AKMG Mid-Atlantic chapter

Nigil and I had the privilege of spending a night at the dreamy Mid-Atlantic home of our dear friends, Dr. Shaija Kutty and Dr. Shelby Kutty — an immigrant abode filled with art, warmth, hospitality, and stories. Every corner carried a personal touch: large custom rugs designed by their daughter, indoor plants lovingly arranged along windowsills and quiet corners, European-style glass chandeliers, and shelves lined with fantasy, fiction, and many other treasured books. Even the ride to the airport in their electric SUV became part of the experience — gentle and thoughtful.They welcomed us with several rounds of chai and a delicious Mallu breakfast of appam, idiyappam, chicken stew, and egg roast. For a brief moment, it felt as though Kerala had quietly travelled with us to Washington.

The night before, we attended the official launch of the AKMG Mid-Atlantic Chapter, started under the leadership of Dr. Shelby Kutty, at Bombay Tandoor. It was a gathering that carried both celebration and promise. The restaurant, owned by a Malayali, served delicious cuisine, while a sponsor presentation by the Wall Street Alliance added another layer of support to the evening. They have also promised to support the upcoming AKMG New Jersey Convention in August. Some newcomers walked in unsure and unfamiliar, but by the end of the evening, they left with a renewed sense of belonging to their roots. It was heartwarming to see so many AKMG veterans and leaders gathered in one space — Dr. Chacko, Dr. Joseph, past presidents Dr. Majeed Paduvana and Dr. Parvathi Mohan — their faces and smiles gleaming with pride. Many guests had been personally invited by one remarkable family: Dr. Shoba Mathews, Dr. Asha Mathews, and Dr. Kshema Mathews, sisters whose loyalty to AKMG is reflected in their presence at almost every convention.

We met another Trivandrum Medical College alumnus like us, Dr. Joseph Mathew, who belonged to our parents’ generation — the third batch of TVM Medical College. That connection made the evening feel even more personal, as if the threads of our own medical journey had quietly met the older generation that helped shape the path before us. A pleasant surprise was also meeting Dr. Sandhya Sukumaran, global health advisor, who coordinated the traditional lamp lighting. Dr. Nasim Shajahan, member of the Board of Governors and pediatric psychiatrist, served as master of ceremonies with grace, while her cousin Fazal Harris offered a musical tribute to the guests. Shelby and Shaija’s sons, Aaron and Ayaan, were busy helping with registration and capturing the evening through their lenses. Standing there in Washington, D.C., the epicenter of the free world, I felt immense pride. This gathering was a powerful testimony to how Malayalis have established themselves across the world, carrying with them their values, excellence, and deep sense of community. As AKMG enters its 47th year, we now look ahead with great excitement to the New Jersey Convention in August 2026, followed by Niagara, and eventually Washington’s grand convention in 2028. It is truly heartwarming to see everyone come together in celebration of the rich heritage we have brought with us and continue to nurture here. We stand on the shoulders of many physician leaders who paved the way for us. We are also fortunate to draw inspiration from academic physicians representing Kerala on the global stage, including Dr. Salim Yusuf, whose research is often spoken of in the same breath as landmark breakthroughs like the discovery of insulin and penicillin. A book based on his life and journey, Climbing Mountains, is now out, and it is a story that should inspire all of us. President-elect Dr. Thomas Rajan and his wife, Dr. Savita Rajan, could not attend due to a last-minute flight cancellation, and Dr. Narendra Kumar was also unable to be present. Their absence was felt, but their support was deeply acknowledged. The leadership team from the New Jersey Convention — Dr. Rekha Menon and Dr. Bikram Kabir — truly stole everyone’s hearts with their genuine enthusiasm and warm invitation for all attendees to join them in New Jersey in August 2026. They spoke about the venue, Hyatt Place on the Hudson, and I was especially impressed to hear that Manhattan is only a 15-minute train ride away through the underwater train. They also shared their exciting plan to hold an alumni procession during the AKMG New Jersey Convention, accompanied by a glorious Chenda Melam. Our president, Dr. Elizabeth Mammen Prasad, spoke in depth about the organization’s activities, and I was most impressed by her attention to detail. She gifted me a beautiful peacock saree that I am supposed to wear as part of the official convention theme — a gesture I will always remember. She has always been generous with her kindness and gifts. Friends, register as soon as possible for the New Jersey Convention. CME sessions, Onam celebrations, sadya, a musical feast by Najeem Arshad’s team, dance, fashion parade, antakshari night, a mentalist show, and many more programs are being planned — not to mention the memorable Hudson River cruise on the 250th anniversary of the United States. Come dressed in red, blue, and white for the cruise. I cannot wait to see everyone by the Hudson River, celebrating the greatest legacy of immigrant life and the trailblazers who continue to lay the foundation for the next generation. What an enviable feat this is — to build a community, nurture its roots, and then celebrate it across the river from the Manhattan skyline. Come be part of the spectacle that is going to unfold by the Hudson.

Before leaving Shelby’s home for New Jersey at 1 a.m., Bikram, Rekha chechi and Elizabeth Mammen shared the anxieties and challenges they faced while starting a new AKMG chapter in New Jersey. They spoke about building a new team mostly made up of newcomers, organizing membership drives, holding countless committee meetings online and offline, and raising sponsorships in a time when fundraising is not easy for obvious reasons. They also spoke about how their bonding strengthened as they travelled together to other chapter meetings — with Dr. Liza and others — from Florida to Michigan to Canada, inviting members to the New Jersey Convention. All this while managing their busy careers as physicians. And yet, through every challenge, they carried a quiet pride and humility. Hats off to Team New Jersey. This is what AKMG truly represents — not just conventions and committees, but belonging, mentorship, friendship, memory, heritage, and the tireless work of immigrant physicians who continue to build bridges for the next generation.

Dr. Nisha Nigil Secretary AKMG