Dr. Makhija is a New Jersey psychiatrist. He is the Founder and President of SAMHIN, South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, a non-profit organization to address the mental health needs of South Asians in the U.S. SAMHIN was a recipient of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s 2023 Award for the Advancement of Minority Mental Health. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and past-president of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association. He received the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from NAMI and the Golden Merit Award for his contributions to the New Jersey Psychiatric Association as a trustee. He served on the Union County Mental Health Board for six years and was the Chair of the Board for two years. He is currently on Community Advisory Board of Rutgers-NYU Center for Asian Health Promotion and Equity (CAHPE).