AACIO Young Investigator Awards

The Association of Cardiologist of Indian Origin (AACIO) recently honored Greg Behar, president and CEO of Boehringer lngelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dr. Joseph M. Chali, Associate Director, Health Science Executives, Boehringer Ingelheim USA, and Dr. Dinender K. Singla, a graduate of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India and Dr Srinivas Reddy Gunukula, president of the Texas Indo-American Physicians Society (TIPS) for their achievements in cardiology.

About 200 physicians from around the nation were present when the four were felicitated at the AACIO's Fall 2013 annual event held in co-ordination with TIPS, North East Chapter and American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin at the Dallas Convention Center Theater Complex in Dallas, TX on November 17.

The AACIO Young Investigator Awards–comprising Dr. Krishna Ramaswamy award and Dr. Madhukar Deshmukh award–for best research abstracts were also given away on the occasion. 

While Dr. Krishna Ramaswamy award went to Dr. Ganesh Athappan, Dr. Madhukar Deshmukh award was won by Dr. Forum Kamdar and Dr. Manavjot Siddhu, each receiving $1000 and a plaque at the meeting where a symposium was also organized by Dr. Navin Nanda and Dr Kul Aggarwal. .

Dr Nanda, founding president and chairman of the AACIO board of directors, said that AACIO was proud to honor some of the stalwarts of the pharmaceutical industry who had made significant contributions to medical therapeutics in the area of cardiology.

Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Dr. Kul Aggarwal, and Dr. Sanjeev Saksena also praised the four honorees.

Greg, with 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, joined Boehringer lngelheim in 2009 as Corporate Vice President of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Franchise. That same year he became Vice President, Corporate Division Prescription Medicine, leading 14 countries including Northern Europe, Canada and Australia. 

Dr. Singla has received numerous honors and awards, and has been invited to give talks throughout the world. He also served as a chair/co-chair for scientific meetings, and well published in various peer reviewed journals. 

Dr Srinivas Reddy Gunukula serves on the Board of Directors of The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and Director of Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Care at the Heart Hospital McKinnney Campus. 

Dr. Joseph M. Chalil is a Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives and is Board Certified in Healthcare Management. He holds three US patents involving usage of sensors inside Human Body in addition to other applications.