Introduction
In a landmark moment for the Indian diaspora and the American healthcare system, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala was elected the 180th President of the American Medical Association (AMA) on June 11, 2025. This marks the first time in the organization’s 178-year history that a person of Indian origin has taken the helm.
A Personal and Professional Milestone
Dr. Mukkamala’s election comes just months after a life-altering medical battle of his own—a successful surgery to remove an 8-cm tumor from the temporal lobe of his brain. “To call this moment humbling doesn’t capture it,” he said after his appointment. “It’s moving. It’s awe-inspiring.”
The surgery removed 90% of the tumor, and his recovery became a catalyst for his renewed passion to reform and humanize the U.S. healthcare system. As he said, “This honor and this opportunity to improve healthcare seemed like a distant dream as I lay in recovery.”
Bobby Mukkamala: The Journey of a Leader
- Birth & Background: Son of Indian immigrants, both physicians in the U.S.
- Education: University of Michigan Medical School
- Residency: Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago
- Specialization: Otolaryngology (ENT)
Dr. Mukkamala and his wife, Dr. Nita Kulkarni, an obstetrician-gynecologist, jointly established the Endowed Health Professions Scholarships at the University of Michigan–Flint in 2012 to support aspiring health professionals. They have two sons: Nikhil, a biomedical engineer, and Deven, a PhD candidate in political science.
Leadership and Community Service
Beyond clinical practice, Mukkamala has served in several key positions:
- Chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force
- Played a key role in the Flint water crisis response as chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint
- Recipient of the AMA Foundation’s “Excellence in Medicine” Leadership Award
- Member and Chair of the Michigan State Medical Society Board
- Elected to the AMA Council on Science and Public Health (2009)
- Served on the AMA Board of Trustees (2017, re-elected 2021)
Impact on U.S. Healthcare
As AMA President, Dr. Mukkamala brings both clinical insight and lived experience to his role. His cancer journey and his decades of advocacy are expected to guide a more patient-centered and equitable healthcare agenda. He aims to tackle issues like:
- Affordable and accessible care
- Equity in underserved communities
- Mental health and substance use disorders
- Physician burnout and healthcare workforce support
Conclusion
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala’s election as AMA President is more than a personal triumph—it’s a celebration for the global Indian community and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His journey from a surgeon’s table to the highest seat in American medical policy is proof that adversity can strengthen purpose.
As the AMA continues its mission in 2025, it does so under the leadership of a man who embodies experience, empathy, and excellence.
