Historical Background: In 1965, significant changes in U.S. immigration law occurred that enabled Indian physicians to migrate to the United States, laying the future foundation for the formation of strong alumni and professional medical associations across North America.  

Evolution of MPMAANA: Madhya Pradesh (MP), a central state in India is long known for its educational institutes, cultural diversity and progressive populace. Some of the oldest medical schools of the pre-independent Indian times are in MP and have been educating bright minds since the early 19th century. Thus, changes in the immigration law led to the wave of physicians from various medical colleges from MP- five in total at the outset- who arrived in the USA in the mid 19th century. Though steadily growing in number, these physicians were scattered around the country, bound by their cultural heritage. The organization MPMAANA- Madhya Pradesh Medical Alumni Association of North America- as it exists today, was formed by the initial crucial efforts led by physicians from GRMC- Gwalior Alumni Association and MGM Indore, MP Alumni Association, independent organizations at the time. The journey as described below is a result of hard work of physicians who arrived here in the mid 20th centuries and forged the trail for generations coming after. 

The GRMC Gwalior Alumni Association was first formed in 1987 and subsequently registered as a non-profit organization. Its founding members were Dr. Om P Sharma, Dr. L. K. Parashar, Dr. Mahesh C. Gupta, Dr. Ramesh Gupta, Dr. Krishan Khandelwal, each of whom served as president in subsequent years while bringing the GRMC community together. The growth was fueled by the efforts led by its future presidents  (Link to all presidents of GRMC). 

Parallel to the formation of GRMC Alumni Association, efforts were underway to bring together Alumni of MGM Medical College, Indore, MP. This effort was led notably by Drs. Raman Patel, Radhu Agrawal, Satish C. Vyas, Sachchidanand Kaveeshvar, Shrikant Rishi, Suresh Agrawal, Mahesh Agrawal, Manmohan Patel, Vijay Maurya, Rajesh Kakani. To continue the growth, traditionally a three-day long family oriented annual meetings were organized by “Gram Sevak” mid summer each year.  

Toward a Unified Alumni Association: Recognizing the strength in numbers, and more importantly, common educational and cultural roots, discussions began in late 1990s about merging the Gwalior and Indore alumni groups. Extensive discussions occurred among Drs. Satish Anand, Anil Gupta, Kishan C. Agarwal, K. K. Jajoo, and others. The year 2002 turned out to be pivotal when Dr. Rajesh Kakani attended the GRMC reunion in Atlantic City as an MGM alumni representative. Discussions eventually led to both the groups agreeing to merge, host annual meetings while sharing the hosting responsibilities alternately. 

Seeing the benefits of unity, in 2003 at the annual meeting hosted by Dr. Suhas Josh in Niagara Falls, Canada, a decision was made to invite alumni from other MP medical colleges, and the future Madhya Pradesh Medical Association of North America (MPMAANA) began to take shape. As a result, in 2004, the annual meeting hosted by Dr. J. Rangappa in Norfolk, VA, a young fraternity opened its doors to the alumni from every medical college in MP. Fervent efforts of these early years of the 21st century with the guidance from the work done in the prior decade put forth by some of the earliest physician immigrants from MP resulted in a consensus at the 2005 annual meeting hosted in Catskill, NY by Drs. Sonali and Rajesh Kakani, and crucial steps to establish MPMAANA as an organization were laid. While the administrative processes were being completed, the MPMAANA was growing both as a family and as an organization, and in 2008, bylaws were developed and ratified, and a 501(c)(3) status was obtained. Since then the organization continued to grow with increasing memberships, and annual meetings held at different venues (link to a list of locations, year and name of the hosts, with photo links attached) . 

Besides the founding members as noted above, the organization is indebted to the stewardship of Dr. Devendra Shrivastava who managed the financial account over the years while Mr. Rajeev Kaul, CPA, has generously filed annual tax returns for MPMAANA pro bono. The organization also owes its gratitude to Dr. Rajesh Kakani whose foresight resulting from his first attendance in 1999 annual meeting hosted by Dr. Manmohan Patel, followed by engagement with the GRMC Alumni community, led to the relationships that deeply shaped the journey of MPMAANA. 

Today, the organization remains vibrant and strong attracting alumni physicians from all corners of North America, representing a wide variety of specialties. It is nearly 300 life members strong and growing still, while over 150 general members also contribute in various capacities. It also proudly holds an affiliate relation with the National organization, AAPI and has a non-voting representation where many MPMAANA members hold executive positions and continue to serve in various capacities. Back home, in Madhya Pradesh India, medical education continues to thrive and now boasts more than twenty medical colleges that include both private and public institutions, and are accredited. This has once again fueled the pipeline of young physicians arriving in the country taking various paths including clinical medicine. To support these bright young minds, MPMAANA offers pathways for mentorship for those young physicians from MP who set their eyes on these shores of North America for their future career trajectory.

Today, the organization continues to thrive through the dedication of its members and leaders, maintaining its mission of advancing medical education, service, cultural unity, and alumni collaboration.