President’s Message

Dear Fellow Members,

I am honored to serve as your President and deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me. The American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin (AACIO) is a premier organization representing over 6,000 cardiologists of Indian heritage across the United States. Since 1986, we have been dedicated to promoting academic excellence in cardiovascular medicine through educational, social, and scientific initiatives.

AACIO proudly collaborates with local Indian medical societies to host bi-annual meetings during the ACC and AHA Scientific Sessions, featuring cutting-edge lectures by leading experts and recognizing three outstanding young investigators for their original research. We continue to strengthen our relationships with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), highlighting the invaluable contributions of cardiologists of Indian origin to the field of cardiovascular medicine.

A significant milestone past year was the establishment of the Navin C. Nanda International Service Award by the ACC, announced at the ACC 2025 Convocation Ceremony—a testament to AACIO’s tireless efforts on your behalf. This honor underscores our collective commitment to advancing cardiovascular medicine and celebrating excellence within our community.

Our upcoming AACIO program will be held during the AHA Scientific Sessions on November 8th, 2025, at The Westin, 100 Iberville Street, New Orleans, in the Riverbend Ballroom, Level II. The event will feature an educational program, original research presentations by young investigators, and an award ceremony recognizing their achievements. We will also honor distinguished cardiologists from around the world for their unique contributions to the field of cardiology. Additionally, our educational segment will include an engaging panel discussion on elevated lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], a condition highly prevalent in the South Asian community.

Our organization’s strength lies in its members. To encourage broader participation, we are continuing to offer a limited-time, deeply discounted life membership for only $50. I encourage you to join us at www.aacio.org and look forward to welcoming you at AHA meeting in November 2025 in New Orleans, LA.

Warm regards,

Rakesh K. Sharma, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSCCT

President, AACIO