First South Asian and Indian-American to lead the largest physician organisation in the US
In a historic milestone for the global medical community, Dr Bobby Mukkamala, a 53-year-old otolaryngologist with roots in Andhra Pradesh, has been officially sworn in as the 180th President of the American Medical Association (AMA)—the first Indian-origin and South Asian to assume the position in the organisation’s history. The AMA is the largest and most influential physician body in the United States , reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, Dr Mukkamala reflected on the US healthcare system from both sides of the patient-doctor divide in his powerful inaugural speech.
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Dr Mukkamala, who hails from Flint, Michigan, shared a deeply personal moment during his inauguration, recounting his battle with an 8-cm brain tumour in 2023
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“I am here tonight because of the brilliance of many skilled physicians, the enduring love of my family and friends, and because our healthcare system, for all its flaws, is still the best in the world for people like me,” he said
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He emphasized the “tremendous gaps” in access and care that still persist in the US healthcare system
A second-generation Indian-American, Dr Mukkamala was born to physician parents and inspired by their legacy to return and serve Flint—the same city that embraced his family decades ago. As an otolaryngologist, he provides care to patients across all life stages, from infants to seniors.
Dr Mukkamala is not only a seasoned physician but also a passionate healthcare advocate and community leader
He has been active in the AMA since his residency and currently chairs the AMA’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, leading efforts to combat the national opioid overdose crisis through evidence-based policy. During the Flint water crisis, he served as chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, overseeing key initiatives to reduce lead exposure in children.
Dr Mukkamala has also held several leadership positions in the broader medical fraternity. He served on the AMA Council on Science and Public Health, chaired it from 2016–2017, and was later elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. In his home state, he has been an integral member of the Michigan State Medical Society, including stints as board chair and president, and is a former president of the Genesee County Medical Society, where he still serves on the board.
His dedication to public service and healthcare excellence has earned him the AMA Foundation’s “Excellence in Medicine” Leadership Award, highlighting his impactful work in science, advocacy, and community welfare.
