Editor's Note

Dear AKMG Family members,

The annual AKMG Conventions have become an unavoidable annual pilgrimage for most of us. And each year we get to witness the annual conventions getting better and richer.

We all fondly reminisce the wonderful 2024 AKMG 45th Annual Convention in San Diego executed to perfection by the team of AKMG President Dr. Sindu Pillai and Convention Chair Dr. Ravi Raghavan. Who can forget the dinner cruise followed by a wide variety of educational and cultural programs along with the culinary delights, including the great CME, fantastic Onam Sadya, the Onam procession, "Yevva" program, the musical Grand Gala evening, to name a few?

Now we are cruising towards the 2025 AKMG 46th Annual Carribean Cruise Convention spearheaded by the team under AKMG President Dr. Deepu Sudhakaran and Convention Chair Dr. Reena Kavilaveetil. You will find introductory articles in this edition of AKMG Reporter regarding the upcoming Cruise Convention.

AKMG Presidents and leaders have had several successful initiatives touching upon various aspects of professional and social activities over the past several decades, the latest being the AKMG Research Circle led by AKMG President Dr. Deepu Sudhakaran, who will elaborate further on this initiative.

Dr. Subra Bhat, as the Membership Committee Chair, has kicked off a once in a lifetime sale of AKMG Life Membership recently. USD 100/- will fetch you a life membership, and free Associate membership in AKMG is offered to students, residents, and fellows residing in North America. Please exploit this opportunity before time runs out. Encourage the medical and dental professionals of Kerala connection that you run into to become AKMG members. "Strength in members, strength in numbers."

AKMG Mentorship program is helping several dozens of aspiring young medical and dental students pursue higher education in North America. Dr. Neena Thomas – Eapen, as the Chair of the Mentorship program, has successfully steered quite a few of our youngsters recently into residency programs in North America. Please visit akmg.org to learn more.

AKMG Humanitarian Services is chaired by Dr. Nigil Haroon, who was the incumbent AKMG President when floods in Kerala killed several hundreds and caused extensive property damage. Dr. Haroon and his team rose to the occasion and raised significant amount of monies and materials to help Kerala heal and recover. Kindly remember to contribute generously to AKMG HS, the donations are tax deductible.

In the subsequent pages of this edition of the AKMG Reporter, you will come across articles from AKMG leaders including the President Dr. Deepu Sudhakaran, President Elect Dr. Elizabeth Mammen, Vice President Dr. Thomas Rajan, Secretary Dr. Shelby Kutty, Treasurer Dr. Nisha Nigil, Young AKMG Chair Dr. Teresa Varghese, AKMG Membership Chair Dr. Subra Bhat, AKMG HS Chair Dr. Nigil Haroon, AKMG Mentorship Chair Dr. Neena Thomas - Eapen.

Please visit the website akmg.org frequently for all the latest news and details of AKMG events.

Jai Hind, God Bless America