Akshay Desai, center, is flanked by President George W. Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

Akshay Desai, a physician and president/CEO of Universal Health Care in St. Petersburg, was recently appointed to the Florida Board of Governors by Gov. Jeb Bush.

�I'm honored to be appointed to the prestigious Board of Governors, which oversees the entire state university system,� Desai told Khaas Baat. �My problem-solving expertise will be of use for strategic planning, performance and accountability at all levels of higher education. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to serve my fellow Floridians.�

The Florida Board of Governors, which consists of 17 members -- 14 of whom are appointed by the governor -- coordinates the state's university system. In addition, the board automatically includes the commissioner of education, the chair of the advisory council of faculty senates and the president of the Florida Student Association.

Desai also is a member of the President�s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The 47-year-old has served as commissioner of the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission. He is affiliated with American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, Pinellas County Medical Society and American College of Physician Executives.

Desai obtained his medical degree from Government Medical College, Surat. He achieved his master�s degree in Administrative Medicine while attending the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Quality Assurance.

He has served as Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute and St. Petersburg General Hospital.

He is married to Seema Desai and they have three children, Priyanka, Parth and Crystal.) 948-3590 or e-mail [email protected].
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