The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Issue 6 Volume 115 | Page 5

10 Years of Growth & Contributions to the Natural State:
American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Ark. Chapter
Senthil Raghavan, MD, MPH; Appathurai Balamurugan, MD, MPH, DrPH; Naveen Patil, MD, MHSA, MA, FIDSA
A
merican Association of
Physicians of Indian Origin
(AAPI) USA is a national orga-
nization representing the interests of about 100,000
physicians, scientists, physicians-in-training, and
medical students of Indian origin and is one of the
largest professional medical associations in the USA
(www.aapiusa.org). AAPI Arkansas (www.aapiar-
kansas.org) was founded in April 2008 by a group
of dedicated physicians of Indian origin serving the
natural state. There are around 500 physicians of In-
dian origin in Arkansas, and the Arkansas chapter of
AAPI currently has around 300 members in various
specialties from all areas of the state. AAPI Arkansas
has four regional affiliates - Northwest Arkansas, Hot
Springs, Batesville, and Northeast Arkansas.
AAPI Arkansas embodies the principles of
charity, education, and networking among physi-
cians. AAPI Arkansas offers several professional ad-
vancement opportunities for its members, including
monthly dinner talks on current medical topics to
inform and educate members. AAPI Arkansas works
with several health care organizations across the
state on various health care initiatives. AAPI Arkan-
sas members worked with Arkansas Department of
Health to support the continued funding of Arkansas
Tobacco Quitline. AAPI Arkansas works with hospital
systems across the state on physician recruitment,
licensing, and orientation of new trainees and prac-
ticing physicians newly coming to the state. Recent-
ly, the association worked with Arkansas Hospital
Association to implement the Sepsis Collaborative
for 2019 that helps several smaller hospital systems
in the state. Several community health initiatives, in-
cluding disease and wellness awareness lectures,
were initiated this year to improve the health and
wellbeing of Arkansans.
At AAPI Arkansas’s Grand 10 th Anniversary
Annual event on August 25, 2018, at Statehouse
Convention Center in Little Rock, Gov. Hutchinson
delivered the keynote address. Rep. French Hill and
Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin were also in attendance. Several
health care leaders from across the state, including
UAMS Chancellor, CEOs of Baptist, CHI St Vincent,
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Veterans Affairs Hos-
pital, St. Bernard’s, National Parks, Mercy Health,
Arkansas State Medical Board, and the Arkansas
Medical Society were all in attendance.
Gov. Hutchinson and our chief guests pre-
sented the Annual Awards for Excellence in Aca-
demics, Community Service, and a Native Arkan-
san award for significant contribution in advanc-
ing the health in the state. Scientific poster ses-
sions were held at the annual event and awards
were presented to top three best posters. A pilot
research grant in the amount of $2,000 was also
given out at the annual event.
Charitable and scholarship activities were
driven through the generous contributions made
by AAPI Arkansas members and its affiliates. Over
$20,000 in high school merit- and need-based
scholarships were given to 15 students from Little
Rock School District & Pulaski County Special
School District. Charitable contributions totaling
$15,000 were given to Little Rock Police Depart-
ment Foundation, Little Rock Fire Department, and
the Arkansas State Police. AAPI Arkansas regional
groups have also engaged in charitable activities
in their local communities. Over the past 10 years,
AAPI Arkansas contributed over $300,000 to vari-
ous charities and scholarships across the state, of
which $100,000 has been donated this year alone
commemorating AAPI Arkansas’s 10 th Anniversa-
ry. AAPI Arkansas and its members have been a
longstanding supporter of Harmony Health Clinic,
a Little Rock clinic that serves the medical needs
of uninsured and underinsured Arkansans living in
Central Arkansas. Many AAPI Arkansas physicians
volunteer in the clinic and have monetarily sup-
ported the clinic with over $28,000 in the last five
years. AAPI Arkansas and its members recently
donated about 300 pieces of lightly used school
uniforms and school supplies for 150 students at-
tending Pulaski County Special School District this
year. AAPI Arkansas has also supported several lo-
cal organizations such as the Arkansas Rice Depot
‘Food For Kids’ program, the UAMS Family Home
for caregivers of patients, Salvation Army, Dorcas
House, and Compassion Center. AAPI Arkansas
has supported victims of natural disasters such
as earthquakes and hurricanes.
AAPI Arkansas has grown to be one of the
largest physician organizations in the state and is
committed to promoting the health and wellbeing
of all Arkansans!
NUMBER 6
DECEMBER 2018 • 125