Udaipur, India: December 28, 2016: Sh. Kali Charan Saraf, Rajasthanâ€™s Cabinet Minister for Medical and Health Services, Medical Education, Ayurveda & Indian Medical Methods, inaugurated American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI)'s first ever international Research & Poster Contest during the 10th annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2016 in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

A record 294 participants from across India and abroad competed at this prestigious international research contest at the 10th annual Global Healthcare Summit being organized in Udaipur by AAPI in collaboration with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs & Ministry of Health and the government of Rajasthan, with participation from some of the worldâ€™s most well known physicians, and industry leaders is being be held at the famous Radison Blu, Udaipur, India from December 28th to 30th, 2016.

"For the very first time, we are doing an international Research Project in India as part of the Global Healthcare Summit," Dr. Ajay Lodha, president of AAPI, said. said.
â€œEncouraging young medical researchers of Indian Origin, AAPI has organized a first ever AAPI International Research Competition in collaboration with Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, RNT Medical College, Udaipur and AIIMS Delhi,â€ Dr. Lodha added.

"It was so heartening to receive a huge response with nearly 300 abstracts submitted for the research contest and poster presentation. It was a very challenging task for the judges to pick the winners. Every abstract submitted was of high quality," Dr. Lodha, who was instrumental in bringing the GHS to Udaipur, said.

â€œIn our continued effort to expand and broaden the scope, AAPI, with AIIMS as ADVISOR to the AAPI International Research Competition and in collaboration with AIIMS, RUHS and RNT has now taken this competition to the international level and at the upcoming 10th Annual Global Health Summit,â€ Dr. Lodha said.

The Research Paper Competition was conducted under five categories: Clinical Sciences and Patient Based Research; Basic Science/translational research; Innovations in Healthcare; Hospital and Healthcare Management; and AYUSH.

â€œAll Medical Students, Residents, Young faculty up to 10 years after PG, Research Associates, Research Scientists, PhD Students, Hospital and Healthcare Management Students, AYUSH Professionals, Young Innovators etc. of India origin are invited to submit articles/abstract based on Original Research done by him/her and that it has not been presented, published or submitted anywhere else, are welcome to apply to win in this prestigious international competition,â€ said Dr. Ajay Lodha.

The candidates had two ways for competing in this research competition. Those that if selected and were willing to travel to Udaipur had the opportunity to display and present their abstracts during the poster session organized on December 28th, 2016. The candidates invited for the live poster presentations were provided one day boarding and lodging in Udaipur. The finalists and the top three winners were presented with awards during the inauguration ceremony during the Global Healthcare Summit held in Udaipur, India.

The second category was for those that intended to participate on-line only. They were not required to attend the AAPI GHS 2016 in person on 28th December 2016. All candidates received a certificate of participation.

â€œIt also gives students the opportunity to meet with and interact with the attendees at the Convention to share ideas, gain new insights, and understand possible practical applications, while giving students an opportunity to sharpen their communication skills. Above all, it serves to recognize and reward outstanding student research,â€
said Dr. RajuBbabu Panwar, Vice Chancellor of RUHS, Jaipur.

According to Dr. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Superintendent of AIIMS, New Delhi, the Academic Affairs Committee on behalf of AAPI had invited authors to submit their research abstracts and posters for presentation at the 2016 Global Healthcare Summit, Udaipur, India.

The competition was open to both members and non-members of AAPI, to students, residents, faculty and medical practitioners. Non-medical professional can submit their health related research work also unselected categories, Dr. D.P. Singh, Principal of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, explained.

â€œWhile Indian medical students are known to use research done from abroad, this high quality contest has provided a forum for medical students and researchers in the area of health to showcase their research, exchange ideas, and improve their communication skills while competing for prizes during GHS in December 2016,â€ said Dr. Ramesh Joshi, Organizing Secretary of the Research and Poster Contest.

â€œIndian American Physicians are way ahead in the medical field, and contribute immensely towards medical research. The Research Competition gives students the opportunity to share their research ideas and results during the GHS in a special forum that provides visibility for their work,â€ said Dr. Gautam Samadder, President-Elect.

â€œIt will also give students the opportunity to meet with and interact with GHS attendees to share ideas, gain new insights, and understand possible practical applications, while giving students an opportunity to sharpen their communication skills,â€ said Dr. Naresh Parikh, Vice President.

According to Dr. Suresh Reddy, Secretary of AAPI, â€œAbove all, it serves to recognize and reward outstanding student research.â€ Dr. Manju Sachdev, Treasurer of AAPI, said, â€œThe Research Competition gives students the opportunity to share their research ideas and results during the GHS in a special forum that provides visibility for their work.â€

Chaired by Gopal Batra, MD, FCCP, the AAPI Academic Affairs Committee had over 15 prominent physicians of Indian origin from around the globe were on the panel of judges who evaluated and decided on the final winners. Each winner, chosen from among the nearly 300 abstracts submitted from around the nation, received a citation and a monetary award from K. C. Saraf, Rajasthanâ€™s Minister for Health during the inaugural day of the Summit.

â€œAs the Chairman for AAPI Global Health Summit, I am very pleased to inform you that AAPI (USA) is hosting its 10th Global Health Summit from December 28 -30, 2016 in the most spectacular City of Lakes, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India,â€ announced Dr. Lodha. â€œThis GHS promises to be one with the greatest impact and significant contributions towards harnessing the power of International Indian diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India.â€ For more information on the contest, please visit: http://www.aapiresearchcomp.org/ and www.aapiusa.org; www.aapiresearchcomp.org

AAPI\'s 1st Ever Research & Poster Contest Held During GHS 2016 In Udaipur