THE CONVENTION:

Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, M.D., Chairman AAPI 2009 Convention,

The 27th Annual AAPI Convention is being held at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center from Wednesday through Sunday, June 10-14, 2009. Exciting entertainment, an array of VVIPs and guest speakers, gala banquets, CMEs, women’s forum meeting, sight seeing and change of guard will be some of the highlights of the convention.

According to Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Chairman of the Convention, Orlando is an exciting family-oriented convention destination and would act as a magnet for AAPI members and guests “We expect more than 2,000 physicians to attend. The convention offers extensive academic presentations, recognition of achievements and achievers and a forum for networking at the alumni and social levels. The scale is simply grand.”

The AAPI Convention is the final gathering, to collect the thoughts and recognize the achievements during the preceding year. At this venue, cutting edge technology and newer services are showcased for use in patient care.

“My vision is to continue improving the high standards that are already set and reach even higher goals. This Convention will display how well the Indian doctors have shown themselves as a effective force in the medical world in USA,” said Dr. Jahagirdar

The AAPI 2009 Convention team includes four Co-Chairs - Drs Aravind Pillai and Vraj Panara from Orlando, Dr. Jayadev Chowdappa from Tampa and Dr.Shobha Gupta from Fort Lauderdale with good support from Drs. Amish Parikh, Rajesh Patel, Mehul Dixit and Pradeep Mathur. In addition, there are 16 committees overseeing the various facets of the effort. “These officers have been simply superb! I have no doubt this convention will be the stellar event of 2009.”

Besides the attraction of top-notch tourist spots of the country at the Disney World, the convention has its own ways to draw physicians and their families. A model of robotic surgery will be the highlight of the convention. Indian physicians are on top of the line in robotic surgeries in the US and the folks in Orlando have set up a mini operating room with a robot where guests can perform various mock robotic surgeries by handling the robot. “Children and adults will enjoy this opportunity to play with the robots,” said Dr. Jahagirdar.

AAPI President, Dr. Sanku Rao said the convention will have state-of-the-art CME programs with top notch speakers from different fields. “In addition chairs of the six disease states discussed at the Indo US Healthcare Summit in New Delhi in January 2009 will present their recommendations for action. The second summit was a grand success with experts offering suggestions and recommendations.”

The “City Beautiful” is the epicenter of the “ Sunshine State ” of Florida. In this land of a thousand lakes, Orlando is home to more than a hundred major attractions, globally known for Disneyworld, Sea World, Universal Studios, Kennedy Space Center, Busch Garden and many more –making it the tourist destination number one.

Under its azure blue skies and white fluffy clouds, Orlando beckons to one and all – the young and the old, the active lifestyle seekers and the beach bums, and the social fabric is richly woven with multiple cultures.

Top singers Sunidhi Chauhan and KK from Bollywood will belt out the songs on the fun-filled Friday and Saturday evening banquets. There will be large live orchestra to accompany the rhythmic singers who are sure to send the physicians and their spouses into non-stop mode of flying feet.

Continuing Medial Education (CME) programs are contemporary and of particular relevance to the Indian Diaspora said Dr. Jahagirdar. The list is impressive and the topics were chosen carefully to include current opinions on management of lipids, diabetes and hypertension in Indians, pain management, heart burn and acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, prostate and breast cancer and a cardiovascular symposium to cover acute heart attacks and sudden deaths.

Another highlight of the convention is the Women’s Forum where leading Indian- American women physicians identify and discuss issues relating to improving women’s healthcare. Dr. Deborah German, dean of the newly formed medical school of the University of Central Florida and Dr Uma Tuli, founder of Delhi School of Differently-abled Children and founder of Indian Ab Olympic Games will be among the guests of honor along with US-based Indian celebrities. The world of glamour is represented by the beautiful Urmila Matondkar who flies in from Bollywood as will be a Cosmetology session and the famed Mandara Balinese Spa.

AAPI Orlando Convention is a family affair and a special Children’s Department will provide a menu of programs for them. There will be arts and crafts, arcade games, video games such as Wii, Play station etc, board games, face painting, snacks, Disney character visits, juggler, henna tattoos, bounce house, miniature golf, scavenger hunt, lunch, beach volleyball, beach football or tennis, air hockey, movie under the stars with popcorn, Night Spiker, volleyball, DJ and dinner.

Bharat Matrimony and India Abroad have joined together to host a singles meet to help find young physicians and sons/daughters of AAPI members the right match. There may be a forum to allow parents too to exchange information on eligible relatives.

According to the organizing committee, members, delegates and guests who book with the early bird registration that ends on May 8, 2009 are likely to get the best rooms, particularly the newly renovated ones and the best dining seats. On-line registration can be done at www.aapiconvention. com or www.aapiusa.org. For those who prefer direct registration, AAPI has set up a help desk at its headquarters – 630-990-2277- and guests can call to register.

More than 50,000 square feet has been allotted for exhibitors who would like to display their products and services during the three-day convention. A lot of activity has been placed in the Exhibit hall to encourage maximum traffic and interaction.

The organizing committee is also working with the Disney to roll out a red carpet to visiting Indian physicians and their families attending the convention by arranging a special “Magic Night” at Epcot Center on Thursday night. The delegates would be seated in a private viewing place at the fun land to watch fireworks to the choice desserts and masala chai. They will then enjoy the park up to midnight on a special ticket.

The Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center is tucked away in one corner of the Magical World of Walt Disney and is one of the Ultimate Collections of the Starwood Hotels. Its remarkable designer architecture is the only one of its kind in the world. After a recent extensive renovation costing more than $60 million, the hotel offers an array of exciting features. Within its walls are world-renowned restaurants, namely the Blue Zoo, El Mulino, and Shula, and the world of Epcot is simply across the bridge. There are wide open spaces under the vigilant gaze of Disney Security and a wonderful view every evening of the famed display of fireworks as it lights up the midsummer sky.

The AAPI 2009 Convention is the place to be from June 10-14!!

AJAY GHOSH