Dr. Ashish Udeshi: Central Florida Humanitarian
By Maria Sonnenberg, Space Coast Daily // October 13, 2014
NEXT GENERATION OF HUMANITARIANS
ABOVE VIDEO: In addition to traveling to Tibet and Nepal for medical mission, Dr. Ashish Udeshi, a voluntary assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has provided medical care in India, Haiti and Nicaragua.
Young physicians could learn a thing or two from Dr. Ashish Udeshi, who has made a practice of caring even before graduating from medical school.
In his favor is the fact that Udeshi has the unique perspective of knowing the Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation from both the giving and receiving ends.
As a medical student, Udeshi was fortunate to be one of the recipients of one of the Foundation’s scholarships for medical students, but even before he entered medical school, Udeshi was already sold on the Foundation and its charitable efforts.
“I knew Dr. Bhalani when my parents lived in Titusville,” said Udeshi.
Foundation founder Dr. Kantilal Bhalani remained in touch with Udeshi’s family even after they moved to South Florida.
When Udeshi had just completed his undergraduate degree and was about to start medical school, Bhalani encouraged him to join in one of the Foundation’s first mission trips, a journey to Tibet and Nepal.
“I thought it was a great opportunity,” said Udeshi. “It was a remarkable experience.”
Through medical school at the University of Miami, Udeshi maintained his interest in medical mission work, joining several mission journeys to different countries.
With medical school finished and a new practice in Rockledge, Udeshi got in touch with his old Brevard friend when he moved back to the Space Coast last year.
“As soon as I got here, I contacted Dr. Bhalani,” he said. “I wanted to get involved.”
Udeshi, who is with the Florida Pain Institute and specializes in interventional pain medicine, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
He completed his residency in anesthesia at the Department of Anesthesiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and was chosen a chief fellow in interventional pain medicine at the same healthcare facility.
NEXT GENERATION OF HUMANITARIANS
He represents the next generation of physicians who will carry on badly needed charitable projects.
In addition to traveling to Tibet and Nepal for medical mission, Udeshi, a voluntary assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has provided medical care in India, Haiti and Nicaragua.
He traveled to Nicaragua on medical missions in 2006 and 2007 and joined the Project Medishare medical mission to Haiti in 2003.
He has also given of his time to the Salvation Army, Touch Miami with Love, Habitat for Humanity, Funday in the USA, Miami Rescue Mission and the National Gandhi Day of Service.
Since his return to Brevard County, Udeshi continues to serve Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation by encouraging other young physicians to join in the missions and has networked within the field to obtain resources for the Foundation.
He was also a volunteer lecturer on interventional pain treatment at one of the Foundation’s continuing medical education programs.
Now that he has resettled in his original home grounds, Udeshi is ready to get even more involved with the Foundation.
“I hope to join the board and do more recruiting,” he said.
“There are so many young doctors interested in helping and this is such a great organization. It’s a great opportunity to give back, to be part of something larger than your immediate community.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
ABOUT THE 2014 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
This year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m.
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, Clear Choice Health Care, First Choice Medical Group, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Florida Pain Institute, Sangiv Patel, DDS, PA, Brevard Geriatrics, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com
For more information about the Central Florida Humanitarian Gala call 321-323-4460 or e-mail MaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com
BELOW MAP: The 2014 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
