MAMCOAANA

MAMCOAANA has been the glue binding our alumni body in this adopted homeland for the past 4 decades. The strength of this organization is a testament to the vision and resilience of the senior members who have continuously nourished this community. Guided by the path shown by them and imbued with a deep sense of humility, I am honored to assume the role of President of MAMCOAANA for 2025-26.

One of my all time favorite quotes, by the composer Gustav Mahler, goes like this, ‘Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but preservation of fire’. Applicable in so many walks of life, I read this as a call to uphold what has served us well in the past, while renewing things in the context of the present. Each year as we gather to share the memories that bind us, organizing teams in different cities give this tradition their distinct local flavor while preserving the core essence of this flame for the future.

In continuation of this 40-year-strong tradition, my wife Shivani (Seth GS Medical College/KEM, Mumbai, batch of 1991) and I (batch of 1989) are delighted to welcome you all to the next MAMCOAANA Annual Convention in Minneapolis on July 23-26, 2026.

Blessed with an abundance of freshwater lakes, Minneapolis gets its name from the Dakota word ‘Mni’ that connotes water and the Greek word ‘Polis’ meaning city. From its roots as the milling city by the mighty Mississippi when brands like Pillsbury and Gold Medal Flour became household names, the city is now the center of a robust, diversified economy and home to numerous Fortune 500 companies such as Target, 3M, United Health, General Mills, among several others.

Ranking at the very top for its accessible park system and an extensive array of trails, one can walk/run/bike seamlessly along the city’s 12 lakes, riverfront, creeks and waterfalls. The Twin Cities metro (including the sister city of St. Paul) is well known for its thriving theaters, 4 professional sport teams, vibrant museums, and a dynamic restaurant scene, replete with microbreweries and small batch distilleries.

So, my dear fellow Maulanians and families, mark your calendars for July 23-26, 2026 as we welcome you to the 40th annual MAMCOAANA convention at Hotel Hilton in Minneapolis. Located in the heart of the downtown, the hotel is only a short walk/ride from restaurants, bars, theaters, museums, the riverfront and the city lakes. Links to register for the convention and reserve hotel rooms would be available in the upcoming weeks.

MAMCOAANA gets its strength from each and every of us. So let’s get together again to renew our bonds, learn from our wide-ranging, thoughtfully designed CME program, share memories, and further the mission of this thriving organization.

See you all in Minneapolis!

Best,
Ajay

Dear MAMCOAANA Family,

It is a privilege and honor to serve as your President of MAMCOAANA. Our shared memories and experiences at Maulana Azad Medical College form a vital part of who we are, and it is my goal to ensure these connections remain strong and vibrant. Together, we can build a long legacy by reliving the fond memories of our time at MAMC and supporting and guiding the next generation of physicians who now walk the same halls.

Community is at the heart of MAMCOAANA. As we look forward to our future, this is a unique opportunity to strengthen old bonds, make new friendships, and explore how each of us can contribute to keeping the spirit of MAMC alive. Whether through mentorship, collaboration or simply sharing our journeys, we all play a crucial role in ensuring the enduring strength of our alumni community.

With that spirit in mind, my husband, Saurabh Gupta (Batch of 1989), and I, Nandita (Batch of 1992), are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 MAMCOAANA Annual Convention, to be held from July 17th to 20th, 2025, in the beautiful and vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, at the stunning Marriott Riverside Hotel. The theme of this year’s convention is “Celebrating Memories, Building Community.”

A Glimpse of Portland and Beyond

Nestled between the Cascade Range and the Pacific Coast, Portland is a city of natural beauty and cultural richness. Highlights include Downtown Portland, with its famous Powell’s Books and the tranquil Lan Su Chinese Garden, and the stunning International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. Families will love the interactive exhibits at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and for nature lovers, nearby Forest Park offers miles of scenic hiking trails.

Portland’s renowned food carts, coffee culture, and craft breweries are a must, along with the peaceful retreat offered by the Marriott Riverside Hotel, with stunning river views and the Proof Reader Restaurant‘s extensive whiskey selection. A short drive from Portland brings you to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking landscapes:

• Multnomah Falls and the scenic Columbia River Gorge are perfect for hiking and photos.
• Mount Hood offers year-round outdoor activities.
• The Willamette Valley, is renowned for world-class Pinot Noir.
• The rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast, including charming seaside towns like Cannon Beach with its iconic Haystack Rock.

Convention Highlights

We have an exciting lineup of events planned for the convention that will offer the perfect mix of reconnecting with old friends and making new memories, all set against Portland’s vibrant backdrop:

• Thursday night cricket match: Start the weekend with some friendly competition among alumni.
• Friday morning guided riverside walk: Join fellow alumni for a refreshing morning walk along the scenic beauty of the Willamette River and Portland bridges.
• Friday night gala: A glamorous evening in the hotel ballroom, where we’ll celebrate our community in style.
• Saturday night wine tasting and party: We’ll take you on a delightful journey through Oregon’s wine country as we celebrate with good wine and great company.

Additionally, we’ll have CME sessions featuring expert speakers throughout the weekend to enhance your professional knowledge. Stay tuned for updates on the convention at mamcoaana.org.

Become a Life Member

I encourage you to become a life member of MAMCOAANA to help sustain our organization for future generations. From October 1st to December 31st, 2024, we’re offering a 50% discount during the Life Membership Drive. Visit mamcoaana.org to sign up and support our alumni network.

Register for the Convention

Join us for the 2025 MAMCOAANA Annual Convention. Become a life member to enjoy discounted rates and take advantage of special hotel rates. Visit mamcoaana.org for more details, and don’t forget to invite fellow MAMC alumni to join us in Portland for a memorable reunion!

Stay Connected

Follow up on all updates and discussions via LinkedIn or WhatsApp. Saurabh and I look forward to seeing you in Portland!

Warm regards,

Nandita Gupta, MD, MBA, FACC
President, MAMCOAANA

Thank you for your vote of confidence in me to lead MAMCOAANA this year as your president and host for our next convention coming up in July 2024.

We are recovering from the pandemic as it had led to cancellations of our annual conventions for 2020 and 2021. Subsequently the 2022 convention was hosted by Dr.Rajesh Malik and Dr. Pooja Malik in Atlantic City, New Jersey and then Drs Ashish and Monica Dua in Pittsburgh in 2023. The evening, dinners and dancing was very enjoyable in each of these meetings: We all will remember the river cruise and the lovely music in downtown Pittsburgh. The CME lectures, as always, were lively and thought-provoking.

I myself, owe a lot to this organization and its members. From interviewing for residency positions, traveling to different hospitals and staying with them, I am indebted to my friends from MAMC . Even professionally as a Nephrologist it has been very satisfying to stay connected with MAMC colleagues.

Friends, the Harvard study on health and aging states that “Good genes are nice, but joy is better”. We know that strong friendships, and relationships are crucial for good health and life. At MAMCOAANA we are a family and not
only do we have a shared Alma mater, but we have a shared cultural heritage, and a strong sense of belonging.

Many years ago I had attended the MAMCOAANA convention after becoming a lifetime member. Every time I attend, I feel reconnecting to my roots. The DNA gets rejuvenated and I find the meeting very uplifting. Every MAMCOAANA convention is just pure pleasure to attend.

Therefore, it is very important to take a few days off for the meeting to recharge and go back healthier and stronger to take care of our families and patients. Indeed, it is remarkable how many of us are doing amazing things. From leading institutions, departments and training residency and fellowship programs to running successful practices and companies while helping so many communities and human beings get healthier as well as helping their families.

It is heartening to see, MAMC graduates staying connected with each other through the various vigorous WhatsApp groups. The annual convention is a culmination of everybody’s efforts to stay connected. I would urge
everyone to make every effort to attend the 2024 annual convention.

I want MAMCOAANA to be a thriving organization which would exist in perpetuity.

One of the initiatives I would like to increase the social media outreach of the MAMCOAANA. This is crucial as we need to engage with MAMC graduates within the last 20 years. While we do have social media handles it would be wonderful to have our savvy younger colleagues come forward to take charge of our social media presence for their like minded generation.

We would also like to continue our philanthropic efforts to help our Alma mater MAMC and its graduates who are coming to North America as they are the future of this organization.

Additional details regarding the 38th annual convention for August 2024 in Philadelphia/Wilmington are on our Annual Meeting page. Please save the date for August 8-10 and apply for your vacation. Our strength is in numbers and we hope to see everybody there. Also, graduates of LHMC and UCMS are welcome to attend. Please spread the word.

Best wishes,
Manish Garg, MD, FASN, FACP

Dear Friends,

My wife Shilpa and myself are thrilled to invite you to the MAMC Medical School Illuminati Get-Together in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from August 8-10. This exciting event promises to be a perfect blend of professional enrichment and joyful reunion, and we would be delighted to have you join us.

With less than two months remaining, we are pleased to report an enthusiastic response from our alumni community and expect a large, lively gathering.

The venue for our event is the Hilton Penns Landing by the river in Philadelphia, an exceptional location that provides a scenic backdrop for our activities. This venue hosts many weddings and is close to several places of interest.

Our gathering will kick off on the evening of August 8 with an evening filled with music and dancing. This is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones in a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

On Friday August 9, we have planned a thrilling cricket match that promises both fun and friendly competition. Dr Narottam Puri is gracing the match and we will enjoy his signature commentary.
Later, we will host a splendid dinner dedicated to celebrating our young physicians. There is a live orchestra band with singers and we shall dance away the evening.

On Saturday August 10, there will also be a yoga and meditation session to help rejuvenate your mind and body. We have organized a trip to the magnificent Akshardham Temple, in New Jersey which is a testament to architectural beauty and spiritual tranquility. An alternative choice will be a tour of the Liberty Bell area. The day will culminate with the Grand Gala featuring a live band and DJ, ensuring a night of unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes!

Both evenings have catered food and will offer the chance to renew bonds of friendship and camaraderie with your classmates and MAMC friends.

In addition to the social events, we have a robust Continuing Medical Education (CME) program scheduled for Friday and Saturday mornings, featuring distinguished speakers who will share their insights on the latest advancements in medical science.

This event promises not only to rekindle old friendships but also to provide an enriching experience both personally and professionally. We look forward to your presence and to making this get-together a memorable celebration of our shared journey and accomplishments.

Best regards,
Manish

Manish Garg, MD, FASN, FACP, MBA

2024 Convention Flyer