The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), representing over 35,000 Indian American physicians, has launched an initiative to increase bone marrow and stem cell registrations across the United States. Partnering with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the campaign aims to expand the Indian donor pool, especially for patients suffering from leukemia and lymphoma, who face difficulty finding matching donors, particularly from Indian and South Asian ethnicities.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula, an oncologist based in Dayton, Ohio, and the president of AAPI for the 2024-2025 term, explained that the initiative involves AAPI chapter leaders, members, and volunteers nationwide. The goal is to raise awareness about the urgent need for more donors and to encourage younger generations to register.
Dr. Kathula, who recently received the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, noted that Indian American physicians hold pivotal roles across healthcare, research, academia, and underserved communities. Since its founding over 40 years ago, AAPI has fought for the rights of immigrant doctors in the U.S. and has grown into a major professional organization, also advocating for policy reforms related to immigration and healthcare.
AAPI supports the next generation of Indian American doctors through its Young Physicians and Medical Students sections, offering mentorship and legislative advocacy. The organization has also been working to ease residency pathways for international medical graduates.
Dr. Kathula emphasized AAPI’s continued commitment to enhancing medical education and supporting young physicians. Additionally, the organization advocates for policies that expedite green card processes for foreign-born doctors on H1B visas.
AAPI’s international efforts include the AAPI Global Healthcare Summit, held in New Delhi in 2023, where participants discussed vital health issues such as cancer prevention, heart attack prevention, and integrating technology into healthcare in India. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI raised $5.2 million to aid healthcare efforts in India, further demonstrating the impact of Indian American physicians on both national and international levels.
