News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (January 3, 2025 - January 9, 2025) January 9, 2025 8 Community Dr. Hari Shukla Receives Key To The City Of New York For Global Impact On Pediatric Medicine D r. Hari Shukla, a pioneering pediatric physician and longtime advocate for children and immi- grant communities, was awarded the Key to the City of NewYork on Dec. 29, 2025, during a cer- emony hosted by Mayor Eric Adams at City Hall. The event took place in the historic Blue Room in Lower Manhattan, where the mayor praised Shukla’s decades-long impact on medicine, particularly in pediat- ric and neonatal care. “I want to first start with Dr. Shukla,” Adams said in his remarks. “He’s a titan in medicine, a man whose work has changed medical science across the entire globe. Every child that you save goes on to have families and contrib- ute to our society. You have helped shape the future of the human race, and I cannot thank you enough for helping our children.” Adams also highlighted Shukla’s community leader- ship, citing his work through South Asians of NewYork Inc. and the New American Voters Association, two non- profit organizations focused on civic engagement and advocacy within the South Asian American community. Shukla, an Indian American physician, professor and humanitarian, has spent more than four decades in pedi- atrics. He is triple board-certified in pediatrics, neonatal- perinatal medicine and forensic medicine, and serves as a clinical associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Over the course of his career, he has trained more than 300 medical residents and contributed to ad- vancements in neonatal care that are used worldwide. One of Shukla’s most influential contributions is his 1986 research on the umbilical catheter equation, published in a journal of the American Medical Associa- tion. The equation is now widely used in hospitals across the United States and internationally. Medical experts estimate that more than 400 million critically ill infants globally have benefited from catheter placements guided by Shukla’s work. The research remains freely accessible to clinicians. In 1987, Shukla became one of the first physicians in the United States — and the first of Indian origin glob- ally — to use surfactant therapy in premature infants, a treatment that is now a standard of care worldwide. He has also received recognition from Pasteur Mérieux Con- naught, a polio vaccine manufacturer, for his commit- ment to polio eradication efforts. The Key to the City is NewYork City’s highest munici- pal honor. With this recognition, Shukla becomes the first Indian American physician to receive the award. The honor adds to a growing list of accolades. In 2025, Shukla became the first South Asian physician to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the president of the United States. In 2024, he was awarded NewYork State’s highest civilian honor, the Liberty Award. He has also been recognized by multiple governors, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, and former Gujarat Gov. K.K. Viswanathan. Photographs from the ceremony were taken by Onik Rahman. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:courtesyDr.Shukla New York City Mayor Eric Adams presents the Key to the City to Dr. Hari Shukla during a ceremony at City Hall in Lower Manhattan on Dec. 29, 2025, as Dr. Shukla’s wife, Kirti Shukla, looks on. Dr. Hari Shukla speaks from the podium during a ceremony honoring him with the Key to the City at New York City Hall in Lower Manhattan on Dec. 29, 2025. O n Saturday, December 20, 2025, the Arts4All Foundation, established by Dr. Sumita SenGup- ta, and Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital held a Community Holiday Meet and Greet and National Human Rights Month Celebration, and recog- nized Olympic Gold and Silver medal winner in fencing, Lauren Skye Scruggs. Scruggs is from Queens, and is the first African American woman to win an individual fenc- ing medal. “I am deeply grateful and honored to receive this award and praise frommy fellow NewYorkers. Queens will always be home for me, and I hope my fencing accomplishments will inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders from the community to have the courage and drive to compete on a global stage,” Scruggs is quoted saying in a press release from Arts4All. “I thank Dr. Sumita SenGupta for this very memo- rable honor and Long Island Jewish Hospital for all of the wonderful work they do, especially in delivery and postpartummaternal care. Let my story be one of many for Queens,” Scruggs added. Stephany McClain, Scruggs’ mother, said, “I want to take this moment to say thank you to all of the mothers whose compassion and love have raised and supported all of us into the adults we are today. Lauren is one of my four incredibly talented fencing children, and whether your child’s interests are recreational or competitive, it takes tireless dedication and a focus on wellness to make your goals into a reality. Lauren and I hope that our message resonates with the young children and moth- ers here today in that Queens is a borough of possibility, and through hard work, dedication, and stable support, you can achieve your dreams. When you achieve, we as a community all succeed!” The event which coincided with December being Hu- man Rights Month, organizers recognized Scruggs and her mother, for their historic achievements. They also recognized Lorraine Chambers Lewis, the president of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital. Dr. SenGupta thanked the Long Island Jewish For- est Hills Hospital and Chambers Lewis, Scruggs and her mother “for their extraordinary accomplishments.” Olympic Champion Lauren Skye Scruggs toured Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, which is the most di- verse medical center within the Northwell system and is a 312-bed community teaching hospital, part of Northwell Health located in Queens, NewYork. Chambers Lewis said the hospital as proud to host the program “that reflects the strength and diversity of Queens,” adding that partnering with the Arts4All Foundation “allows us to celebrate a historic achievement while uplifting stories that inspire.” PHOTOS:CourtesyArts4All Foundation Arts4All Foundation & Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital Host Holiday Meet And Greet, Recognize Achievers By A StaffWriter Dr. Sumita SenGupta and New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli honoring Olympic Champion Lauren Scruggs. Assemblyman Steven Raga, Lorianne Chambers-Lewis, Dr. Sumita SenGupta, Lauren Scruggs, Stephany McClain, District Leader Rhonda Brinda and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.