BY AJAY GHOSH
Tampa, FL, July 5, 2026 — More than 1,000 physicians of Indian origin gathered in Tampa over the July 4 weekend for the 2026 convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), where leaders announced a new global health initiative, honored philanthropist Nita Ambani, and highlighted the growing influence of Indian-American physicians in healthcare, innovation, and public service.
Held July 2–5, the annual convention combined scientific sessions, leadership forums, cultural programs, and discussions on the future of healthcare. A central theme throughout the four-day event was expanding collaboration between India and the United States to address global health challenges.
One of the convention’s defining moments came when Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, received AAPI’s Humanitarian Award. In her acceptance remarks, Ambani praised Indian-origin physicians in the United States for their contributions to medicine and public service and called for deeper Indo-American cooperation in healthcare.
“The relationship between India and the United States has always been strengthened by people — by professionals, innovators, physicians like those in AAPI,” Ambani said.
She announced plans for a partnership between AAPI and the Reliance Foundation that would focus on rural healthcare, preventive medicine, women’s and children’s health, telemedicine, medical education, disaster response, and humanitarian outreach.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor welcomed convention delegates, presented Keys to the City to Ambani and AAPI President Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, and proclaimed July 2 and the remainder of the July 4 weekend as “AAPI Day” in Tampa. She praised the gathering as an opportunity for physicians to share medical advances while strengthening ties with the local community.
Another major announcement was the launch of the AAPI Global Foundation, a nonprofit initiative intended to support healthcare innovation, medical research, humanitarian projects, and physician leadership worldwide.
Foundation Chairman Dr. Jagdish Gupta, who pledged $100,000 toward cancer prevention efforts, said the organization would focus on turning innovative healthcare ideas into measurable global impact. Initial initiatives include cancer prevention, rural mammography screening, CPR training, HPV vaccination, medical student research networks, and stem cell donor drives.
In his presidential address, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty emphasized unity and collaboration as the organization’s guiding principles.
“Today is not about one individual,” he told attendees. “It is about a shared vision… all of us working together to ensure that AAPI remains strong, relevant, and prepared for the challenges and opportunities in the future.”
The convention also featured a Women’s Forum that brought together leaders from medicine, government, business, and sports to discuss leadership, mentorship, and gender equity. Among the speakers was former tennis world champion Sania Mirza, who encouraged women to define their own ambitions rather than be constrained by societal expectations.
“We as women have enough people telling us what we can’t do — we should be the people telling ourselves that we can,” Mirza said.
Another highlight was a keynote address by spiritual teacher Didi Krishna, who urged physicians to view healing as extending beyond medical treatment. She encouraged doctors to cultivate inner peace, compassion, and emotional resilience alongside clinical excellence, telling attendees, “You are not mere technicians — you are transformers.”
The convention also marked a leadership transition within the organization. Dr. Vijay Maurya assumed office as chairman of the AAPI Board of Trustees, while Dr. Meher Madavaram was welcomed as the organization’s incoming president. Madavaram outlined a vision centered on “unity, integrity, inclusion, and purpose.”
Beyond the scientific sessions, the convention celebrated Indian culture through musical performances, comedy, networking events, and community programs, underscoring AAPI’s role not only as a professional medical association but also as a cultural and philanthropic organization serving physicians of Indian origin across the United States.
Founded in 1982, AAPI represents thousands of physicians and medical students of Indian heritage practicing across the United States and is one of the largest ethnic medical organizations in the country.
Cover photo courtesy of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center.
