The Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE) hosted its 39th Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 18th, bringing together more than 250 high-spirited members and friends who value IMANE’s mission of supporting the systemic and oral care needs of local and global communities.

Dr. Paul Mathew, board certified neurologist and emcee for the evening, welcomed attendees, introduced the evening’s speakers, and raised awareness for men’s health by encouraging participation in ‘Movember.’

IMANE’s 39th president, Dr. Sameer Kapasi, reflected on the limitless support he received from young leaders and former IMANE presidents who together championed causes to promote the ability to deliver quality healthcare throughout the year.

Dr. S. Kapasi warmly welcomed IMANE’s incoming 40th president, Dr. Vikas Merchia, who looks forward to strengthening bonds within our community and diversifying it with the goal of becoming more multicultural and multidisciplinary over the coming year.

IMANE would like to gratefully acknowledge our 19th Surgeon General and the evening’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Vivek Murthy, for his fireside chat with colleague Dr. Bhavna Lall, on the topics of physician burnout and the future of public health. When asked what the biggest issues in public health are today, Dr. Murthy drew attention to children as the victims of violence, to mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission, and to substance abuse and addiction. When asked what causes physician burn-out, Dr. Murthy said “…there is no one single cause. The truth is we did not learn how to care for ourselves in medical school.” Dr. Murthy encouraged medical students, residents, and physicians to take care of ourselves and find destressors, emphasizing daily aerobic exercise and building nurturing human relationships. Dr. Murthy left attendees with an inspiring and uplifting piece of advice — “If you succeed, pull someone along.”

A presentation of awards followed and congratulations to all recipients!

Distinguished Physician’s Award — Anjan K. Chaudhury, M.D.
Community Service Award — Seema Arora, M.D.
Presidential Ambassador Award — Ravindra Mahadev, CEP, CLTC
President's Award — Sucheta Doshi, M.D.., M.P.H.
President's Award — Paul Mathew, M.D., DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS
President's Award — Arshiya Seth, M.D.
President's Award — Ranjani Saigal
President's Award — Neela Gandhi, D.D.S.

Prem & Raj Goyal Foundation Award — Krishna Adit Agarwal, M.B.B.S.

Heartiest congratulations to IMANE for a job well done — we look forward to next year’s Annual Meeting!

Photography by Rashik Mehta

Written by Sangita Murali, a resident of South Dartmouth, MA, is a fourth-year dental student at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Sangita has participated in several public health programs with IMANE where she had the opportunity to provide oral cancer and soft tissue pathology screenings along with educational oral health promotion for children and adults.

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