Street named after Indian-American Dr Sampat Shivangi in Mississippi

Photo: AP

Washington: In a rare incident, a street in the US state of Mississippi has been named after an Indian- American in recognition of his service to the community.

"Dr Sampat Shivangi Lane" was formally named yesterday in recognition of Shivangi, an eminent Republican from the state.

State governor Phil Bryant this week also reappointed him for a second seven-year term to the Board of Mississippi's department of Mental Health.

"We are thankful to Governor Phil Bryant for his confidence in me in bringing several changes in the department of Mental Health in the state since I took over several years ago," Shivangi said in a media release.

The department of Mental Health is the second-largest Mississippi state agency. It plays major part in caring for mentally ill, intellectual developmental disability and drug and alcohol addiction.

In 2014, Shivangi was appointed as the Chairman of the Mississippi department of Mental Health, making him the first Asian to occupy the top health post in the southern American state.

From 2005-2008, Shivangi served as the Advisor to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services.

He is the founding president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian-origin in Mississippi and is the past president and chair of the India Association of Mississippi.