July 2017   e-Newsletter
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President's Message: 

Dear A PPNA Members,

There are no words to describe the horrific devastation by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Houston is suffering and people are scrambling towards safety. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced from their homes while 32 people have died in the after math of worst catastrophe in decades. It is heartbreaking and gut wrenching to watch our neighbors suffering at his time. 

I have been in touch with leaders of many organizations which are active in the relief efforts on ground so APPNA can also join in the effort and collaborate with them. The Southern Texas Chapter, SWDRC and Medical Corps Committee have begun their work. APPNA members have volunteered to work in medical camps and are ready to provide much needed healthcare to the victims, while SWDRC has started a fund raising campaign. APPNA Executive Committee has released $10,000 for immediate relief, most of which will be used to supply perishable food items, and medical supplies. 

Rest assured that APPNA leadership and volunteers will do their maximum to help with recovery and rehabilitation in Houston. It is going to be a team work like always and I am so proud of all the volunteers who are stepping up to help. My sincere thanks to all the people who are donating to APPNA's Harvey Disaster relief fund. As we celebrate the holiest day in Islamic year, it is a reminder of giving our most precious possessions in the name of Almighty. 
 

Cordially,

Sajid Chaudhary, MD
President APPNA, 2017


Dear APPNA members,

APPNA has once again geared up for relief for our fellow countrymen and women in this hour of need. The Social Welfare and Disaster Relief Committee (SWDRC) which has participated global relief measures (Katrina Hurricane 2005, Indonesian Tsunami 2004, Pakistani earthquake 2005 and Pakistani floods 2010) is now once again active and planning relief measures. The APPNA Medical Corps has assembled a list of volunteers who will work with local authorities on ground. A lot of these volunteers are members of South Texas Chapter of APPNA. At the emergency meeting of SWDRC Dr. Sajid Chaudhary announced that that 400 food bags are already ready for distribution of whom half have been committed by the local Houston Pakistani community. Currently the committees main focus is acute care such as food, water and basic necessities. Updates will be issued as progress is made. 
A sum of $ 10,000 has already been released for immediate use for relief.
Please choose "Hurricane Harvey Disaster".

The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America 
invites you to a fun filled weekend in the historic city of Cincinnati, Ohio 
from 26-29 October, 2017. Some of the activities will include:
  • State of the art CME on Friday and Saturday
  • Scrumptious Friday Dinner showcasing finest Mogul Cuisine
  • Exhilarating Friday Entertainment by Cincinnati s Own Haider Hassan and his band Kaarma Nation
  • International Urdu Mushaira on Friday featuring Abbas Tabish, Ahmad Salman Farooqi, Syed Salman Gilani (Pakistan) and Tahir Faraz (India)
  • Innovative educational seminar highlighting state of medical education in Pakistan
  • Retreats for Army Medical College Alumni association.
  • Council Meeting on Saturday
  • Saturday Banquet & entertainment by Humaira Channa and Jawad Ahmad
  • Opportunities for Young Professional Networking
  • APPNA Bazzar
  • Halwa Puri on Sunday
  • Cincinnati City and attractions Tours (arranged on request)
 
Pakistani doctors have had a historic number of thirty-four (34) J-1 denials this year and as you know that APPNA has taken up these cases at multiple levels to help reverse the denials. With perseverance and teamwork, almost all of the young physicians have been able to join their residency programs on time. There is only one case pending now. Out of fifty (50) plus cases in administrative process, only three (3) are pending now. It is a huge success for APPNA despite the grim visa situation earlier this year. Congratulations to the APPNA leadership, Advocacy Committee, Committee of Young Physicians, and all APPNA members. We'll now continue to focus on J-1 research visas, B1/B2 visas (for Step 2 CS, interviews, observorships), and other immigration related cases.

2018, residency match process is about begin. Dr. T. Khan is organizing 'Young Physicians Coaching Teleconferences' on monthly basis. So far, six teleconferences have been held. A speaker is invited during each teleconference, followed by question-answer session. Drs. Sadiq and Nayab are working to revise and update 'APPNA Self-Scheduling System for US Clinical and Research Experience'. We are thankful to all APPNA members for their support!
J6APPNA Alliance"Get Behind the Vests" program.

On August 15, as part of community out reach initiative, APPNA Alliance donated $5000/- to purchase bullet proof vests for "Get Behind the Vest" program of Chicago Police department
The donation was accepted by Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson
and Frank Gross, Director of Operations of Chicago Police Memorial foundation. The ceremony was held at Chicago Police head office and was attended by Alderman Joe Moore, Commander Roberto Nieves of 24th district, Dr Sajid Mehmood (Immediate-Past President PPS), Dr & Mrs Tariq Butt, Mr Salman Aftab and other community members .
Superintendent Johnson was really appreciative of the generous contribution made on behalf of APPNA Alliance and applauded our services to the community in general. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my executive team and donors to participate in this worthy cause. I am also thankful to those of my friends & well-wishers who could not attend the event due to their prior commitments.
Saba Mehmood
Alliance President 2017

Jinay Lahore ni Wakhya O Jamya Hi Nee, Lahore Lahore Aye!!

Are you ready!! Pack your bags and book your flight, Lahore is waiting for you. Please join APPNA to visit Lahore in December for our annual winter meeting at Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore on 21-23, 2017. APPNA has planned a special visit to National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi/Islamabad on an invitation of NUMS Vice Chancellor. 
Qatar Airways is APPNA's official carrier for this meeting. Please use the discount code QRAPPNA to book our flight to visit Lahore and attend this memorable meeting.

The meeting will be presided by Dr. Sajid Chaudhary and Chaired by Dr. Atique Azam Mirza with their dynamic organizing team to celebrate 40th anniversary of APPNA at the grounds of AIMC. A large number of Physicians from U.K., Australia and Middle East are planning to attend this memorable event. See you all there in Lahore for a special food, culture of Punjab and numerous fun activities. ACP has endorsed CME will be offered to all the attendees.

Events


APPNA FALL MEETING 2017
October 26-28, 2017
Cincinnati, Ohio

APPNA WINTER MEETING
DECEMBER 21-23, 2017
Lahore, Pakistan


If you want to highlight an APPNA Project you have been doing, please write to us at appna@appna.org

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