You are here : Home Profiles Sunita Kanumury takes over the reins of AAPI

Sunita Kanumury takes over the reins of AAPI

Dr. Kanumury receives a plaque from Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi, outgoingAAPI president. Dr Jayesh Shah, AAPI's new vice president is at extreme right.

When American Association of Physiciansof Indian Origin (AAPI) outgoingpresident Dr. Ajeet R.

Singhvi handed over the gavel to New Jersey-based allergist and immunologist, Dr.Sunita Kanumury, on the gala awards nightof the 29th AAPI convention at the NYHilton, it signaled a change in the leadershipof the largest ethnic medical organization inthe US.

On June 25, 2011, Dr. Kanumury becamethe second woman president of the organization,12 years after Dr. Kalpalatha Guntupalli,who has been described as "a woman of energy,vision and organizational ability." ThatAAPI has been in a quandary to nurturewomen leaders is a known fact. And it is feltthat Dr. Kanumury becoming the secondwoman president of the organization maymake a difference and chalk the future pathfor AAPI.

Dr. Sunita Kanumury and Dr. Ajeet R.Singhvi greet each other.

Dr. Kanumury has served AAPI in variouscapacities such as Member, Board ofTrustees; Regional Director, Mid-AtlanticAAPI (NJ, NY, PA); Chairman of AlumniCommittee for AAPI Convention in 2007;Member, Benefits Committee and Ethics &Grievance Committee; Vice President &Founding Member, AAPI Northwest NewJersey; Member at large, Federation of AAPI(Tri-State).

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Kanumury,said, "the presence of many Indian Americanphysicians inspired me as we are about to embarkon a journey that will take us beyond themap, a journey that will require us to embracechange, new ways of thinking and acting.""I hope the next ceiling is the sky. When Iwas in medical school in India, 50 percent ofmy class was women. When I came to the USonly 10 percent of the class was women. Thishas changed and now in almost every school50 percent of the entering class is women.The largest growth has been among Asianwomen students," she elaborated.

"I hope the next ceiling is thesky. When I was in medicalSchool in India 50 percent ofmy class was women. When Icame to the US only 10 percentof the class was women.This has changed and now inalmost every school 50percent of the entering classis women. The largestgrowth has been amongAsian women students."

Dr. Kanumury, who has been in privatepractice in the field of allergy and immunologyfor the past 18 years as practicing consultingallergist, thanked her predecessor - Dr.Singhvi - and his team for their thoughtfulplanning that led to 2,200 new members joiningAAPI.

She said, "There is a desire and thirst at thegrassroots level for more involvement.AAPI's membership in the past year hasgrown tremendously... However, only 0.1percent of the membership is engaged. Wehave to strive for greater input and participationand greater effort will go in engagingyoung physicians."

"AAPI connects is the slogan. We do notwant that to be just words. I ask the youngpeople to come forward. My doors are opento you at all times. AAPI has shaped my professionaland personal goals to evolve as aleader and serve."

Dr. Kanumury, who is a diplomate of theAmerican Board of Allergy and Immunologyand fellow member of the American Collegefor Allergy and Immunology, plans to focuson healthcare reform and the role of internationalmedical graduates.

"You often hear 25 percent of the healthcarein the U.S. is provided by internationalmedical graduates and the largest of themDr. Kanumury receives a plaque from Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi, outgoingAAPI president. Dr Jayesh Shah, AAPI's new vice president is at extreme right.Dr. Sunita Kanumury and Dr. Ajeet R.Singhvi greet each other.

"About 44 percent ofprimary care in this countryis provided by internationalgraduates. The focus ofhealthcare reform is tostrengthen primary care,preventive care, andcompletely change the waywe have thought aboutdelivering healthcare."

come from India. About 44 percent of primary care in this country is provided by international graduates. The focus of healthcare reform is to strengthen primary care, preventive care, and completely change the way we have thought about delivering healthcare."

Dr. Sunita Kanumury was honored by the Asian Indian Chamber ofCommerce a few years ago.

Dr. Sunita Kanumury with Dr. Ami Shah.

AAPI will host two legislative meetings in Washington this year so physicians can meet with Congressmen and their staff to make concrete suggestions for a completely different way of thinking about health delivery systems. "The organization will also partner with AMA (American Medical Association) and state and county medical organizations to lobby for those issues that are very pertinentto medical profession."

Urging all "not to be complacent in ourrole," she further said, "We ought to be in thedriver's seat making policies that shapehealthcare delivery in this country. We willalso address healthcare disparities throughCME programs and training initiatives andcommunity events."

Dr. Kanumury has made it clear that shewants "to make this a women's year at AAPIand focus on their health." And, for the firsttime in the history of AAPI, a Women'sHealth Advisory Board was formed.

She also announced the launch of "HealthSmart," a woman's advisory team that willaddress health issues and help women makeinformed decisions on lifestyle changes andmaximize good health throughout their lives.Noting the key role played by women intheir family's health, Dr. Kanumury, hasstated, "Women often make the healthcare decisionsin the family. A healthy family leads toa healthier community and healthier nation."

"Women often make the healthcare decisions in the family. A healthy family leads to a healthier community and healthier nation."

To recognize the need and guidance thatwill be required in the coming years and harnessthe wisdom of 29 great minds that haveled the organization, AAPI under her leadershiphas formed the President's Council toserve as an advisory body. The Council comprisespast AAPI presidents.

Dr. Kanumury has on many occasions spokenabout empowering AAPI politically toprotect professional survival, make AAPI financiallystable, promote accountability andtransparency to foster unity, and shunparochial tendencies to help improve AAPI'simage in the public.

"Our leaders over the past 25 years havehelped AAPI to become a strong, stable andvibrant organization. I am committed to guidingAAPI to even greater heights through activeparticipation, and teamwork. Together wecan make giant strides toward growing AAPI-- in numbers and in strength. There is still alot to be done. We need to work for change."

"Our leaders over the past 25 years have helped AAPI to become a strong, stable and vibrant organization. I am committed to guiding AAPI to even greater heights through active participation, and teamwork. Together we can make giant strides toward growing AAPI - in numbers and in strength. There is still a lot to be done. We need to work for change."

Dr. Kanumury has also pledged to boostAAPI's charitable activities in the UnitedStates and India and work with governmentand political leadership more effectively, besidesencouraging more women physicians tocome to the forefront, and address women'sissues during her tenure.

As President and Vice President of the NationalAssociation of Allergists and Immunologistsfrom India she took the organization tothe next level. The organization became partof ERT of American Academy of Allergy andImmunology. She has conducted AsthmaCamps in India with Indian Medical Association.During her presidency "Pollen" Book forIndia was published in collaboration with IndianAcademy of Allergy and Immunology.

Free nebulizers were provided to rural villagesin India. She has affiliations with MorristownMemorial Hospital, St. BarnabasHospital, St. Clares Hospital, St. James Hospital,and Hackettstown Regional MedicalCenter. Currently she serves as the Vice Presidentof Telugu Fine Arts Society of New Jerseyand also Past Trustee of Vasvi Society ofNew York and New Jersey. In the past, shehas supported several causes related to orphanchildren and destitute woman. Dr. Kanumuryis on the Board of Utilization Managementand Quality Management Committee of UniversityHealth Plans for the past 3 years andis a member of the board of directors for theFederation of Indian Associations.

In 1999, the National registry of Who'sWho has appointed Dr. Kanumury as their lifemember. She was recognized by ConsumerResearch Council of America as one of the"America's Top Physicians of Allergy andImmunology."

[ BY ANU SHARMA ]