EAST LANSING, Mich. (Diya TV) — Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, will deliver the commencement address at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine on May 9, marking a milestone moment for graduates and for the physician leader himself. The ceremony will take place at the Breslin Student Events Center, where 177 medical students will receive their degrees. The event highlights both academic achievement and the growing influence of physician leadership in public health.
Mukkamala made history in June 2025 when he became the first physician of Indian heritage elected president of the AMA. Founded in 1847, the organization remains one of the most influential voices in U.S. health care. It brings together more than 200 state and specialty medical societies and works to advance medicine and public health nationwide. A board-certified otolaryngologist based in Flint, Mukkamala also serves as a clinical associate professor at Michigan State University. His career blends clinical care, education, and policy leadership.
Mukkamala graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and became involved with the AMA early in his career. During his residency, he began a long association with the organization that would later shape national health policy.
He went on to serve in the AMA House of Delegates for more than a decade. He also held key roles on the AMA Council on Science and Public Health and chaired it from 2016 to 2017. His work earned him the AMA Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award. At the state level, Mukkamala served as president and board chair of the Michigan State Medical Society. He also led the Genesee County Medical Society and continues to serve on its board.
Mukkamala’s work in public health has strong ties to Flint, his hometown. He played a key role during the city’s water crisis, one of the most serious public health emergencies in recent U.S. history. As chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, he helped direct funding to programs that addressed lead exposure in children. He also supported efforts to expand access to early education.
His leadership extended to national issues as well. Mukkamala chaired the AMA’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force. In that role, he contributed to policy efforts aimed at tackling the opioid overdose epidemic. He has also served on the board of the Foundation for Flint and as a trustee of the C.S. Mott Foundation. These roles reflect his long-standing commitment to community development and health equity.
Born to Indian immigrant physicians, Mukkamala often credits his upbringing for shaping his career path. He returned to Flint after completing his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in 2000. Today, he practices medicine in the same community alongside his wife, Nita Kulkarni, an obstetrician-gynecologist. Together, they continue to serve patients while contributing to the city’s recovery and growth.
Mukkamala’s commencement speech is expected to focus on leadership, service, and the evolving role of physicians in society. As health care systems face growing challenges, new doctors must navigate both clinical and public health responsibilities.
