcare and discussed the future of the health care
insurance coverage. Senator Tom Price spent plenty of time
meeting with the physicians individually and in groups
discussing about their current needs and shortcomings in taking
care of their patients. Dr. Indrakrishnan commended the Senator
on his astuteness in healthcare issues and for acting as a voice
for the physicians & patients in Washington DC. He presented a
book titled ‘Hindu Temples in North America- A celebration life’
to Senator Tom Price on behalf of GAPI.
The guest of honor was Dr. Manoj Shah who is the current
president of Medical Association of Georgia. He is the first
individual of Indian origin to have the leadership role as MAG
President and also a past president of GAPI. He updated the
recent accomplishments of MAG working together with American
Medical Association. He further discussed about Marijuana for
research purposes like epilepsy, prescription authority for
hydrocodone by mid level providers, and pharmacist prescribing
vaccines. He informed that Medicaid has been paying Medicare
rate for the last two years as a result of Affordable care act
and MAG is working to make sure that State of Georgia continues
to do so. Dr. Indrakrishnan appreciated Dr. Shah’s exemplary
Leadership and Selfless service and dedication to GAPI and
honored him with a plaque on behalf of GAPI.
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| Dr Piyush Patel, Dr Manoj Shah, Dr Indrakrishnan
presenting the book to Senator Tom Price |
Dr. Indran Indrakrishnan thanked & congratulated Dr Piuysh Patel
for organizing the meeting. He further apprised the audience of
GAPI’s educational, philanthropic, humanitarian, political,
entertaining and social activities in the last one year in
Atlanta and other regions of Georgia. He reminded the members
about the upcoming Warner Robins Regional meeting on March 7th
and GAPI annual convention on May 2nd 2015.
Dr Naresh Parikh, current AAPI secretary & a past GAPI
president spoke on AAPI's vision and achievements in
Global Health Summit held in Mumbai early this year on
traumatic brain injuries and efforts related to developing the
guidelines.
Young Sharvil Patel of Columbus High school and a potential
future GAPI member did the emceeing to the event. A scrumptious
dinner with both American & Indian dishes was served at the end
of the meeting. A scintillating live music & entertainment was
provided by Harbor Band of Columbus during dinner.
In concluding, the event organizer, Dr Piyush Patel thanked the
Chief Guest, Guest of honor , speaker, volunteers, sponsors &
all the attendees for their contribution in successfully
conducting Columbus Regional meeting.
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