Dr. Lokesh Edara and Dr. Srinivasa Gangasani had the honor of representing the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) Conference, held in Dublin from September 3rd to 6th, 2025. This important gathering brought together leaders and experts in medical regulation from around the globe, fostering collaboration and advancing best practices in healthcare.
“AAPI is deeply committed to its partnership with IAMRA and remains focused on advancing initiatives that promote safe, culturally competent, and effective healthcare worldwide,” said Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President of AAPI. “Through ongoing collaboration, AAPI aims to contribute to the development of regulatory frameworks that support innovation, quality improvement, and equitable access to healthcare services.”
AAPI was given official partner membership to IAMRA earlier this year, joining 123 member organizations from 46 countries, united by a shared vision: “Everyone around the world is treated and cared for by safe and competent doctors.” IAMRA’s mission is to promote effective medical regulation worldwide by fostering best practices, encouraging innovation, enabling collaboration, and supporting knowledge-sharing to ensure public safety and enhance global healthcare quality.
The theme of this year’s IAMRA conference, “People-focused regulation for a safer global community,” resonated throughout the event. It emphasized the shared commitment of all participants to advancing healthcare through effective regulatory practices that prioritize patient safety and public trust. The discussions reflected a collective desire to ensure that medical regulation remains responsive to the needs of diverse populations and the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery.
“AAPI’s participation underscores its ongoing commitment to promoting global standards in medical regulation and patient safety, as AAPI continues to be a valued partner member of IAMRA, working diligently to support initiatives that enhance healthcare quality and safety worldwide,” said Dr. Lokesh Edara, who has been leading the efforts for AAPI’s Global Medical Education Initiatives. “We are honored to be working closely with IAMRA and its members to strengthen our shared mission and ensure that the voices of Indian-origin physicians are heard and respected worldwide.”
AAPI has been collaborating with the Government of India on efforts with “the objective of making every MBBS graduate from India to be the best in the world through programs and activities on AAPI platform.
“AAPI’s participation at the critical conference reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with international medical regulatory authorities,” said Dr. Srinivasa Gangasani, former Treasurer of AAPI and former Chair of Georgia State Medical Licensing Board. “Our joint efforts will contribute to bridging professional gaps between Indian American and global healthcare systems; Building stronger platforms for Indian-origin physicians; and, advocating for policy harmonization and mutual recognition of qualifications. Thank you for your continued support as we take this proud step forward.”
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Amit Chakraborty, President of AAPI, for his steadfast support, leadership, and dedication to our shared mission. His encouragement has been instrumental in strengthening our initiatives and deepening our collaboration with international regulatory bodies,” Dr. Edara said
The 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation in 2025 was organized by IAMRA and hosted by the Medical Council of Ireland. The event offered a dynamic forum for learning, networking, and advancing the global conversation on medical regulation. With its focus on people-centered regulation, the conference will inspire participants to work together toward a safer and more equitable global healthcare community.
President WFME: Dr Abhijhat Seth, NMC Chairman; Dr Raghav Langer, IAS, Secretary NMC
Barbara Langer, World Directory of Medical Schools (WDoMS) Project Manager] Dr. Lokesh Edara MD, AAPI Global Medical Education
The Dublin conference was marked by active engagement from distinguished leaders from India, including the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dr. Abhijat Seth, and the Secretary of NMC, Dr. Raghav Langer, IAS.
The next IAMRA meeting is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in 2027. India will attempt to bid for the 2029 meeting. The Indian Medical Association has officially applied for IAMRA partnership in response to AAPI’s request, Dr. Edra said.
Additionally, representatives from the Gujarat and Karnataka medical councils, as well as other regions, contributed their expertise and perspectives. The event welcomed international delegates, such as Dr. Kalwinder Singh from the Malaysian Medical Association, and numerous participants from the United States who serve on state medical boards. This diverse assembly of professionals provided a rich environment for exchanging ideas and forging new partnerships.
By facilitating international cooperation and understanding, IAMRA provides valuable opportunities for its members to share information and discuss common challenges affecting the regulation of medical practice. The organization’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare regulation benefits not only its members but also the patients and communities they serve.
One of the key outcomes of the conference was the opportunity for leadership development and meaningful engagement with global counterparts. Delegates participated in productive meetings with the leadership of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). These interactions facilitated knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving, helping to advance the global agenda for medical regulation and education.
According to Dr. Edara, WFME will be starting to implement the PGME Recognition Program, which provides an independent, transparent, and rigorous method for ensuring the high quality of PGME programs and the institutions delivering them, applicable to all countries .
Texas and Rhode Island, enacted additional pathway legislation for internationally trained physicians (ITPs). They joined 14 other states in the US that have enacted similar legislations since 2023. While the details of each state’s legislation varies – details of these newly enacted laws can be found in the State Legislation section – the bills universally allow qualifying ITPs to gain full licensure after a period of provisional licensure, without having to complete an accredited residency in the U.S. or Canada. These developments have significant implications for global mobility in the medical workforce and highlight the need for clear, consistent regulatory practices.
IAMRA’s Physician Information Exchange (PIE) platform has played a critical role since 2007 in facilitating the exchange of information among medical regulatory authorities worldwide. This platform enhances collaboration and transparency, enabling regulators to share best practices and address common challenges. In addition, IAMRA’s Cultural Safety Working Group continues to promote culturally safe and equitable regulation, ensuring that healthcare systems serve all communities effectively and respectfully.
Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.
Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. Nicole Krishnaswami has been Chair of IAMRA since September 2025.
For more information on AAPI and its programs and initiatives, If you have interest in Global medical education please contact: dredara@yahoo.com. Please visit: www.aapiusa.org, https://www.iamra.com/, https://wfme.org/, https://www.fsmb.org/
