An internationally recognized nonprofit, the TANA Foundation is the oldest charity of its kind in North America, and has been instrumental in providing medical aid to underserved populations throughout the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing the plight of more than 1.2 million blind individuals, the TANA Foundation launched Operation Envision in 2002 to provide optical screenings and simple cataract surgeries to local people in need, as well as corrective eyeglasses to children. Through the generosity of donors and the cooperation of nine major hospitals throughout Andhra Pradesh, Operation Envision has been successful in establishing nearly 400 cataract surgery camps and helping over 20,000 people recover their vision. To learn more about making an individual contribution to Operation Envision, visit the TANA Foundation website at www.tana.org/.
A board-certified radiologist from India, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has remained in Flint, Michigan, for more than 40 years managing his own private practices and serving as a clinical professor to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Lending his support to his country of origin, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has previously held a position as a director of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA).
An internationally recognized nonprofit, the TANA Foundation is the oldest charity of its kind in North America, and has been instrumental in providing medical aid to underserved populations throughout the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing the plight of more than 1.2 million blind individuals, the TANA Foundation launched Operation Envision in 2002 to provide optical screenings and simple cataract surgeries to local people in need, as well as corrective eyeglasses to children. Through the generosity of donors and the cooperation of nine major hospitals throughout Andhra Pradesh, Operation Envision has been successful in establishing nearly 400 cataract surgery camps and helping over 20,000 people recover their vision. To learn more about making an individual contribution to Operation Envision, visit the TANA Foundation website at www.tana.org/.
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Board-certified as a pediatric radiologist, AppaRao Mukkamala maintains professional affiliations to stay current on important new developments. AppaRao Mukkamala is an active member of the American Board of Radiology (ABR), a non-profit organization that promotes learning to provide enhanced care for patients.
With this in mind, the ABR established its Focused Practice Recognition program for doctors who use cardiac CT technology. (This technology provides a non-invasive assessment of arteries that supply the heart.) The program forms part of the ABR's system of maintenance of certification, which measures the knowledge and experience physicians gain in their practice. Focused Practice Recognition adds an extra credential that demonstrates a doctor's interest in safety and quality and his or her experience in cardiac CT procedures. Requirements include the performance of 150 contrast-aided CT applications in a three-year period, 75 of which must be interpreted personally. Applicants must have completed at least four self-assessments and at least one practice quality improvement project. They must also pass an examination made up of written questions and simulated radiological studies. In addition to serving as chair of the Department of Radiology at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala operates private radiology practices in Flint and Burton. An active member of the field, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala maintains memberships in several local and national organizations, including the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), a nonprofit association that represents more than 54,000 members in 136 countries.
RSNA recently wrapped up its 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, which was held November 30 – December 5 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The six-day event featured a diverse scientific program that comprised over 4,000 educational offerings on a wide range of topics. In honor of RSNA’s 100th Annual Meeting, the event also included several activities that gave attendees the chance to network with their peers while celebrating RSNA’s first century of existence. Outside of the educational programming and centennial celebrations, meeting attendees had the opportunity to explore the latest radiological products, services, and technologies at an exhibition featuring more than 700 innovative companies. For other meeting highlights and future meeting dates, visit www.rsna.org/Annual_Meeting.aspx. After completing his medical education in India with distinction, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala relocated to the U.S. in 1970 and developed a focus in radiology with Hurley Medical Center, where he remains as a board-certified radiologist. For his role in establishing NRI Medical College in India, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala received the distinction of the 2009 Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine.
Founded in 2001, the NRI Academy of Sciences has since grown into a 750-bed teaching hospital. Headed by a team of 30 non-resident Indian doctors who were born in Andhra Pradesh, the facility provides free and reduced-cost healthcare services to a community of nearly 2 million inhabitants. As a world-class research institution, the NRI Academy of Sciences offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across 15 different medical and surgical specialties and hosts several specialist lectures each year. Board certified in general, pediatric, and nuclear radiology, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala currently serves as the president of Associated Radiologists of Flint in Michigan. There, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has performed a number of computer-assisted breast biopsy procedures.
If a female patient presents with a lump in the breast or abnormal mammogram results, her physician may order a breast biopsy. There are a number of procedures of this type available; some patients will receive a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), which extracts a small amount of tissue or fluid from the area, while others will undergo a core needle biopsy or a surgical biopsy to give physicians a larger sample. The first step for patients going through a core needle biopsy is an imaging process using ultrasound or x-ray technology. This helps the physician place the needle in the correct area. If the abnormality is particularly difficult to locate, a radiologist may perform additional imaging to pinpoint the exact location for sampling. This is known as a stereotactic core needle biopsy and is most often used for small calcifications. The core needle biopsy typically lasts approximately one hour and involves minimal discomfort, as the patient usually receives local anesthetic. Recognized as a leader in the field of radiology, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala serves as chairman of the Department of Radiology at the Hurley Medical Center, and directs his medical practice, Associated Radiologists of Flint, PC, in Michigan. Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala is also known for his extensive philanthropic work, including co-founding the NRI Academy of Sciences (NRIAS).
Based in Andhra Pradesh, India, NRIAS was founded by a group of 32 NRI physicians. These doctors developed the NRI Academy of Sciences Medical College and the 750-bed NRI General Hospital in response to a government policy requiring a minimum of one medical college in each Andhra Pradesh district. NRIAS strives to provide medical practitioners with the knowledge necessary to serve their communities. In the scope of its work, NRIAS educates the medical workforce and delivers affordable healthcare within an academic environment. NRIAS offers a wide range of services, such as ophthalmology, pediatrics, and emergency care. At the medical college, NRIAS also pursues new medical discoveries, and pioneers innovative technologies for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has served for the last 25 years as chairman of the department of radiology at Michigan’s Hurley Medical Center. Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has been certified by the American Board of Radiology for nearly four decades, and in 1978 he became certified in nuclear radiology.
Medical doctors who have been trained to assess and treat the injuries and diseases of patients using a variety of imaging techniques, including X-rays, positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are known as radiologists. Some radiologists have also been educated in areas of nuclear medicine and hold certifications in nuclear radiology. The American Board of Radiology certifies the majority of medical doctors in the field, while osteopathic doctors tend to receive their certifications from the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. Radiology certifications indicate that a doctor has received the highest level of specialized training and is capable of administering excellent care to patients. Prior to obtaining certification, individuals must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete a four- to six-year residency and fellowship program with an emphasis on radiation safety and protection, radiation effects on the human body, and other areas critical to effective radiology practices. Certified by the American Board of Radiology, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala is an advocate for groups that spread the teachings and history of Indian culture. Among the organizations that Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala supports are Chinmaya Vijaya, CORD USA, Inc., and the Chinmaya International Foundation.
With history dating back to the late 1980s, the Chinmaya International Foundation officially began its mission in 1990. The organization strives to educate the public about Indian culture, philosophy, and traditions. In addition, it focuses on modern and ancient principles of business management. To carry out this goal, the foundation conducts workshops and conventions that invite visitors to network and learn. Scholars and research analysts also gain access to scholarships that assists with lodging and board while they fulfill their studies in academia and science. Upcoming events include the Bhagavad Gita - Refresher Class and the Yoga Retreat with Yogacharya Saji, both in December 2014. For individuals who cannot attend the Chinmaya International Foundation’s events in person, online resources are available at www.chinfo.org. Created for individuals to study remotely, the resources cover the foundations and advanced teachings of Vedanta, Sanskrit, and Bhagavat Gita. Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala has maintained a certification with the American Board of Radiology since 1974. When he is not serving as a radiologist, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala spends his time visiting various historical and cultural sites all over the world.
While the world is full of wonderful, important cultural destinations, there are a few sites with such rich history that they rank above the rest. Few works of architecture that still see modern use are as breathtaking as the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage location for more than three decades, was first constructed in the 1600s for Emperor Shah Jahan's deceased wife. The area hosts as many as 4 million visitors every years. Other historical landmarks are revered for their sense of ancient mystery. The enormous statues found on Easter Island off the coast of Chile are all that remain of a primitive tribe that was lost to diminishing resources and war. Finally, countries that once were home to ancient civilizations like Rome and Egypt feature a number of important historical sites. The Parthenon in Greece is particularly impressive, having stood in the same place since the fifth century BC. Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala is a radiologist and humanitarian dedicated to the well-being of people around the world. Among his numerous charitable contributions, Dr. AppaRao Mukkamala was a founding member of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), a nonprofit organization that supports the Telugu people, an Indian ethnic group, through social and educational programs.
One of TANA Foundation's projects is Operation Envision, which has raised more than $332,000 in donations to provide eye care for people in Andhra Pradesh, India, who otherwise would have no access to any vision treatment. For more than 12 years, TANA has organized eye-screening exams at schools in Andhra Pradesh to ensure that visually impaired children receive glasses. The organization has also helped more than 17,000 people recover their vision through cataract surgery. A $10 donation facilitates the cataract surgery, as well as post-surgery accommodations, related medications, and two follow-up appointments. In an effort to aid the estimated 1.2 million people with blindness in Andhra Pradesh, TANA partners with nine eye hospitals and a host of healthcare professionals. |
AuthorDr. Apparao Mukkamala is a radiologist with a passion both for his profession and for helping better the lives of others. Born in Budhavaram, India Archives
November 2015
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