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AAPI meet focuses on image building amid controversy
The meet opened with leadership determined to build a positive image, despite a lawsuit hanging over its head.
The annual meeting of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), a powerful body representative of the success of Indian doctors practicing in this country, opened here with the leadership determined to build a positive image despite a lawsuit hanging over its head.
Outgoing president Jagan Ailinani and incoming president Vinod Koli told IANS that while they would not be deterred by a lawsuit filed by a member, Sampat Shivangi, it would hamper the work of the organisation that has over 25,000 doctors as members.
Shivangi, who earlier won the election for president-elect 2006 but withdrew his candidacy because of a controversy over his credentials only to take back his withdrawal soon after, has filed a case against Ailinani for allegedly violating the bylaws of AAPI.
The Shivangi lawsuit calls for a temporary restraining order on announcing S. Balasubramaniam as the president-elect for 2006. However, the courts "did not allow the restraining order", Shivangi told IANS. "But the case is on and they (the AAPI Executive) have 30 days to respond."
Ailinani however said: "We have taken a simple position. He (Shivangi) has withdrawn, that's it. We are not going to respond."
"The problem has not gone away," admitted Koli who will take over the mantle Sunday, "The positive sign is AAPI has given the signal to go forward. But it (lawsuit) does create a bit of an atmosphere that takes away valuable time for doing things for our members. It is also expensive and AAPI's resources are already strained."
Koli contended that AAPI's image problem was a result of press coverage. "What members perceive is there's bad publicity via the press."
Kevin Munjal, chair of the Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows (MSRF), said the younger physicians do worry about AAPI's image. "It affects AAPI's image and when we go do our advocacy and try to garner support from members and sponsors for community service projects, some question whether they should contribute."
And Munjal stressed, "There's immense positive work going on behind the scenes but the public image has suffered."
Over 3,000 people are attending the June 15-19 meet at the Hilton Americas here.
