On May 21 the Connecticut chapter of the American Association Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) awarded a lifetime achievement award to Dr. Ketan Bulsara, professor and chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at UConn Health.
“Thank you very much for this great honor,” Bulsara shared in his virtual award acceptance speech. “As an early, mid-career neurosurgeon I am truly humbled and honored by receiving this lifetime achievement award.”
Bulsara is a world-renowned neurosurgeon with an unparalleled range of expertise in treating neurological disorders including complex tumors, aneurysms, brain- or nerve-related problems, and a full spectrum of treatment of both hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. He is among an elite few neurosurgeons in the world with dedicated dual fellowship training in skull base/cerebrovascular microsurgery and endovascular neurosurgery.
The AAPI, founded in 1982, represents more than 80,000 practicing U.S. physicians of Indian origin and also serves as a platform for more than 40,000 U.S. medical students, residents, and fellows. Interestingly, the Association reports that 1in 7 Americans have been cared for by physician of Indian origin at some point in their lives.
In his heartfelt speech Bulsara recounted his inspiring life journey to become a neurosurgeon.
“Born in India, raised in Africa and an immigrant to the United States in the mid-1980s, I never imagined that an award like this bestowed by leaders like you would ever be in my future working in motels and convenience stores in my early days,” he shared. “I have been inspired by you to make every day to come better than every day past for all our patients and their families.”
Bulsara also sincerely thanked his family: “Thank you to my family whose countless sacrifices every day allow me to relentlessly pursue my dreams in improving medicine and surgery.”
AAPI will hold its 40th Convention June 23-26 in San Antonio coinciding with 75 years of India’s independence.
And Bulsara has a strong message to all his fellow Connecticut Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (CAPI) and national AAPI members.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for the opportunity to work together as we chart the present and future care of our patients and in the process shape the future of medicine.”
Bulsara is an author on many national and international neurosurgery guidelines and standards, and is a frequently invited national and international lecturer. He has published three books and more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, and has held numerous leadership positions in academic neurosurgery, both nationally and internationally.
