San Diego, California, USA: The initiative received unanimous approval from the San Wakin County Board of Supervisors. Under the agreement, the county will lease the building to the university for 30 years at a nominal rate of one dollar annually.
The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for Arya Medical University (AUSOM) took place at the San Wakin General Hospital premises in Northern California on Tuesday. The event was graced by Dr. Sreekar Reddy, Consul General of India. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to the healthcare sector in the United States and praised their continuous efforts. Dr Anand Kuchibhotla, Founder President of Arya Medical University, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It’s a pleasure to join all of you here. Our university holds accreditation from WASC.
Dr Kuchibhotla highlighted the pressing need for healthcare professionals in California, noting, "Our institution aims to address the shortage of medical experts in the region." Arya Medical University will become the second non-profit medical school in Northern California, following Stanford. "After over ten years of dedication, countless hours of work, and significant financial investment, today’s milestone is a moment of pride for all of us," he added. University President Prabhakar Kalvacharla shared that the historic building, originally constructed in 1923, will undergo renovations to accommodate Arya University.
The project enjoyed full backing from the San Wakin County Board of Supervisors. The county’s symbolic lease of one dollar per year for three decades reflects strong local support. The foundation stone ceremony saw participation from notable figures, including Arya University CEO Raju Chamarthi, County Board Chair Paul Canepa, SJGH CEO Rick Castro, CMO Dr Sheila Capre, Dr Bob Suskind, Dr Alfred Tenor, Terry Workman, Dr Hanimi Reddy, Stockton Mayor Christina, Devender Narala, Elva Spartling, Venkat Gudivada, Mamata Kuchibhotla, Priya Tanugala, and Meenakshi Ganesan.
The project has also received financial support, including a Rs 17 crore grant from Health Plan San Wakin and an Rs 8.5 crore donation from Henry Wang. Construction is underway, with plans to open the medical college within the next two years. The college has additionally received certificates of recognition from Congressman Josh Harder, State Senator Jerry McNerney, and Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom.
