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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 08, 2025 | The Indian Eye 24

Dr. Sampat Shivangi Legacy Award Presented

to Dr. Bharat Barai at AAPI Convention

OUR BUREAU Shivangi served AAPI and numerous Indian
American organizations for decades.
Cincinnati, OH
His philanthropic work included building
the Dr. Sampat Kumar S. Shivangi Cancer Hos-
r. Bharat Barai, a distinguished Indian
American physician and community leader, pital in Belagavi, Karnataka — inaugurated by
Dwas honored with the inaugural Dr. Sam- India’s President Droupadi Murmu in January
2025 — as well as schools, cultural centers, and
pat Shivangi Legacy Award during the 43rd An-
nual Convention of the American Association of healthcare facilities in India. In the U.S., he
helped establish a Hindu temple in Jackson,
Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Cincinna- Mississippi, and earned the honor of having a
ti on July 26, 2025. The award, presented by U.S. street named after him.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, recog- Dr. Satheesh Kathula, outgoing AAPI presi-
nized Dr. Barai’s leadership, societal contributions, dent, remembered Dr. Shivangi’s constant pres-
and long association with Dr. Shivangi.
ence and guidance. “He was like a father figure
and a true role model,” he said.
The ceremony, attended by nearly 1,000 The Dr. Sampat Shivangi Foundation con-
physicians and community members, was tinues his work in education, healthcare, mental
health, women’s empowerment, tribal support,
both a celebration of Dr. Barai’s achieve- and sports development. As the first Indian Amer-

ments and a tribute to the late Dr. Shivan- ican on Mississippi’s State Department of Men-
tal Health Board, Dr. Shivangi advanced mental
gi — a physician, philanthropist, and in- health advocacy, and at the national level, he
served on the SAMHSA Board under both Pres-
fluential advocate for U.S.-India relations idents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
— who passed away suddenly on February A staunch supporter of Indo-U.S. relations,

10, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Shivangi played key roles in the Indo-U.S. Civ-
il Nuclear Agreement and in lifting U.S. sanctions
on India during the Clinton administration. He
In his remarks, Dr. Barai reflected on his de- bound by histories and a common destiny,” he said, received numerous honors, including the Pravasi
cades-long friendship with Dr. Shivangi, recalling connecting the philosophies of Gandhi and Martin Bharatiya Samman Award, the U.S. Congressional
their shared commitment to strengthening In- Luther King Jr. “Liberty demands not only resis- Recognition Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of
do-U.S. ties. Born in Mumbai, Dr. Barai is Med- tance but resilience. I honor you for healing the Honor.
ical Director of the Cancer Institute at Methodist sick and serving the distressed.” Dr. Shivangi often urged Indian American
Hospitals, Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana Dr. Shivangi’s wife, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, and physicians — over 100,000 strong in the U.S. — to
University Medical School, and Secretary and their daughters, Priya Kurup and Pooja Shivangi engage in philanthropy both in their homeland
former President of Indiana’s Medical Licensing Amin, vowed to carry forward his mission in edu- and locally. “Let us be the change and bring this
Board. His distinguished career spans leadership cation, philanthropy, and diplomacy. “His dream movement to make our world different tomorrow,”
roles at Methodist Hospitals, advisory positions to did not end with him — it lives on,” she said, out- he had said. “Success is measured not by what we
U.S. lawmakers, and a strong presence in medical lining plans for charitable projects, a book, a film, accumulate but by the lives we touch.”
education. and continued efforts to strengthen U.S.-India re- With the creation of the Legacy Award in his
Rep. Jackson, drawing parallels between the lations. She thanked Dr. Vijay Prabhakar of Chi- name, Dr. Shivangi’s vision and values will contin-
struggles of African American and Indian Amer- cago for helping curate a historic congressional ue to inspire generations — a lasting reminder of
ican communities, praised the courage and re- salute to her late husband. a life dedicated to healing, service, and building
silience of immigrant physicians. “We are linked, A trailblazer in the Indian diaspora, Dr. bridges between nations.

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