Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

I came to the U.S. from India 33 years ago as a legal immigrant and became a citizen as soon as possible.  I spent five years in New Jersey completing a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in oncology.  That is where I met and married my wife, Sue.

We moved to Stanly County in June of 1981.  I served as the first medical director of Hospice of Stanly County for 25 years.  For 15 years I served the Red Cross as their medical director.  There are many other service organizations that I have worked with over the last 27 years.

I have received numerous local, state, and national awards for community service.  I received the Governor’s Award for community health education.  Shortly after that I was awarded the national Patient Care Award.  I founded the Stanly County diabetic support group and ran it many years until Stanly Regional Medical Center incorporated it into their health education program.  I am still medial director of diabetes education at the hospital.

We have two sons who were born and educated in the public schools in Stanly County.  Our son, Drew, is a youth minister and his wife, Katie, is a hospice nurse.  They are expecting our first grandchild in June.  Our younger son, Jay, is an environmental geologist, and married a teacher.  My wife has worked with me in our medical practice since its beginning in 1981.  We have been members of First Assembly of God in Albemarle since we arrived.

I have always made public service priority in my life.  In 2004 I was elected to Stanly County’s Board of Commissioners.  Serving as a commissioner has helped me to better understand community needs.

Health care costs are spiraling out of control. Insurance premiums are soaring at an unsustainable rate.  Deductibles and copays are up and benefits are down.  Managed health care is driven by insurance company profits made by cutting costs at any price.  I want to see health care that is managed by real health care providers, affordable, accessible, and most of all patient-centered.  I am in the health care trenches every day.

Quality public education is vital to our nation’s future.  Our teachers need better pay, safe working conditions and adequate supplies.

We will reap what we sew.  We all hope to grow old.  I want to take care of our N.C. elders.  Our older population has many unmet needs.  I take care of senior adults daily and know their needs.

I believe in the importance of economic growth to provide jobs for our people and  revenue to run our great state.  We need to recruit, retain, and expand businesses and industries.  North Carolina has a lot to offer to the business world such as hard working people, open land, water resources, balanced weather, prestigious community colleges, four year colleges and universities, and abundant recreational facilities.  We also have a banking capital in Charlotte, and are rich in research and technology facilities.  What discourages businesses from relocating in N.C. is high income and corporate taxes.  N.C. ranks a 40th in the Tax Foundation Business Tax Index, with bordering states ranked from 13th to 26th.

Additionally, we need to expand our infrastructure such as mass transit, roads, water and sewer services, and schools to support business and population growth.  With my experience as county commissioner and common sense, I will work hard for economic growth, affordable health care, quality public education, and expand senior adult services.