Indian-origin Bobby Mukkamala appointed as 180th AMA president

Bobby Mukkamala, an otolaryngologist was sworn in as the first Indian president of the American Medical Association (AMA), the United States’ largest physician organisation.

The 53-year-old Indian-origin doctor is also the first AMA president of South Asian descent. Mukkamala has roots in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr Mukkamala, who was diagnosed with an 8-cm brain tumour last November, spoke about what he learned about being a physician by being a patient, and the challenges that face health systems and communities like Flint.

“I am here tonight because of the brilliance of many skilled physicians, because of the enduring love and patience of my family and friends, and because our healthcare system, for all its flaws – and there are many – is still the best in the world for people like me,” said Mukkamalla.

He noted that there are ‘tremendous gaps’ in the US healthcare system that require attention.

Who is Dr Mukkamalla?

Born to Indian-American physicians, Dr Mukkamala was inspired to go into medicine and return to his hometown of Flint, Michigan to serve the community that welcomed his family decades before. 

He who has been active in the AMA since residency, is chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, serving as a strong voice in advocating for evidence-based policies to end the nation’s overdose epidemic. 

He also played a central role in response to the Flint water crisis, serving as chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint with a focus on funding projects to mitigate the effects of lead in children. As an otolaryngologist, he sees patients at all stages of life and all phases of health—from newborns to senior citizens.

He is a past recipient of the AMA Foundation’s “Excellence in Medicine” Leadership Award. He was elected to the AMA Council on Science and Public Health in 2009 and served as its chair from 2016 to 2017, before being elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2017 and 2021. 

Mukkamalla has served as a member of the Michigan State Medical Society Board of Directors since 2011, as board chair for two years, and as its president. He is also a past president of the Genesee County Medical Society (GCMS) and continues to serve on the GCMS Board of Directors.