Our Purpose

Inspired by Love. For Love.

The makeadent.org non-profit foundation is rooted in Gandhian principles of altruism, brilliance, and creativity. On September 16, 1932 in defiance to the British Raj’s plan that would discriminate and divide India’s social classes indefinitely, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi formally announced  “Fasting unto death.” It only took six days for the British Government to give in to his demands and rescind the constitutional segregation of people based on the caste system. This selfless act marked a landmark occurrence in India’s history and “made a dent” in her effort to seek independence from the British Raj.

Gandhian principles of compassion and empathy are the driving force behind our approach to creating positive social impact through education and innovation. Our initiative is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare delivery worldwide and ensuring every community receives the best possible care, and is empowered with the tools and resources needed to make lasting change. The motivation behind this initiative is to celebrate and create a legacy for Ishq (Arabic: ‘išq; love or passion) - epic, ethereal, platonic, selfless, and spiritual love.

Ankur Kalra, MD, MSc
CEO and Creative Director

"At the forefront of cardiovascular innovation and care, makeadent.org has illuminated a path towards healthier communities through five years of pioneering research and a commitment to nurturing professional growth of emerging cardiology talents. Under the visionary leadership of Ankur Kalra, their unwavering commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and management is not just a testament to their dedication, but a radiant emblem of transformative power."

Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, FAHA, FESC

Clinical Professor, University of California, Irvine
Past President, American College of Cardiology
Board Member, World Heart Federation

"Medicine is a unique profession. Not only does it provide its practitioners with the opportunity to study and learn a discipline with a 2,000-year-old history, dating back to ancient Indian and Egyptian civilizations, but it is a calling. Providing hope and healing based on the science and art of medicine is a privilege. As the central tenet of Bhagavad Gita, selfless service is also the guiding principle of makeadent.org.

Serving patients and families, and by extension, humanity, requires establishing a therapeutic relationship based on trust, which is facilitated by empathy and selfless service. Those who understand this will find medicine, and all healthcare professions, professionally and personally satisfying and fulfilling. I congratulate Dr. Kalra in continuing the ancient Indian legacy of seva (selfless service) and the Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund."

Charanjit S. Rihal, MD

Board of Trustees | Chair, People and Culture Committee

Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic

"As the field of cardiovascular medicine continues to grow at an exponential pace, it is crucial, now more than ever, for reinforcing our efforts dedicated to professional development of early career physicians. makeadent.org, led by Dr. Ankur Kalra is celebrating 5 years of being a shining example of the force of change."

Jagat Narula, MD, PhD

Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer, UT Health Houston

President Elect, World Heart Federation

“Our lives represent a gift of immeasurable value to which the greatest act of gratitude is service. The greatest act of service is that which is delivered with humility and equanimity. The greatest act of humility is one that touches the soul of others.

makeadent.org was conceived in the spirit of gratitude touching the soul of our profession inspiring transformational change across the globe. As we celebrate 5 years - the dent is clear, the movement is strong and the future is ours to share.”

Nandan S. Anavekar, MD

Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic

portrait of Mahatma Gandhi
Milestones

Where We've Been

September 2024
Resolution on South Asian Heart Health drafted in collaboration with the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Cardiology

makeadent.org's CHAI (Cardiovascular Health in Asian Indians) was successfully adopted at the Indiana State Medical Association 175th convention.

March 2024
Late-breaking science at CRT 2024

A study supported by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was selected amongst hot topics at Cardiovascular Research Technologies 2024 in Washington, DC.

September 2023
Parallax broadcasted its 100th episode

Featuring Prof. Valentin Fuster, Physician-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital and incumbent Editor-in-Chief of Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

August 2023
Parallax podcast series integrated into University curriculum

Parallax podcast series integrated into Global Cardiology University curriculum as Conversations in Cardiology.

May 2023
EuroIntervention 2023 Award Finalist

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was selected as EuroIntervention 2023 Award Finalist at EuroPCR 2023 in Paris, France. (Also see tctMD).

March 2023
Study presented at American College of Cardiology

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented at 72nd American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session and Expo at New Orleans, LA and simultaneously published in European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care.

February 2023
Featured at Cardiovascular Research Technologies

Two studies funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund and published in JAMA Network and JSCAI were featured at "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Symposium" in Washington, D.C., addressing inequalities in interventional cardiology and healthcare. (Also see tctMD).

December 2022
Best of Year in EuroIntervention

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was selected by Prof. Davide Capodanno, Editor in Chief of EuroIntervention as Best of the Year 2022 based on the number of citations. (Also see tctMD).

November 2022
Published in European Heart Journal

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented at American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago, IL and published simultaneously in European Heart Journal. (Also see tctMD, Apple Podcasts, European Heart Journal).

September 2022
Parallax named #2 best cardiology podcast

Parallax ranked #2 on Feedspot in 15 Best Cardiology Podcasts. Also ranked with Medscape’s This Week in Cardiology at #3 and American College of Cardiology’s Eagle’s Eye View at #4.

August 2022
Published in JAMA

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund addressing important management decision for patients with critical limb ischemia was published in JAMA Network. (Also see Medpage Today).

August 2022
75th episode of Parallax

Parallax broadcasted its 75th episode with Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia, the 70th President of American College of Cardiology and the first of South Asian descent on India’s 75th Independence Day.

April 2022
Parallax at American College of Cardiology

On its 3rd-year anniversary, Parallax was invited to share its success story at Engage Stage at 71st American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session and Expo in Washington, D.C.

November 2021
Study presented at American Heart Association

A study funded by the Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented at American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions and published simultaneously in Journal of Cardiac Failure.

October 2021
Parallax becomes #1 online resource

Parallax listed at #1 among Top Five Online Resources for Fellows Pursuing Interventional Cardiology by tctMD.

October 2021
Editors’ Choice Best of European Heart Journal Digital Health

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund published in European Heart Journal Digital Health was selected as Editors’ Choice Best of European Heart Journal Digital Health at European Society of Cardiology Digital Summit.

October 2021
Key abstract at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented as Key Abstract at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics and later published in Journal of the American Heart Association. (Also see tctMD, Indiana University).

August 2021
CHAI Collaborative is featured on ACC.org

Cardiovascular Health in Asian Indians Collaborative is featured on ACC.org: “South Asian Cardiovascular Health: Lessons Learned from the National Lipid Association Scientific Statement.

July 2021
Featured at Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented as Featured Clinical Research at Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics and later published in EuroIntervention. (Also see tctMD)

June 2021
50th episode of Parallax

Celebrating our 50th episode with an interview with Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, the now Director of Mount Sinai Heart and inaugural Dr. Valentin Fuster Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine.

April 2021
Parallax is featured on ACC.org

Our podcast was featured by the American College of Cardiology: How Medical Podcasts can Amplify your Career.

March 2021
Our study is presented at a landmark session

A study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was presented at at Cardiovascular Research Technologies Virtual as late-breaking science and published simultaneously in JAMA Network. (Also see ConsultQD, Medscape, tctMD)

October 2020
First makeadent.org funded study

The first study funded by Ram and Sanjita Kalra Aavishqaar Fund was published in Journal of the American Heart Association. (Also see ConsultQD)

February 2020
Parallax receives teaching award

Our podcast was selected for the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 2020 Scholarship in Teaching Award by an external group of scholars and educators who noted the merits in meeting Glassick’s criteria.

January 2020
Cardiovascular Science India Tour is published

Featured in Circulation, among the highest impact factor journals in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine.

April 2019
Parallax Podcast debut

The first episode of our cardiology podcast show co-produced by Radcliffe Group in Wooburn Green, United Kingdom airs.

March 2019
Cardiovascular Science India Tour

Organized the Cardiovascular Science India Tour with the editors of Circulation in New Delhi, India

March 2019
TAVR 30 app was launched

A risk tool to predict 30-day hospital readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement was launched in the Apple App Store.

September 2018
makeadent.org was founded

Based on Gandhian philosophy of Be The Change — Our North Star

Support Us

Donations and Support

Our ongoing commitment to improving cardiovascular health outcomes is made possible by the love and support of the community and our sponsors. As a purely 501(c)3 non-profit organization, every patron helps us take one step forward.

dr. ankura kalra interventional cardiologist parallax podcast

Ankur Kalra, MD, MSc

Founder and Director

Dr. Kalra is an interventional cardiologist, and founder of the non-profit startup, makeadent.org. He is primary investigator at Krannert Cardiovascular Research Center, and an adjunct clinical associate professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is director of the Barry J. Maron Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center in New Delhi, India. He is also the host of the cardiology podcast show, Parallax.

Dr. Kalra has presented late-breaking science at national and international scientific cardiovascular meetings, and has published over 300 scientific manuscripts in various peer-reviewed journals. His past appointments include interventional cardiologist, associate professor, and medical director of clinical research for regional cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.

PortfolioFull CV in PDF

Advisory Board

We are proud to have the support of an all-star advisory board comprised of world-renowned cardiologists from top academic medical centers in America. The board members identify ideas in the healthcare innovation space, and propel educational programs that have measurable successes.

Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, FAHA, FESC
Read Bio
Duane S. Pinto, MD, MPH
Read Bio
Khurram Nasir, MD
Read Bio
Michael J. Reardon, MD
Read Bio
Neal S. Kleiman, MD
Read Bio
Rohan Dharmakumar, PhD
Read Bio
Salim S. Virani, MD, PhD
Read Bio
Samir Kapadia, MD
Read Bio
William A. Zogbhi, MD
Read Bio