On October 19, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood came alive with sound and purpose. Bollywood composer Pritam performed before a sold-out crowd of more than 3,000 as ALAPIO hosted the benefit concert that raised one million dollars for free surgeries and healthcare access for uninsured patients across Southern California.
This was more than a concert. It was a collective act of healing and generosity.
Healing as a Team Sport
ALAPIO, the Association of Los Angeles Physicians of Indian Origin, is one of California’s most active physician-led nonprofits. Founded by Dr. Bharat Patel, the organization provides free clinics, surgeries, eyeglasses, and hearing aids to patients who cannot afford care. With more than 300 volunteer physicians, its mission is clear: care should never depend on cash.
Dr. Patel, a urologist and owner of Beverly Surgery Center, has turned his practice into a platform for service. His leadership has helped scale community health programs and inspire new partnerships that combine medical excellence with social purpose.
From Vision to Reality: The Shah Happiness Medical Center
Earlier this year, Dr. Nitin Shah of Anekant Community Center, Dr. Bharat Patel, and the Sarva Mangal Family Trust joined forces to launch the nation’s first free surgery clinic, the Shah Happiness Medical Center in Orange, California.
The story began in 2011 when Dr. Shah partnered with Edward Gerber of Lestonnac Free Clinic to provide surgical care for uninsured patients. Their early success led to more collaborations, with Dr. Patel and ALAPIO bringing additional doctors, facilities, and resources. With support from the Thompson Family Foundation, Shah Happiness Foundation, and Sarva Mangal Family Trust, the new center opened in May 2025.
The state-of-the-art facility now offers free procedures such as colonoscopies, endoscopies, and hernia repairs. With a waitlist of more than 3,000 patients, it is already proving the power of coordinated compassion.
The Donors Who Bridge Profit and Purpose
Manu and Rika Shah: Shah Happiness Foundation & Sarva Mangal Family Trust
The Shahs are founders of MS International (MSI), the largest stone and tile distributor in North America. Their philanthropic ventures, through the Shah Happiness Foundation and Sarva Mangal Family Trust, fund education, health, and community programs worldwide. Their approach blends the discipline of business with the empathy of service.
Dr. Nitin Shah: Anekant Community Center
An anesthesiologist and social entrepreneur, Dr. Shah has organized some of the largest free health fairs in California. His work reflects the Jain philosophy of Anekantvad, the pursuit of truth through compassion and balance.
Dr. Bharat Patel: ALAPIO
A retired urologist and founder of the Association of Los Angeles Physicians of Indian Origin (ALAPIO), Dr. Patel turned his surgical practice into a platform for service. After selling Beverly Surgery Center, he has focused entirely on expanding ALAPIO’s network of more than 300 volunteer doctors who deliver free medical care and surgeries to uninsured patients. His leadership combines clinical experience, organizational discipline, and an instinct for turning community goodwill into measurable impact.
Dr. Anil Shah: Smart Village Movement & Coastal Heart Medical Group
A cardiologist and innovator, Dr. Anil Shah leads the Smart Village Movement in partnership with UC Berkeley and Indian state governments, bringing modern healthcare and education to underserved communities.
B.U. Patel: Tarsadia Foundation & Tarsadia Enterprises
The founder of Tarsadia Hotels, BU Patel has built an empire rooted in enterprise and equity. Through the Tarsadia Foundation, he supports education, women’s empowerment, and healthcare programs around the world.
Music as a Catalyst
Pritam’s set list spanned decades of Bollywood soundtracks, from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to Barfi! Each song brought the audience to its feet, but the true impact happened offstage. Every ticket purchased helped fund surgeries, equipment, and critical care for those most in need.
“When culture and purpose meet, you get participation at scale,” said Dr. Nitin Bajaj, founder of ASAN. “Pritam brought the crowd, and ALAPIO turned applause into access. That is how community power is built.”
A Model Worth Scaling
The Shah Happiness Medical Center has become a blueprint for what collaboration between physicians, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists can achieve. ALAPIO and ASAN plan to expand the model to new regions through additional clinics, concerts, and partnerships that connect cultural celebration with measurable social impact.
The Takeaway
From the Dolby stage to the operating room, one truth stands out: South Asians in America are not just building success stories; they are building systems that sustain life and dignity.
