Executive Committee

After having worked at TPMG/Kaiser Permanente for over ten years as a hospital physician and service leader, I transitioned to the health tech industry in early 2021 and currently serve as the medical director at an AI based healthcare startup, called "Health at scale". My areas of interest include health equity, patient care experience, preventive medicine, personalized healthcare and geriatrics.   

My decision to dedicate my time and efforts to community service projects such as APPNA free clinic was driven largely by values instilled in me by my faith and my family. Growing up as a Muslim, I learnt early on, the importance of service to others. My father grew up in a village in Pakistan and moved away from family at a young age to pursue a career in medicine so he could help ease human suffering. His perseverance, altruism and sense of contentment as a physician have always inspired me. I feel lucky to have a life partner by my side who shares my love for giving back. The possibility of being able to do charity as part of one’s profession; it’s hard to imagine a more fulfilling job.    

Serving communities, one patient at a time: this mission has been the guiding light for a core team of volunteers from within the APPNA Northern California chapter, as we set out to realize our dream of providing free medical care to the underserved communities. An idea that was seeded by one of my mentors, eventually led to the launch of ACHC in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When I look back at our journey of starting out as just a handful of physicians, it gives me great pride to see how far we have come. It has been a hard and long road; however, we have learned many valuable lessons along the way. Our biggest challenges were to secure seed funding and find an affordable location. We have been lucky to attract the most dynamic and passionate group of volunteers who not only bring diversity but also a wide variety of expertise to the table. Today, we are 30+ volunteers strong and growing.

What inspired you to choose your career and volunteer for APPNA?

Having a background in business and operations, I wanted to offer my expertise through volunteering for APPNA from a different vantage point than a physician. I was introduced to APPNA through my spouse who is very active in central and local APPNA chapters.  I was attracted to APPNA’s social advocacy and charitable services both here and in Pakistan.   

What are you passionate about outside of your career?

I love to contribute to the community I live in.  I am active locally as a PTA board member, and part of several non-profit organizations.  

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy crafting, cooking, and traveling.  

How have you been spending quarantine?

This time has been spent mostly looking after my 3 children, juggling their online classes and keeping them entertained.  It has also given me more time to cook.   

Where do you work? Where did you go to school?

Did my undergrad at University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and my Masters in Business Administration from Carlson School of Business, University of Minnesota.

What inspired you to choose your career and volunteer for APPNA?

I am inspired by APPNA’s mission to help the underserved and give back to the local community.

What are you passionate about outside of your career?

The other not for profits that I am involved with, namely:

Iqra Fund - providing education to children in remote northern areas of Pakistan

And Givelight Foundation - providing care to orphans

How have you been spending quarantine?

Discovering new hikes, reading and cooking

Where do you work? Where did you go to school?

I work at Drbeen Corp. Schools: Institute of Business Administration, Karachi and San Jose State University

I grew up in Pakistan. My father passed away when my sister and I were very young. My mother raised us with great strength and love. In the uncertain times that we lived in, my mother always told me that to be successful in life I needed to possess knowledge and skill which could never be taken away from me. Soon I realized that for me there was no better profession than being a doctor. It not only provides me an opportunity to acquire unique skills, but more importantly I am able to help others.  

I have been practicing with Kaiser Permanente since 1990. People have asked me several times what I like most about my job. It is without doubt the relationships I have built with my patients. My patients are my heroes. I see time and time again the adversity and challenges people and their families go through and how remarkably well they handle it with dignity and resolve. I am fortunate that most of my patients are very involved in their own medical care. I feel it is the best way to ensure that we will be able to take full advantage of the incredible opportunities in medicine today. I also serve as the Chief of the department. I feel it gives me an opportunity to lead our Department in the right direction so we can serve our patients to the best of our abilities.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife is also a doctor. We have two children, a son and daughter, whom we love very much. Our son is married, and we have been blessed with the most adorable grandson. I enjoy community service, reading and travel. 

I volunteer in the clinic as it provides me an opportunity to give back to the community and help people in need. To me there is no greater joy and satisfaction than helping others.

What inspired you to choose your career and volunteer for APPNA? 

I have been involved with nonprofits and philanthropic work since medical school. I was president of PWA (Patients Welfare Association) which is the largest student-run nonprofit in Pakistan when I was in Dow Medical College. I am the past President of APPNA Northern California chapter and am involved in many committees in central APPNA. APPNA’s mission of fostering education, community outreach, medical relief and charitable activities resonate with me.  

What are you passionate about outside of your career? 

As an academician, my passion is education and research so I mentor many students who are interested in medicine. As part of a few nonprofits I am always looking for ways to help our community here and in Pakistan. I am actively involved in hepatitis C eradication programs in Pakistan.  

What hobbies do you enjoy? 

Cricket, hiking and movies.  

How have you been spending quarantine? 

Our lives were so busy before the pandemic but despite it all, quarantine allowed us to realize what is important in our lives. I am spending more time with my family. We are hiking, cycling and playing games together which is a blessing for me.  

If you are a doctor, what field of medicine do you practice?  

I am working as a Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist. I am board certified in internal medicine, GI, and hepatology. 

Where do you work? Where did you go to school? 

I am currently working at University in California, San Francisco (UCSF).  I did my medical school from Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.  I did my residency in medicine and fellowship in GI from University of Minnesota, then completed my transplant hepatology from UCSF. 

I'm an OB/GYN physician at TPMG/Kaiser Permanente since 2003 and Chief of Service at our medical center.  In addition, I am the founder and executive director of a non-profit called Beyond Fistula.  We are based in Kenya and provide education, vocational training, business grants and emotional support for survivors of obstetric fistula (severe childbirth injuries).  These are women who are stigmatized and shunned from their communities and live in abject poverty.  We help them to financially support themselves and their children and stand on their own two feet.  I have always felt a strong drive to help and empower others, whether through being a physician, a mentor or an educator.  In my free time, I play a great deal of tennis and some pickleball.  I am also learning to speak Swahili.  Both of my amazing children are in college.  Helping others is a family affair- both children and my husband have all been involved in helping with our non-profit in Kenya.  Aifra Ahmed MD (our CMO) is a dear friend and inspired me to get involved the APPNA.  I believe in the mission of APPNA and am inspired by the passion of our volunteer team.  My hope is to help raise awareness of our free medical services to as many varied communities.  I believe that together we can all work to provide free care with dignity to our communities.