Srinivas “Bobby” Mukkamala has become the first person of Indian origin to be elected as the President of American Medical Association (AMA), the largest professional association of physicians in the United States. “It’s humbling, it’s moving, it’s awe-inspiring,” Mukkamala said during his inauguration ceremony in Chicago, where he was officially elected as the AMA’s 180th President.
Born to immigrant parents, Mukkamala gained decades of expertise
Mukkamala is an experienced ENT specialist based in Flint, Michigan and has over two decades of clinical experience, according to US News. Born in 1972 to immigrant parents from Andhra Pradesh. He is associated with several prominent hospitals like McLaren Flint and Hurley Medical Centre. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. He has a reputable name in the field of Otolaryngology.
A Cancer survivor committed to healthcare
Last year, Mukkamala underwent an MRI scan that disclosed an 8-centimetre tumour in the temporal lobe of his brain. Three weeks after the diagnosis, he underwent a high-risk surgery that successfully removed 90 percent of the tumour.
The difficult phase became a turning point that reinforced his commitment to healthcare.
“Our health system needs the input of many skilled physicians, physician leaders across every state and specialty, who are working together with incredible purpose and urgency,” he mentioned as quoted by ANI.
Despite getting world-class treatment himself, Mukkamala highlighted that millions of Americans face delays, financial constraints, and uncertainties when seeking similar treatment. “Too many patients have to ask whether their insurance will cover a procedure, how much a medication will cost, or how long they will wait to see a specialist,” he pointed out the affordability, as per a report by AMA.
Mukkamala’s presidency comes at a time when the AMA is pushing for extensive reforms in public health. Under his leadership. The association recently adopted a policy to raise awareness about the risks of ultra-processed foods and the significance of proper nutrition.
(With inputs from ANI)