New England physicians from South Asia rally #WhiteCoats4BlackLives in Boston

BOSTON: In solidarity with the movement for justice, peace and racial equality growing across the USA and internationally, the Association of Pakistani Physicians of New England (APPNE) and the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE) are holding a #WhiteCoats4BlackLives rally in Boston joined by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA), Massachusetts Peace Action, Alliance for Secular and Democratic South Asia, the Boston Coalition, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Revolutionary United Front, Imamia Muslim Foundation, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASCME) 1526, and others.

The rally is planned for Sunday, 14 June, 4– 6pm in front of Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston.

(Facebookevent link: https://bit.ly/wc4bl14)

“As a physician viewing the situation from the trenches, I have seen the racial disparity brought out by this pandemic,” says infectious disease specialist Dr Asimah Qayyum of Framingham who initiated the event. 

“We have to think beyond ‘charity’ and ‘handouts’ to make systemic change,” says co-organizer Dr Salman Malik, an oral surgeon in New Hampshire. 

Both physicians have lived in the USA for nearly three decades each and are American citizens. “We’re American first, Pakistani second,” says Dr Malik.

Physicians and health workers around the country have been converging under the White Coats for Black Lives banner at their hospitals and institutions. This may be the first such demonstration in a public place, with allies from human rights and racial justice groups.

Average of 1000 people annually die in the USA by Police actions, mostly with firearms but sometimes using no weapons, as in the case of George Floyd and Eric Garner. This year, police have already shot and killed over 450 people even amidst the global coronavirus pandemic. The victims are disproportionately African American or Black. Floyd’s death was “one event in a continuous system of oppression,” to quote the Rev. GraylanHagler. 

The perpetrators are rarely, if ever, punished. The legal doctrine of qualified immunity in United States federal law freezes the constitution, shielding police officers and other government officials from being sued.

Sunday’s #WhiteCoats4BlackLives rally expresses solidarity with allies around the country and around the world to end systemic racism at this pivotal moment.

 

WHITE COATS FOR BLACK LIVES #WhiteCoats4BlackLives

WhiteCoats4BlackLives is a medical student-run organization born out of the National White Coat Die-In demonstrations that took place on 10 December 2014

- www.whitecoats4blacklives.org

Vision: To safeguard the lives and well-being of our patients through the elimination of racism.

Mission Statement: To dismantle racism in medicine and promote the health, well-being, and self-determination of people of color.

Goals:

1. Foster dialogue on racism as a public health concern.

• Encourage physicians, physician organizations, and medical institutions to publicly recognize racism as a public health issue.

• Promote medical students’ involvement in local and national movements to end racism and police brutality.

• Advocate for the funding and promotion of research on the health effects of racism.

2. End racial discrimination in medical care.

• Demand that academic medical centers serve the healthcare needs of their local communities, particularly the needs of patients of color.

• Promote the allocation of funding for interventions that dismantle racism in the delivery of medical care.

• Ensure equal access to medical care by advocating for the establishment of a single-payer national health insurance program.

3. Prepare future physicians to be advocates for racial justice.

• Improve the recruitment and support of Black, Latinx, and Native American medical students.

• Promote the recruitment, retention, and hiring of Black, Latinx, and Native American physicians in medical school teaching, research, and leadership positions.

• Develop national medical school curricular standards that educate current and future medical professionals on the history and current manifestations of racism in medicine, principles of anti-racism, and strategies for dismantling structural racism.  

#WC4BL 14 June media contacts: Dr Salman Malik

In memory of a very faithful IMANE member who attended most of the meetings & was such a humble soul. RIP. OM SHANTI

Dr. Dhansukhlal C. Mandalaywala, commonly known as “Dr. Lal,” is an internist from Dudley, Massachusetts.

He passed away on May 18, 2020 and was cremated on May 21, 2020 at Phaneuf Crematorium in Manchester, New Hampshire. He is survived by his son, Amol Mandalaywala, his daughter-in-law, Thea Ghandy Mandalaywala, and their son Kaian Mandalaywala, as well as his daughter, Anjali Kaul, her husband, Eric Kaul, and their children Arianna and Andrew Kaul. During the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Mandalaywala, aged 81, continued to practice medicine and treat patients. In spite of following all precautions, he contracted Covid-19 from seeing patients. He is a true hero of our community and will always be remembered as the physician who continued to serve the needy in spite of the risks. Due to the restrictions and social distancing practices resulting from COVID-19, his funeral was attended only by his immediate family and was live streamed for family, friends and associates who could not attend.

Dr. Mandalaywala was born and raised in Mandalay, Burma and attended the Institute of Medicine 1 in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar) and thereafter became a Professor at his alma mater. After immigrating to the US in 1973, he completed his residency at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, MA. He later served as an Assistant Professor at UMass Medical School and attending physician for the mentally challenged and physically handicapped for nearly two decades. Since 2005, he volunteered as an attending physician at India Society of Worcester and Indian Medical Association of New England’s Free Health Stop to help provide health care for the underserved and uninsured. At the Free Health Stop, he also served as a clinical instructor for UMass medical school students who volunteered at the free clinic. In addition, he provided diligent medical care for survivors of domestic violence who sought help from India Society of Worcester’s Crisis Group. Moreover, with the emergence of the opioid epidemic, Dr. Mandalaywala focused his attention to Addiction Medicine to help promote the recovery of persons with addiction.

Dr. Mandalaywala (Dr. Lal) will always be remembered for his volunteerism, and his dedication to his patients and the profession of medicine. He was a clinician who inspired other colleagues to also espouse the highest standards of care for every patient. He will be missed by his patients at the Free Health Stop for his compassionate care and interest in their well-being. His associates and colleagues will not only miss his professionalism and advocacy in promoting the welfare of others but also his smile and stories about his experiences in Burma and medical school. When asked about his ethics or principles and religion, he often replied: “I was born in a Hindu family, went to Catholic school and raised in a Buddhist country.” He exemplified the maxim of his medical school: “upaṭhānaṃ, anukammā, dayā” (in Pali) which translates into “service, sympathy, humanity.” It would have also led him to reject the notion that he is a hero as he believed that patients need to be seen regardless of the risk of coronavirus.

For his friends and family who knew him well, Dr. Mandalaywala will be missed for his humor, infectious smile and his love of good food ranging from ragda patties to the South Indian idli and sambhar or the Burmese favorites khao swè and mohinga. His family will always remember him for his generous spirit and willingness to help whenever anyone needed it.

Message/Report from Dr. Sameer Kapasi - AAPI New England Representative - 2017 IMANE President

Thank you to all for your generous donations to COVID-19 Fund.

Thank you, members of the AAPI Funds distribution committee, Drs. Suresh Reddy, Seema Arora, Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Anupama Gotimukula, Surendra Purohit, and Chair of the Committee Jayesh Shah for your efforts in appropriate and timely distribution of the funds. An especial thank you to Dr. Chander Kapasi, Chairperson of Charitable Foundation for her persistent efforts in raising substantial donations for the COVID funds through the Charitable Foundation.

I do not want to miss the opportunity to thank Drs. Anil Tibrewal, Raghu Lolabhattu, Raj Bhayani and our AAPI president Dr. Suresh Reddy for providing appreciatory lunches to our hard-working nurses in all 50 States. Healthcare workers have risen up to the highest professional expectation during these trying times.

I must also recognize Dr. Madhvi Gorusu, President of the Connecticut Association of Physicians from India, for her and her CAPI’s contributions. CAPI is buying food for local health care providers and providing support to food kitchens. CAPI used AAPI COVID funds to buy PPE for distribution to all eight counties of Connecticut.

Dr. Dhrumil Shah, President of the Indian Medical Association of New England, has been working with his team since day one. Kudos to them during these trying times.

IMANE distributed PPE to local nursing homes and homeless shelters. They have also ordered 500 N 95 masks which will be distributed by IMANE membership. They have 3D printed face shields parts and surgical mask ear guards for healthcare workers

Respectfully,
Sameer O. Kapasi, M.D., F.A.A.P.M.R.
Regional Director, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
2017 President, Indian Medical Association of New England
Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine

     

Coronavirus/COVID- 19 Update

We are all aware of the pandemic and its current status as it goes on an international rampage in over 59 countries, with USA now leading in the number of cases and getting worse as of right now.

During these challenging times, we at IMANE would like to support our New England community by providing resources and helping answer any health related questions pertaining to our community that you may have.
Here is some basic info and credible resource websites.

We are aware that many of you have other questions regarding Visa status, resources for our elders who had to extend their stay for meds etc. We are working closely with multiple other community organizations to bring you the information and we will keep posting updates.

INFORMATION-

CDC website has some basic information about the virus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

https://www.who.int/emergen…/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

TELE MEDICINE

Please take your medications regularly, as advised by your physician.
If needed, there are telemedicine providers who can help.

Stay in and Stay well

Please follow the guidelines to keep yourself, your loved ones and all health care professionals helping the community safe, despite all odds.
NO play dates, no corona party, no meeting friends because they also “have been home”.

How to boost your IMMUNITY during these times

Be Stress Free. Be cautious and prevention is key but fear is not.
Regular exercise and fresh air while managing the social distance.
Include lots of fresh fruit, nuts and vegetables in your diet.
Meditate! Here is an easy to follow technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khVAeWGfRv0
Listen to good things, think good thoughts, be positive and send positive messages to others while being pragmatic.
Will and Health care proxy update ICC

Sincerely,

IMANE Leadership TEAM

Information on 2019-nCoV is rapidly evolving.

Please check MMS Website regularly for the latest updated guidance and information.
 
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) 2019- nCoV Resources

• MA DPH 2019-nCoV Website: Provides up-to-date information on the status of 2019-nCoV for all clinicians and residents:  https://www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus
• MA DPH  Clinical Advisory and Guidance  https://www.mass.gov/clinical-advisory/update-and-interim-guidance-on-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-in

Large group of IMANE Members and Leadership team representatives recently attended AAPI Governing Body Meeting during the February 7-9 weekend at Long Island, NewYork. We would like to thank AAPI-QLI Chapter for hosting us and organizing great event. We experienced some very informative talks & discussions. Participated in Governing Body updates and voted on some key initiatives and changes to further the growth and value of AAPI. Met many of the IMANE & AAPI friends & community members. Missed many who could not join us.

Dr. Saraswathi Muppanna addressed AAPI governing body as our IMANE 2019 President on our achievements and community engagement milestones from 2019, in addition to our monumental change implemented in our bylaws regarding inclusion of podiatry specialty. Representing AAPI Charitable Trust, Dr. Chandar Kapasi of IMANE updated the group on the launch of  Women’s Health Calendar & distributed with the hope to raise funds for Charitable Foundation. Our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Sajani Shah of IMANE for getting elected as AAPI BOT Chair starting in July 2020 after Dr. Seema Arora of IMANE finishes her term. 

Some of the pics attached here 

Thank you

Dhrumil Shah

IMANE President 2020

     

IMANE launches Facebook mentorship program for members and community stakeholders so that you can get or give support to another member of our community. We are excited to see all of us build stronger relationships with each other and hope you'll join us.

Here's how the program works:

You sign up, match yourself with a partner, and get helpful conversation starters each week so you get to know each other better. It's up to you how much time you want to spend together and what goals you want to work towards.

https://www.facebook.com/fbmentorship/signup/?application_id=277157976514370

WALTHAM, MA—In a major move that may force other medical organizations to include podiatrists as their full members with voting rights, the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE) has changed its bylaws to accept podiatrists as the full and voting members of the organization. IMANE is one of the nation’s oldest medical organizations of the physicians of Indian origin.

After IMANE bylaws were changed late last year, Podiatrist Deepa Jhaveri has joined IMANE as a full member. In addition, she has been also elected as treasurer of IMANE. 

Read more

https://www.imanemd.org/Events.html

39th Anniversary Celebration Of The Indian Medical Association Of New England

Press Release 
11/27/2017

Like the mythological Phoenix, IMANE has arisen with renewed vigor.

Heartiest congratulations to the 39th IMANE President, Dr. Sameer O. Kapasi & his team for a yeoman’s job.

Indian Medical Association of New England, IMANE celebrated a historic sell out event on November 18, 2017 at Boston Hilton, Woburn.

The celebrations began on Saturday morning with the arrival of AAPI President Dr. Gautam Samadder and his wife Dr. Anjana Samadder who both flew to Boston specifically to honor and congratulate Dr. Sameer Kapasi. Prior to his arrival Dr. Samadder had organized a celebratory brunch with the assistance of Dr. Seema Arora. He invited who’s who of the IMANE community and AAPI members and officers to the brunch. At the brunch Dr. Samadder praised Dr. Kapasi’s stellar performance and his absolute dedication and commitment, presenting him with a plaque for Outstanding Leadership.

Dr. Kapasi thanked Dr. Samadder for taking time off his busy schedule by coming to Boston and for organizing the brunch in his honor. He presented Dr. Samadder the first copy of the historic forty-page IMANE Brochure and a gold ceremonial IMANE lapel pin that was especially designed memento for the gala.

The evening Gala Celebration brought in greater than two hundred and fifty high-spirited members and friends from Boston and a large number of AAPI friends and well-wishers from all over USA.. During pre-dinner cocktail the guests mingled renewing acquaintances relishing an array of Indian hors d’oeuvres selected painstakingly
by Gourmet India. There was feeling of excitement in the air, similar to what one may feel before an opening night of a symphony

Once the banquet doors opened and everyone was seated Dr. Kapasi welcomed the audience thanking his executive committee and members of the Board of Trustees for supporting his efforts. His presidential address demonstrated humility and the skill of a well poised toastmaster. One came away with a feeling that Dr. Kapasi’s success had much to do with his gentle but firm demeanor, one that espoused team spirit; a quality seen frequently in a natural leader.

In his address Dr. Kapasi gave an overview of all the successful programs of his year; specifically mentioning the Spring CME program, IMANE’s generous contribution to the Hurricane Disaster Fund, community health services events such as the IAGB Hatch Shell event, UIA Norwood High School event, and INE Health Expo,.

The highlight of IMANE’s community service however he stated was an independent health and dental screening event conducted at Guru Nanak Gurudwara in Medford, Massachusetts where more than 150 Indian community members underwent preventive screening and also received medical and dental advice, yet another first for IMANE.

IMANE members and family spent a day at “Cradles & Crayons” a charitable organization where they donated much needed items and sorted out clothes for eighty needy families. This was indeed unique as it brought an awareness of IMANE’s charitable work outside the Indian community.

Ravindra Mahadev of Ameriprise coordinated with IMANE a very innovative program coined, “Nights out with IMANE” to promote new membership.

As an ongoing yearly support IMANE offered financial help and physician support services to charitable clinics in Framingham & Waltham.

During Summer, IMANE organized a fully funded unique outing, “IMANE at the Ball Game” at the world famous Fenway Ball Park where participants were seated in a private booth and provided dinner as they watched a ball game; very therapeutic for our hard working doctors. This too was a first for IMANE.

The climax was most definitely the annual gala as it was a celebration of a very successful 2017 under Kapasi’s presidency.

Following his address Dr. Kapasi invited Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General who was the Key Note Speaker for the evening. Dr. Murthy a Boston physician was most likely the reason for the resurgence and an awakened enthusiasm amongst young IMANE members and non-members alike, not discounting a fact that the young physicians themselves are very savvy in communicating skills.

Dr. Kapasi graciously acknowledged Dr. Murthy for his exceptional “Fireside Chat” that was conducted by Dr. Bhavna Lall. The chat covered topics such as physician burnout and the future of public health. When asked of the most pressing public health issue of our time, Dr. Murthy spoke of children who were victims of violence, mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission, and went on to discuss his lead on substance abuse and addiction, an issue he brought to the forefront as the number one threat to the wellbeing of our nation. When asked about causes of physician burn-out, Dr. Murthy said, “There is no single cause, the truth is that we did not learn how to care for ourselves in medical school”. Dr. Murthy encouraged medical students, residents, and physicians to take care of themselves and find de stressors, emphasizing daily aerobic exercise and building nurturing human relationships. Dr. Murthy left the banquet with an inspiring and uplifting advice “If you succeed, pull someone along”. To the physicians Dr Murthy was an inspiration they would like to emulate.

Following Dr Murthy’s inspiring chat Dr. Kapasi welcomed the incoming president, Dr. Vikas Merchia, handing over the baton and pinning the ceremonial president’s pin on his lapel, wishing him well. Dr. Merchia spoke of his vision to strengthen bonds with in the community and diversify.

The next on the program was presentation of awards.
Awards were given to the following recipients:

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

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

For the first time in the history of IMANE a brilliant, and a very deserving person in the community, Ranjani Saigal, executive director of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of America was awarded the Presidential Award for her tireless effort. Another first in the history of IMANE was presentation of Presidential Ambassador Award to Ravindra Mahadev for his exceptional support and services to IMANE.

Dr. Sameer Kapasi recognized all the key members and all the past presidents of IMANE with a plaque and a ceremonial lapel pin for their continued and unwavering support in the growth of IMANE.

Special ovation and recognition was accorded to Dr. Manorama Saini (1983) the oldest past president attending the annual gala.

Dr. Kapasi thanked all AAPI officers & members for gracing the occasion. He conveyed his gratitude to all individuals and companies for supporting IMANE with placement of an advertisement in the brochure and also those who placed a congratulatory page in the brochure. .

Dr. Kapasi made a special honorable mention for Shoba Shastry of Alankar for decorating the banquet hall.

Dr. Kapasi recognized IMANE office staff for their dedication and presented young volunteers who helped with chores during the evening activities with a citation.

Dr. Paul Mathew a rising star emceed the program keeping the meeting in order drawing attention to Movember Foundation, a leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health

At the end of the formal evening the night livened with a well orchestrated program put together by our own Dr. Seema Arora, past IMANE president. Disc Jockey Tej provided a great repertoire of Indian music and managed the sound system throughout the evening. The icing on the cake however was the melodious voice of Dr. Amit Chakravarty and his partner Sadhna who flew in to tantalize music lovers with favorite Bollywood songs that was interposed by Dr. Arora’s amazing Bollywood dance performance. It was evident that doctors are not only white coat adorned stethoscope totting individuals but they can party, dance and sing! Boston’s very own Nightingale, Anuradha Palakurthi planned to make a surprise visit to honor IMANE but she was unable to leave an earlier program because of a delay.

Dr. Kapasi and IMANE appreciate the congratulatory citations received from Senator Edward J. Marky, Governor Charles D. Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito, Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh, Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans and Dean of Faculty Harvard Chan School of Public Health Michelle A. Williams, ScD

Many left Hilton with a feeling of elation humming the songs they heard, amazed by the Savoir Faire and the total persona of the banquet. To the members nothing could be more compelling than the satisfaction of seeing IMANE rise to the occasion.

Indeed the Phoenix has arisen.