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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | The Indian Eye 24

dr. aJay LodHa,

a veteran aaPi Leader,

Passes away due to covid-19

AAPI leadership and community pays tribute to the doctor who fought the virus for eight months

Our Bureau For texting me from the

Chicago, IL hospital and saying that
r. Ajay Lodha passed you will give your best
away peacefully, after
Dfighting COVID val- fight like a true ‘Rajas-
iantly for last 8 months at the thani warrior’ and, above
Cleveland Clinic, surrounded
by his wife Smita, his son Amit all, for being my ‘Forev-
and his daughter Shweta. er Brother’ through good

“we are shocked and sad- time and not so easy times.
dened at the passing away AAPI and I will be forever

of dr. ajay Lodha, a vision- indebted to you for what you
have been to our Indian com-
ary leader and past Pres- woman of AAPI’s Board of 12 years ago. I was reading his munity, to the medical frater-

ident of aaPi, who died Trustees pointed to the fact texts to me with all his wisdom nity and to India and America
that “The deadly Corona virus and advice.
as a whole.”
early on november 21st, has placed the entire health- Brought tears to my eyes. I Dr. Raj Bhayani, AAPI QLI
care sector, and in particular remember when he made me
2020, due to complica- the Indian American medical change my plans and attend President, who had worked
very closely with Dr. Lodha
tions from coVid 19.” dr. fraternity at the frontlines of his global summit in Rajasthan. said, “Dr. Ajay Lodha is one of
the fight against the pandemic. His requests are so heartfelt
sudhakar Jonnalagadda, We are deeply saddened by an- and genuine that one cannot a kind of leader and my clos-
est friend who made a posi-
President of american as- other hero, who gave up his life refuse. tive difference in the life of all

sociation of Physicians of in caring for his patients.” At every AAPI meeting he those whom he had interacted
“Dr. Ajay Lodha’s heroic was there partying with us with with. His life journey was very
indian origin (aaPi) said fight with Covid 19 epitomizes his charming magnetic person- inspiring as he has achieved so
here today. the struggles of frontline health ality. It is so devastating to hear much during his short life span.
workers. Dr. Lodha along with of the great loss to me person-
His life has been a blessing and
other physicians of Indian or- ally and to AAPI.” his memory a treasure. He is
Describing this day as “the igin who have lost their lives Dr. Suresh Reddy, Imme- loved beyond words and will be
darkest day in AAPI histo- due to the pandemic will con- diate past President of AAPI, missed beyond measure.”
ry” Dr. Jonnalgadda, who has tinue to inspire us and AAPI recalled his close bond with Dr. Ajay Lodha was well
known him personally and had forever,” said Dr. Anupama Dr. Lodha. “I cannot forget, I known in the community and
worked with at the Executive Gotimukula, President-Elect can only cherish: The time you among his Fellow Physicians
Committee of AAPI under of AAPI. gave me your bed and you slept as a leader with a power house
the leadership of Dr. Lodha Describing Dr. Lodha as on the sofa; For the countless of entrepreneurial skills. Dr.
said, “In his passing away to- “One of the most beloved and hours you worked to help me Lodha had extensive back-
day, I have lost a dear Friend, dynamic AAPI leaders” Dr. serve AAPI through your guid- ground of overseeing quality
Mentor, and Brother. We will Amit Chakrabarthy, Secretary ance. assurance and quality improve-
cherish the wonderful days we of AAPI said. “To me he was a For so passionately standing ment. He was a past president of
spent together. Ajay, you will long-time friend and advisor. I up for your belief in people, one RANA and RAJ MAAI (Rajas-
live in our hearts forever. We personally got to know him and of whom was me! For being my than Medical Alumni Associ-
love you. OM Shanti.” his wife when we were contes- “Go to” guy for advice about ation Inc.), Police Surgeon with
Dr. Sajani Shah, Chair- tants for AAPI treasurer about mundane things in life also;

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