Dr. Ajay Lodha: Loved by the community, cherished by his fraternity

New York:  Dr Ajay Lodha, an eminent doctor and community leader associated with many leading organizations, has succumbed to Covid-19 after fighting various complications for over 8 months. The 57-year-old breathed  his last on November 21 in Cleveland, Ohio. His cremation, attended by immediate family, close relatives and limited numbers of his associates, was held on November 24 on Long Island.

The condolences messages poured in from all over. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot called it a huge loss to the Rajasthani Pravasi Community. AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) that Dr Lodha led in 2016, has mourned the loss of one of their own.
Dr Lodha was a powerhouse who took the organizations he led including AAPI-QLI (the largest AAPI chapter), RAJMAAI (Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association) and RANA (Rajasthan Association of North America) to great heights. But he is equally remembered as a doctor with a healing touch and as a caring, compassionate person with a penchant for serving the South Asian community.

An internist by specialization with  a successful practice in Queens, NY, Dr. Lodha had experience in leading almost all areas of medicine. Since 1995, he was a partner in two Nursing Homes on Long Island. He had extensive background in overseeing quality assurance and quality improvement. He was credited as the founder of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and Independent Physicians Association (APA). He was a former Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Caritas Health Care System representing St. John’s Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hospital in New York.

He received many awards and accolades during his distinguished career. For his stellar service to the community and the country, Dr Lodha was bestowed the Ellis Island Award of Honor in 2016. He was a recipient of Lawrence J. Scherr Award of Excellence for being an Outstanding Physi­cian. He has also been honored for Out­standing Contributions to Research & Hypertension Department at the Flushing Hospital, NY. In 2008, he was bestowed with the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Physician of the Year Award.

Dr Lodha was appointed a member of the Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos’s MWBE Advisory Council in 2015. He was also a gracious member of the Advisory Board of The South Asian Times for many years.

Now, AAPI has instituted the Lodha Distinguished Service Award through “GOFUNDME” to help make an impact and to educate members of the Medical Profession on current activities and new products in the medical field.

Born in Rajasthan, he was a graduate of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan. After coming to the US, Dr. Lodha completed his Residency at the Flushing Hospital, NY.

Dr. Lodha is survived by his  physician wife Dr. Smita Lodha, son Amit and  daughter-in-law Priyanka and daughter Sweta and his parents Smt. Vallabh and Shri SS Lodha.

Image courtesy of (Photo: AAPI)

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