A glimpse into the 14-year journey of our community’s non-profit healthcare organization
What is NCIAP?
North Carolina’s Indo-American Physicians (NCIAP) is a non-profit healthcare organization made up of compassionate medical providers dedicated to serving the local community.
Co-founded in 2011 by Dr. Vinod Jindal, M.D., Dr. Vandana Devalapalli, M.D., Dr. Samudra Vijay, Ph.D., and Gurjit Sawhney, M.B.A., NCIAP’s mission of ‘hassle-free healthcare for all’ offers both basic and specialist health services to anyone who needs care, whether or not they have insurance.
A Brief History:
The idea of NCIAP was born from empathy for loved ones experiencing real-world challenges. The co-founders witnessed family and friends struggle to get basic medical care while visiting from overseas. A routine medication refill, a sudden injury, or a simple diagnostic test could become overwhelming without insurance—both emotionally and financially.
At the same time, shifts in the job market around 2010-2011 caused many local residents to lose their jobs and with it, essential health benefits. The co-founders felt a calling to bridge the gap in care: they wanted to create a healthcare model that truly put people first, without the barriers of our healthcare system.
NCIAP’s model is simple, clear, and accessible: patients pay a nominal fee during their visit for the specific medical care they receive, bypassing insurance entirely. This patient-focused model is designed to serve:
- People without insurance
- Visitors from out of town
- Individuals who have insurance but prefer not to use it
To bring this idea to life, Dr. Jindal generously donated his clinic space in Raleigh as NCIAP’s first home. The other co-founders contributed medical equipment and resources, but most
importantly, all donated their time and medical expertise to serve the community. Together, they created a model of care that put the people’s medical needs above all else.
The Growth and Success of NCIAP:
From its humble beginnings, NCIAP grew steadily through the dedication of physician volunteers. The first clinic in Raleigh opened its doors in 2011, welcoming patients who often had nowhere else to turn. To meet the growing demands, NCIAP expanded services to include women’s health, geriatric care, respiratory illness management, and much more. For many in the community, NCIAP became a consistent and trusted partner in their health journey.
As demand grew, so did NCIAP’s reach. In 2019, a second clinic opened in Apex to further connect locals to accessible and compassionate healthcare. Over the past 14 years, NCIAP has seen more than 60,000 patient visits, saving community members significant costs in emergency room and urgent care visits. Today, both clinics continue to thrive, sustained by the generosity of volunteers, donors, and the trust of the community.
Every year, NCIAP hosts a fundraising gala where volunteers, donors, and community members come together to celebrate the organization’s impact and support its future growth. The event is a testament to the unwavering trust the community places in NCIAP’s honorable mission.
Looking Ahead
NCIAP’s journey is ultimately about people—the founders who dared to envision a better system, the physicians and volunteers who give their time, and the patients who trust the organization with their care. Whether you are a patient, volunteer, or a donor, you are part of a community committed to putting people’s medical care first. Together, we can continue to break down barriers and provide hassle-free healthcare for all.
Written by Sonali Sethi