New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh will be honored by the Association of Indians in America, the oldest organization of Indians in America, founded in 1967. The award will be presented at the Medical Council Honor  Banquet.

When:

Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, 7 pm

Where:

Marriott Hotel, 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553

Who:

The National Executive Committee of the Association of Indians in America unanimously voted to present the Council of Medical Affairs Charka Award to Dr. Alaigh for her outstanding contributions to the field of medicine and for being a role model  for the Indian community. Several hundred physicians and other guests are expected to attend.

Why: Dr. Alaigh is being honored for her achievements in health care administration as well as her writing in the field of vascular disease and population health . Prior to becoming Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Alaigh was executive medical director for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and national medical director for GlaxoSmithKline. She is also a founding member of the South Asian Total Healthcare Initiative, which was created in 2009 to collect data on South Asian health, improve the delivery of culturally sensitive care, address health disparities and empower the South Asian Community.

A board certified internist with a specialty in vascular diseases, Dr. Alaigh is licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York and is certified as a Diplomate in Internal Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook. She received a Master of Science in Healthcare Policy and Management from SUNY.