A group of Emergency Medicine physicians of Indian descent met in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania in February 2001 to launch the American Academy for Emergency
Medicine in India. This organization is dedicated to promoting Emergency
Medicine in India. These physicians, who were from as far a-field as
California, Florida and New York, came together because of a common
interest: to help the people of India, especially those in dire need
of emergency care.
Many physicians in the USA were working individually to help medical care in India, sometimes prompted by a death in the family or among close friends due to inadequate emergency services in India. It became obvious that if they combined resources, knowledge, expertise and interests, they would accomplish so much more than they could have, working alone. AAEMI was born.
The motto of AAEMI is Care, Compassion and Education.
The Mission of AAEMI is to
a. Promote Emergency Medicine as a specialty in India
b. Enhance the quality of emergency medical care
c. Raise public awareness of the scope of emergency medical services
d. Enhance and optimize Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response
in India
Since 2001, AAEMI has grown, and the vision for improving Emergency
Services is being realized in many different areas. Within a few months
after its formation, AAEMI physicians were invited as faculty to EMCON
2001, the 3rd annual conference on Emergency Medicine, hosted by SEMI,
the Society for Emergency Medicine in India. SEMI is the single nationally
recognized body for the promotion of Academic Emergency Medicine in
India. With common ideals and vision for the future of Emergency Medicine
in India, AAEMI and SEMI started an enduring partnership. Over the years,
as both organizations grew, this team has conducted Emergency Medicine
conferences in major cities all over India, attended by thousands of
local physicians.
AAEMI members, many of whom are first and second generation Indians understand what an honor and privilege it is to be able to give something back to India after years of service in America. The work of AAEMI has also drawn a large group of Western Emergency Physicians into its membership. These physicians have dedicated their lives and careers to developing Emergency Medicine on the International front through education, residency training, advocacy with the Deans of Medical schools and the Indian Government as well as the Medical Council. Now the National Board as agreed to recognize EM as a specialty this year and already some deemed universities have completed few years of PG training programs in EM.
This organization pledges to formally work together with
our colleagues in India for the greater good of people in India.
In 2007, AAEMI has made great strides and accomplished many of its goals
primarily due to commitment and dedication of its members. Along with
its counterpart in India, the Society of Emergency Medicine India (SEMI),
AAEMI members have been working on various projects in India for many
years. As a result there has been substantial developments in Emergency
Medicine in India with the development of several EMS training programs
and services, the development of Emergency 3-digit call numbers, such
as 108, the development of post-graduate courses in Emergency Medicine
at several colleges and universities, and the institution of various
workshops and symposiums throughout India.
In 2008, AAEMI plans to continue with the education programs already created and plans to set up Medical Teleconferencing Programs as well as Exchange programs between USA and India.
2008 Officers:
President - Dr.Lingappa S.Amernath
Vice President - Dr. Anita Bhavnani
Secretary/Treasurer - Dr. Vivek Khemka
Past President - Dr. Indrani Sheridan
Board of Directors:
Dr. George Abraham
Dr. Kumar Alagappan
Dr. Rajesh Gupta
Dr. Girish Bobby Kapur
Dr. S.V. Mahadevan
Dr. Lynda Daniel
Dr. Kiran Pandit
Dr. Krishan Kumar
Dr. Kinjal Sethuraman
Membership is open to Everyone.
The only requirement is that you wish to help India.