Plano Physician Receives First TMA International Medical Graduate Award

May 17, 2019

Dr. Shroff IMG Award
IMG Physician Award Winner Nick N. Shroff, MD

The Texas Medical Association International Medical Graduate (TMA IMG) Section recognized Nick N. Shroff, MD, of Plano, with the inaugural IMG Section Outstanding Physician Award today for his commitment to improving the health of his community beyond his medical practice. The TMA IMG physicians presented the award during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference, in Dallas.

“I am honored TMA has recognized me for what I love to do,” said Dr. Shroff, who served as chair of the IMG Section in 2002-03. “Helping my community stay healthy and productive is a priority.” 

Dr. Shroff, a retired urologist, is founder and president of the American Prostate Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps patients, especially those in financial need, access technologies to diagnose and treat prostate cancer. 

Karthik Srinivasan, MD, of Irving nominated Dr. Shroff for the award. He said the honoree helps patients before, during, and after their cancer-related treatment(s). “Dr. Shroff’s expertise in urology and geriatric medicine uniquely positions him to serve this vulnerable population as a reliable and compassionate teacher,” he said.

Dr. Shroff volunteers for Project ECHO, a teleconsulting and telementoring partnership for physicians and health care providers in rural and underserved communities. Using videoconferencing, physicians and other caregivers can connect with medical specialists to help care for patients who otherwise would have to travel great distances for needed treatment. 

Dr. Shroff also is a certified yoga teacher and conducts yoga classes for older adults to help combat diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. He also teaches yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation for several nonprofit organizations in his community. 

In nominating Dr. Shroff, Jai Kumar, MD, of Richardson described him as a “game changer.” 

“Dr. Shroff initiates and sets up quality organizations where there is a need, and he stands out as a social innovator especially for the elderly and underserved populations in low socioeconomic communities,” he said.

Dr. Shroff has served in TMA’s House of Delegates policymaking body for so long, association records do not accurately track his service; he estimates it’s been more than 20 years. He also has been a councilor on TMA’s Board of Councilors ethical policymaking body, chair of TMA’s Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, and a member of TMA’s Council on Health Promotion. Dr. Shroff also chaired the West Texas Caucus. 

He has devoted time to the TMA Foundation as well. He served as treasurer and Finance Committee chair for five years for the charitable arm of the association. He currently is in the TMA Foundation Leadership Society

Nalin Tolia, MD, of Dallas, who has been vice chair of TMA’s IMG Section, said he appreciates and applauds Dr. Shroff’s leadership to help better assimilate IMGs. Dr. Tolia said he most notably did so when he was IMG Section chair.

Dr. Shroff is a gold medalist (a mark of high academic achievement) and received his medical degree from Christian Medical College Vellore in India. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology and completed a fellowship in uro-oncology.

IMG physicians are an essential part of the physician workforce in Texas. One in four U.S. physicians are graduates of medical schools outside the United States. 

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 53,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. 

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TMA Contacts:  Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org

Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336; email: marcus.cooper[at]texmed[dot]org 

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Last Updated On

May 20, 2019

Originally Published On

May 17, 2019

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