APPNA NOW - January 2021 Newsletter: President's Message, Council Meet and Greet with the President, Strategic Meeting and APPNA Efforts

January 2021 Edition

APPNA President's Message

Dear APPNA members

It is indeed an honor and privilege to serve as President this year. I joined APPNA in 2004 when I was an Internal Medicine Resident at University of Connecticut. In the ensuing years, I was fortunate to serve my alumni association (AKU) and various chapters (CT, NY). I also served as Secretary of APPNA in 2017 prior to getting elected as President Elect for the year 2020. At that time, our organization was going through a very difficult phase and faced a lot of challenges. In the Executive Committee (EC), we worked very hard to facilitate and resolve all issues. Indeed, with support of my colleagues in the EC, we were able to carve a path forward and the most pressing issues were amicably resolved. We were able to settle all lawsuits, so that the financial bleeding of our organization could stop. Only one appeal or “petition to intervene” is pending. We are very hopeful that this particular appeal will also be dismissed by the honorable court. I strongly believe that there is no issue that cannot be solved; we need the solemn desire to solve it and to keep APPNA’s interest first and foremost.

In the first quarter of 2020, we faced the COVID 19 pandemic. We appointed an adhoc committee and it was given the herculean task of leading APPNA’s response. With the generous help of our membership, we were able to give a befitting response to the pandemic. This effort continues to this day.

I will also emphasize that my campaign promises were not just “promises for the campaign”, they are guiding principles that I will adhere to and try my utmost to fulfill inshallah.

This year I have an aggressive agenda and I am very fortunate that I can rely on an amazing Executive Committee composed of Drs. Haroon Durrani (President Elect), Arshad Rehan (Secretary), Humeraa Qamar (Treasurer) and Naheed Usmani (Immediate Past President). I promised to empower every EC member as well as regional chapters. SOPs have been put in place to empower each EC member. We are also partnering with the Council which is very enthusiastic and engaged. Most importantly, the membership wants to see change.

I will work on making APPNA truly a professional organization. With improved policies and procedures for the Executive Committee,the Council and other Committees. These policies will aim to improve efficiency and reduce redundancies. I will aim to have regular sessions not just with the Council but also with the General Membership. I strongly believe that APPNA needs comprehensive electoral reforms. As a professional organization, it is indeed an embarrassment to have such a lengthy, divisive and arduous process of electing our officers.

APPNA’s Constitution and By-laws (CABL) has outlived its utility and is certainly not in tune with current realities. One of the most important tasks that we have this year is to work on comprehensive constitutional amendments with universal approval of the membership. The CABL committee is diligently working in this regard.

One of the key components of our charter will be to enhance the scope and quality of our educational activities including board review courses. We will develop a pathway through which all educational endeavors of APPNA will come under one umbrella with financial autonomy. This will greatly amplify the work being done by the MERIT, RESA and Host CME committees. MERIT will strengthen its work on improving family medicine and nursing education in Pakistan as well as initiate education in research and also clinical excellence in Emergency medicine and Cardiovascular diseases.

I have always been passionate about mentoring our medical students and recent graduates. There will be a renewed enthusiasm in this regard. Additionally, we will create mentorship and guidance for dental students as well as creating programs that may interest early career attendings. Hopefully, all of these ventures will add value to being an APPNA member and improve our membership. Other ideas to increase membership are being put into motion. We are encouraging certification of more regional and alumni societies (including Bolan Medical College) in addition to numerous specialty organizations with MOU with APPNA. One of my campaign promises was to have more women physicians in various committee leadership positions. We have certainly strived to achieve that goal with appointing over 35 women leaders as chair, co-chairs or advisors of our committees.

We are hopeful that we will be able to have in-person meetings this year while following all state, county and CDC guidelines. However, due to attendance restrictions, we will always provide a virtual component to our council and general body meetings. We plan to have our strategic retreat in the APPNA Central Office on January 30th, Spring meeting in Philadelphia on April 10, Summer Convention in Orlando on the July 4th weekend, Fall meeting in Dallas on October 23rd and Winter Meeting in Pakistan from December 18-25. We look forward to hosting APPNA membership again.

There is much more work that is being initiated in the background but I have tried to highlight some of them briefly. With the help of my EC, BOT, Council, Committees and members, I believe that the best days of APPNA are ahead of us inshallah.

Long Live APPNA!

Thank you and khuda hafiz

Rizwan Khalid, MD

President

Council Meet and Greet with the President

Picture Courtesy by Dr. Sajjad Savul

On January 26th, APPNA arranged a Council’s meet and greet with the President, Dr. Rizwan Khalid. Over 30 Council members representing various alumni associations and regional chapters attended the meeting. The Executive Committee(EC) led by Dr. Khalid greeted the Council and shared his vision and plan for the year. All EC members separately gave their welcoming remarks. Afterwards, every single Council member in attendance was given an opportunity to share their comments and suggestions about working for APPNA, EC and Council. Briefly, various topics were discussed including improving membership, Constitution and bylaws and other reforms, working of the council, creating policies and procedures. The Council’s enthusiasm and desire to be engaged was appreciated by the EC. The President highlighted his intent to work very closely with the Council and to forward the legislative agenda of APPNA.

Tweet courtesy by Dr. Faisal Cheema

APPNA Strategic Retreat 2021 - Westmont, Illinois

January 30th, 2021

APPNA organized its Strategic Retreat in our Central office in Westmont, Illinois this past Saturday. Due to the pandemic a number of standard operating procedures were put in place. Attendance was allowed in-person and virtual. Virtual attendance was open to all Council and General members as well. In-person attendance was limited to 15 members which is < 25% occupancy of the otherwise capacity of the meeting hall; this was to allow for safe social distancing practises. All in-person participants were vaccinated and signed a disclaimer before coming. Any member who was at elevated risk for COVID 19 infection despite being vaccinated, was requested to attend remotely. The podium was 6-10 feet from the nearest sofa. Masks were strongly recommended except when beverages and/or food was being consumed.

In this hybrid format, over 40 members attended (with 15 members on site), including the Executive Committee, Trustees, Committee leadership, Council and general members. All EC members welcomed the participants and shared their goals for the year including the treasurer (Dr. Humeraa Qamar), immediate past president (Dr. Naheed Usmani) and president elect (Dr. Haroon Durrani). Dr. Arshad Rehan (Secretary), moderated the retreat. The President, Dr Rizwan Khalid spoke about his vision and projects for the year. Dr. Asif Rehman, Chair, BOT also gave his welcoming remarks. Almost all committees presented their brief reports to the participants including the Advocacy (Dr. Fateh Shahzad), Alumni Scholarship (Dr. Sanaullah), Nomination and Election (Dr. Tariq Jamil), Constitution and Bylaws (Dr. Zia Moiz), Finance (Dr. Humeraa Qamar), Summer meeting (Dr. Aniq Sheikh), Young Physicians (Dr. Namirah Jamshed), MERIT (Dr. Danish Bhatti), Communication (Dr. Habib Chotani), Office Management (Dr. Rahat Sheikh), SWDRC/Covid 19 taskforce (Dr. Aisha Zafar), Membership (Dr. Imran Amir), Free Health Clinic (Dr. Sajid Mehmood), Lifetime dues investment advisory (Dr. Jamil Mohsin), and National heart care day (Dr. Ehtesham Haq).

Afternoon session was dedicated to more in depth discussions with input from the participants. Dr. Humeraa Qamar presented a preliminary budget. Dr. Zia Moiz led the discussion on suggested amendments to our CABL. Dr. Aisha Zafar provided us more details about various projects being undertaken by the Social Welfare and Disaster Relief Committee and COVID 19 taskforce. Dr. Danish Bhatti shared more details about the working of the MERIT committee. Dr. Namirah Jamshed highlighted further the focus of the committee for young physicians this year. Further discourse and exchange of ideas on in-person meetings for the year and also about electoral reforms. Briefly, ideas to improve membership were also deliberated upon.

A vote of thanks to the host committee with Drs. Samina Hijab (Chair), Sajid Mehmood (Co-chair), Amera Rehman (Co-chair), Rahat Sheikh (Member), Amin Nadeem (Member) and Sameer Shafi (Member). They did a fabulous job and their warm hospitality was much appreciated.

APPNA COVID Efforts & Social Welfare Projects

APPNA/ICNA Efforts:

-Friday January 15, 2021 APPNA/ICNA Relief organized a free Covid-19 testing site at ICW Mosque in Wheaton , IL. 21 persons were provided covid testing during this event, goodie bags were also distributed containing Covid-19 information brochure, masks and hand sanitizers.

-Saturday Jan 9, 2021, APPNA/ICNA Relief mobile clinic free community health fair was organized at 1105 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY. Many people got free flu vaccine, who were mostly uninsured. All participants received one each ICNA Relief tote bag with 5 masks, hand sanitizer, Antibacterial wipes, listerine mouthwash, dental floss & Covid19 information brochure as well as Brooklyn NY COVID 19 testing centers information.

-Friday January 8, 2021, APPNA/ICNA Relief mobile clinic free community health fair was organized at ICNA Markaz, Jamaica, NY. 49 people got free flu vaccines, who were mostly uninsured. All participants received one each, ICNA Relief tote bag with 5 masks, hand sanitizer, Antibacterial wipes, listerine mouthwash, dental floss & Covid19 information brochure. We also provided, Jamaica and Queens, NY COVID 19 testing centers information.

APPNA DMV Chapter Efforts:

-Saturday January 9, 2021: Sleeping bag distribution in Washington, DC. Shelters in the DC area are full and many homeless are afraid to go to shelters because of the fear of contracting COVID-19. APPNA-DMV took the initiative and purchased 70 high quality sleeping bag for distribution on 9th January. We collaborated with Make Space to distribute hygiene kits, as well.

-Food distribution at Shelter in Alexandria, VA. and food distribution with ICNA: Food distribution with ICNA was on January 16th in Suitland, Maryland at the request of Ali Khan Mosque in Suitland, Maryland. Fresh groceries and dry food was distributed to more than 100 people.

Donation for food distribution at Khana Ghar, Karachi, Pakistan: APPNA-DMV raised funds for Khana Ghar, which were matched by central APPNA. A total of $4000 were sent to Khana Ghar.

APPNA/CDRS Efforts in Pakistan

-December 30, 2020, January 5 & 9, 2021, APPNA provided Warm winter Clothing for The Transgender Community in Lahore. 170 winter clothing packages (Hat, socks, sweater, 2 masks) distributed in areas of Shahi Mohalla and Duban Pura, Lahore. It was sponsored by an anonymous APPNA member from AZ, funds matched by APPNA and distribution performed by CDRS.

-Sunday Jan 2, 2021, Warm Clothings and Food Packages provided to Sikh Families in Nankana Sahib, Punjab. Material distributed: Winter hats, socks, sweaters, masks and family food packages (15-20 days of flour, rice, daal, cooking oil, milk packs, sugar, tea, spice, soap) for 120 families.

It was sponsored by an anonymous APPNA member from AZ, funds matched by APPNA and distribution performed by CDRS staff. It was also attended by Governor of Punjab’s Special Assistant for Minorities Pawan Singh Arora.

-Saturday Jan 1, 2021 APPNA/CDRS provided winter Clothings for Hindu and Christian Families in Gulshan-e-Ravi, Lahore.

Material distributed: Winter hats, socks, sweaters, masks. 82 people from the Hindu Community in the Gulshan-e-Ravi Area and 20 people from the Christian community received the packages. (138 more packages will be distributed this week to needy Hindu citizens in Lahore). It was sponsored by Dr. Zakia Subhani

APPNA & IMCA - The Indianapolis Community Association Food Pantry

Saturday Jan 16, 2021, The Indianapolis Muslim Community Association (IMCA) held a food pantry distribution. Over 80 families with five family members each were provided food/ration packs. 75 percent of the recipients were refugees from other countries and 25 percent were local residents. It was sponsored by local Muslim community, funds matched by APPNA, distribution of food done by Indianapolis Muslim Community Association (IMCA). We deeply appreciate Dr. Aisha Zafar and Ms Rubina Dalal for participation and coordination of this event. IMCA food pantry distribution is done once a month.

APPNA Oklahoma starts off 2021 with compassion.

Thursday Jan 14, 2021 APPNA-OK chapter president Dr. Muzaffar Saleemi and treasurer Dr. Rabeeya Nusrat presented check of $4000 to Miss Jennifer Eckert, representative of REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA. It will be used to serve food to at least 16000 plus Oklahomans.

It was sponsored by APPNA-OK chapter, funds matched by APPNA, distribution of food will be done by Regional Food bank of Oklahoma. We deeply appreciate APPNA-OK chapter executive committee and donors for their generous contribution and collaboration under leadership of Dr. Muzaffar Saleemi (president APPNA-OK chapter) and Dr. Rabeeya Nusrat (treasurer APPNA-OK chapter)

APPNA and MAPP (APPNA Minnesota Chapter) Efforts

Sunday Jan 10, 2020, food distribution was done on behalf of APPNA / MAPP (APPNA-MN chapter), it was organized by Muslim American Society ( MAS ) at South metro Islamic center, Inver Grove, Minnesota. 40 families from the neighborhood were served various food items of daily use.

It was sponsored by APPNA-MN chapter (MAPP), funds matched by APPNA, distribution organized by Muslim American Society (MAS). We deeply appreciate APPNA-MN chapter executive committee and donors for their generous contribution and collaboration under leadership of Dr. Bushra Dar (president APPNA-MN chapter, MAPP).