Dr. Bobby Mukkamala—an acclaimed otolaryngologist based in Flint, Michigan—has been elected the 180th President of the American Medical Association (AMA), marking a historic milestone as the first physician of Indian origin to lead the influential U.S. medical organization. His inauguration on June 11 comes amid deep admiration for his professional contributions and his extraordinary personal journey.
/*Historic Personal and Professional Background*/
A Flint ENT specialist, Mukkamala was born to an immigrant family from Andhra Pradesh, India, in 1972. He earned a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Michigan and completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. Dedicated to serving his patients of all ages in Flint, Mukkamala has taken on significant roles in organized medicine: he chaired the AMA's Substance Use & Pain Care Task Force and was recognized by the AMA Foundation for its "Excellence in Medicine" Leadership Award among others.
/* Tumor Took Him from Patient to Leader*/
Last November, Mukkamala was diagnosed with an 8 cm temporal-lobe brain tumor and successfully underwent surgery that removed 90% of it. In the Mayo Clinic during his recovery period, he described his path towards inauguration as "humbling," "moving," and "awe-inspiring." This personal health crisis strengthened his commitment to address issues regarding balanced access to care in the U.S. health system.
/*Vision & Advocacy: A New Mission*/
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Mukkamala stated his vision: to fight for timely access to care, to reduce physician burnout, to advocate for fair insurance coverage, and to dismantle healthcare bureaucracy. He made it clear that those challenges—such as insurance coverage uncertainty, high costs of drugs, and delays in specialist consultations—plague many Americans. He further urged physicians nationwide to speak collectively for a more equitable and sustainable future of healthcare.
/* Impact on Broader Healthcare & Public Health*/
Apart from his practice, Dr. Mukkamala has been extremely active beyond the practice. For instance, he coordinated Flint's water crisis response via the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Under his presidency, AMA issued the first new policy in support of balanced nutrition and education regarding processed foods—as part of a comprehensive campaign to fight chronic diseases. He reaffirmed AMA dedication to influencing national policy over Medicare financing, physician workforce capacity, and health equity