iNDICA NEWS BUREAU
Dr. Kavita Gupta has been elected as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), marking a milestone in the organization’s 44-year history. She is the first physician born and raised in the United States, and the first second-generation Indian American physician to hold this national leadership position.
Dr. Gupta, who was previously elected as Secretary of National AAPI in 2013, will assume her new role during the first-ever World Congress of AAPI in New York on July 20, 2024. She is currently serving a three-year term on AAPI’s Board of Trustees.
“We have to grow with the next generation by its side. I see myself as a true liaison with our younger 2nd generation leaders,” Dr. Gupta stated, emphasizing her commitment to bridging generational gaps within the organization. “I bring a new perspective and
second-generation rationale to the issues we face as Indian American physicians,” she added.
AAPI President Dr. Anjana Samadder congratulated Dr. Gupta, saying, “With her election to the leadership role in AAPI, the second and successive generations of physicians of Indian Origin at AAPI are poised to continue the tremendous success of our prior leadership and contribute our dynamic talents towards AAPI’s mission.”
With nearly three decades of service to AAPI, Dr. Gupta brings extensive experience to her new position. She is board-certified in
pain management, physical medicine, and rehabilitation, and has been practicing interventional pain management for over 20 years.
Reflecting on her career path, Dr. Gupta shared, “I’ve been in practice as an interventional pain management for over 20 years,
ranging from academic practice and private practice.” Before becoming a physician, she had a Master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.
As Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Gupta will oversee the financial sustainability and growth of AAPI. She aims to expand the
organization’s mission to include diversity, enhance networking within political arenas and specialty organizations, and embrace technology to amplify AAPI’s voice in local and international medical communities.
Addressing the challenges ahead, she noted, “The change of administration, which is yearly, and their vision for the organization, budget planning can also vary. BOT will need to be adaptable to each new administration, yet diligent with oversight of financial operations within AAPI.”
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Gupta is actively involved in community leadership, serving on various boards and
participating in educational initiatives. She is married to Dr. Sanjay Gupta and is a mother to triplets.
Dr. Gupta concluded with a call to action, exhorting every AAPI member to join in this historic journey. “AAPI’s mission is clear, our programs will continue to strive, and our impact is infectious on benefiting society. Today I ask you to set aside your differences, and join me in this noble journey to make our mission possible!”
AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, represents more than 120,000 physicians and nearly 60,000 medical students/residents of Indian heritage. The organization serves as a forum for Indian American physicians to excel in patient care, teaching, and research, while pursuing professional and community aspirations.
