Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala, a Michigan-based otolaryngologist, has made history as the first person of Indian origin to be elected president of the American Medical Association (AMA). He will serve as the organization’s 180th president, the AMA said in a statement on Thursday.
“To call this moment humbling doesn’t capture it,” Mukkamala said during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago. “It’s moving. It’s awe-inspiring.”
Mukamala was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2024 following an MRI scan. He underwent surgery three weeks later, with doctors removing 90% of the 8-cm mass located in the left temporal lobe, according to the AMA.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mukkamala said his recent health battle had deepened his commitment to improving healthcare access in the United States.
“I benefited from the best treatment possible. But for many patients, the process is far more difficult, filled with questions about insurance coverage, cost of care, and delays in access,” he said.
Mukkamala said the U.S. health system must rely on input from physicians across specialties and geographies. “It needs the AMA more than ever, with our profession speaking in one firm and commanding voice”, he added.
The AMA’s House of Delegates, which met from June 6 to 11, also adopted a new policy promoting education on the health risks of ultraprocessed foods. The policy encourages medical schools to integrate nutrition training into curricula to help physicians better advise patients.
The AMA, founded in 1847, is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States.
ANI
