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Indian American doctors elected to American Medical Association IMG section
The three distinguished Indian American physicians will assume office at the 2026 Annual IMGS meeting on June 5, 2026.
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Ishani Duttagupta - Wed, 06, May 2026
- 18:21 EDT
- 35
Satheesh Kathula and Deepu Sudhakaran / Official image
Indian American doctors Satheesh Kathula, Deepu Sudhakaran, and Vikram B. Patel have been elected to the American Medical Association (AMA) International Medical Graduates Section (IMGS). AMA is the largest and only national association that convenes more than 200 state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders.
Throughout history, the AMA has always followed its mission: to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
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The three distinguished Indian American physicians will assume office at the 2026 Annual IMGS meeting on June 5, 2026.
“International medical graduates constitute 25% of physician work force in the US, who have contributed significantly to the US healthcare. It’s an honour to be elected to the AMA IMG section. In this role, I will help represent the interests of international medical graduates across the United States, contributing to policy development, advocacy efforts, and initiatives that promote equitable access to training and professional opportunities. I am committed to supporting a diverse physician workforce and strengthening pathways for IMGs to thrive in the US healthcare system,” Dr. Kathula, a distinguished oncologist, community leader, and immediate past president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) with more than two decades of leadership and public service, said in an exclusive interview.
Significantly, AMA has made strong advocacy efforts to support IMGs on immigration and visa challenges including seeking exemption for foreign-trained physicians and medical residents from the proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, aimed at preventing critical staff shortages in hospitals and rural areas. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a Flint, Michigan-based otolaryngologist is the current AMA president since June 2025, having become the first Indian American to lead the organisation.
“This is an opportunity to elevate our collective voice and advance policies that ensure fairness, opportunity, and dignity for every physician who chooses to care for America,” Dr Kathula, who is a graduate of Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and currently serves as a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, said.
Dr. Sudhakaran is a dedicated advocate for IMGs, advancing equity through mentorship, policy engagement, and leadership. In June 2026, he will assume the role of chair of the AMA IMG Section, guiding national strategy, shaping policy, and representing IMG interests within the AMA. Dr. Sudhakaran said, “The AMA IMG Section is essential in ensuring that International Medical Graduates—who make up over 30% of the U.S. physician workforce—have a voice in shaping policies that directly impact patient care, access, and workforce stability.”
Dr. Patel is a distinguished physician and leader with extensive experience in medical organizations, including the AMA, Illinois State Medical Society, and McHenry County Medical Society. He currently chairs the IMG Section of ISMS and serves on multiple committees related to CME and pain medicine.
Dr. Patel said, “My hope for serving the IMG section at AMA was always a dream for me. I have served as a teller at the AMA meetings many times and am familiar with the house proceedings, especially during the official house business as well as elections. More recently, I have also served on the AMA Election Task Force 2.”
All AMA members who are international medical graduates are automatically members of the International Medical Graduates Section. The International Medical Graduates Section provides resources to potential residents who are going through the residency interview process, and monitors and assists in issues that impact the professional activities of the international medical graduates community.
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