AMA Foundation honors Anaheim, California physician for international service
e-mail story | print storyFeb. 19, 2008
CHICAGO - Subramaniam Balasubramaniam, MD, a physician from Anaheim, Calif., is the recipient of the 2008 Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine. Presented by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, the award is presented to a domestic physician for outstanding international service in the areas of medical practice, medical education or medical research. The AMA Foundation presents the award in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative.
The award will be presented on Monday, March 31st, at the 2008 Excellence in Medicine Awards Ceremony preceding the AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
In 2000, Dr. Balasubramaniam, or "Dr. Bala," as he is known, took a team of experts from the U.S. to establish an International Training Institute (ITO) of the American Heart Association in Mumbai, India. Thanks to his efforts, today there are many ITO's in India, providing standardized training. He then went on to set up the first formal paramedic training program in India at Pune, using curriculum from the U.S., with help from the L.A. Paramedic Training Institute. He has made multiple trips to India to help establish fully functional Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) in many parts of India, which are saving lives today. Thanks to his efforts and vision, it will not be long before the whole of India has a fully functioning EMS with all its components, comparable to what exists in the U.S. The medical leadership in India has titled Dr. Bala as the "Father of EMS in India."
Following the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, Dr. Bala was actively involved in disaster relief work and brought together the leaders in India, the State of California EMS Authority and the U.S. Dept. of Forestry to develop a Master Disaster Management Plan (2002) for India, together with a "train the trainers" program for the administrators in India. USAID provided the funds for this program. According to USAID, this effort helped save many lives when the Tsunami struck India in 2005.
He has served in leadership roles in many organizations, including president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.
"Dr. Balasubramaniam is truly extraordinary," said AMA Foundation President Barbara Rockett, MD. "His leadership in creating Emergency Medical Services in India has changed the landscape of medicine in that country. His efforts will leave a permanent mark on India."
The Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine was created by the AMA
Foundation to honor physicians whose selfless devotion to the care of others
has an international impact and who bring a sense of pride to the medical profession.
As the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association, the AMA Foundation is committed to advancing healthcare in America through programs in medical education, research and public health. For more information, please visit the AMA Foundation Web site or call (312) 464-4200.
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For more information, please contact:
Leah Dudowicz
AMA Media Relations
(312) 464-4812
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