President’s Corner 
Welcome to Chicago Magnificent Mile Convention on July 2nd, 3rd,, and 4th, 2009 at Downtown Marriott on 540 N. Michigan Ave in Chicago.
It is a great privilege for me to be the President of AKMG, the oldest and most prestigious organization for any Indian group. I thank Dr. Radha Menon for her leadership and all other past presidents who built this organization which has about 2,500 members now.
I came to the United States in 1984, 5 years after AKMG was formed and started residency in 1985. My first involvement with AKMG was in 1986 with Dr. Enas on his membership committee. The first convention I attended was the 1990 Chicago Convention and
I always look forward to the AKMG Convention. To me this is an opportunity to see old friends, have a good time and re-live medical college days.
I never thought I could be the President of AKMG as I am engaged in a small town practice in Iowa as an anesthesiologist. But, here I am getting ready for Chicago Magnificent Mile Convention in 2009 and I enjoy every minute of it. I promise you that I will work hard and hopefully I will rise up to your expectation.
Recently we have been engaged in a lot of discussion about the relevance and future of AKMG. In my opinion it is a professional organization for doctors of Kerala heritage, but the social and charity activities we engage in gives us the prestige and distinguishes it from other organizations. AKMG never had any divisive politics or elections in its entire history. This is not because of lack of interest, but because of its integrity. I am very confident that AKMG is here to stay and will attract more participants in the coming years.
Improving medical education and health care infrastructure is one of the goals of AKMG. We have spent a lot of money during the last 6 years in Kerala. Learning resource centers in Trivandrum, Calicut, Kottayam and Alleppey Medical Colleges, Emergency Medical Service Project in Kottayam and Trivandrum Medical College Alumni Association project are its examples. AKMG is currently considering two other projects and they are the projects on Women’s Health Issues in Kerala and Pediatric Cancer Care in Calicut.
Dr. Sunil Manjila and Dr. Saby George from Young Physicians Forum have formed a team of young doctors to get other young doctors to get involved and I am very pleased with their involvement. I’d like to see AKMG stronger and vibrant tomorrow.
I like to express AKMG’s sincere appreciation to Dr. Adoor Amanullah, who served as the AKMG editor for 17 years. Our Reporter has made a significant contribution to the growth of AKMG. Dr. Krishna Prasad will assume the responsibility as the editor and I am confident that he will do a great job.
Now, we in Chicago are getting ready for the 2009 Chicago Magnificent Mile Convention. Under the leadership of Drs. K.J. Philip, Krishna Prasad, Moly Mathew and Isaac Thomas. We have formed several committees that are well underway in the planning process of the convention. Downtown Marriott has plenty of rooms, but you have to plan early. Please plan to come to Chicago with your friends and family. It is on the July 4th weekend, in 2009. World famous Taste of Chicago and July 4th fireworks are added attractions in Chicago. We in Chicago, would like to put you in an enchanted world with world class entertainment, excellent CME and midwestern hospitality. You will not regret that you came.
Thank you and see you in Chicago.
Thomas J Mukkada, MD
President , AKMG
tommukkada@hotmail.com |
