The Board of Directors

Dr. Pudupakkam K. Vedanthan, MD

Dr. Vedanthan (Dr. PK) is the founder and architect of International Asthma Services (IAS), a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organisation registered in Colorado, USA. A native of Mysuru, India, he completed his medical education at Mysore Medical College, University of Mysore, and emigrated to the United States with his wife, Mrs. Kamala, in 1971. He undertook a Paediatric Residency at Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, followed by a Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the National Asthma Center, National Jewish Hospital, Denver. He is certified by the American Boards of Paediatrics, Allergy, and Immunology.

During frequent visits to India, Dr. Vedanthan was deeply influenced by the lack of proper infrastructure and trained physicians in Allergy and Asthma. He began conducting awareness camps across India from 1987, leading to IAS's formal registration in 1992. He holds the title of Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver, and has been recognised by the University of Colorado and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Honours include the AAPI Most Distinguished Physician Award (2025), the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi (2024), the Special Recognition Award from AAAAI (2021–2022), the Award of Innovation from the University of Colorado Department of Medicine (2018), the Award of Excellence in Global Health from the University of Colorado (2015), and the AMA Leadership Award for Outstanding International Medical Graduate (2004), among numerous others.

Mrs. Kamala Vedanthan

Mrs. Kamala Vedanthan is a highly accomplished Carnatic classical vocalist and composer. Born in Mysuru, India, she emigrated to the USA in 1971 alongside her spouse, Dr. PK, and has been passionately involved in the global activities of IAS dba Saahns since its inception. She is also a trained EKG technician, Allergy Asthma Assistant, and Dental Assistant. Along with Dr. PK, Mrs. Kamala tours nearly five to six months a year, organising and inaugurating IAS activities around the globe.

Dr. Vinay Mehta, MD

Dr. Preveen Ramamoorthy founded the Molecular Diagnostics department at National Jewish Health, Denver in 2007, and currently directs the translation of biomarkers into molecular diagnostic tests at the Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories there. Prior to National Jewish Health, he worked on viral vaccines, cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies at MedImmune, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and co-invented a prolactin receptor antagonist for breast cancer during his PhD at Clemson University. He holds a Master's in Medical Microbiology from the University of Madras.

He is passionately interested in genome-based diagnostics for personalized medicine, and in developing diagnostic solutions suited to resource-limited settings — believing the bi-directional flow of healthcare innovation between developing and developed countries benefits both.

Dr. Harold S. Nelson, MD

Dr. Nelson earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard College and a doctor of medicine degree from Emory University, followed by a residency in internal medicine at Letterman General Hospital and a fellowship in allergy/immunology at the University of Michigan. He has published over 300 articles and book chapters, and served on the Board of Regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) and the Boards of Directors of AAAAI and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He was a member of the First, Second and Third Expert Panels of the NIH–NAEPP Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.

His honours include the Fellow Distinguished Award and Gold-Headed Cane Award of ACAAI; the Distinguished Clinician, Special Recognition, and Distinguished Service Awards of AAAAI; the Outstanding Clinician Award of the World Allergy Organization; and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

Erika L. Kurt

Erika Kurt is a New York-based attorney and consultant whose practice has focused on international legal issues, health and human rights, and public policy. She currently serves as a Strategist for LGT Venture Philanthropy, developing frameworks to increase the impact of philanthropic investment in emerging-market health and sanitation. She founded and chaired an advocacy campaign for evidence-based health-policy reform, designed public-policy programmes at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, and has worked on human-rights treaty implementation and asylum cases for victims of gender-based persecution.

Erika graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College with Highest Honors in International Studies and French, and earned two law degrees with Distinction from McGill University Faculty of Law.

Phuong Dinh

Phuong Dinh combines her lived experience as a refugee with a professional background in healthcare management to guide organizations in designing equitable healthcare experiences. After her Administrative Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente of Colorado, she joined University of Colorado Medicine to manage value-based programmes, and currently at CO Access leads DE&I principles across operational areas.

Phuong serves on the executive committee as Past President for the Colorado Health Administration Alumni Association, co-founded the GlobalMindED Young Professionals Advisory Committee, and is a long-time advisory board member of International Asthma Services. She holds a Bachelor's in Biochemistry from Regis University and an MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado Denver, where she received the Eugenie Sontag Award.

Ranjani Vedanthan

Ranjani (Rani) Vedanthan has been actively involved in IAS dba Saahns since its inception, starting with the creation of its name and logo. She designs and maintains the organization's website, supports Dr. PK in editing presentations and published textbooks, and has led educational-material preparation at medical camps.

Rani graduated Cum Laude in History from Bryn Mawr College, earned an MA in South Asian Studies at the University of Michigan, and a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She spent 10 years as a public-school maths teacher in Oakland and Harlem before returning to Fort Collins in 2013, later earning a BS in Accounting with Honors from Colorado State University Global. She is also a Bharatanatyam dancer and served as an Interport Lecturer for Semester at Sea's Fall 2025 voyage to India.