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Eighth annual BIMDA Medical Expo set for Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place — the event features continuing–education units for doctors,medical lectures, and exhibits; BIMDA gaining clout in community
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By Ken Datzman
While the sputtering economy has impacted many professional nonprofit organizations and associations around the nation over the past two years, the 10–year–old Brevard Indo–American Medical and Dental Association, or BIMDA, is scaling new heights in the local market. “Last year our budget was the highest in recent years, and attendance and participation has been increasing at our programs,” said Dr. Ashok Shah, a former president of BIMDA. “So I think BIMDA is becoming a well–recognized organization throughout the county. And with BIMDA’s strong leadership in 2010, I believe the organization is poised to see its visibility continue to rise in the community.”
Glad Kurian, the honorary executive director of BIMDA, says his organization uses a multi–prong approach in serving the community. “At this phase of BIMDA’s development, we are honored to be partnering and interacting with many other nonprofit agencies in Brevard that contribute to our growth.”
“Through medicine, the arts, science, education, and fund–raising, and in many other ways, BIMDA has become a dynamic center of great interest and influence with the doctors and community leaders in Brevard,” said Kurian, a senior investment management
consultant with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney at the firm’s Windermere office in Orlando. He’s a 1990 M.B.A. graduate of Florida Tech.
Dr. Ravi Shankar, a board–certified radiation oncologist with Cancer Care Centers of Brevard’s Melbourne office, says BIMDA is a well–known
organization within the medical community.
“When I moved to Brevard about three years ago, I knew of this organization,” said Dr. Shankar, who relocated from Tampa, where he was with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
“Hospital people I had worked with said it was an excellent organization doing good things in the community, so I did make it a point to become a
member of BIMDA as soon as I got to town and settled into my position.”
BIMDA gained 27 new members this past year, Dr. Shah said, bringing the total to more than 160.
Dr. Shah, who practices internal medicine and is affiliated with Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, chairs the sponsorship committee for the eighth annual BIMDA Medical Expo and Symposium, set for Saturday, April 10, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place.
The cost to underwrite a medical lecture, which is an Expo sponsorship, is $6,000. Medical exhibit booth space is
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available in two sizes — medium ($2,000) and premium ($3,000).
For Expo sponsorship information, call Dr. Jashbhai Patel, BIMDA president, at 409–6800, extension 3131.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Patel and Glad (Kurian),” said Dr. Shah, “we are looking to attract a wide range of sponsors for our Expo,” including home health–care companies and durable medical–equipment firms.
Dr. Patel, a surgeon with MIMA in Melbourne, has been working with BIMDA’s executive committee planning the group’s annual Expo, its largest function of the year. The committee is presently recruiting a “distinctive” keynote speaker for the event.
The Expo, an all–day event, with registration at 8 a.m., brings together the medical community including health–care professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and like businesses, as well as other interested parties and organizations. “Continuing education is a key part of the BIMDA Expo,” said Dr. Patel, who has practiced medicine in Brevard or 25 years. “We are offering continuing education for both medical and dental professionals.”
The Expo’s “continuing medical education” coordinator is Dr. Mahesh Soni, the founding president of BIMDA. The CME program, which is offered to doctors free of charge, begins at 9 a.m. “We will offer a total of seven CMEs,” Dr. Soni said.
“One or two of them will be mandatory CMEs as part of the state of Florida requirement for physicians. Any physician in Brevard can participate in the CME program. Over the years, a lot of physicians have taken CMEs through the Expo. It’s always a well–received program in the physician community.”
BIMDA, open to all physicians and dentists in the region, recently assisted MIMA in raising funds for the Haiti Relief Effort. The event was held Jan. 24 at MIMA’s new Gateway Medical Center in Melbourne.
BIMDA worked closely with Dr. Peter Marzano of MIMA in organizing a special meeting for physicians and medical personal interested in getting involved with direct–mission trips, hands–on help, and assisting in other key areas of the relief work.
Dr. Joseph McClure, MIMA’s chief executive officer, “was instrumental in rallying multiple agencies and support groups in Brevard for a community–wide effort to organize the event,” said Kurian.
On another front, BIMDA is working to build its relationships with area colleges. Kurian and a team of BIMDA officers that included Dr. Visa Srinivasan and BIMDA philanthropists Mike and Rashmi Shah recently met with Dr. Anthony Catanese, Florida Tech president, to discuss areas of possible scientific cooperation. |
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
BIMDA will host its Medical Expo and Symposium April 10. Dr. Jashbhai Patel, right, of MIMA is president of BIMDA. Glad Kurian, center, of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Orlando is the honorary executive director of the nonprofit organization and Dr. Bhasker Patel, left, of MIMA is BIMDA secretary. BIMDA, growing throughout the county, gained 27 new members in 2009..
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“BIMDA doctors are very interested in the several areas of research that Florida Tech has a sharp focus on, such as autism, biomedical engineering, and space sciences,” Kurian said. “We are exploring ways in whichwe can engage in being of assistance, especially with the new
Biomedical Engineering program.”
At the invitation of Chris McAlpine, chairman of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra Board and senior vice president of professional services/administration at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Kurian attended a BSO board meeting. At this meeting, BSO members learned more about BIMDA’s diverse interests in the community, said Kurian, who has an extensive background in musical production, management, and composition.
BIMDA closed 2009 hosting its first Physician Social for United Way of Brevard. The event, which was held at Mercedes–Benz Porsche Audi in Melbourne, was a big success, Kurian said. The idea was born at a luncheon meeting between Suzanne Sparling of the local United Way and Kurian. The event centered on introducing United Way’s Tocqueville Society, UW highest level of giving, to the physician community. “Three of BIMDA’s Life members have joined United Way’s Tocqueville Society since that meeting, we’re proud to say,” Kurian said. |
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BBN BUSINESS
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 10 |
Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information |
FEBRUARY 15, 2010 |
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BIMDA Members Gather in Support of United Way
Howard Lance and Glad Kurian
The Brevard Indo-America Medical and Dental Association held an Inaugural Member Mixer at Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne in support of United Way of Brevard. Guests enjoyed entertainment provided by the Grazio String Quartet from the Brevard Youth Symphony Orchestra, delicious treats from the team at Creative Catering by the Farina’s, and a rousing keynote speech by special guest, Howard Lance, chairman, president and CEO of Harris Corporation.
George Mikitarian, President and CEO of Parrish Medical Center, and his wife, Liz, currently serve as Chairs of United Way’s Tocqueville Society. They were on hand to pin The Society’s newest members, Mike and Rashmi Shah. The Shah’s are life members of BIMDA and decided to join United Way of Brevard’s family this year by sponsoring the event, and joining the Tocqueville Society. Dr. Sue Mitra, president of BIMDA, encouraged members and guests alike to consider supporting the 2009 United Way Campaign. “We’re here to mingle and to generate awareness of how our United Way helps our neediest residents. It’s an honor to join with them in this very noble cause. We hope our members will explore ways in which they and their offices can work with our United Way. Tonight’s event is a great first step.”
Glad Kurian, CIMA® of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney served as event chair, providing the vision and direction for the event in partnership with United Way staff. Kurian commented that “The uniqueness of this event is in reaching out to all physicians as a special group of individuals who have tremendous influence to extend assistance to United Way, a truly worthy organization which is able to efficiently deliver resources to 46 local agencies and over 75 programs covering many basic and essential services to Brevard residents in need."
Click here too see events photos.
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By Ken Datzman
The Brevard Indo–American Medical and Dental Association is reaching out to all physicians and dentists on the Space Coast through a social event designed to benefit and raise
awareness of United Way of Brevard County’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
Tocqueville was a French political thinker and historian best known for his book “Democracy in America,” which was published after his travels in the U.S. in the 1700s. Tocqueville Society members support their United Ways annually through gifts of $10,000 or more. The newest local members of the giving society are businessowners Mike Shah and his wife Rashmi. They also are lifetime members of BIMDA. An organization with 200 professionals, BIMDA will host its first Physicians Social Mixer from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Mercedes– Benz, Porsche, Audi on Nasa Boulevard in Melbourne. The event is free of charge and being sponsored by the Shahs, who will be honored at the function for their financial commitment to United Way of Brevard. To make a reservation to attend the social, call Chris Logan at United Way at 631–2740, or send an e–mail message to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
“I think the Social Mixer is going to be a great avenue to reach physicians and dentists in the
community and generate awareness of how United Way of Brevard is helping needy residents in the region,” said Dr. Sudeshna “Sue” Mitra, a practicing physician with Osler Medical and president and chairperson of BIMDA. “We look
forward to nurturing a long–term relationship with United Way and supporting this outstanding organization.”“
Physicians are pulled in so many ways,” added Rob Rains, president of United Way of Brevard. “They get up very early in the morning and make their rounds at the hospitals. They are seeing patients all day. They have paperwork to complete. They have medical records to transcribe. Many area physicians run their own practices, too, so it’s hard for them to carve out free time and that’s what the Social Mixer is about. They can connect with each other in a
comfortable setting and learn how they can help their community.” George Mikitarian is president and chief executive officer of Parrish Medical Center inTitusville.
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The event’s keynote speaker will be Howard Lance, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Melbourne–based Harris Corp., whose company is very active supporting charitable organizations in the county and United Way in
general. Rains said the Social Mixer offers his organization a unique platform to tap a professional base
of people “we have not been successful in reaching. This type of event affords us the opportunity
to make our case and have somebody like Howard Lance talk about why he and his wife Christine
give to United Way and are supporters of it. This gathering presents a great opportunity for our
organization and hopefully the event will yield support.”
BIMDA feels “very fortunate to embrace Howard Lance, the chairman, president and CEO
of a well–recognized international company, as the speaker for the Social Mixer. It definitely helps raise BIMDA’s visibility to a corporate
level,” added Dr. Mitra, an internal medicine specialist in Melbourne. Lance is a former chairman of the United Way of Brevard board of directors. The local United Way helps fund 46 member agencies in the county and 76 programs. “United Way reaches out to so many charities in the county,” said Glad Kurian, volunteer executive director of BIMDA and event chairman for the Social Mixer. “That’s
the reason we were attracted to United Way.” Kurian, a Florida Tech M.B.A. graduate, is a financial professional with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in Orlando. Rains, who is in his 15th year guiding the local United Way, said his organization has “worked hard to build a level of trust in the community.
Supporters of United Way can have full confidence knowing their dollars are helping people who really need help, and there is an efficiency and effectiveness to giving through United Way. I think we are a model organization in a lot of respects.” The impact United Way of Brevard is making in the county caught the eye of entrepreneur Mike Shah, president and founder of Southeast Petro Distributors Inc. headquartered in Cocoa. He and his wife made a pledge to the Tocqueville Society of United Way of Brevard. “Our family has made a fantastic life in this
community. |
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
From left: Rob Rains, United Way of Brevard president; Glad Kurian,
VP & Sr. Investment Management Consultant with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Dr. Sue Mitra, BIMDA president; Suzanne Sparling, V.P. of investor relations for United Way; Rashmi Shah, Southeast Petro Distributors; Susan McGrath, V.P. of resource development for United Way; and Mike Shah, Southeast Petro Distributors.
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It has given us a lot. America has given us a lot,” said Mike Shah, who started his business with one gasoline station and today oversees a gas and oil–distribution network that serves Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. BIMDA’s inaugural Physicians Social Mixer will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Mercedes–Benz, Porsche, Audi in Melbourne. “We have lived in Brevard County for a long time and the community has
given us the opportunity to build a successful business,” added Rashmi
Shah. “We are happy to help United Way of Brevard. It’s an outstanding
organization that is reaching a lot people who need help in the community.
These are challenging times for individuals and families.”
Mike Shah said he credits his wife for their company’s long–running
success. “At the end of the day, I can only do so much. She drives the success of the business. When my wife says jump, I always ask ‘how high?’ That’s the way it’s always been with me.”
Kurian said their “gesture is overwhelming, not only to BIMDA but also to the community at large. The Shahs have shown a leadership gesture in the community that is very magnanimous.”
The Shahs’ contact at United Way of Brevard was through Suzanne
Sparling, vice president of investor relations. Sparling said United Way of
Brevard is working to better connect with the growing Indian population in
the county.
“One thing really special about our organization, and it is something
Mike and Rashmi embraced, is that we currently have five United Ways
within India,” said Sparling. “This makes it convenient for the Indian
community not only to support the local needs but also to give back to their
homeland.”
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LEFT TO RIGHT: Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH; Florida Representative John Tobia; Brevard County Comissioner Mary Bolin and Dr. Heidar Heshmati, Director of the Brevard County Health Department.
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| BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Heidar Heshmati, Director of the Brevard County Health Department, honored members of the Brevard County Dental Society for volunteering their services to the Adult Dental Clinic during a reception and dinner at the Suntree Country Club. |
Over 200 people attended, including Florida State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH; Brevard County Commissioners Chuck Nelson and Mary Bolin; Brevard County Judge AB Majeed; Congressman Bill Posey’s Representative, Kathryn Rudloff; Florida Representative John Tobia; and JoAnn Hart, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Florida Dental Association.
The Adult Volunteer Dental Clinic was established in June 1994 through the combined efforts of the Brevard County Dental Society, Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, Brevard County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health. |
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Dr. Chris Edwards and Dr. Ron Askeland were among those honored with plaques and medals.
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These dentists volunteered their time to provide dental services to low income adults who have no other access to dental care. The services provided deal with patients in acute pain and diagnosis of treatment. Since its inception, approximately 6,720 patients have received free treatment– with a value of over $2,700,000, based on 3,000 hours of treatment.
Each volunteer dentist was presented a certificate of commendation from the Brevard County Health Department, a special medal of recognition presented by State Surgeon General, a letter of appreciation from Congressman Posey anda Brevard County Board of County Commission Resolution, presented by Commissioners Nelson and Bolin.
The Brevard County Dental Society members look forward to continuing their efforts in supporting and providing services for the Brevard County citizens through the Adult Volunteer Dental Clinic.
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Dr. Ana M. Viamonte Ros and Glad Kurian, CIMA, Vice President, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Windermere and Orlando.
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By Ken Datzman The Brevard Indo–American Medical and
Dental Association is reaching out to all physicians
and dentists on the Space Coast through a
social event designed to benefit and raise
awareness of United Way of Brevard County’s
Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
Tocqueville was a French political thinker and
historian best known for his book “Democracy in
America,” which was published after his travels in
the U.S. in the 1700s.
Tocqueville Society members support their
United Ways annually through gifts of $10,000 or
more. The newest local members of the giving
society are businessowners Mike Shah and his
wife Rashmi. They also are lifetime members of
BIMDA.
An organization with 200 professionals,
BIMDA will host its first Physicians Social Mixer
from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Mercedes–
Benz, Porsche, Audi on Nasa Boulevard in
Melbourne. The event is free of charge and being
sponsored by the Shahs, who will be honored at
the function for their financial commitment to
United Way of Brevard. To make a reservation to
attend the social, call Chris Logan at United Way
at 631–2740, or send an e–mail message to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
“I think the Social Mixer is going to be a great
avenue to reach physicians and dentists in the
community and generate awareness of how
United Way of Brevard is helping needy residents
in the region,” said Dr. Sudeshna “Sue” Mitra, a
practicing physician with Osler Medical and
president and chairperson of BIMDA. “We look
forward to nurturing a long–term relationship
with United Way and supporting this outstanding
organization.”
“Physicians are pulled in so many ways,”
added Rob Rains, president of United Way of
Brevard. “They get up very early in the morning
and make their rounds at the hospitals. They are
seeing patients all day. They have paperwork to
complete. They have medical records to transcribe.
Many area physicians run their own
practices, too, so it’s hard for them to carve out
free time and that’s what the Social Mixer is
about. They can connect with each other in a
comfortable setting and learn how they can help
their community.”
George and Liz Mikitarian serve as
Tocqueville Society chairs for United Way of
Brevard. George Mikitarian is president and chief
executive officer of Parrish Medical Center in
Titusville.
The event’s keynote speaker will be Howard
Lance, president, chairman and chief executive
officer of Melbourne–based Harris Corp., whose
company is very active supporting charitable
organizations in the county and United Way in
general.
Rains said the Social Mixer offers his organization
a unique platform to tap a professional base
of people “we have not been successful in reaching.
This type of event affords us the opportunity
to make our case and have somebody like Howard
Lance talk about why he and his wife Christine
give to United Way and are supporters of it. This
gathering presents a great opportunity for our
organization and hopefully the event will yield
support.”
BIMDA feels “very fortunate to embrace
Howard Lance, the chairman, president and CEO
of a well–recognized international company, as
the speaker for the Social Mixer. It definitely
helps raise BIMDA’s visibility to a corporate
level,” added Dr. Mitra, an internal medicine
specialist in Melbourne.
Lance is a former chairman of the United Way
of Brevard board of directors. The local United
Way helps fund 46 member agencies in the
county and 76 programs. “United Way reaches
out to so many charities in the county,” said Glad
Kurian, volunteer executive director of BIMDA
and event chairman for the Social Mixer. “That’s
the reason we were attracted to United Way.”
Kurian, a Florida Tech M.B.A. graduate, is a
financial professional with Morgan Stanley Smith
Barney LLC in Orlando.
Rains, who is in his 15th year guiding the local
United Way, said his organization has “worked
hard to build a level of trust in the community.
Supporters of United Way can have full confidence
knowing their dollars are helping people
who really need help, and there is an efficiency
and effectiveness to giving through United Way. I
think we are a model organization in a lot of
respects.”
The impact United Way of Brevard is making
in the county caught the eye of entrepreneur Mike
Shah, president and founder of Southeast Petro
Distributors Inc. headquartered in Cocoa. He and
his wife made a pledge to the Tocqueville Society
of United Way of Brevard.
“Our family has made a fantastic life in this
community. It has given us a lot. America has
given us a lot,” said Mike Shah, who started his
business with one gasoline station and today
oversees a gas and oil–distribution network that
serves Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.
BIMDA’s inaugural Physicians Social Mixer will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at
Mercedes–Benz, Porsche, Audi in Melbourne. From left: Rob Rains, United Way of
Brevard president; Glad Kurian, BIMDA executive director; Dr. Sue Mitra, BIMDA
president; Suzanne Sparling, V.P. of investor relations for United Way; Rashmi Shah,
Southeast Petro Distributors; Susan McGrath, V.P. of resource development for United
Way; and Mike Shah, Southeast Petro Distributors.
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