Washington, DC [US]: Srinivas Mukkamala has been elected President of the American Medical Association (AMA), becoming the first person of Indian origin to lead the organisation in its 178-year history.
“To call this moment humbling doesn’t capture it,” said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist and the AMA’s newly inaugurated 180th President. “It’s moving. It’s awe-inspiring,” he said.
For many in attendance at the AMA presidential inauguration in Chicago, that inspiration was deeply felt. Last November, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam revealed an 8-cm temporal lobe tumour on the left side of Mukkamala’s brain. Three weeks after this unexpected discovery, the 53-year-old father of two underwent surgery, according to an AMA statement.
The removal of 90 per cent of the tumor was considered the best-case scenario for Mukkamala. Throughout his decades-long career in organised medicine, Mukkamala has been a committed advocate for patients. His battle with cancer has only strengthened his resolve to use his position and personal experience to push for a better and more equitable health system in the United States.
Mukkamala pointed out that while he received the best possible treatment without question, many patients in the US face distressing uncertainties in accessing care—whether insurance will cover necessary procedures, the high cost of medications, or long waits to see specialists even for potentially life-threatening conditions.
“Our health system needs the input of many skilled physicians–physician leaders across every state and specialty–who are working together with incredible purpose and urgency,” he said. “It needs the AMA more than ever, with leaders in our profession speaking with one firm and commanding voice.”
The AMA House of Delegates meeting was held from June 6 to June 11, as per the statement.
Additionally, the AMA has adopted a new policy aimed at increasing public awareness and education about the differences between unhealthful, ultraprocessed foods and more healthful options. The policy also promotes the integration of nutrition education at all levels of medical training, ensuring that future physicians are well-equipped to guide patients in reducing their consumption of ultraprocessed foods for better health outcomes.