The Association of Indian American Neurologists (AINA), in partnership with the American Brain Foundation, is pleased to announce Dileep R. Yavagal, MD, MBBS, FSVIN, FAAN, FAHA as the recipient of the 2026 AINA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Yavagal is Professor of Neurology and Radiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and is an internationally recognized pioneer in interventional neurology. He was a founding member of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN), served as its past president, and has played a pivotal leadership role on its Executive Board. His work on landmark clinical trials, including SWIFT PRIME, helped establish mechanical thrombectomy as a standard of care for acute ischemic stroke, transforming outcomes for patients worldwide.

A dedicated mentor and educator, Dr. Yavagal has trained more than 40 residents and fellows, including many of Indian origin, several of whom now lead stroke and interventional neurology programs in the United States and India. Through initiatives such as Mission Thrombectomy, he has worked to expand global access to life-saving stroke care, addressing disparities in low- and middle-income countries. His deep ties to India include training at KEM Hospital in Mumbai, extensive lecturing across the country, hosting Indian observers at the University of Miami, and leading the India-based GRASSROOTS trial, focused on acute stroke therapy.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Yavagal shared:

“Receiving the AINA Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Association of Indian American Neurologists and the American Brain Foundation is an incredible honor that I accept with deep humility. This recognition of my work in advancing stroke thrombectomy care in India and beyond is a testament to the collective efforts of our community. Joining such a rare group of visionary leaders in neurology is both a privilege and a responsibility. This award energizes me to continue our vital work and, importantly, to pass this legacy to our younger colleagues, empowering them to drive innovation and equity for patients across the globe.”

AINA congratulates Dr. Yavagal on this well-deserved honor and thanks him for his enduring contributions to neurology, mentorship, and the global stroke community.

Dr. Yavagal will be honored at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Dinner on Monday, April 20, 2026 during the AAN Meeting in Chicago, IL. 

We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi on the recent publication of “Medical Management and Revascularization for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis” in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Chaturvedi served as one of the senior authors on this important article, which addresses key considerations in the management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis and contributes meaningful insight to an evolving area of clinical practice.

This achievement reflects Dr. Chaturvedi’s ongoing leadership in stroke and cerebrovascular research and his commitment to advancing evidence-based care. We commend him on this notable accomplishment and the impact of his work on patient care and clinical decision-making.

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Heartbreaking news. Dr. Mark Hallett, NIH Distinguished Investigator Emeritus at The National Institutes of Health passed away on Sunday November 2. Mark has been a friend of numerous Indian American Neurologists and has several meaningful collaborations with Indian scientists and physicians. Mark attended many AINA meetings as a guest and also was honored as one of our past annual dinner speakers attracting incredible accolades from the audience and numerous fans. I wanted to bring him back as our annual dinner speaker in 2024, but destiny would not permit this to happen.

Mark was my godfather, mentor and friend like he was to many Indian origin neurologists and movement disorders specialists. I met him first while I was a fellow at Emory with Dr. Mahlon Delong. For reasons best known to him and to God he took a liking for me and took an interest in my research. From then on for the past three decades he has been there for me to run ideas, review grants, papers, make recommendations or just simply listen and give feedback. He enjoyed science as much as he enjoyed life and took keen interest in every human he touched. His incredible scientific acumen and ability to provide the most meaningful advice not only changed my life for the better but also helped improve the care of my patients enormously. I had the good fortune to meet him just a few weeks ago prior to giving a grand rounds lecture at NINDS in his honor. His encouragement to continue my research as we enjoyed an Indian meal together will remain with me as one of my cherished memories. I will deeply miss him but I am sure all of us who knew him will continue his legacy of giving back to science what Mark admirably taught us via his life.

On behalf of AINA, as its current president I offer our collective condolences to Mark’s family and all his grieving friends.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow appointed Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Aleem AINA member, Former Vice Principal HOD & Prof. of Neurology KAPVGMC Neurologist ABC Hospital Trichy as one of a new International Advisor for the period of three years.

He has also been elected as Convener for Advocacy Subsection of our Indian Academy of Neurology IAN for the term 2025 to 2027.

Congratulations Dr. Dubey!

Congratulations Dr. Acharya!

• Parichita Choudhury, MD – Chair, Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry
• Sonika Agarwal, MD, FAAN – Vice-Chair, Child Neurology Section
• Aarti Sarwal, MD, FAAN – Chair, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine
• Kaustubh Limaye, MD – Chair, Endovascular & Interventional Neurology Section
• Kaustubh Limaye, MD – Chair, General Neurology Section
• Niranjan Singh, MD, FAAN – Vice-Chair, General Neurology Section
• Rohit Das, MD, LFAAN – Vice-Chair, Government Service Section
• Abhimanyu Mahajan, MD, MHS – Chair, Movement Disorders Section
• Zain Guduru, MD, FAAN – Vice-Chair, Movement Disorders Section
• Sujani Bandela, MD – Vice-Chair, Neural Repair & Rehabilitation Section
• Kuntal Sen, MD – Chair, Neurogenetics Section
• Sushma Kola, MD – Vice-Chair, Neurohealth & Integrative Neurology Section
• Kiran Thakur, MD, FAAN – Chair, Neuro-infectious Disease Section
• Prashanth Ramachandran, MBBS – Vice-Chair, Neuro-infectious Disease Section
• Sahil Gupta, MD – Chair, Pain Section
• Ayushi Chugh, MD - Vice-Chair, Spine Section
• Dinesh Jillela, MD – Vice Chair, Stroke and Vascular Neurology

IAN Past President, Dr. Nirmal Surya receives AAN Service Award. Congratulations! 

Congratulations Dr. Dileep Yavagal for receiving the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Pioneering Neurointerventional Award. Dr. Yavagal has done outstanding work globally to promote access to Mission Thrombectomy.

Dr. Pooja Khatri selected as the next Chair of the Neurology Dept at Yale