0, I w11 01111;4r. t r)'.. r t Association of Physicians of Pakistani-descent of North America Volume 16, Number 1 Spring 2006 President's Message 7006 ssalam-u Alaikum! I have learned tinue with the firsthand that no mortal can pre- same zeal for years President A dict what time or future would to come. When an Abdul Rashid Piracha, MD bring. When I took over as the President individual does some of APPNA on January 1, 2006, I was charitable work, our President Elect looking forward to putting my energies religion teaches us Nadeem Kazi, MD into realizing the agenda I had set for to keep it quiet, Past President myself during the campaign. Then the between Allah-u- Hussain Malik, MD monstrous earthquake tragedy hit our Taala and oneself. people in October last year, causing dev- However, when an organization does Secretary astation and loss of life never ever seen charitable work, it needs to be publicized Mahmood Alam, MD before. However, many devoted members so that more and more people can bene- of APPNA, particularly members of the fit from it. I am pleased to say that Treasurer Social Welfare Committee, by the grace APPNA has now been recognized as a Shahid Usmani, MD of Allaaho Taaalaa, responded to the praiseworthy charitable organization in emergency in a truly timely fashion and Pakistan, as is evidenced by the various participated in the reconstructive efforts news items that have appeared in Publication Committee in a fashion expected of a compassionate Pakistani newspapers. Chairman and humane group. I have been periodi- A famous adage from our religious Rizwan A. Karatela, MD cally sending communications to all of philosophers is that when you build your you about the great benefit that our own house, it is built keeping in mind that Co-Chair prompt and effective response has you are building something in which you Raana Akbar, MD brought to the victims. might not be living the next day, but when Editor: We carried out our relief work in stages. you build a public institution, it is to be In the acute stage, our group provided built keeping in mind that its use by peo- Zia Moiz Ahmad, MD shelter, medical care, medical equipment, ple will never come to an end. I hope that Editorial Assistant: medication, and many physician volun- through my actions as your President, this Lynette Zeitler teers. The Social Welfare Committee philosophy is translated into what APPNA report provides the details of our effort. is currently doing in our motherland. APPNA Journal is the Bi-Annual publica- Now in this later stage, our main focus Many of the APPNA committees, tion of the Association of Physicians of is on establishment of a state-of-the-art including the Social Welfare, Member- Pakistani-Descent of North America rehabilitation facility in Rawalpindi and ship, Young Physicians, Publications, (APPNA). The Journal is dedicated to providing useful information to the Mansehra. This will be a commitment of Office Management, Advocacy, Constitu- Association's members, with special at least three years, and we hope that by tion and Bylaws, as well as other commit- emphasis on organizational matters. The the end of this period, all the victims of tees, have had multiple conference calls views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the offi- the earthquake will have been treated over the last three months. The enthusi- cial position of either the Association or and fitted with prosthetics and orthotics. asm and zeal that I see at the present time the Editor. APPNA does not assume any This rehab facility will be named APPNA in the APPNA membership can take responsibility for the authors' assertions Rehabilitation Institute at The Rawalpin- APPNA to heights never seen before. nor does it authenticate their validity. Products or services advertised in the di General Hospital. After its primary Some of the decisions that we make Journal are neither endorsed nor guaran- purpose is served, this institute will con- could be made better, but such perfection teed by APPNA. Reproduction in whole tinue to benefit the indigent and needy could be possible only if the future reveals or in part of the materials contained in this itself to one. The best results of human Journal without prior written permission patients of Pakistan. We have established from APPNA is prohibited. ourselves as a charitable and caring efforts reside in united struggle. I am not organization, and hopefully we will con- continued on page 3 APPNA Newsletter, Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2006 1 Day on the Hill Editorial PPNAs Day on the Hill 2006 was a realities and a different world, the Pakistani tremendous success. Fifty APPNA mem- American physicians cannot afford to sit on the Abers, all busy clinicians with hard-to- sidelines and live in our proverbial ghettos (dif- spare time, took three days out of their busy ferent from traditional ghettos because of the schedules to travel to Washington DC from all high rent real estate and luxurious settings but over the United States. They went around the ghettos nevertheless) and socialize only among Capitol and met senators and congressman high- ourselves. We need to step out of our shells and lighting the problems faced by our community. It actively participate in the larger American soci- was an act of active engagement in the political ety. We need to become members of PTA, be process of our adopted homeland to try and help active in our city councils, volunteer our time in Zia Moiz Ahmad, the country of our birth. The issues of US visas the local charity organizations, participate in MD, FACC for medical graduates from Pakistan, long delays food drives for the poor, make donations in in security clearance resulting in lost training fund raisers for the Police and Fire Dow graduate, class of 1982. Completed opportunities, and discrimination faced by Department, and above all engage in a dialogue Internal Medicine Pakistani Americans were brought forth and dis- with our neighbors and co-workers. We need to residency in from cussed. The role of Pakistan in the war against counter the barrage of negative stereotypes University of Ken- terrorism and the high price being paid by the broadcast daily into the television and radios of tucky, Lexington, Pakistani society to conduct this war was empha- our native-born friends and colleagues. We are KY. He completed sized. We congratulate Dr. Piracha for organizing fortunate to be a group of educated and finan- cardiology fellow- a very successful event and placing this on the cially secure American citizens of Pakistan ship at Wake Forest top of his agenda. descent. We have to fulfill our obligations of cit- University, Winston- The Day on the Hill crystallizes who we are izenship and, and in the process, repay the debt Salem, NC. and what we need to do. With the changing of Pakistani society. CONTENTS President 1 Advocacy, Legislative and APCNA 27 Editorial 2 Governmental Affairs 14 President elect 3 Young Physicians 15 Report of The Alliance 28 Secretary 4 Rehabilitation Committee 18 Treasurer 6 Finance 20 SAYA 30 Nomination and Elections 21 Articles YP and RESA Program 22 APPNA Time 7 Death, Despair, Destruction Alumni Reports Advertisements and a New Beginning 8 Fatima Jinnah Medical College 23 Zeelaf Munir 16 DOGANA Celebrates its Mahmood Alam 17 Committee Reports 25th Anniversary 24 Shifa International 22 Communication 10 Cardiologist 28 Research and Scientific Affairs 11 Chapter Reports SBFC 28 Social Welfare Projects and New England Chapter (APPNE) ..25 Xavier University 29 Disaster Relief Committee 12 South Florida Chapter 26 Mercy USA 32 2 APPNA Newsletter, Vol. 16, No. 1, Winter 2006 Preside nt-Elect Report Volunteers Needed for a Successful 2007 ear APPNA members my Salaam and focus on education. To educate our members regards. APPNA is at the height of its regarding the civil right issues we are facing D achievements. We already started one and how to deal with them, educate our leader- rehabilitation center in Rawalpindi and another ship regarding the governance of an organiza- one is in progress. Soon, Inshallah, we will build tion, educate our community regarding the a permanent clinic and school in Khatai area. Our social unjust many are facing in US and vocational school is operational in Khatai and Dr Pakistan and educate our leaders on how the Piracha recently delivered furniture and syllabus legislative process work. We will arrange semi- to the Khatai School. We will continue our sup- nars on these issues during our Annual port and fulfill our obligation to help the earth- Meeting 2007. quake victims. However, we need your continuing I am looking forward to the year 2007, where Nadeem Kazi, MD support and I urge you to get involved in your we will focus on issues in a very positive and pro- Dr. Nadeem Kazi, grad- local community and remind them that this disas- gressive manner. I am happy to announce that we uated from Sindh ter is not over yet. have contracted with Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Medical College, class of Our membership showed their compassion- in Orlando, Florida for our annual 2007 summer 1986, completed his resi- ate side towards the earthquake victims. Still meeting. This resort gave us good rates for the dency in 1993 and fin- many are sending donations, several still want whole meeting and is more spacious than the ished his gastroenterology to go and serve in affected areas, and our chap- Gaylord Palms. I urge you all to attend this meet- fellowship in 1997 from ters are organizing fund raisers. The media is ing with your families and let's all gear towards a Loyola University not covering the earthquake and it is our successful year.