Local Doctor Receives Jefferson Award for 30 Years of Community Service

For more than 30 years, Dr. Bhupinder Bhandari has committed his time, both on and off the clock, to ensure everyone in his community receives proper health care — and the rest of the country has taken notice. 

According to KPIX 5, Bhandari recently received a Jefferson Award, a national recognition for those performing great community and public service.

Bhandari has played an instrumental role in starting free health clinics at local Hindu and Sikh temples, KPIX 5 reports.

An Indian immigrant himself, he understands the struggles others may face.

“Many times the immigrant patients and their families may not have insurance coverage,” Bhandari told KPIX 5.

Bhandari, who understands the basics of 10 languages, has helped coordinate an annual health fair in Fremont to raise awareness on local health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease.

But what makes Bhandari so deserving of the national nod is that he goes the extra mile for his patients, community leaders said. 

“You don’t expect a doctor to call you at home and ask, ‘How are you doing, how do you feel?’ John Haider of the Afghan Elderly Association told KPIX 5.

Bhandari will be featured in an exclusive report tonight on KPIX 5 at 6 p.m. The segment will also air on KCBS Radio and will be featured online here.