| Vandana Devalapalli M.D. | President |
| Abhay Agarwal M.D. | Past-president |
| Rajendraprasad Makam M.D. | Treasurer |
| Ashwin Patkar M.D. | Secretary |
| Abhijit Roychowdhury M.D. | Council Member |
| Sid Rao M.D. | Council Member |
| Deepti Sharma M.D. | Council Member |
| Saikiran Kolavennu | Director, Communications |
Vandana Devalapalli M.D
is an experienced physician with a strong background in internal medicine and healthcare leadership. She graduated from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India, and began her medical career practicing in Hyderabad before relocating to the United States. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in Chicago. Over the years, Dr. Devalapalli has held diverse clinical and leadership roles across North Carolina, including practicing in Dunn and serving in organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, WakeMed, and Duke. She went on to serve as Medical Director in multiple settings, including at Duke practice and UNC/Rex Healthcare.
is an experienced physician with a strong background in internal medicine and healthcare leadership. She graduated from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India, and began her medical career practicing in Hyderabad before relocating to the United States. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in Chicago. Over the years, Dr. Devalapalli has held diverse clinical and leadership roles across North Carolina, including practicing in Dunn and serving in organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, WakeMed, and Duke. She went on to serve as Medical Director in multiple settings, including at Duke practice and UNC/Rex Healthcare.
She later spent over a decade at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as an Associate Medical Director, contributing to healthcare quality and policy.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Devalapalli is deeply committed to community service. She has been actively involved with NCIAP, a clinic dedicated to caring for uninsured patients. She has also served as President of the Triangle Indian Physicians Association, both currently and in the past, demonstrating her ongoing leadership and dedication to the medical community.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Devalapalli is deeply committed to community service. She has been actively involved with NCIAP, a clinic dedicated to caring for uninsured patients. She has also served as President of the Triangle Indian Physicians Association, both currently and in the past, demonstrating her ongoing leadership and dedication to the medical community.
Abhay Agarwal M.D
is a graduate from Grant Medical College, J.J. Hospital, Mumbai, India, where he completed his medical school and internship, in 1992. He worked as intern at T.N. Medical College, Mumbai, India and completed 1 year as MS in General Surgery. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency training in 1997 at Episcopal Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He then went on to complete a 1 year Fellowship in Cardiology at the same University. He is currently the Deputy Medical Director for the State NCDOC and is a Practicing Internal Medicine physician with Cary Medical Clinic, Cary, North Carolina.
is a graduate from Grant Medical College, J.J. Hospital, Mumbai, India, where he completed his medical school and internship, in 1992. He worked as intern at T.N. Medical College, Mumbai, India and completed 1 year as MS in General Surgery. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency training in 1997 at Episcopal Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He then went on to complete a 1 year Fellowship in Cardiology at the same University. He is currently the Deputy Medical Director for the State NCDOC and is a Practicing Internal Medicine physician with Cary Medical Clinic, Cary, North Carolina.
Dr Agarwal is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has been awarded the Physician Recognition Award by the American Medical Association in 2003. He is extensively skilled in all aspects of medicine, with a special interest in Cardiology.
Rajendraprasad Makam M.D
is a graduate from Mysore University. He completed residency and diploma in Pediatrics. As a Senior House Officer, worked at Christian Medical College hospital at Vellore, India. Later, Dr. Makam obtained his Diploma and a fellowship in Adult and Pediatric Gastroenterology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Dr. Makam moved to England and pursued MRCP (Member of Royal college of Physicians) in Internal medicine and practiced for almost 8 years. Dr. Makam completed his residency in Internal medicine from The Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA.
is a graduate from Mysore University. He completed residency and diploma in Pediatrics. As a Senior House Officer, worked at Christian Medical College hospital at Vellore, India. Later, Dr. Makam obtained his Diploma and a fellowship in Adult and Pediatric Gastroenterology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Dr. Makam moved to England and pursued MRCP (Member of Royal college of Physicians) in Internal medicine and practiced for almost 8 years. Dr. Makam completed his residency in Internal medicine from The Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA.
After completing fellowship in gastroenterology from The University of Louisville, KY is now practicing Gastroenterology in Cary, since 2003.
Ashwin A. Patkar M.D
is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Duke Addictions Programs at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. He is the Associate Director for Neuroscience Medicine at Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), the largest academic Clinical Research Organization (CRO) in the world.Dr Patkar earned his medical degree from G S Medical College in Mumbai, India, his MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, England and Neuropharmacology degree from University of Nottingham, England.
is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Duke Addictions Programs at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. He is the Associate Director for Neuroscience Medicine at Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), the largest academic Clinical Research Organization (CRO) in the world.Dr Patkar earned his medical degree from G S Medical College in Mumbai, India, his MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, England and Neuropharmacology degree from University of Nottingham, England.
He completed his psychiatry residency at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia and was the Director of Biological Psychiatry and Clinical Trials as well as the Associate Director of Addiction Programs at Thomas Jefferson University. He is Board Certified with the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry with subspecialty Certification in Addiction Psychiatry and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Certification in Addiction Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.
Dr Patkar has over 20 years of experience with particular expertise in psychopharmacology, dual diagnoses, integration of medical care for addiction, and pain and addiction issues. He has been a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator with several research projects designed to improve addiction treatments that are supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Dr Patkar has been a Principal Investigator on over 50 Industry supported Phase II-Phase IV and post marketing Clinical Trials in the area of alcohol and drug addiction, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, depression, pain disorders, sleep disorders, and schizophrenia. He is a Consultant and/or serves on Advisory Boards for major pharmaceutical companies and has received numerous awards and honors including the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Research Award, the Lilly Biological Psychiatry Fellowship Award, and the Indian-American Psychiatric Association Academician of the Year award. He was selected for inclusion in the Best Doctors in North Carolina in 2009 and received the Patient Choice Award in 2008 and 2009.
Dr Patkar has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and has given over 400 presentations and invited lectures at national and international meetings. He serves on the Editorial Board of 5 journals and is a reviewer for over 20 national and international journals. Dr Patkar has served on NIH review committees and various committees at local and State Government levels dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. He is a member of the American Psychiatry Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Medical Association, Indian Psychiatric Society, Royal College of Psychiatrists and World Psychiatric Association. Dr Patkar is married with 2 children and enjoys fishing, powerlifting, yoga, traveling, and cricket.
Abhijit Roy Chowdhury M.D
Sid Rao M.D
is an interventional cardiologist, endovascular specialist, entrepreneur, and educator recognized as a pioneer in musculoskeletal embolization and the founder of the mGAE™ technique. He has performed thousands of musculoskeletal embolization and critical limb ischemia endovascular intervention cases and has dedicated his career to advancing minimally invasive therapies for chronic pain, osteoarthritis, vascular disease, and limb preservation.
is an interventional cardiologist, endovascular specialist, entrepreneur, and educator recognized as a pioneer in musculoskeletal embolization and the founder of the mGAE™ technique. He has performed thousands of musculoskeletal embolization and critical limb ischemia endovascular intervention cases and has dedicated his career to advancing minimally invasive therapies for chronic pain, osteoarthritis, vascular disease, and limb preservation.
Dr. Rao has also trained physicians in the mGAE™ technique from leading academic and health system programs, including Cleveland Clinic, Harvard-affiliated programs, Henry Ford-affiliated programs, and Vanderbilt-affiliated programs. As founder of Rao Clinic, he combines clinical innovation with mentorship, research, and service through The Rao Clinic Summer Internship, IRB registry efforts, and support for students pursuing PA school and medical school admissions.
Deepti Sharma M.D
Saikiran Kolavennu
has been a resident of the Triangle for over 25 years. As Director of Business development at an Artificial Intelligence company, Kiran leads strategic growth initiatives, builds high-value partnerships and drives market expansion across federal, state and commercial sectors. He has been associated with TIPS since its inception and supports this society in the areas of strategic planning & technology needs. Kiran volunteers in multiple local organizations and currently serves as a board member of NC Information Technology Strategy Board and President of NC Association of Indian-Americans (NCAIA).
has been a resident of the Triangle for over 25 years. As Director of Business development at an Artificial Intelligence company, Kiran leads strategic growth initiatives, builds high-value partnerships and drives market expansion across federal, state and commercial sectors. He has been associated with TIPS since its inception and supports this society in the areas of strategic planning & technology needs. Kiran volunteers in multiple local organizations and currently serves as a board member of NC Information Technology Strategy Board and President of NC Association of Indian-Americans (NCAIA).
