NYITCOM Honors Alumni and Community Partners

On April 28, community members from the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) gathered at the Garden City Hotel for a dinner honoring outstanding alumni and supporters.

Held annually, NYITCOM’s Alumni Awards Dinner recognizes the medical school graduates and community partners whose impact exemplifies NYITCOM’s commitment to advancing osteopathic medicine through patient-centered care, leadership, and service. This year’s program honored a group of physicians and advocates whose work spans clinical excellence, mentorship, and community influence.

“As physicians, educators, researchers, and leaders, you carry forward the mission of our institution in powerful ways. Your dedication to improving lives, advancing knowledge, and mentoring the next generation reflects the very best of our profession, and sets a powerful example for our students,” said NYITCOM Dean Nicole Wadsworth, D.O.

Founded in 1977 as the first osteopathic medical school in the State of New York, NYITCOM has grown to become one of the nation’s largest osteopathic training institutions. Today, the medical school trains and graduates physicians from its locations in Long Island, N.Y., and Jonesboro, Ark., as the first osteopathic medical school in Arkansas.

Learn more about this year’s impressive honorees:

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Eric C. Appelbaum (D.O. ’97)

A board-certified physician in internal medicine and emergency medicine, Appelbaum is a senior healthcare executive with more than 28 years of leadership experience at SBH Health System. As executive vice president and chief operating officer, Applebaum oversees hospital operations, strategic initiatives, clinical quality, and system-wide performance improvement efforts. He has held progressive executive leadership roles, including chief medical officer and deputy chief medical officer, while maintaining active involvement in academic medicine, graduate medical education, and state and national professional organizations.

Alumnus of the Year: Atul Kukar (D.O. ’00)

A member of NYITCOM’s Alumni Advisory Board, Kukar completed his postgraduate training in internal medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 2018, he joined Mount Sinai Health System and currently serves as the associate chief of cardiology at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, which is nationally ranked no. 17 in cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Kukar is board-certified in cardiovascular medicine, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, vascular interpretation, and interventional cardiology.

Alumna of the Year: Taranjeet Kalra Ahuja (D.O. ’06)

A board-certified pediatrician, Ahuja is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of American Medical Colleges, and the International Association of Medical Science Educators. She completed her pediatric residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was later selected to be chief resident. Since 2012, Ahuja has been a full-time faculty member at Hofstra University’s Zucker School of Medicine, where she also serves as co-leader of the Communication Curricular Thread. She has also maintained a clinical practice and given numerous presentations on topics in pediatric medicine.

Young Alumnus Award: Karan Lal (D.O. ’16)

After graduating summa cum laude from the Life Sciences, B.S./Osteopathic Medicine, D.O. program,

Lal completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Connecticut Medical Center, where he was elected intern of the year, as well as a three-year dermatology residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected chief resident and completed a pediatric dermatology fellowship. He is a member of the DEI work group for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and is passionate about treating the medical and cosmetic needs of patients from different backgrounds.

Honorary Alumnus Award: Krishan Kumar, M.D.

Kumar is the former chair and program director of Nassau University Medical Center’s department of pediatrics. At NYITCOM, he currently serves as a clinical professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine, as well as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board. Kumar has been a faithful supporter and friend of NYITCOM for more than 40 years. In 2024, he established the Kumar Family Scholarship to benefit a fourth-year medical student. Kumar will also receive an honorary degree at New York Institute of Technology’s 65th commencement on May 17.

Community Partner Award: SBH Health System

SBH Health System, a teaching hospital in the Bronx, N.Y., is deeply rooted in its mission to deliver patient-centered care and improve the wellness and well-being of our community. This focus stems from its 160 years of service providing the highest quality of care, regardless of background, identity, or economic status. Through these efforts, SBH has a dedicated team of more than 225 physicians and nearly 500 nurses, which advances its commitment to whole-person care.

View past award winners.