Dr. George Varghese received a Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. George Varghese received the American Academy of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2011. Dr. Varghese and his wife Molly live in Overland Park, Kansas. Together they have three children and five grandchildren.

Dr. Vijay Kumar

https://www.facebook.com/HSNSudbury/posts/3995500167173133 Here is a summary of Dr.Kumar's profile from his hospital's social media page. Pediatrician Vijay Kumar was honoured earlier this week for his long-standing service as a clinical director for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) here in Sudbury. Dr. Kumar has been a CF director for 35 years, and was described by Miriam McDonald, a colleague from Pharmacy as an “unrelenting warrior” for CF patients, as she acknowledged Dr. Kumar’s great capacity for “hope and love.” He was presented with a plaque by the CF Canada in honour of his career-long commitment to the cause. This week, Dr. Vijay Kumar is stepping down as Clinical Director for CF Canada at HSN and handing over the reins to his son Dr. Gautam Kumar.Dr. Vijay Kumar said there is no single memory that stands out during his time as a CF director, but there are so many memorable moments: “When parents come to me almost in tears and tell me how thankful they are for CF Canada and the community for having provided the type of medications that are available now, and how grateful they are for the improvements they see in their child, those are the moments that mean so much to me in my practice,” he said.Aside from treating patients, Dr. Kumar has also advocated for CF patients in the community and last year, he and Dr. Gautam Kumar worked with the NEO Kids Foundation in acquiring a Chloridometer to test babies for CF, sparing families the travel to southern Ontario for testing.

Dr. M. P. RavindraNathan

Dr. M. P. RavindraNathan has made a substantial contribution to the Trivandrum Medical College Alumni Association by sponsoring the construction of "TMC Alumni Knowledge Center ". Dr.RavindraNathan is an alumni of 1958 Batch and former President of AKMG. The project cost of 50-60 lakhs INR(2300sq ft) will be funded by Dr. Nathan. The foundation stone was laid by Hon Minister Smt K K Shylaja Teacher during the 13th Annual Alumni Convention and the construction work is being started at 2 pm on 23rd March Tuesday,in the presence of DME Dr Remla Beevi & Joint DME Dr Thomas Mathew, TMC Principal Dr Sara Varghese, MCH Supdt Dr Sharmad, and SAT, Supdt Dr Santhosh Kumar.

Dr. John Johnson

is a psychiatrist based in Ohio and the owner and CEO of East Ohio Regional Hospital and Access Hospital Dayton. Academic appointment: Associate professor of Psychiatry at Wright State University

Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat

Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat, President of AKMG (2020-2021) received the Sewa Life Time Achievement Award and Health care industry Life Time Achievement Award in 2020.

Dr. Elizabeth Mammen-Prasad

Dr. Elizabeth Mammen-Prasad was elected as the President of Medical Staff at the East Orange General Hospital for 2020-2021. She is an infectious disease specialist working in New Jersey. She is also the elected Chairperson of the World Malayali Council, All Women NJ Province for years 2020-2022. This is a social group involved in community activities of the Malayalee diaspora and local community. The forum promotes seminars on health, science,as well as cultural,music and arts programs and provides mentorship and leadership program for future young leaders.

Dr. Rajesh Nair

Publications from 2020 RamachandranNair R. Encephalopathy Associated with Electrical Status Epilepticus of Sleep (ESES): A Practical Approach. Indian J Pediatr. 2020 Dec;87(12):1057-1061. doi: 10.1007/s12098-020-03422-9. Epub 2020 Jul 6. PMID: 32632569. Swarnalingam ES, RamachandranNair R, Choong KLM, Jones KC. Non-neurophysiologist Physicians and Nurses Can Detect Subclinical Seizures in Children Using a Panel of Quantitative EEG Trends and a Seizure Detection Algorithm. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Dec 29;Publish Ahead of Print. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000000812. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33417383. Dr Rajesh RamachandranNair is A pediatric epileptologist & neurologist at the McMaster Children's Hospital since 2006. He is also the medical director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program.

Dr.Deepthy Nair

Dr.Deepthy Nair is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Dr Nair was awarded the Enid A Neidle scholarship 2020 by the American Dental Education Association. This scholarship offers a unique opportunity for a dental educator to concentrate on issues affecting women faculty. Dr Nair is also the faculty advisor for the UDM Student Chapter of Amercian Association of Women Dentists.

Dr. Shabbir Amanullah

Dr. Shabbir Amanullah won the Outstanding Contributions in Geriatric Psychiatry Award- Awarded by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry.This is a very prestigious national level award. He is also the President of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry and Chief Of Psychiatry - Woodstock General Hospital,Canada.

Dr.V.Krishnan Nair

Dr.V.Krishnan Nair

Dr.Suji Mathew

Dr.Suji Mathew has become a Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Fellowship in the Society is a recognition of and honor conferred upon those who have achieved professional excellence in the field of infectious diseases.

Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of all achievers of AKMG. We apologize if we missed any of our high achievers.

Dr.Rajiv Poduval

Dr.Rajiv Poduval, Chief Executive Officer of Global Nephrology Solutions is proud to annouce a strategic growth investment from Audax Private Equity ("Audax") to help expand the innovative, physician-led model shaping the future of renal care. Dr.Poduval also serves as the President of Southwest Kidney Institute (SKI).

Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of all achievers of AKMG. We apologize if we missed any of our high achievers.

Dr.B.N.Sreekumar

Dr.B.N.Sreekumar received the Loman C. Trover health award by the Hopkins County Reginal Chamber of Commerce and the Golden Apple Teaching Award for the most outstanding faculty at the University of Louisville, Trover campus. Dr.Sreekumar is also the medical director of cardiology at the Baptist Health System, Kentucky.

Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of all achievers of AKMG. We apologize if we missed any of our high achievers.

Dr. Venkit Iyer

Dr. Venkit Iyer has published a new book with title as "Aging well and Reaching Beyond". It is meant for general reading by all readers. It contains very useful information on preventive health care, wellness measures, elder care and end of life issues. It is available in Amazon and Barnes and Noble web sites. The book has received good reviews by various individuals. AKMG recommends the members to support his cause by buying one copy and he has pledged all proceeds to go charity. This is his second book- the first one was published two years ago with title as "Decision making in clinical surgery".

Dr. Jay Raman

Dr. Jay Raman has just published the story of his life "From the land of spice to the land of spice." A synopsis of the book. The title of this book, From the Land of Spice to the Land of Oil, aptly describes the book. It is an immigrant physician's tale of his life and times. More than just a biography, it is a story of his times. He was born in 1945 at the end of Second World War. Kerala, his birthplace in India, is well-known for its spices and ancient martial arts. He was witness to great historic events like the end of the Second World War, the independence and partition of India, the Cold War, the collapse of communism, global warming, and finally the Covind-19 pandemic. He has described these events as he saw them, both as a physician and as a keen student of history. He served in the Indian army and also in the army of the Sultan of Oman. He has many interesting stories to tell, both professional and personal. After immigrating to the USA, he had extensive experience of medical practice in this country.He describes in detail the varied professional and personal challenges he had to face. He also gives his frank opinion about medical practice and the profound changes he was a witness to. He describes the great historical events he has passed through based on his own observations on geopolitics and international issues. An important issue, life after retirement, is also given due consideration. Toward the end, he concentrates on spiritual issues, religion, and ultimately death. The author Jay K Raman MD FACS FRCS(C) is a long time resident of Houston Texas and also a life member of AKMG. The book is available on Amazon. A kindle version is also available. All the proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to charity.

Dr.Chitra Jacob

Dr.Chitra Jacob graduated from Trivandrum Medical College and attained MRCPCH from the UK. She moved to Canada 10 years back and switched her career to health administration and continued as a faculty of Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. In 2020, she attained FISQua, Fellow of the International Society for Quality in health care (ISQua). ISQua is the accrediting body for Accreditation Canada and has members across the globe. Her focus is to build quality improvement capacity in medical students and faculty.

Dr. Theckedath Mathew

Considering the many years of superior services to the Rochester Heart Center, working as a Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Theckedath Mathew was honoured by naming two suits including a Cardiac procedure suit at the new Rochester Heart Institute. Dr. Mathew is a pioneer Interventional Cardiologist in Rochester and also past president of AKMG. Dr. Mathew was the director of the Echocardiography lab for 15 yrs; Director of the Interventional Lab for 15 years; voted as the best teacher by residents and fellows on multiple years. He also had made substantial donations to the heart center.

Dr. Ambika Ashraf

Dr. Ambika Ashraf was recognized as a Fellow of National Lipid Association in 2020. She is currently the Division director of UAB Pediatric Endocrinology and Medical Director of Children's of Alabama Pediatric Endocrinology Clinics. She is also the   Ralph Frohsin Endowed Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology (2019).

 

Dr. Santosh Thyagu

Dr. Santosh Thyagu, Hemato-oncologist from Trivandrum, received two teaching awards in 2020 including the  Leading Change in Medical Education award and University of Toronto Wightman-Berris Academy Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Education. He was the site lead for core Haematology rotation at University of Toronto, till July of 2020. 

Dr. Annapurna Bhat

Dr. Annapurna Bhat, Rheumatologist and First Lady of AKMG has been elected as the chair of the Women Entrepreneurs Board, Indian American International Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of KMC, Manipal India, with Internal medicine residency training from Downstate Med NY and Rheumatology fellowship from Emory University, Atlanta GA, practicing in Stockbridge, GA. She was awarded Top Georgia Rheumatologist in 2018. Dr. Anu Bhat has been involved in multitude charitable organizations as donor. Some examples of organizations that she has contributed in Atlanta, include Heaven house, A Friends house Inc, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Clayton State University, Kennesaw state University, The Raksha Foundation. Ekal Vidyalaya, Habitat for humanity, AIM for Seva, Nrupathunga Kannada Koota , Arts Clayton, Hands of Hope , Good Shepherd clinic and others. Her contributions to multiple cultural and charitable activities in GA, FL and India, have positively impacted and influenced lives and hopes of thousands of people. She has received numerous awards including Shakti Award, 2019 and lifetime achievement award from Sewa International in 2020.

Drs. Subrahmanya Bhat and Anu Bhat have set up numerous endowment funds to give scholarships to high school students and college students in USA and India. Together they have sponsored many medical students to complete their studies and raised funds for Kodagu Flood relief in India and now is involved with COVID crisis. Dr. Bhat is a board member of numerous organizations through which she serves local communities Current Executive Board Member IAICC, Washington, D.C. Current Acting Chair, Women in Business& Leadership, Indian American International Chamber of Commerce, Inc Past president GA chapter of HAA association Board of Trustee and Board of Advisor Navika Non-Profit Organization Board of Director, Nrupathunga Kannada Koota, Atlanta ,GA Advisor, Board Clayton State University Atlanta, GA Board of Director, GAPI Medical Association, GA Trustee member Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale GA Board member, Art Gallery, Clayton County, GA Active International Rotarian who is also a Major donor and Paul Harris Fellow Life member of AAPI, AKMG, IACS and Karnataka Medical organization and have actively participated at recent local AAPI convention. Founder, Karnataka Med and Dental Association, Atlanta, GA Life member, Nandi Kannada Koota, FL Editor for souvenir for 45th anniversary of Nrupathunga Kannada Koota of Atlanta Member Henry county Chamber of Commerce Member GAMA organization

 

Dr. Priya Radhakrishnan has been elected as the Governor of the Arizona Chapter of American College of Physicians. She will serve as the official representative of the College for the Arizona Chapter, providing a link between members at the local level and leadership at the national level.  

Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP

Education: MBBS, Calicut Medical College, India
Post Doctoral Training: Medical School, Trivandrum, India; Residency, IM, Lincoln Hospital, New York, St. Francis Hospital, Evanston
Certification: ABIM Internal Medicine
Present Position: Chief Academic Officer, HonorHealth
ACP Chapter Involvement and Leadership Activities: Chapter Grants; ACP SAN Grant Initiative QPP-Focused Education; PI, Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative 2017; Governor’s Council 2012-2016; Annual Program Comm. since 2014; Chair, Awards Comm. 2012-2016; Advocacy Comm. 2017; Presenter, Chapter meeting since 2012; Chapter Meeting, Patient Centered Medical Home 2013; Panelist, Moderator, Chapter Meeting 2016; Course Director and PI, Grant with QPP Practicing Physicians 2017; Chapter Awards since 2012; IMG of the Year; Trainee, Notable mentee presentations; Work Life Balance of Women Physicians, Best abstract, Chapter Meeting 2015
ACP National Activities: Fellowship; Presenter, National Meeting since 2012; Presenter, EHR Optimization for Internists, National Meeting 2016; Panelist, MIPS Reporting, National Meeting 2017; Membership Comm.; Medical Informatics since 2014; Selected Mentee Awards; Work Life Balance of Women Physicians, Young Achiever, National Meeting 2016
Other Appointments/Activities: Physician Advisor, PII, TCPI Grant; Appointments, Creighton, UACOM; Board Foundation, Senior Living; Past President, Pratham; Past President, SGIM Mountain West; Student Heart Failure Intervention 2014-2015; Clients Aligned through Community and Hospital 2012-2016; My Most Memorable Patient 2009-2016; PCMH Transformation, SGIM Clinical Practice Innovation Award 2013; Director, Roadmap to Practice Transformation, Successful Transition to an Accountable Care Network Symposium 2014
Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: Practice Transformation and Value Based Payment; Medical Informatics; Medical Education

Dr.Sunil Kumar

AKMG past president Dr.Sunil Kumar was presented the Excellence in Healthcare award for his COVID-19 response during the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s Perspectives on Florida’s Healthcare & Excellence in Healthcare award ceremony. 

 

Dr. Sunill Kumar was also recognized  for his outstanding contribution to the community as a Medical Doctor and received the IAPC Prestigious Excellence Award in the field of Community Service, at the 7th International Media Conference 2020 of the Indo American Press Cub. IAPC - a Non-Profit Organization headquartered in New York, was formed in 2013 and is committed to recognizing and honoring the outstanding entities and individuals in the community that create a social impact and excel in their field of profession, culture, service and business. Dr. Sunil Kumar is currently working as the Chief of Staff and Medical Director of ICU, Broward Health Medical Center. 

 
 

Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah

 

Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah, a prominent Malayali cardiologist in USA has been re-elected as the Chair of the Board for the Florida Board of Medicine for 2021. Dr. Zachariah is the Medical Director of UHealth Cardiology, Fort Lauderdale and on the Clinical Faculty of the University of Miami. He also is the President of Fort Lauderdale Heart Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He had served on the Florida Board of Governors of the State University system from 2003 to 2010 and from 2017 to May 2019. He has also served on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health from 1990 to 1993 and as a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. He also served as Chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine from 1990-1992, 2000-2001 and 2013-2014. He also served as a member of the President’s advisory commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001.Dr. Zachariah has performed more than 30,000 heart catheterizations and interventional procedures in Broward County. Among the awards he has received include the Ellis Island American Legend Award, the Child Advocate of the Year Award, Father of the Year Award, Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope, the Golden Heart Award from the American Heart Association, Freedom Foundation Medal of Honor from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, and Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Sister Innocent Hughes Award for his contribution to health and science by Holy Cross Hospital. In the past, 3 Florida Governors and the Cabinet have declared “Zachariah P. Zachariah Day” in Florida 5 times.
 

 

 

Dr. Ravindra Nathan

 

Trivandrum Medical College Knowledge Centre

Donated by Dr. Ravindranathan, past president of AKMG, the TMC Knowledge Centre is meant for the enhancement of medical information. His contribution amounts to $70,000 dollars. The centre formally inaugurated by Health Minister of Kerala Hon: Smt. K. K. Shailaja Teacher on 15^th February 2020, during the 15^th Annual Alumni Convention at Trivandrum Medical College will be open to all physicians and medical personnel as well as visiting physicians. Dr. Nathan also received the distinguished alumni award during this function.

Dr. Nathan has published several books. Release of the Malayalam Edition of his books “Second Chance – (Randamoozham) and Stories from My Heart (Ente Hrudayathil Pathinja Kure Kathakal) was conducted during a special reception, a civil ceremony “Nathan’s Day” on February 22, 2020 at Changanacherry, Kerala.

Dr. Pitchumoni

We are sharing information about a major reference work published in Geriatric Gastroenterology  by Drs. C.S. Pitchumoni and TS Dharmarajan. Both physicians completed their MBBS and MD from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala. 

Geriatric Gastroenterology, Second Edition, Springer 

The current second edition of Geriatric Gastroenterology by Springer follows on the hugely successful first edition of the book. The original first edition of Geriatric Gastroenterology was released in 2012 and was a best seller in the Springer category of medical textbooks, being hugely successful with over 150,000 chapter downloads. Geriatric Gastroenterology is edited by CS Pitchumoni MD and TS Dharmarajan MD. Both physicians received their MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala, India, and have spent their careers in academic medicine in the U.S, rising to the ranks of Professor of Medicine.The success of the first edition spurred the planning of the second edition of Geriatric Gastroenterology, this time a Major Reference Work. The book was planned and completed within 3 years and is anticipated to be on the shelf by mid 2021. The book comprises 105 chapters, is over 2200 pages and studded with over 500 illustrations. The chapters are authored by world famous specialists from across the globe. The book material cover the entire spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders in older adults ranging from epidemiology, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, cancer, imaging, nutrition and the full range of pathological disorders including surgical aspects.  The chapters are highlighted with numerous tables and figures, besides key points at the end of each chapter to effectively reinforce the salient aspects.The book is targeted to residents and fellows in training, and practicing professionals in medicine, geriatrics and gastroenterology.  Geriatric Gastroenterology, a Major Reference Work, is unique in its theme, as there is a dearth of comprehensive textbooks in this particular domain.

 

 Professor C.S. Pitchumoni is an acclaimed author, a dedicated teacher, a well-published researcher, and an editor of several popular books and prestigious journals in the field of Clinical Gastroenterology. For his many academic contributions spanning more than five decades at New York Medical College, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, and Drexel University, Dr. Pitchumoni  has the rare distinction of being recognized as a Master of two leading professional organizations, the American College of Physicians as well as the American College of Gastroenterology. Dr Pitchumoni's publications of over 250 in major peer-reviewed journals and more than 100 chapters in the reputable textbooks are in addition to seven edited books. Dr. Pitchumoni has received various awards and recognitions. The one award that he takes pride in the recognition by students of Drexel University with the covetable Blockley-Osler award for excellence in teaching Clinical Medicine at the bed-side in the tradition of Sir William Osler. The Royal Colleges of Physicians of Ottawa, Canada and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh have honored Dr Pichumoni as a Fellow of the respective colleges. Dr Pitchumoni is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition. The MPH qualification from New York Medical College substantially expands his broad knowledge in Clinical Medicine, clinical epidemiology, and Research methods.  With his professional experience at senior levels in teaching and administration for over fifty years, he is currently the Emeritus Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Clinical Nutrition at Saint Peters University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Emeritus Chairman of Medicine of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center of New York Medical College, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Rutgers University. The initial publications that brought him to the academic forefront were focused on Pancreatology; his pioneering work in the field is well quoted in the literature. The success of the first edition of Geriatric Gastroenterology by Springer Publishers, that was released in 2012, prompted the authors to expand the book with many more chapters in the second edition. The editors expect the same enthusiastic reception for the second edition.   

Dr. TS. Dharmarajan MD is the Vice-Chairman, Department of Medicine, Clinical Director, Division of Geriatrics and the Program Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program at Montefiore Medical Center (Wakefield Campus) Bronx, a University Hospital of Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM), Bronx, New York. He is a Professor of Medicine, AECOM and Adjunct Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College. He was formerly Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York and Chairman, Department of Medicine, at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, until its transition to Montefiore Medical Center.Dr. Dharmarajan is certified by the American Boards in Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Geriatric Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society (AGSF), Master of the American College of Physicians (MACP) and Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh (FRCPE).Dr. Dharmarajan was instrumental in developing a reputable inpatient geriatric medicine program at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center in the Bronx (currently Montefiore Medical Center), with clinical, academic and research components, including a fully accredited fellowship program (for 10 fellows) in Geriatrics. Dr. Dharmarajan co-edited the textbook Clinical Geriatrics (CRC Press / Parthenon Publishing) released in 2003. His second textbook, Geriatric Gastroenterology (Springer), co-edited with CS Pitchumoni, was released in July 2012. The latter was a best seller in the Springer category of text books. Based on its success, he co-edited Geriatric Gastroenterology, a Major Reference Work (Springer), a far more comprehensive work. His publications in peer reviewed journals and text books number around 200. He has over 500 scientific presentations (abstracts) in county, state, national and international meetings. He won the Howard Gutterman Award for best research project in the National Annual AMDA (2006) meeting. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at New York City in April 2019 and in the same year received Recognition for Leadership and Community Services from Montefiore at the tenth Anniversary celebrations. Dr. Dharmarajan is a regular speaker at local, national and international meetings. Some of his many recognitions in Medicine include: “Teacher of the Year”; “Peer to Peer” recognition by the Bronx County Society. In 2013, he was featured on the cover of AgingWell magazine, as one of five noteworthy geriatricians.