BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, August 14, 2026: Medicine may have brought them together, but community, culture, leadership and connection defined the weekend as the Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) hosted its 37th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly, July 31 through August 2, 2026, at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth.
Built around the spirit of “Connect. Collaborate. Elevate,” the convention brought together physicians of Indian origin from across Georgia, along with their families, business and community leaders, distinguished guests and the next generation of aspiring professionals.
For outgoing GAPI President Dr. Vishal Sharma, the intention was clear: to create something larger than a traditional medical conference.
“The GAPI event was organized with a broader vision: to bring together physicians of Indian origin from all specialties and all regions of Georgia and create a platform for professional networking, community engagement, cultural connection and leadership,” Dr. Sharma said.
“The event was not limited to Continuing Medical Education,” Dr. Sharma added. “It celebrated the many talents and contributions of the GAPI community and their families.”
That broader vision unfolded over a weekend that combined medical education and professional forums with networking, leadership, music, cultural programs, awards and family-centered celebrations.
Physicians and Families Take the Stage
The convention opened Friday evening on a festive note with the Extraordinary GAPI Talent Hunt, providing a stage for physicians and their children to showcase talents beyond their professional lives in medicine.
Singing, dancing, instrumental music, cultural performances, comedy, poetry and other special talents filled the evening, offering a glimpse into the creativity within the GAPI community.
The talent showcase was followed by live singing by Devendra Gupta and Mona Lisa, with karaoke adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
The opening night set the tone for a convention in which families were not simply guests, but an integral part of the GAPI experience.
Science and Continuing Medical Education
Saturday shifted the focus to medicine and professional development, beginning with yoga and meditation, followed by an Indian breakfast and a morning of Continuing Medical Education.
The three-hour CME program featured topics relevant to contemporary medical practice. Dr. Sreeni Gangasani presented “Crossing the Line: Sexual Misconduct, Professional Boundaries, and the Physician’s Duty,” a session that could also be used toward Georgia Medical Board mandatory CME requirements.
Dr. Anant Mandawat, Director of the Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence at Winship Cancer Institute and Emory University School of Medicine, addressed “Cardio-Oncology: The Why, What, How?”
Dr. Sandeep Padala presented “Multiple Myeloma – Primary Care Perspective,” while Dr. Suresh Baliga explored the changing landscape of obesity care in “Changing the Conversation – The Evolution of Obesity Medicine: From Hunter to Healthspan.”
The CME program was chaired by Dr. Raj Alappan and Dr. Rajeev Chauhan.
For Dr. Sharma, the educational component was also an opportunity to connect physicians who might otherwise rarely cross paths professionally. The sessions, he said, provided physicians an opportunity “to learn, share knowledge and connect with colleagues from different specialties and regions across Georgia.”
When Medicine Meets Business and Leadership
The convention also acknowledged that physicians today navigate responsibilities extending well beyond clinical care.
The GAPI CEO Forum, moderated by cardiologist Dr. N. Neelagaru, brought physicians into conversation with leaders from banking, wealth management, finance, law, real estate, insurance and business.
Panelists included Amy Botkin, Managing Director at Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Chris Cuzzourt of Bennett Thrasher; Kanchana Raman, CEO of Avion Networks; estate planning attorney Tony Turner; real estate attorney Jody C. Campbell; and Sanjay Prasad of Lux Insurance.
Discussions ranged from banking relationships and wealth management to asset protection, taxation, investing, estate planning, legal liability and sound business practices.
A Women and Business Forum further expanded the conversation, providing a platform for discussion, professional exchange and networking among physicians and business leaders within the community.
Together, the forums reflected the convention’s broader emphasis on professional development, leadership and collaboration beyond clinical practice.
Distinguished Guests Address Healthcare and Community Connections
The Saturday evening Grand Gala Banquet brought the professional and cultural strands of the convention together and welcomed several distinguished guests and community leaders.
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, who attended as a Guest of Honor, addressed one of the state’s pressing healthcare challenges: the physician shortage.
According to Dr. Sharma, Jackson discussed Georgia’s growing healthcare workforce needs, emphasizing the importance of addressing the physician shortage and sharing his commitment to working toward solutions if elected governor.
Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, Consul General of India in Atlanta, also participated in the convention and spoke about strengthening connectivity between the Indian American community and GAPI physicians. He highlighted the valuable role physicians of Indian origin can play in building stronger connections between communities and India.
Another Guest of Honor was AAPI President Dr. Meher, whose presence underscored GAPI’s connection with the broader national network of Indian American physicians. Dr. Meher addressed the gathering and invited GAPI members to attend the AAPI Convention in Chicago in 2027, extending the convention’s spirit of professional collaboration to the national level.
The participation of state, diplomatic and national medical leaders reflected the important role physicians of Indian origin continue to play in healthcare, professional organizations and the wider community.
Recognizing Service and the Next Generation
Recognition, service and mentorship were important components of the Grand Gala.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Community Service Excellence Award to Dr. Vijay Maurya, current Chairman of AAPI, in recognition of his longstanding contributions to GAPI. The honor acknowledged Dr. Maurya’s commitment and service to the organization and his role in supporting and strengthening the Indian American physician community.
The program also honored GAPI Youth Physician Pipeline Initiative (YPPI) scholars, underscoring the organization’s commitment to encouraging, mentoring and supporting the next generation of physicians.
Members of GAPI’s Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and committee leadership were also recognized for their contributions to the organization.
In his year-end message, Dr. Sharma described GAPI as “much more than a professional association,” calling it a family united by shared values of excellence, compassion, service and integrity.
Community service, he noted, remained central to the organization’s mission during his presidency, including health camps and outreach programs serving local communities. GAPI also continued strengthening its Youth Physician Pipeline Initiative through scholarships, mentorship and support for aspiring physicians.
Taking GAPI Beyond Metro Atlanta
One of the priorities of Dr. Sharma’s tenure was broadening GAPI’s reach across Georgia and creating stronger connections among physicians throughout the state.
The organization held regional meetings in communities including Savannah, Augusta, Warner Robins, Columbus, Atlanta and Newnan, helping physicians outside the traditional metro Atlanta network become more engaged with GAPI.
Dr. Sharma credited physician leaders who stepped into regional roles and helped organize these gatherings, bringing new perspectives and energy to the organization.
The effort reflected the central objective of the 37th convention itself: building connections among physicians regardless of specialty, practice setting or location.
GAPI’s potential reach is considerable. In his convention welcome message, Dr. Pravinchandra Patel, Chair of the Board of Trustees, noted that more than 1,200 Indian physicians work across multiple medical fields in Georgia.
Dr. Patel also highlighted GAPI’s history of developing physician leaders who have gone on to hold significant positions in organizations including the Medical Association of Georgia, Georgia Composite Medical Board and AAPI.
A Celebration of Indian Heritage
As Saturday moved from education and professional networking into the Grand Gala, the atmosphere transformed once again.
One of the evening’s most colorful highlights was a GAPI members’ fashion show, designed around different eras and traditions of Indian heritage.
“One of the highlights of the evening was a spectacular GAPI members’ fashion show, showcasing different eras and traditions of Indian heritage,” Dr. Sharma said. “The fashion show celebrated India’s rich cultural diversity and history while bringing together physicians and their families in a joyful and memorable celebration.”
Cultural and physician performances, a Georgia Tech performance and live entertainment added to the evening’s festivities.
The musical celebration culminated with performances by Tanweer, Ashwin, Gurinder and Amol, bringing an evening of soulful melodies, rhythm and energy to the gala stage.
The celebration was also an opportunity for physicians and their families to connect outside their professional settings and share in the cultural and social life of the GAPI community.
Leadership and Transition
The convention also marked the culmination of Dr. Sharma’s term as GAPI President for 2025-26.
The Executive Committee included Dr. Satish Cheti, President-elect; Dr. Appavuchetty Soundappan, Vice President; Dr. Rani Reddy, Secretary; Dr. Suresh Nukala, Treasurer; Dr. Lalitha C. Medepalli, Past President; and Dr. Pravinchandra Patel, Board of Trustees Chair.
Convention leadership included Dr. Hemant Yagnick, Convener Chair; Dr. Sarita Sharma, BOD and Convention Co-Chair; and Dr. Anusha Vakiti, BOD and Cultural Chair.
The Grand Gala included a ceremonial Change of Guard, with Dr. Sharma passing leadership to incoming President Dr. Satish Cheti.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Sharma credited the Executive Committee, volunteers, regional leaders and members who helped expand GAPI’s presence, develop leadership opportunities and strengthen relationships among physicians across Georgia.
“As I step into the baton to our incoming President, Dr. Satish Cheti, I do so with great confidence and optimism,” Dr. Sharma wrote in his convention message, expressing confidence that GAPI would continue to grow and innovate under its new leadership.
More Than a Medical Association
Perhaps the convention’s strongest message was that GAPI’s role extends beyond continuing medical education. Throughout the weekend, the organization created opportunities for physicians to advance their professional knowledge, build relationships across specialties, engage with business and community leaders, celebrate Indian heritage, and involve their families and the next generation in the GAPI community.
The combination of CME sessions, professional and leadership forums, networking opportunities, cultural programs, recognition of service and family participation reflected the broader vision behind the convention.
“Overall, the GAPI event demonstrated that our organization is much more than a CME platform,” Dr. Sharma said. “It is a community that brings together physicians, families, professionals, leaders and the next generation to celebrate culture, promote professional collaboration, address healthcare challenges and build a stronger and more connected Indian-American physician community across Georgia.”
After 37 annual conventions, GAPI continues to build on that mission by bringing physicians together through education, professional collaboration, mentorship, community service and cultural connection, while creating opportunities for members across Georgia to strengthen relationships and support future generations.
As the convention’s closing sentiment captured it: “Together for a healthier tomorrow.”
