As we came to the conclusion of this wonderful 47th AKMG Convention, my heart is filled with gratitude.
What we have experienced over these past few days did not happen because of one person. It happened because of an extraordinary AKMG family that came together with commitment, friendship, generosity, and teamwork.
As Convention Chair, it is my privilege to recognize the many people who worked behind the scenes to make this convention possible.
First, I would like to thank Dr. Iyer and the entire Souvenir Committee for their tremendous effort in putting together our beautiful convention souvenir. A special thank-you also to everyone who contributed articles, messages, advertisements, and memories to make it so meaningful.
To Dr. Neena Kumar, Smitha Haridas, and the entire Entertainment Committee, along with Dr.Nasim,Judith and Dr.Manju as Emcees,and Dr. Thompson leading Anthakshari ,thank you for bringing energy, excitement, music, and celebration to our convention. You helped create memories that we will carry home with us.
To Dr. Sarah Easaw and the entire CME Committee, thank you for organizing an outstanding educational program and ensuring that our convention continued AKMG’s proud tradition of professional excellence.
To Dr. Shaija Kutty and the Women’s Forum, thank you for creating a meaningful platform that celebrates, connects, and empowers the women of AKMG.
To Dr. Iyer, Dr. Asha, and the Literary Forum team, thank you for adding an intellectual and cultural dimension to our convention and celebrating the literary talents within our community.
A very special thank-you to Dr. Bikram Kabir, Dr. Liza, and the entire Registration Committee. Registration is one of the most demanding responsibilities of any convention, and your patience, organization, and countless hours of work are deeply appreciated.
To Dr. Nasim, Judith, and the Fashion Show Committee, thank you for bringing elegance, creativity, and glamour to our convention. You made it a truly memorable part of our program.
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To Dr. Elizabeth Mammen Prasad, Dr. Neena Thomas, and the entire Mentorship Program team, thank you for investing in the future of AKMG and for creating opportunities to guide and inspire the next generation of physicians and dentists.
To Dr. Aravind Pillai, thank you for bringing wellness and balance to our convention through the Yoga program.
To Dr. Jincy for the Bollywood Dance thank you for bringing such wonderful energy and fun to the stage.
And to Madhu Pillai and the entire Chenda Melam team, thank you for bringing the sounds, spirit, and traditions of Kerala so beautifully into our convention. It was truly a celebration of our heritage.
To Dr. Unny Thambi and Dr. Geetha Menon for their valuable input from their previous convention. We truly appreciate your time and efforts.
A very special acknowledgement to Viraj events and Caterers for AV, Pictures-Prem and Balu ,food coordination, and event management. So much of what happens successfully at a convention depends upon what takes place behind the scenes. Thank you for being there whenever something needed to be done.
To Vijayan Menon and the TaraArts team, thank you for the wonderful TaraArts show and for adding another spectacular cultural experience to our convention.
I would also like to recognize the AKMG Board of Governors , Board of Trustees and all the Past presidents. Thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and continued commitment to this organization.
And we are especially grateful to Lieutenant Governor of NJ and Senator Vin Gopal for their support and recognition of AKMG and our New Jersey community. Your encouragement means a great deal to all of us.
I would also like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our distinguished Chief Guests, whose presence has truly honored this 47th AKMG Convention.
A very special thank-you to the Honorable Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram for joining us and for supporting this gathering of Malayalee physicians and dentists here in the United States. We are deeply honored by your presence.
We are tremendously grateful to Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, Immediate Past President of the American Medical Association, for being with us. Your remarkable leadership and service to the medical profession are an inspiration to our physicians, dentists, and especially to the next generation of AKMG.
And a very warm thank-you to Dr. Shah, our distinguished Chief Guest, for taking the time to join us and celebrate this special occasion. Your presence has added greatly to the significance of our convention.
And no convention of this magnitude would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. To each and every one of our sponsors, our heartfelt thank-you...
To Our Sponsors
I want to pause for a very important thank-you.
To every one of our sponsors — thank you.
Your generosity and belief in AKMG helped make this convention possible. Whether you supported us through sponsorships, exhibits, advertisements, educational programs, meals, entertainment, or other contributions, you were an essential part of the success of this convention.
On behalf of the entire AKMG family, we sincerely appreciate your partnership and your confidence in our organization. Please know that your support does not go unnoticed, and we hope you will continue to be part of the AKMG family for many years to come.
Before I recognize our Convention Core Team, there is one very special person I would like to thank — Preetha, our AKMG secretary support from India.
Preetha, although you were thousands of miles away, you were always there for us. From coordinating communications and handling countless secretarial and administrative details to helping us stay organized throughout the many months of convention planning, your dedication and responsiveness have been invaluable.
There were so many things happening behind the scenes, at all hours, and you handled them with patience and commitment. Preetha, on behalf of the entire Convention Team and AKMG, thank you for all your hard work and for being such a dependable part of this journey. We truly appreciate you.
And now, last — but definitely not least — I want to recognize the heart of this convention: our Convention Core Team.
I begin with our President, Dr. Elizabeth Mammen Prasad. Elizabeth, thank you for your leadership, your trust, your support, and for working alongside us every step of the way.
To our Convention Co-Chair, Dr. Liza Protasis, thank you for your dedication and for sharing the tremendous responsibility of bringing this convention together. To Liza's husband Jude Samuel, for all his dedicated time and hard work behind the scenes,especially when Liza's arm was fractured.A big thank you from all of us!
To our Treasurer, Dr. Joseph Prasad, thank you for keeping us organized , keeping us in check and for your tremendous support throughout this journey.
To our Registration Chair, Dr. Bikram Kabir, thank you again for taking on one of the most challenging responsibilities of the convention. To Bikram's wife Priya, once again for all her dedicated time and hard work especially with Kanav and Ethan for the Thattakada and their incredible effort in raising close to $271 towards charity.
And to Dr. Asha Menon and Dr. Thomas Allapatt, thank you for your time, commitment, friendship, and willingness to step in whenever and wherever you were needed.
There were also so many volunteers, committee members, spouses, families, friends, performers, physicians, dentists, and AKMG members who helped in ways both large and small. I may not be able to mention every name tonight, but please know that every contribution mattered.
And finally, to all of you — our AKMG members and guests — thank you for coming. A convention is not successful simply because we organize programs. It becomes successful when you show up, participate, reconnect with old friends, make new friendships, learn together, laugh together, and celebrate together.
There is one thought I would like to leave with you tonight:
No single person could have created what we experienced here. We did it together.
We were a team. We worked as a team. And everything you experienced during this convention was created for all of you, by your AKMG family.
It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as your Convention Chair for the 47th AKMG Convention here in New Jersey.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for your friendship.
And most importantly, thank you for being part of the AKMG family.
May we leave this convention with beautiful memories, stronger friendships, and an even stronger AKMG.
Thank you, till next time at Niagara!
Rekha Menon MD,
Convention Chair 2025-2026,
47th AKMG NJ
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