Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi: A man with a mission

Dr. Ajeet Singhvi, Dr. Mamta Singhvi, Mrs. Bina Singhvi and Dr. Archana Paatil with Indian President Pratibha Patil at the Rasthrapati Bhavan.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said "You don't have to have a college degree to serve. . . .You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." And in the case of the outgoing president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi, this belief has been the driving force in his life because it was his father, the late Mr. N.R. Singhvi, who instilled in him the duty of serving others. It was this conviction that led him to the field of medicine in order to serve humanity.

A "fortuitous" arrival in the US in 1977 with two college degrees under his belt – medicine (March 1973) and law (June 1976) – both from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was the beginning of the determined young man’s success. "The US Government was closing Green Card eligibility on the basis of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) examination effective January 9, 1977. I had passed the examination in 1974 but had no desire to move to USA.

"When the US embassy informed us about the impending closure, many of my friends advised me to acquire the Green Card as I could return to India if I wished to. I landed here just a few hours before the deadline," he recalls. A double blessing was that he landed a job and residency immediately on his arrival. And by 1980, Dr. Singhvi completed his internal Medicine Residency from Booth Memorial – NYU by a dint of sheer hard work and meticulous studies.

The Singhvi family at the Capitol Hill during the AAPI convention in June, 2010 in Washington, D.C. (l to r) Dr. Mamta Singhvi, Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi, Mrs. Bina Singhvi and Dr. Gaurav Singhvi

Widely respected not only for his quiet leadership but also for his personal ethics combined with a great sense of humor, he secured a Gastroenterology Fellowship from Wayne State University, Detroit, followed by a board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics and Critical Care Medicine. Dr Singhvi is obviously very knowledgeable, but what really sets him apart is his warmth and kindness and the fact that he takes time to talk to patients and take their detailed history. He is clearly not in a hurry. He is one of the few doctors who inspire an adoration that borders on worship. "The overall patient rating of Dr, Singhvi, who is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA from 1991 to present, is "excellent," according to www.vitals.com. A posting by one Naresh, a seemingly thrilled patient, praises the doctor to high sky, "He’s a really good doctor…He’s really good he can sometimes tell your problem by looking at you. I will always remember this doc for a long time."

In private practice since 1982 in Gastroenterology in Hemet, CA, Dr. Singhvi credits his wife Bina, with his success. "Bina has been extremely supportive. She shared most of the domestic responsibilities apart from taking care of my practice." He is equally proud of his two children, Gaurav, who is currently doing a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Mount Sinai-Elmhurst Program in New York City and daughter, Mamta, who is a Radiation Oncology Resident at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, saying he "could not have asked for better." Dr. Singhvi has been the driving force behind many organizations – in 2003, he was President of the Indian Medical Association of Southern California; Treasurer and Chair for the AAPI Conventions in Anaheim, CA, in 1999 and in San Diego, CA, in 2004. He also has singularly been the motivation behind the past AAPI Indo-US Health-care summits.

He has served as Chief of Staff at the Hemet Valley Medical Center besides acting chair of many committees and the Departments of Medicine. After serving on the Hemet Hospital’s Foundation Board, Dr. Singhvi is currently on the Board of Riverside County Medical Association.

Dr. Singhvi lighting the lamp at the 4th Indo-US Healthcare Summit in Jaipur, India. Former Indian President Abdul Kalam and past AAPI President, Dr. Vinod Shah are in the picture.

In September 2010, Dr. Singhvi was rightfully honored for Organizational Achievement in Medical and Health Sciences at the 16th Biennial convention and 30th anniversary of NFIA - National Federation of Indian- American Associations at the Crown Plaza LaGuardia Hotel, New York. He was also keynote speaker at the awards ceremony of the 86th annual convention of the Indian Medical Association in, Jaipur, India in December 2010 and a speaker and panelist at the 9th Bharatiya Pravasi Divas in New Delhi from January 7-9, 2011.

The eminent doctor, who has contributed and raised funds for various charitable causes and is a patron trustee of the AAPI Charitable Foundation, considers the hugely successful 4th AAPI Healthcare Summit from January 3-4, 2011 as one of the highlights of his AAPI presidency. Inaugurated by the former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the summit was attended by over 100 AAPI delegates from the USA and several hundred doctors from Jaipur and across India.

"AAPI represents the constituency of over 100,000 physicians and more than 15,000 medical students, residents and fellows of Indian origin. It is working as a bridge between the USA and India," said Dr. Singhvi, who recently sat down for an extensive interview with NRI Today and outlined his one eventful year as AAPI president.

Dr. Singhvi and Dr Samin Sharma presenting Automatic External Defibrillators to Hon. Prabhu Dayal, Consul General NY, for installation at the Consulate

What do you feel is your biggest achievement at the end of your tenure as the president of AAPI? Could you please elaborate on your achievements in this past one year?
I would say instilling credibility and sense of pride in the organization and involvement of the younger generation. Our Patron membership has increased over 25% this year alone compared to the combined total of past 28 years. We now have a Legislative Office in Washington DC with Mr. Dino Teppara as Legislative Director. For the first time in 29 years, AAPI is an ACCME Accredited CME provider. We have made significant inroads at the 4th Indo-US healthcare Summit. Health India Think Tank, an initiative by AAPI, an autonomous body in India has been established during my Presidency.

We are ready to open an AAPI office in New Delhi soon. We have hired a full-time Executive Director to improve the infrastructure and efficiency. Besides continuity, it would expand our outreach and coordinate with mainstream organizations, pharmaceutical industry and other healthcare partners.

"We now have a Legislative Office in Washington DC with Mr. Dino Teppara as Legislative Director. For the first time in 29 years, AAPI is an ACCME Accredited CME provider. We have made significant inroads at the 4th Indo-US healthcare Summit. Health India Think Tank, an initiative by AAPI, an autonomous body in India has been established during my Presidency. We are ready to open an AAPI office in New Delhi soon. We have hired a full-time Executive Director to improve the infrastructure and efficiency. Besides continuity, it would expand our outreach and coordinate with mainstream organizations, pharmaceutical industry and other healthcare partners."

When you became president of AAPI, you announced that your focus would be the next generation as they were the future and success of AAPI?
How has been your work in this area? We have recruited over 1500 new members of which over 80% are second generation physicians. We hosted leadership development seminars in five major metropolis this year. These programs will help create future leaders not only for AAPI but for the community and the Nation. The Medical Rotations to India Program, whereby any Medical Student or Resident from US accredited institution is given $1500 scholarship to serve and learn there, has been very successful. The candidates who have been there have learnt a lot medically and socially and their perspective towards life has considerably changed.

Our International Missions & Community Service Program has taken off very well. The Observership Program for International Medical Graduates has been very helpful. Our Scholarship for Capitol Hill Internship will definitely produce future leaders.

How far have you succeeded in your effort to convince legislators to increase residency slots and permanent waiver of J1 visa, as well as increase Resident salaries?
We have made tremendous progress in regards to our issues, but are still few steps short of fulfilling our goals. The leadership in Washington has been very receptive and we met the lawmakers on our Legislative Day. We interacted with several Physician Members of the Congress and with the Healthcare panel. AMA President Dr. Cecil Wilson also addressed various healthcare issues. At the reception in the evening, we met with several lawmakers and many leaders of the Indian community to address issues of concern to all the Indian Americans.

A study not so long ago highlighted the fact that international medical graduates who pass rigorous US exams and complete residency in the US before they can practice here fare much better than the physicians graduating from US medical schools. What is your take on that?
It only confirms our longstanding view that quality of International Medical Graduates, especially those who have studied and trained in India, is at par and possibly better than anywhere else, including US Medical schools.

Is there still discrimination between USMGs and IMGs?
Has the legislation enacted by Congress and passed by President G. Bush prohibiting discriminatory practices in licensing, reciprocity, hospital privileges, etc. not have the required effect? Bias is a fundamental human nature. What we have done is to educate people and provide them the information which is needed to remove any doubts one might have. The citizens of this country have realized that quality of healthcare is at the forefront of what we do and of course we will never be 100% bias free.

An AMA survey found that it is getting harder for Medicare patients to get an appointment with a doctor because the Congress has failed to pass a permanent fix for the Medicare reimbursement crisis. What in your view would be a permanent solution to this problem?
In a changing health care scenario, there cannot be a permanent solution. To find a solution is the job of the Congress and I believe that Congress needs to have a total solution to fix the SGR problem, for the good of the patients as well as the doctors.

Do you also like other physicians feel that Medicare is an "unreliable payor" due to the fact that its rates are too low and that there are still threats of future pay cuts?
I believe that Medicare is a reliable payor under normal circumstances. There are situations when they cannot perform optimally. I am of the firm belief that both parties are committed to finding a solution. Difficult problems take longer to resolve and need innovative thinking.

Do you believe that the Accountable Care Organization provision of the recently passed health care reform is strong enough for physicians to come together as individual practice association or a large multi-specialty group and to find a relationship with a hospital?
Obviously physicians are an intelligent group of people who are also independent thinkers and at times it is difficult to bring them together. I am sure they will definitely be able to deal with this complex issue appropriately.

Is more work needed in the area of Malpractice Reform especially because litigation in the USA is rampant?
Yes, we have to begin somewhere. In my view tort reform is a must for survival of medical profession and the congress needs to address it in other walks of life as well.

In what way can doctors of Indian origin foster goodwill and strengthen ties between India and the US and cultivate relations beyond medicine?
Doctors are inherently people’s person. By virtue of our nature and profession, we cultivate relationship and goodwill. There is no other group of professionals better suited to enhance people to people contact between USA & India, and for that matter at political level AAPI has played a major role to bring the two democracies together. For example at the 4th Indo-US Healthcare Summit we took three famous US cardiologists to India, who were exceptionally well received by the doctors and public at large. We had a great exchange of ideas and it turned out to be a gesture of goodwill as well.

Dr. Singhvi with the lady he credits with his success, his wife, Bina.

What is the best part about being a doctor in the US?
I think there is a tremendous opportunity to grow both intellectually and professionally. The sky is the limit for professional achievement and fulfillment.

Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi receiving Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the Washington Convention. India's Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and Congressman Steny Hoyer (background) are also in the picture.

Your daughter, Dr. Mamta Singhvi, became the president of AAPI’s Medical Students/ Residents Fellow Section on the same day as you assumed the mantle of President of this esteemed organization. It must have been a proud day when both father and daughter were at the helm of AAPI. Your comments.

Every parent is proud to see their kids grow and achieve their full potential. Mamta has what it takes to be a leader and I believe she has much more to offer to the medical community and society at large.

Dr. Singhvi, Mrs. Bina Singhvi and other delegates at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot 's residence in Jaipur after the conclusion of the 4th Indo-US Healthcare Summit.

So does the good doctor believe in the old adage "laughter is the best medicine?"
I believe your father used to tell you that "our main duty is to stay happy for next 24 hours." Of course! In addition to laughter having the power to lower blood pressure, it improves digestion, and in general improves overall health. There is no pill unfortunately that can compete with hearty laughter.

After 11 years AAPI is coming back to the Big Apple with its 29th Convention to be held at the Hilton from June 22-26, 2011. What are going to be the highlights of the convention?
We expect over 2000 delegates from across the US to attend the five- day convention. On the education front, we will have up to 15 hours of CME Credit free of charge to the members. Besides top-notch faculty, two Nobel Laureates – Dr. Michael Brown, discoverer of the underlying mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism and Dr. James D. Watson, discoverer of DNA molecule - will deliver State-of-Art lectures.

Entertainment will include a scintillating fashion show by noted Indian designer Hemant Trevedi; performances by Bollywood sensations Sunidhi Chauhan and Mika Singh; a concert by noted ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali; a classical music recital by Pandit Jasraj and other noted artists; dances from various parts of India, etc. Our caterers, Moghals from New Jersey, will provide a smorgasbord of delicacies to delight everyone’s palate. We have also planned a Wednesday night of tour of NYC followed by dinner and entertainment. Apart from talent recognition, gala receptions, exhibits halls with booths and vendors that form a part of the convention, our popular women’s forum and a forum on medical education and healthcare in India have also been organized.

The MSRF is organizing an interesting forum on "Life Beyond the Practice of Medicine" in which many noted doctors, including Pulitzer Prize winning author, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, are expected to join. Besides social networking, we expect some outstanding guests to address and meet with the delegates. In short, it will be a kind of show that befits the Big Apple. Dr. Singhvi, Mrs. Bina Singhvi and other delegates at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot 's residence in Jaipur after the conclusion of the 4th Indo-US Healthcare Summit.

"We expect over 2000 delegates from across the US to attend the five- day convention. On the education front, we will have up to 15 hours of CME Credit free of charge to the members. Besides top-notch faculty, two Nobel Laureates – Dr. Michael Brown, discoverer of the underlying mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism and Dr. James D. Watson, discoverer of DNA molecule - will deliver State-of-Art lectures."