The CURE Community Leaders

Uma V. Mysorekar, M.D. F.A.C.O.G.
Dr. Uma V. Mysorekar is a compassionate and deeply committed professional with a distinguished record of leadership and achievement in advancing the mission and ideals of various community service and goodwill organizations.  She has been a focused organizer with solid dedication to preserving cultural heritage and helping the less fortunate through highly successful fundraising and outreach efforts.  Dr. Mysorekar has extensive experience coordinating and participating in major events and community functions, and is devoted to contributing time and resources to the benefit of the entire community while maintaining a successful medical career.

Dr. Mysorekar is a practicing Gynecologist in Queens.  She has been affiliated with the Queen Division of New York Hospital Medical Center since 1975, and was educated at the University of Bombay, India, where she received her M.B., B.S. and M.D. post-graduate in OB/GYN.

Dr. Mysorekar has been affiliated with the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing, New York since 1977, and has been its President since 1994.  As President of the Hindu Temple Society, Dr. Mysorekar promotes the interests of devotees across North America by overseeing and managing all daily operations, as well as plan and coordinate major Hindu celebrations and events.  She is the voluntary equivalent of a CEO for an organization that is run like a corporation with annual revenue of $3.0 million and 30 full-time staff members, serving over 20,000 devotees in the United States. Dr. Mysorekar contributes 40+ hours of service per week as President of the Temple, in addition to her medical practice.

The following are Dr. Mysorekar’s accomplishments throughout her tenure at the Hindu Temple Society:

  • Initiated numerous programs to bring the community together including spiritual and cultural activities;
  • Initiated several interfaith meetings to bring about awareness of Hinduism and spoke at numerous functions to educate people on Hinduism;
  • Charged with responsibility for daily affairs, Temple expansion, communication and the implementation of programs that address the psychological and emotional issues facing children growing up within two diverse cultures;
  • Converted one of the Temple’s properties into a Patasala (school) where children learn Languages such as Hindi, Tamil, English and Sanskrit as well as Math, Science and Religion, with Yoga and Meditation classes also offered;
  • Mobilized youth that included organizing a youth club in which young people are encouraged to plan activities, seminars and symposiums that are of interest and benefit to them (suitable speakers are invited to interact and address various concerns);
  • Promote and preserve the vision of the Temple’s continued physical and spiritual growth by initiating and managing major projects including the construction of the Vedanta Library, Senior Citizen Center, and Staff Quarters;
  • Made substantial personal contribution toward the construction of a hostel that has since fulfilled the needs of many poor working women in Bangalore;
  • Pioneered fundraising for Aid to the Disabled, Orphaned and Poor (ADOP), collecting significant funds for the cause. 
  • Contributed tireless volunteer fundraising and coordination efforts to the completion of a spectacular 16,000 square foot community center for the Hindu Temple in Flushing, New York.
  • Persuaded the members to construct a community center, a landmark in New York, allowing both children and adults to continue their education throughout their lives;
  • Personally contributed more than $1 million and raised over $4.5 million for the construction of the community center, including the innovative idea of utilizing revenue bonds;
  • Innovatively financed construction by floating Revenue Bonds totaling $4.1 million dollars to overcome banks’ refusal to loan money to a non-profit religious institution; successfully obtained long-term financing in 2000 to pay back all investors with interest, long before the Bonds’ maturity dates.
  • The finished community center provides enormous benefit to the community through amenities such as wedding halls for traditional Hindu weddings, a beautiful auditorium for cultural activities and an excellent canteen serving food to thousands of Temple visitors.

Dr. Mysorekar has been affiliated with the Heart and Hand for the Handicapped since 1976 – a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to generating funds for institutions caring for handicapped children in New York and India.  She served as Committee Member, Vice President and then President from 1978-1979, and is responsible for organizing various fundraising activities including cultural functions, dinners and individual appeals.  Dr. Mysorekar has directed and supported consistent fundraising efforts such as preparing pamphlets and appeal letters, making constant telephone calls and organizing events.

In 1987, Dr. Mysorekar was elected President of Kannada Koota in Flushing, New York, to coordinate the religious and cultural activities of this non-profit organization focused on promoting the literary and artistic expression and preserving the culture of Kannada-speaking people from the State of Karnataka in India who live in the United States.  She was instrumental to the success of Kannada Koota’s grand 10th Anniversary celebration, which included the presentation of scholarships to merit students in Karnataka.

Dr. Mysorekar has been honored with the numerous awards and commendations for her work, including:

    • Recognized with a “Token of Esteem” award from the City Lore’s People’s Hall of Fame in 2000 for contribution to beautifying the borough of Queens through the cultural and religious arts;
    • Invited by Presidents Clinton and Bush as the only Hindu leader to participate in meetings aimed at promoting religious tolerance and diversity;
    • Received the “Governor’s Award of Excellence” in May 2001 for outstanding achievement and community service to the Empire State;
    • Awarded the Statesman Award for tremendous outreach to the entire community;
    • Honored by the National Council on Medical Affairs of the Association of Indians in America for outstanding achievements in the field and community service;
    • Certificate of Merit by Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, May 2006;
    • CARING Award by  Flushing Hospital Medical Center Committee Advisory Board, May 2006;
    • ‘Commendation’ Award by office of the Comptroller, City of New York, June 2006.