The Indian American Medical Association, Illinois (IAMA-IL) marked its 44th anniversary with a memorable fundraising gala on December 7, 2024, at the Matrix Club in Naperville. The event brought together leaders, influencers, and community members to celebrate the achievements of the organization and raise funds for its future initiatives.
IAMA-IL President Dr. Radhika Chimata organized a spectacular evening that featured speeches from U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois’s 8th Congressional District, and Indian Consul General Somnath Ghosh. Dr. Chimata outlined her goals for the coming year, including continued fundraising, creating a database for medical trainees’ mentors, and expanding membership among second- and third-generation Americans.
The gala’s awards presentation honored distinguished individuals in the medical community: Dr. Ashok Fulambarker received the Distinguished Physician Award, Dr. Samir Shah was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dr. Archana Chatterjee was honored with the Dr. Usha Rani Nimmagadda Woman Physician Leadership Award. Drs. Rajeev Kumar, Terence Chiramel, and Utpal Parekh were also recognized for their contributions to IAMA-IL and the community.
The keynote address by Advocate Health CEO Dia Nichols, along with a fireside chat featuring Dr. Chimata, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, and Shruti Nathan, focused on key challenges physicians face, such as reimbursement rates
The evening’s entertainment included performances by the Ghungroo Bollywood dance troupe and a stunning audio-visual presentation by Biju Zacharia. During the dinner, Dr. Radhika Chimata delivered an unplugged performance, followed by an electrifying concert with Orchestra Saregama.
The gala also marked the transition to IAMA-IL’s new leadership, with Dr. Dilip Shah taking over as President for the organization’s 45th year. The event was supported by sponsors such as the Wealth Planning Network of Oak Brook, IL, Orchard Corporation, and Neelyx, with keepsakes provided by Tanishq of Naperville.
IAMA-IL is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting professional excellence, quality patient care, and the welfare of Illinois physicians of Indian origin.
