Successful Accomplishments for the Founder of the Georgia Thrombosis Forum (GFT)  

Dr. Atul Laddu, a retired member of ASPET since 1972, founded GTF, an affiliate of North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF). Under his direction, the team of volunteers has been working since 2012 to promote awareness of the deadly conditions of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the State of Georgia.   Statistics indicate one clot develops every minute, and one patient dies of clots every six minutes. DVT and PE affect over 900,000 people in the United States annually, resulting in high mortality rates. An immediate need thus exists to spread public awareness and promote networks to support organizations such as the GTF. 

Dr. Laddu, Ms. Richa Bhome, a 9th grader and contributing author to this article, and several other GTF volunteers have made significant contributions to spreading awareness of thrombosis in Georgia communities. These include receiving recognition by the Governor of Georgia awarding GTF a Proclamation for Thrombosis Awareness Month.  GTF is run with the efforts of young and adult community volunteers, under the mentorship of Dr. Laddu. Many young GTF volunteers have written articles featured on the NATF website regarding educational activities, and the work done by the volunteers in the community.  Additional achievements for GTF include media recognition and the Highest Award of Excellence to Dr. Laddu for community service by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. Dr. Laddu has also spearheaded opportunities for GTF young members to receive internships at Harvard and Loyola Universities, and making presentations in front of Faculty.

According to Dr. Laddu, GTF future plans include moving forward with the young volunteers to conduct research in different countries, and find relationships of different conditions to thrombosis. The direction for GTF is at grass roots level, since "the youth is the future of GTF, and the future is here."

Last updated: April 18, 2016