GAPI celebrates Annual Meet with great élan
By Mahadev Desai
The Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI)
held its Annual Meeting cum a glitzy banquet at the Atlanta
Marriott Perimeter Center, on Saturday, April 18. The event was
attended by over 250 members from the medical field and graced
by the presence of Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner John
Oxendine and Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) President Todd
Williamson, M.D.
Earlier in the day there was an excellent CME program about
Malpractice issues, practice management and Financial
management. This was attended by more than 50 physicians.
During the social hour, the attendees intermingled and networked
with each other, enjoyed the tasty snacks and also visited about
20 booths set up by pharmaceutical Corporations, Insurance
providers, and charitable organizations.
Following the social hour, the outgoing President Pravin Patel
introduced Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine. In
his engaging and informative speech Oxendine said that he was
proud of having the unique distinction of receiving American
Medical Association’s highest award in the entire nation.
(applause). Under him, the Insurance Commission has cracked down
on HMOs and Health Care companies that delay in paying to
hospitals and physicians. He firmly believes that for a patient
to get good treatment the doctor needs to be promptly reimbursed
by HMOs; insurance Cos;Medicare and Medicaid.(applause). He
informed the audience of his intention to run for
Governor(applause). He said he would like to improve quality of
health care in rural Georgia through internet. California had
largest tele-medicine network in the nation but it took them six
years to get there, whereas Georgia did it in 18 months(applause).
And now Georgia is leading all other States in tele-medicine
network. As Governor, he would also like to expand the trauma
network in Georgia. He agreed that Medicaid costs needed to be
controlled. But instead of CMOs managing doctors and hospitals,
he preferred managing of patients instead, and focusing on
delivering quality healthcare to them, not by reducing payments
to doctors but by controlling access to hospitals and by
changing conduct and practices of Medicaid recipients.” I have
been in this field for a long time and as long as I am in it I
will always be a friend of doctors.” he concluded.(applause)
Following a glowing introduction by Dr.Sreeni Gangasani,
MAG(Medical Association of Georgia) President Todd Williamson,
in his brief but compelling talk, said that MAG is the largest
physician Organization to represent all physicians and
specialists in Georgia and that he felt very proud to represent
it. He informed that MAG tried to address the issue of licensing
of international medical graduates in Georgia but unfortunately
did not succeed in reducing the three year residency period
requirement. But MAG will not stop pursuing this, he assured the
audience. There are parts of Georgia where 70% of patients seen
by some physicians are Medicaid recipients. Medicaid wanted to
reduce reimbursement by further 6% but MAG happily succeeded in
stopping Medicaid from doing this.(applause).This year, MAG
facilitated to get into ‘code’, into law, that the term
‘physician’ should apply to only those who have been to medical
school and have a license to practice medicine.MAG is also
working on fair reimbursement by insurance companies, for
treating of out of network patients. MAG is also seeking funding
for setting up more trauma centers in Georgia and is also trying
to ensure that reimbursement payments for doctors are processed
speedily. Williamson concluded by appealing to GAPI members to
learn more about MAG and become MAG members as well.
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Dr.Pravin
Patel;Dr.Sreeni.Gangasani, Dr.Santanu.Das
and Dr Dilip Patel. ( Photo by Ravi Ponangi) |
John Oxendine and Dr.
P.B.Rao with Awardee Keyur Patel
( Photo by Ravi Ponangi) |
Both guest speakers, Oxendine and Williamson were given plaques
in recognition of their invaluable services, by Pravin Patel and
Santanu Das.
Dr.Pravin Patel introduced Dr.Raj Gandhi, who has been
instrumental in formation of GAPI. Dr.Raj Gandhi, a thoracic
surgeon, who has been in practice in Atlanta for the past thirty
years, has recently written a book, ‘Sense of direction. It
needs to be restored:Part1 Healthcare’ The meticulously
researched book on America’s healthcare crisis is published by
Author House.Dr.Gandhi spoke briefly about his book and
requested all to buy a copy, read it and if in agreement with
his recommendations, forward it to either the US President or
one of the senators in Washington,D.C., Georgia, etc.
Former past president of GAPI, and Chairman of the
Trustees,Dr.P.Natrajan,recognized the Board of Trustees members
present in the Hall. He requested all to attend the forthcoming
Annual AAPI Convention in Orlando, from June 10 to 14,2009.He
lauded outgoing President Pravin Patel and his Committee, for an
outstanding job during their term.(applause)
Past President of GAPI, Dr.P.B.Rao conveyed the sad news about
serious condition of one of the patron GAPI member, Dr.Daksha
Chudgar,(wife of past President of GAPI,Dr.Bipin Chudgar).
Dr.Rao said that the Chudgars are well known social activists
and philanthropists, so it is befitting to dedicate the
Scholarship Awards to Dr.Daksha Chudgar. GAPI has conducted
outreach programs like Health Fairs and helped deserving
students with scholarships. This year GAPI has the unique
opportunity to help Bhutanese guests-people with refugee status
that have lost everything and are trying to settle down in
Georgia. He recognized 3 students and SEWA volunteers who were
present and said that GAPI has donated 150 school bags and other
supplies to help Bhutanese students(applause). GAPI also gives
annual scholarship awards of $1,000 and a Certificate of
Recognition for their accomplishments, to a few deserving
students. John Oxendine graciously handed the Awards to Keyur
Patel, Gaurav Bhatnagar,Rithika Rajesh,Shivani Mehta and Rabeea
Khan
Dr.Pravin Patel said that in accordance with the GAPI bye-laws,
the Board had received nominations from the General membership
as below:
Dr.Sreeni Gangasani-President Elect;Dr.Dilip Patel-Secretary;and
Dr.Abhishek Gaur-Treasurer. With a show of hands, the attendees
unanimously approved the new Executive Committee members.
Reflecting on his term as President, Dr.Patel said that he had
thoroughly enjoyed working as President, felt a sense of
fulfillment beyond measure and thanked his team for its support
and services. He recognized senior GAPI members like Dr.P.
Natrajan; Dr.P.Rao;and Dr.Manoj Shah ,who despite their
professional commitments gave long hours of selfless services to
GAPI. He concluded by requesting non-members to join GAPI and
play a proactive role in it.(applause)
The incoming President Dr.Santanu Das said that he felt honored
and humbled to accept post of GAPI President, and promised to do
his best in helming GAPI. He said he has served GAPI in various
capacities since 1998 and enjoyed his fruitful association with
it. He lauded Dr.Patel and his wife Sonal Patel for their hard
work, focus, vision, determination, and drive, and presented a
plaque to Dr.Patel as a token of appreciation by GAPI.”I would
like to declare year 2009 as ‘Year of Young Physicians of Indian
heritage’, and urge all young physicians to play an active role
in GAPI. We will redesign our website to make it more
interactive and informative. We will consider reviving Political
Action Committee and name it Political Action and Awareness
Committee.GAPI will continue with its philanthropic activities
and helping students. With your support GAPI will continue to
grow” he said.(applause)
In his Vote of Thanks, Dr.Gangasani thanked all the sponsors,
guest speakers John Oxendine, and Todd Williamson, Board of
Trustees, and Board of Directors, outgoing President Dr.Pravin
Patel. Prizes were given to raffle winners Drs P. Natrajan,
Mukesh Patel and Kishore Desai.
After a delectable dinner catered by Bombay Café, members were
treated to rib-tickling standup comedy by ever popular
Indian-American comedian Dan Nainan and a medley of Bollywood
songs by live band ‘Manpasand Mumbai Masti’.
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