Radiologists hold gala in downtown Chicago

On November 28, the American Association of Radiologists of Indian Origin (AARI) held its annual meeting and dinner at Gaylord India Restaurant in the heart of downtown Chicago. Over 130 radiologists from US and abroad attended the event to hear Keynote Speaker, Dr. Vijay Rao, Chair and Professor of the Department of Radiology at Jefferson University in Philadelphia. AARI started in 1975 and functions as a venue for charitable, educational and cultural activities. Further, it creates a forum that allows members to share common ideas and discuss mutual concerns.

Dr. Vijay Rao is the first female chair of a clinical department at Jefferson University. She is a prolific author, researcher and lecturer. Dr. Rao delivered a riveting presentation titled, “The Future of Radiology: The Good News and the Bad”.

She spoke of utilization management, unit cost reduction, advances in technology, and the necessity of medical imaging in the aging population. Radiologists are the highest paid physicians in America today.

She quoted Churchill, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees an opportunity in every difficulty”. AARI committee members awarded Dr. Rao with a plaque of appreciation and acknowledgement of her contributions to medicine and the Indian community. Dr. Kisho Taori, a radiologist in India, talked about the importance of maintaining a knowledge exchange between radiologists in the US and India.

This vital exchange would continue to improve the medical care and patient outlook in India as well as educate the new generation of radiologists.

AARI also announced their collaboration with the renowned AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin). They have set up special membership rates for AARI members to join AAPI.

AARI executive team includes President Sridhar Shankar MD, Vice President Ajay Sood MD, Secretary Rajiv Suri MD, Treasurer Roger Rodriguez MD, and Membership Committee Head Vivek Mishra MD. For more information on AARI or to join the group, visit www.aariusa.org