Indian American physician honoured by US Congress
Houston, Feb. 20. 2006
PTI
The US Congress has honoured noted Indian American
physician Sudhir Parikh, a receipient of this year's 'Pravasiya
Bharatiya Samman' Award, with a speical mention in its records.
Congressmen Frank Pallone Jr and Joe Crowley inserted a statement
into the Congressional Record honouring Parikh, the New Jersey-based
allergist for winning the annual award presented by the Ministry
of Overseas Indian Affairs during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas
or India Day held last month in Hyderabad.
Highlighting numerous important accomplishments made by Parikh,
who migrated to the US in late 1970s, the statement issued on
Wednesday said, "Dr Parikh is an asset to the Indian American
community, and his efforts are deserving of this great award.
Sudhir fully embodies the commitment and values the NRI award
presents."
Parikh has made a significant difference in US-India relations,
himself being a former President of the nationally recognized
Association of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
as well as former President of the Indian American Forum for Political
Education (IAFPE), it said.
Using his position in these prominent organizations, he has laboured
to promote Indian -American issues in the Congress and to raise
awareness within the Indian community, it added. Parikh has contributed
more than $2 million for cancer research, tsunami relief and rehabilitation
of earthquake victims in Gujarat that occurred in 2001, the statement
said
New York, 03 January , 2006
Sudhir Chopra
NRI (non-resident Indian) Dr. Sudhir Parikh has been selected
to receive the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for 2006,
the highest civilian honour bestowed by India
Dr. Parkash said, "I'm honoured to be selected for this
award that seeks to honour people of Indian origin who have made
a difference to global well-being. I want to dedicate this award
to the thousands of Indians living outside their homeland whose
efforts have reiterated time and again that East or West, Indians
are the best."
Dr. Sudhir Parikh is a practicing Consulting Allergist in the
United States. He has received international acclaim in the treatment
of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and is listed in the Who’s
Who in America in the Field of Medicine.
Despite his busy medical practice, Dr. Parikh had dedicated himself
to furthering the political empowerment of the two-million-strong
Indian American community. He has been a tireless advocate of
the community’s concerns and a strong proponent of India’s
interests. Time and time again, Dr Parikh has come to the assistance
of the Indian embassy in Washington D.C. when critical votes concerning
India’s interests have come before the U.S. Congress.
Sudhir Parikh, M.D. entered made history when he received the
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Inc.
Dr. Parikh was personally responsible for Congressman Elliot
Engel (D-N.Y), Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) joining
the congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Among
the U.S. lawmakers whom Dr. Parikh has supported and won over
to the Indian cause are Republican Senators Larry Pressler and
Bill Frist, and Democratic Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary
Clinton. Among representatives who are close to Dr. Parikh are:
Benjamin Gilman, Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone, Gary Todd Whitman,
and the Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who is a
personal friend of Dr. Parikh.
In March 2000, Dr. Parikh was invited by the White House to join
President Clinton on his historic visit to India to represent
the Indian American community. In 2001, Dr. Parikh was again requested
to join former president Clinton on a trip to India during the
relief effort for the earthquake victims in Gujarat. During this
visit, Dr Parikh was part of the delegation of the American India
Foundation, which he actively supports. This Foundation provides
long-term rehabilitation for Gujarat earthquake victims and aims
to provide technological, managerial, and financial resources
to benefit other areas all across India.
Currently serving as President of the Federation of Indian Associations
(FIA), Dr Parikh is also Patron and Trustee of AAPI Charitable
foundation and founding board member and vice chairman of the
Indian American Republican Council (IARC). He is also the immediate
past president of the Indian American Forum for Political Education.
He is married to Sudha S. Parikh, an Anesthesiologist in the
United States, and they have two children.
Philanthropic Highlights
Dr Parikh has received honors for his philanthropic work from
various American and Indian American Community organizations,
including: State of New Jersey Senate, Gujarat Samaj of New York
City, Vishva Gujarati Samaj, Indian Cultural Association of New
Jersey, Federation of AAPI, Indian American Forum for Political
Education, and Association of Indians in America. Throughout his
life and career, few have matched Dr. Parikh’s commitment
to philanthropic issues, and the many honors and awards he’s
received as a result of his endeavors are a testament to this.
Dr. Parikh is received the National Excellence Award from former
prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, a recognition for his philanthropic
and community activism, at the 6th annual meeting of the Indian
American Friendship Council (IAFC) at Capitol Hill in Washington
D.C. in June of 2002
· The Gujarat Cancer Society in Ahmedabad, India has honored
Dr Parikh for his help. He assisted in raising over $150,000 from
the B.J. Medical Alumni Association in the USA
· VRAJ Temple of North America has honored Dr. Parikh,
who gave $151,000 to the Temple, a record donation. He was named
as a Grand Benefactor to the Vaishnavante temple – one of
the largest temples in North America.
· The Share and Care foundation, a non profit organization
helping the poorest of the poor in India, similar to the Salvation
Army in the United States, honored Dr Parikh on four occasions.
He has also been Grand Sponsor of Charitable Events during the
past 18 years.
· From 1995 through 2005, Dr Parikh has funded a scholarship
that provides undergraduate studies in Indian Communities throughout
the United States via the Share and Care Foundation
· The Nargis Dutt Foundation has honored Dr Parikh as
Grand Sponsor. This is a premier charitable foundation helping
cancer patients in India.
· Dr Parikh was honored by FIA as Grand Sponsor for his
philanthropic work to preserve and propagate Indian culture in
the US by sponsoring the annual India Day Parade.
PROFESSIONAL
Dr. Sudhir Parikh is a practicing Consulting Allergist in the
United States. He has received international acclaim in the treatment
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Dr. Parikh is also listed in
the Who’s Who in America in the Field of Medicine.
Diplomate of American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Clinical Associate Professor - RWJ Med. School.
Fellow of American College of Allergy & Immunology.
Former Member N.J. Medical Licensing Board.
Trustee - American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
(AAPI).
Hospital Affiliations
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
St. Peter's Medical Center
St. Barnabas Medical Center
St. Mary Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Chilton Hospital
Education - Medical Schools
Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
M.B.B.S., B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Residency
Resident in Pediatrics at St. Luke's Hospital, New York, NY,
1975-1976
Chief Resident in Pediatrics at St. Luke's Hospital, New York,
NY, 1976-1977
Attending Physician, Department of Health, New York, NY, 1977-1978
Fellowships
Fellow, Allergy/Immunology (Adult and Pediatrics) New York Medical
College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York
Certifications
Diplomate, American Board of Allergy and Immunology
Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics
Society Memberships
Fellow, American College of Allergy and Immunology
Member, American Academy of Allergy and Immunology
Member, New Jersey Allergy Society
Member, New Jersey Medical Society
Member, Middlesex County Medical Society
Dr. Parikh is currently a clinical assistant professor at UMDNJ
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
