Dear Maulanians in North America
I am humbled by the trusted vote of confidence from all of you, to lead MAMCOAANA as your president again for the year 2021-2022. We share a common goal to remain connected and involved in mutual growth at personal and organizational level and I hope to further that for us, and our families.
Last two years have been very stressful by all means for every human being in this world with a pandemic of this magnitude. We all have lost a lot in these two long years. As you may recall, in 2020 the Atlantic City annual convention had to be cancelled. And then, again this year in 2021, the Pittsburgh annual convention being arranged by Dr. Ashish Dua had to be cancelled as well. As we can see hope of some normalcy coming into our lives in the next few months, we start preparations for our annual convention 2022, to be held at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City.
The value of family, friends and colleagues have been revitalized in these trying times. We all shall continue to meet and support each other in these times, and beyond.
Talking about the MAMCOAANA family, I still vividly recall the month of November/December 1996, when I landed in JFK for my interviews for residency. I had no place to go in NY, and had no idea how I would manage once I landed at the airport. Alone and rather short on ideas and money, I was helped that day by a Maulanian who had come to the airport to pick up some other person. Thereafter I met many Maulanians during the course of my residency who helped me at every step. After my residency, I had to go back to India because I couldn’t find a J1-waiver in time, and again I was subsequently rescued by a Maulanian in processing my subsequent visa and work status to be in the United States. A senior Maulanian from Melbourne, Florida was one such instrumental in my journey to work and live in this land of dreams called the USA. I am sure many of us can relate to my struggles, experiences. And it is to you – the Maulanians out there – that I owe some of my story and achievements. Thank you!
After coming back to the USA in October 2002, like so many of us, I got busy with just living my life, finding my place to place my roots, build a home, have a family and start a private practice.
I recall attending my very first MAMCOAANA in Philadelphia 2011, hosted by Dr. Vikas Khurana, and his wife Dr. Ritu Khurana. Being able to meet so many people we knew and then a lot more who I met for the first time was indescribable. It gave a sense of friendship, home and warmth that nothing can equal. Over the years it now feels like a family reunion that I love attending with my wife and daughters every year.
Becoming a lifetime member of MAMCOAANA seemed to seal this connection of family and friendship – a commitment from me to my MAMC brotherhood, and a commitment from MAMCOAANA to me for forever warmth.
I urge each one of you to consider becoming life members of MAMCOAANA. Your membership fee allows the organization to stay alive for future Maulanians so they may find a similar platform for themselves when they are ready to re-establish the bonds they left behind in their alma mater. As in the past few years, we are reducing life membership rates until the end of 2021 again.
I personally invite all Maulanians, with family, to the 38th annual convention in Hard Rock Hotel, Atlantic City from July 28 to 31, 2022. Cyber connections via social media aside, there is nothing quite like the old fashioned, yet never out of fashion, face to face interaction. We have come a long way from where we started 38 years ago as an organization, and with the hard work done by our predecessors; we have a sound framework to be able to enjoy the exceptional CME, great entertainment and the priceless ‘gupshup’ that is forever rejuvenating like nothing else is.
Life membership enrollments are open already. Stay tuned for updates and convention registrations for Atlantic City, NJ 2022, on mamcoaana.org
Sincerely
Rajesh Malik, MD ( batch of 1990)