About Us

Since the onset of Covid, we have been putting on a series of Educational Webinars, and Case Studies focusing on the challenges those on the forefront of Covid are facing. We have been so fortunate to hear from our own GWAPI medical experts, as well as renown leaders in the world of epidemiology, clinical presentation, vaccinations, and treatments. A handful of our excellent speakers included Dr. Keith Mortman from George Washington, Dr. Priya Duggal, Dr. Shayam Kottilil, Dr. Anuj Gupta, Dr. Geroge Abraham, Dr. Kolhekar, and Dr. William Chen. You can find the recordings and presentation deck on our website under the resources tab.

These educational webinars were so informative, that the executive board was approached to continue with a monthly Medical Form during which case studies can be presented and reviewed as a group.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety.

Physicians from MD and VA are donating free psychotherapy sessions.

During these unprecedented times, we have also focused a lot of our efforts on giving back to those less fortunate. GWAPI has raised $8K in donations to food banks. Additionally, GWAPI (Greater Washington Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) and leading Maryland Gurdwara GNFA (Guru Nanak Foundation of America) took the lead today, June 21st, 2020 in a food drive to serve more than 350 families affected by the pandemic of COVID. During these difficult COVID times when millions of Americans have lost their jobs, several Indian American entities demonstrated unprecedented unity in coming together and raising funds for several food drives in schools, community colleges, temples and Gurdwaras. These entities served the folks from all communities, ethnicities, and faiths. Besides GWAPI and GNFA the other participating entities are as follows: IDRF (India Development and Relief Fund), UHJT (United Hindu, Jain temples), HACSI (Hindu American Community Services, Inc) and ADG (American Diversity Group).

GWAPI, Indian American physicians from the area (Maryland and Virginia) have also taken a lead role in helping with prescriptions for hundreds of patients who have not been able to return back to India due to COVID and their medicines have run out. This effort was launched by Sewa International, a leading charitable organization in U.S. working on many aspects of the pandemic, such as, Food Kitchens, Housing Indian students and Convalescent plasma therapy for patients affected by COVID.

GWAPI has collaborated with ASHA on various events. ASHA has been working for the South Asian community in the DC metro area since 1989. Asha empowers South Asian women to overcome domestic violence and become self-reliant. ASHA also provides guidance to South Asian seniors and their caregivers.

Recently GWAPI was informed by Montgomery College (a community college in Maryland with more than 60,000 students) that several hundred of their students were facing a difficult time with online classes due to lack of access to Laptops. GWAPI has decided to donate more than 50 laptops to these needy college students.

GWAPI President, Dr. Gurdeep Chhabra and Chair of Board of Trustees, Dr. Rajeev Khanna would like to thank all the GWAPI volunteers and GNFA volunteers in making this food drive and other charitable activities possible. We would also like to thank our Hon. Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu ji for his encouragement with these Indian American community efforts.

 There is a strong sense of social responsibility amongst GWAPI members and we are very proud to continue with this.

Personal Protection Equipment is being made available at a special discounted GWAPI rate of through our solid partnership with MedChi and MSNA.

Each of GWAPI’s initiative aims as educating people about the importance of good health. The gala turned out to be a great platform to create cancer awareness. The agenda was to dispel the myths that people wrongly believe, inform them about the signs and symptoms, and importance of screening for early detection, etc.