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AAPI pushes visa advocacy for Indian-origin doctors
Convention also featured Neeta Ambani, Sania Mirza and AI-focused medical sessions.
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Ankita Baidya - Mon, 06, Jul 2026
- 02:22 EDT
- 38
The Consul General of India in Atlanta speaks on responsible AI at the C-Suite Forum / X/@CGI_Atlanta
AAPI leaders used the organization's 44th annual convention in Tampa, Florida, to spotlight recent advocacy on visa issues affecting Indian-origin physicians and international medical graduates in the United States.
The four-day gathering, AAPICON 2026, was slated from July 2 to July 5 at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street. Founded in 1982, AAPI describes itself as the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing more than 120,000 physicians and medical students.
Also Read: Nita Ambani receives AAPI humanitarian award in Florida
Speaking with Anjali Chabria during the convention, AAPI President Dr. Amit Chakrabarty outlined the organization's efforts on immigration-related issues affecting Indian medical professionals.
Chakrabarty said the Supreme Court had blocked a proposed federal plan to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, describing the outcome as "a great success for us." He said AAPI had written to members of Congress warning that such a fee would strain the U.S. healthcare system because international medical graduates form a significant part of the workforce in family medicine and primary care programs, particularly at smaller hospitals.
He also discussed AAPI's intervention on J-1 visa interview delays affecting Indian medical graduates. According to Chakrabarty, the organization worked with the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Secretary of State's office after 164 Indian applicants were initially denied interview appointments while graduates from other countries received them. He said all 164 applicants were ultimately granted visas.
The convention also featured a C-Suite Forum attended by the Consul General of India in Atlanta, who spoke about India's leadership in responsible artificial intelligence. According to the Consulate General of India in Atlanta, he highlighted India's vision for using AI and other transformative technologies to drive innovation, strengthen healthcare systems, improve governance, and promote inclusive and sustainable development. The forum also commended AAPI for its leadership in healthcare and recognized physicians of Indian origin for their contributions to medicine, innovation, community service, and strengthening India- U.S. ties.
CG participated in the C-Suite Forum panel during the 44th Annual American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Convention & Scientific Assembly #AAPICON2026 in Tampa, FL.
— India in Atlanta (@CGI_Atlanta) July 5, 2026
He spoke on 's leadership in responsible AI and highlighted the country's vision for harnessing… pic.twitter.com/ZGDAhFPXpY
Beyond immigration advocacy, Chakrabarty said his presidency has focused on strengthening unity within the organization through an "AAPI Harmonization Forum" that brings together leaders from different regional groups.
The convention featured continuing medical education (CME) sessions, a Women's Forum, a CEO Forum and discussions on artificial intelligence in healthcare. Guests included Reliance Foundation chairperson Neeta Ambani, who received the AAPI Humanitarian Award, along with former tennis player Sania Mirza, entrepreneur and actor Vivek Oberoi, and KIIT, KISS and KIMS founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta.
According to AAPI, physicians of Indian origin account for about 9 percent of the U.S. physician workforce and approximately 20 percent of international medical graduates in the country, with an estimated one in seven patients in the United States treated by an Indian-origin physician.
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