President's Message

I am delighted, humbled, and honored to accept this important role in serving you as the President of the Indian Physicians of Florida. Let us take a moment to remember our past, and together to celebrate the successful completion of 32 years of our organization.

To start with, I would like to thank the IPOF executives as well as the officers and the board of regents for the terrific job they have done in leading our organization through the dark times of the COVID Pandemic. We stand on the shoulders of our past leaders' devotion and leadership in bringing IPOF to where we stand today: a vibrant organization consisting of hundreds of strong healthcare heroes recognized by our community and peers, who have come together to work in synchrony to accomplish our common goals.

IPOF is the largest ethnic physician organization in South Florida, and we have worked together to help elevate the voice of Indian Americans everywhere.

I would like to take a moment and invite you all to contemplate these ideas:
India is our homeland
Our battle against Covid-19
The Goals of our organization

First and foremost, most of us are of Indian origin. Indians came to America in pursuit of a better life in the hopes of becoming a part of the American dream. Through hard work and perseverance, we achieved that dream and have become successful and caring doctors. Through avenues such as this wonderful organization, we have been able to make a considerable impact and to convey our gratitude to our country and local communities through many academic, philanthropic and social initiatives.

Second, we all have loved ones and family members both here and in India who were affected by the pandemic. Rather than standing idly, IPOF Physicians have made a significant difference in the fight against COVID-19. Our members have been on the frontlines serving patients, working with local public health authorities donating and distributing resources such as PPEs, critical hospital supplies and most recently, providing much needed oxygen concentrators and ventilators in India. You stood up and risked your lives to SERVE when it was most needed. A value that is not just American but also something we brought along from our motherland of India. And for what we have achieved this past year – our communities are grateful! Please give yourselves a round of applause.

Third, as we look forward to the future beyond COVID-19, we at IPOF have so much more room to grow and serve. I challenge myself, our Executive Committee, and all our IPOF colleagues, to rise up to the task of building on our accomplishments and successes over the last several years.

My team and I have defined several goals for this year to further IPOF’s mission, along three key dimensions.

1. Healthcare & Societal Reform
Collectively, Indian American Physicians are one of the biggest stakeholders in the current healthcare system, with one in seven patients currently managed by us. This is an incredible matter of pride and also a great responsibility. We need to be a driving force for the change we seek in our healthcare system. We must be involved and be vocal to fix a system that too often doesn’t serve the needs of ignored communities.
• We must improve health equity
• We must become an integral part of healthcare leadership
• We must promote Mental health awareness among physicians.

2. Healthcare Partnerships
We need to develop new innovative partnerships around Academics & Research, providing a solid foundation of science for better patient outcomes. We must reinvigorate industry partnerships & programs, for example by building on our core mission by partnering deeper with AMA , AAPI, FMA and other medical and specialty organizations to work in tandem for common goals.

3. Female Leadership in Healthcare
This year, IPOF will leverage the power of our purpose and networks to help address specific challenges women face: these include the dual roles balanced by female physicians – at work and at home, and their increasing role in the future of Healthcare. Finally, we must recognize that if we are not growing, we are dying. We must continue to ensure that our heritage remains rich and strong through our second generation physicians and those who come after. Also, we will strive to increase our membership by inviting others to join and by manifesting the
strong message of power of unity.

Through our shared goals, we can leverage our influence to help shape a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Let me conclude by saying that I do recognize that we have a large task ahead, and none of it will be possible without the excellent energy and efforts of each of you and of my incoming team. My special thanks goes to our past presidents Dr Naveen Goel, Dr Lal Bhagchandani, and Dr Bharat Gupta, in placing their trust in me to take on this responsibility.

To all my team members, I greatly value your input and welcome your ideas to promote IPOF’s mission. I want to thank all of you for your efforts thus far and for your support in tackling the challenges of the year ahead. Together we will all make this organization the community standard bearer for a better future. Again, I thank you for the great honor of serving as your President, and I look forward to working with all of you to accomplish these goals and to make a lasting impact through our efforts.

I would also like to thank my husband, my son, and my Mom for their enormous support to me throughout this journey.
As I close, my only ask is that you participate.

Get involved. Get engaged. Lend a hand. And stand up and be heard.
Let’s move forward and achieve great success together.