Woodbury, New York — Dr. Jatin Shah, the world's leading head and neck surgeon, was honored as The South Asian Times Person of the Year 2025 at an elegant gala on January 9, 2026. The prestigious event celebrated his transformative career spanning five decades at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, drawing over 150 distinguished members of the Indian American community and medical professionals to Crest Hollow Country Club on Long Island.
Key Facts
- Dr. Shah, 85, completed 50 years of service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2025, including over two decades as Chief of Head and Neck Service
- The gala featured three Padma Awardees—Padma Bhushan Sant Singh Chatwal and Padma Shri doctors Sudhir Parikh and Dattatreyudu Nori—presenting the crystal plaque to Dr. Shah
- The special edition of The South Asian Times includes over 50 congratulatory messages from colleagues, peers, and celebrities including Hollywood actor Michael Douglas and Bollywood filmmaker Rakesh Roshan
The ceremonial event unfolded with Kamlesh Mehta, Chairman and Publisher of The South Asian Times, taking center stage alongside three Padma Awardees to present the crystal plaque. This recognition marked Dr. Shah's remarkable contributions to oncology and head and neck surgery globally.
Dr. Parikh, a close family friend of Dr. Shah, expressed heartfelt wishes for continued achievements, good health, and longevity. The warmth in the room reflected the deep respect the medical community holds for his groundbreaking work and mentorship.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Shah expressed profound gratitude, emphasizing how personal recognition from one's own community surpasses any professional award. He reflected on his journey with the organization while expressing deep appreciation for the honor.
Dr. Ashok Shaha, an attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering for 35 years, introduced Dr. Shah and highlighted his revolutionary impact on the medical discipline through research, innovation, and international collaboration. Their professional bond underscores Dr. Shah's influence in shaping the next generation of surgeons.
Eminent physician colleagues including Dr. J. Ganesh Bhat, Dr. Nitin and Leena Doshi, Dr. Shashi Shah, Dr. Narinder Kukar, and Dr. Bhupi Patel felicitated Dr. Shah, celebrating a peer they deeply admire.
His wife, Dr. Ivana Shah, an orthodontist, was felicitated separately with a shawl and bouquet by Mrs. Nimmi Mehta.
Deputy Consul General Vishal Harsh from the Indian Consulate in New York attended the gala, affirming the significance of Dr. Shah's contributions to strengthening Indian American ties. Even Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman sent congratulatory remarks, recognizing Dr. Shah's impact on the broader community.
Previous honorees—Chintu Patel, Naveen Shah, Ranju and Ravi Batra, Ravishankar Bhooplapur, Mohan Wanchoo, and Mukund Padmanabhan—were present and celebrated Dr. Shah's achievement. The South Asian Times has honored a Person of the Year annually since 2010, making this recognition part of a storied tradition.
The evening featured artistic performances including a sitar recital by Radhika Samson and Kathak dancers from Vivarta Arts, curated by Sneh 'Sunny' Thakkar of the Indo-American Arts Council. A sumptuous dinner catered by Benares concluded the celebration, marking an unforgettable evening of cultural elegance and professional achievement.
Dr. Shah's recognition as Person of the Year 2025 represents a milestone celebration of Indian American excellence in medicine and community. His five-decade journey at Memorial Sloan Kettering exemplifies dedication, innovation, and mentorship that has shaped modern oncology and head and neck surgery.
The South Asian Times' decision to honor him reflects growing recognition of South Asian professionals' profound contributions to American healthcare and society at large.
Do You Know?
Dr. Jatin Shah's eponymous textbook “Jatin Shah's Head and Neck Oncology” is considered the gold standard reference in the field, teaching surgeons worldwide how to manage life-threatening tumors with precision and care.
Key Terms
- Head and Neck Oncology: Medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating cancers affecting the head, neck, throat, and mouth using surgery, research, and innovative techniques
- Padma Awards: India's highest civilian honors recognizing exceptional contributions to various fields, with Padma Bhushan being the third-highest award in India's honors system
- Memorial Sloan Kettering: One of the world's premier cancer research and treatment centers located in New York, renowned for cutting-edge medical innovation and patient care
- Chief of Service: Leadership position in a hospital department responsible for medical decisions, patient care standards, and training of resident physicians and surgeons
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