SANTA CLARA,CA: The Third Annual, 3-day convention of the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association was concluded on Aug. 20, 1995 at Santa Clara Merriot Hotel. About 160 participants were present at the concluding dinner. The three day meeting focused on increasing the membership, contemporary Sikh issues and medical education, cultural programs were also a main focus.
This Association has been started to bring Sikh Physicians and Dentists together in North America. It’s purpose is to enhance the image of Sikhs and also help the next generation in developing Sikh way of life and to assist them in Education especially medical education. Projects like starting a well equipped modem hospital in Punjab are on the agenda, as is sharing modern techniques and knowledge with physicians and dentists in Punjab.
This association is only three years old. The first meeting was held in Nov. 1993 at Pentagon City, Wash- ington D.C. and second in Nov. 1994 at Disney Resort in Florida. Dr. Ajit Pal Singh Sandhu of Fremont, CA is the founding President. This was last year of his term. Dr. Tejpal Singh Dhillon of North Carolina was the first secretary/treasurer, he will be the President for next two years. Dr. Amarjit Singh of Buffalo, NY will be the Secretary/Treasurer for next two years. Dr. Avtar Singh, NY; Dr. Dhanna Singh, Malhy, CA; Dr. Daljit K. Sekhon, Ca; Dr. Satpal Kaur Grewal, NC; Dr. Jaswinder Singh, NY were the executive members for last two years. New members of the executive are Dr. Ajita Kaur Grewal, CA; Dr. Satnam Singh Dhami, NY; Dr. Daljit Singh Caberwal, NC; Dr. Darshan Singh Dhalla, FL; and Dr. Ujjagar Singh Dhillon, CA.
This year’s meeting was a great success, the number of life members has reached 45 and the aim of the association is to have every Sikh physician and Dentist join this organization. State wide chapters will be organized. California chapter also held its first meeting. Dr. Jasbir Singh Gill of Stockton, CA will be the president. Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann, Dr. Narinder Singh Grewal (both of Southern, CA), Dr. Mohinder Singh Poonia from Fresno, Dr. Amarjit Singh Grewal from Bay Area and Dr. Arjinder Pal Singh Sekhon from Yuba City are the coordinators from different areas.
First meeting will take place in Stockton in two-three months. Interest of younger generation and their energy at this meeting was what convinced everybody that this organization will be successful for a long time to come. At all levels, cultural, religious and other issues, young Sikhs are educating themselves which is key to the future. Tarlochan Singh Nahal and Surinder Singh also arranged a special preview of books on Sikh history and Punjabi culture and Gurmukhi computers. Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann also updated everybody about Sikh chairs and Academic corruption which is hurting the Sikh cause. His lecture was appreciated by everybody and he was requested to continue his efforts. Dr. Shivdev Singh Sidhu was the chief guest. Dr. Shivdev Singh is a well known pediatric surgeon who recently retired. He is a graduate of first batch from Government Medical College in Patiala in 1958. His lecture on life beyond medicine was well received and made everybody think about life in general not just about the profession. Dr. Shivdev Singh is now enjoying art and music. He has been invited by the city of to hold an exhibit of his painting in December 1996. Next meeting of the association will be held in third week of August in Buffalo area. (Presented by: I.J. Singh and Neena I. Singh, New York).
Article extracted from this publication >> September 1, 1995
