On March 18, 1986, I arrived in the United States at JFK as a young doctor from India—carrying a small suitcase, a few dollars, and a heart full of dreams. Like so many immigrants, I came with hope, determination, and the values my parents had instilled in me: work hard, stay humble, and always serve others.
There was no time to pause. I had to prepare immediately for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. From 9 AM to 10 PM each day at Kaplan, I studied relentlessly, took the exam within four months, and was blessed to pass with strong scores. Residency was still a year away, so in the meantime, I worked in the Bronx as a phlebotomist, earning $4.50 an hour. When I learned to run the auto-analyzer, my pay increased to $6 an hour—small victories that meant everything in those days.
In July, residency began. My first rotation was in one of the busiest emergency rooms in Brooklyn. The first year of residency tests you like nothing else—physically, mentally, emotionally—but it also shapes you. I pushed forward, eventually becoming Chief Medical Resident, and was fortunate to secure my desired cardiology fellowship at University Hospital. Then came one of the most defining moments of my life.
On August 27, 1992, I stood outside the labor and delivery room, filled with anticipation and anxiety, while Geeta was inside. At 9:38 PM, a nurse placed a tiny bundle in my arms—our son, Abhinav. In that moment, everything changed. My purpose deepened, my responsibilities grew, and my motivation was stronger than ever before.
The journey was not easy. The early years were filled with long hours, uncertainty, and sacrifices that many immigrants understand but rarely speak about. I took a job in New Jersey while Geeta completed her residency, and over time, we built our life and roots here.
For the past three decades, I have had the privilege of practicing cardiology. Caring for patients in their most vulnerable moments has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Medicine has never been just a profession—it has been a calling. There were years when I worked 18-hour days, moving between three hospitals, seeing consults, and performing invasive procedures, while Geeta held the fort at home and raised our son with love, values, and compassion. I later had the honor of serving as both Chief of Cardiology and President of the Medical Staff at my hospital.
Beyond medicine, my commitment to community service grew stronger with time. I have been fortunate to serve through BJANA, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), MOCAAPI, and AAPI—leading several of these organizations and working alongside dedicated colleagues to strengthen our community. As I write this, I am humbled to have been elected to the AAPI Board of Trustees.
During the COVID pandemic, I had the privilege of leading a team of physicians who vaccinated thousands across New Jersey. Through virtual clinics, we guided families during some of their most difficult times. Together, through FIA and many volunteers, we also helped send medical aid worth millions of dollars to India during its darkest days.
Our service extended beyond borders. Through PRAN-BJANA, in association with ASHA, we continue to support health camps, Medivans, and ambulances that bring care to underserved communities in rural India.
Equally important has been my spiritual journey. My association with the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple has been deeply meaningful. Serving the temple and its devotees has been a blessing. It is not just a place of worship—it is a spiritual anchor, a cultural home, and a source of strength that has guided me through every phase of life.
None of this would have been possible without my greatest pillar of strength—my wife, Dr. Geeta Gupta. A caring and compassionate physician, she has been an incredible life partner who stood beside me through every challenge and every milestone. Together, we were blessed to raise our son, Abhinav Gupta, who is now training to be a surgeon. Watching him grow not only into a skilled physician but also into a kind and compassionate human being has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives. As I look back on these 40 years, my heart is filled with gratitude.
Gratitude to America—for giving an immigrant the opportunity to dream, to grow, and to serve. Gratitude to India—for the values that shaped who I am. And gratitude to my family, friends, colleagues, and community—who
walked this journey with me. What began with a suitcase has become a lifetime of purpose, service, faith, and blessings.
Forty years later, the gratitude in my heart is even greater than the dreams I carried when I first arrived. And the journey continues.
Dr. Avinash Gupta, MD, FACC, DipABLM
