President’s Message

Dear Fellow Members, 

It is a privilege to continue serving as your President, and I remain deeply grateful for your continued trust and active engagement in the mission of the American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin (AACIO). Since our founding in 1986 under the visionary leadership of Dr. Navin C. Nanda, AACIO has served as the unified voice of cardiologists of Indian origin across the United States, promoting academic excellence, professional collaboration, and mentorship in cardiovascular medicine. 

Our organization continues to thrive through its strong academic programs and partnerships. Twice each year, AACIO hosts meetings in conjunction with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific sessions. These gatherings have become a hallmark of our commitment to education and innovation—featuring insightful lectures from distinguished leaders, recognition of Young Investigator Award (YIA) recipients, and celebrations of groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular science. 

Following the tremendous success of our AACIO meeting at ACC 2026 in New Orleans, we are pleased to announce our upcoming programs—events that will bring together the best of science, collaboration, and community: 

• Mark your calendar: The next AACIO Dinner Symposium at AHA 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. 

• Looking ahead: Our AACIO meeting at ACC 2027 will be held in Houston, Texas, April 10, 2027. 

These meetings will continue our proud tradition of scientific excellence, mentorship, and recognition—highlighting original research by young investigators and honoring leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the field. 

A major ongoing achievement for AACIO is the Navin C. Nanda International Service Award, established in perpetuity by the American College of Cardiology. This distinguished award continues to elevate AACIO’s global profile, appearing prominently across ACC’s networks, publications, and award ceremonies. The recognition of this award underscores our collective commitment to advancing the visibility and achievements of cardiologists of Indian origin worldwide. 

As we look to the future, AACIO remains steadfast in its goals of expanding academic and regional programs, forging new collaborations with cardiovascular societies, and supporting our members’ professional growth through scholarly exchange. We are especially dedicated to nurturing the next generation of physicians through ongoing support of the Young Investigator Awards, which have now recognized more than 100 outstanding early-career researchers for their original contributions to cardiovascular medicine. 

Our success as an organization depends on your active participation and support. We continue to offer a deeply discounted Life Membership rate of $50, making it easier than ever for colleagues throughout the nation to join AACIO’s vibrant and growing community. I encourage each member to invite two fellow cardiologists to become part of this dynamic network by visiting aacio.org. 

We look forward to welcoming you at our AHA 2026 meeting in Chicago and ACC 2027 meeting in Houston—two exceptional opportunities to share knowledge, celebrate achievement, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as the AACIO family. 

With warm regards and gratitude, 

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