The AAPI Charitable Foundation was conceived in 1989, by a group of far-thinking and well-meaning AAPI physicians in collaboration with the governing and general body membership. AAPI-CF is an independently registered 501(c) (3) charitable foundation.

AAPI was established in August of 1982 when Dr. Ujammal Kothari was appointed chair and Drs. Jagan Kakarala, Ratnakar Kini, Bhimsen Rao & Bhanu Shah as its members. Dr. Kakarala & Dr. Rao drafted the first constitution and bylaws.

The first AAPI meeting was held in Dearborn, Michigan where Dr. Kothari was elected as the first president, Dr. Navin Shah, as vice president and Dr. Kakarala as secretary. Subsequently, a second AAPI meeting was held in Boston. It was our privilege to host a lunch at our restaurant Raj Mahal in Newton Center.

In keeping with the goals and objectives of AAPI, AAPI Charitable Foundation was established in 1989, after the AAPI Orlando, Florida convention under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijaynagar. The convention brought in a net income of $35,000.00, which was in a big way a catalyst for establishing the charitable foundation.

Dr. Gautam Shah of Phoenix, Arizona, an ardent supporter and well-wisher of AAPI’s charitable projects served as the first chair of the foundation. The prime directive of all the subsequent foundation chairs was to raise funds to support the foundation’s charitable projects. By the time Dr. Vijayanagar became chair, the charitable foundation offered support to two clinics, one in Punjab and the other in Ammanpatti village outside Bangalore. Subsequently, AAPI Charitable Foundation opened a third charitable clinic in Bombay on December 02, 1991. Since these early days AAPI-CF is now supporting seventeen clinics across India.

In 1997, when Dr. Ranga Reddy was the AAPI president and Dr. Indra Pandit the chair of the charitable foundation, a patron trustee membership was proposed for AAPI-CF. A ten thousand dollar ($10,000.00) patron trustee membership fee brought in additional funds for the charitable trust.

In the early days of the trust assisted with transfer of technology and much needed medical equipment to India. From these small beginnings AAPI-CF expanded its charitable goals. At the present day AAPI-CF is supporting charitable causes and relief activities in the USA and in India. It is also providing much needed medical and preventive care to the indigent community in the USA through its regional associations and in India where it is supporting close to 17 clinics.

A few AAPI members have visited these AAPI-CF charitable clinics and also run health camps in clinics in India, as well as conducted educational programs on health, hygiene, nutrition and life support training. The experience of these visiting doctors has been most gratifying to both the care giver and the receiver of the medical education and care (please visit our website: www.aapi-cf.com. to explore all the AAPI-CF activities)

I have served AAPI-CF for many years since 1989 and raised funds for AAPI-CF. As an example on my husband Onaly Kapasi’s 50th birthday we donated $ 25,000.00 to AAPI-CF (Dr. Indra Pandit was the AAPI-CF chair). Also all proceeds from sale of books authored by Dr. Onaly Kapasi are earmarked to AAPI-CF. I am proud to inform you that ALL (5) members of our family are patron trustees of AAPI-CF. When my mom passed away we asked family and friends not to send flowers but instead write a donation to AAPI-CF.

During my term as AAPI CF Chair from July 2018 I have enjoyed the most distinct privilege and camaraderie with two very distinctive presidents, Drs. Naresh Parikh and Suresh Reddy. Both presidents have been very helpful in making me realize lofty goals I set for AAPI-CF.

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