APPNA National Health Care Day 2025

Celebrating Wellness Across North America at 30 Sites

Report Prepared by:
Dr Amera Manzoor Rahman
Chair, National Health Care Day Committee
Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA)

Executive Summary

The National Health Care Day 2025, organized by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA), was successfully held across 30 locations in North America. The initiative aimed to promote preventive care, enhance public health awareness, and improve access to essential medical services.

This report summarizes the impact, participation, and key highlightsfrom each city’s event, emphasizing APPNA’s ongoing commitment to community wellness and outreach.

Key Highlights

  • Celebrated at 30 sites nationwide across North America.
  • Events hosted at synagogues, churches, Islamic centers, APPNA clinics, local schools, and community centers.
  • Partnered with local health organizations, pharmacies, and ICNA Health.
  • Participation from volunteers, medical students, residents, and nurses.
  • Free health checkups, wellness screenings, and educational activities were offered.
  • Media coverage through local TV, news outlets, and social media reached a broad audience.

Key Outcomes

  • Hundreds of preventive health screenings conducted.
  • Significant increase in community awareness regarding preventive care.
  • Strong collaborations established between APPNA physicians, local clinics, and volunteers.
  • Strengthened community relationships through inclusive and accessible health events.

Overall Impact and Recommendations

The success of National Health Care Day 2025 underscores APPNA’s commitment to improving public health and fostering unity through service. The collaboration between healthcare professionals, volunteers, and local communities has made a measurable difference in wellness promotion.

National Overview

National Health Care Day 2025 showcased APPNA’s dedication to advancing community health. Each site contributed to the shared mission of promoting wellness and preventive health practices through medical camps, educational workshops, and awareness lectures.

Services Offered

  • Free Health Checkups
  • Free Flu Shots
  • Free COVID-19 Vaccines
  • RSV Vaccinations
  • Blood Pressure Screening
  • Blood Sugar Screening
  • HbA1c Testing for Diabetes
  • Skin Cancer Screening
  • Dental Screening
  • Glaucoma Screening
  • Colon Cancer Screening (Blood Test)
  • Preventive Health Counseling
  • Travel Vaccine Information Sessions
  • Mental Health Awareness Programs

Recommendations for 2026

  • Expand outreach to include more rural and underserved areas.
  • Increase partnerships with schools, youth organizations, and community groups.
  • Enhance digital engagement through social media campaigns and online health education resources.

Acknowledgments

APPNA extends heartfelt gratitude to all physicians, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners whose dedication made this national event possible. Their collective efforts have strengthened community health and reinforced APPNA’s mission of service, compassion, and excellence in healthcare delivery.

Highlights from NHCD 2025

Alabama National Health Care Day was organized by Dr Ehtsham Haq. It was held successfully in collaboration with BIS food festival.

APPNA BRITISH COLUMBIA NHCD was organized by Dr Jamil Akhtar. 
They collaborated with BCMA

Chicago NHCD Report
It was organized by Dr Nozaina Aftab and Dr Waseem Kagzi.
It was held at a local Synagogue in collaboration with local Islamic center, IFN. Dr Aftab Khan, Dr Rubina Hussain, Dr Nureain Mirza, Dr Sabina Ch, Dr Naila Khursheed, Dr Mahwash Siddiqui, Dr Mumtaz Ali Naqvi and many volunteers participated.

The event saw remarkable participation and enthusiasm from the community. Free flu, pneumococcal, meningitis, and RSV vaccines were offered , along with glaucoma screenings, HbA1C tests, blood pressure checks, Glaucoma screening and vision assessments. Educational activities including presentation about Travel vaccinations was offered. Brochures were available too.

Ohio
National health care day was organized successfully in Cincinnati Ohio by Dr Syed Tariq Ahsan

NHCD was organized by Dr Majeed Ghauri. It was held in collaboration with American Diversity group. Held at one of their locations in MD.

A successful national Heath care day event in Orlando Florida was organized by Dr Naveen Darakashan
and Dr Sajid Chaudhry, in collaboration with ICNA:
“Alhamdollilah we had a successful NHCD event in Orlando Florida with Collaboration of ICNA , good
turn out of people
Thanks to all the doctors and volunteers who made it successful”

NHCD was organized by DR Mohammad Khurram Khan and Dr Mehwish Khan.

“Facts and figures HF 2025

  • Close to 200 patients seen
  • 50 flu vaccines
  • 30. PSA
  • 67  Hg A1c
  • 75  lipid
  • 30  EKGs

We also found one potentially metastatic prostate cancer patient that we are now reaching out to.  This was part of the prostate cancer screening we had at GA APPNA.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPHwC4mCZax/?igsh=ZTR4bHEzOWo3OWhi

 

National Health Care Day is Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America’s (APPNA)
tradition to give back to the communities both in the USA and Canada. Their mission is to provide the health
services and engage local communities with the resources available.
Dr. Muhammad Babar Cheema, Debbie Harper, RN, Dr. Waqar Saleem and other volunteers
represented APPNA & Doctors for Healthy Communities (DHC). They partnered with Jefferson
County Public Schools (JCPS) health care staff & Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation staff to perform
vision screening, hearing screening, and sports/school physicals at Audubon Traditional
Elementary School.
Muhammad Babar MD MBA MSc

APPNA National health care day in Minnesota was organized by Dr Bushra Dar. APPNA National health care day was held at Rahma clinic. A busy day and much bigger patient volume than usual Saturday clinic at Rahma, there were 3 physicians ( Dr Shabana Mehmood , Dr Irshad Jaffery , Dr Bushra Dar ), One dentist Dr . Shiraz and Many student volunters, also accompanying was Fairview staff – 3 nurses , who gave flu shots and dental Varnish

 

National Health Care Day is Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America’s (APPNA)
tradition to give back to the communities both in the USA and Canada. Their mission is to provide the health
services and engage local communities with the resources available.
Dr. Muhammad Babar Cheema, Debbie Harper, RN, Dr. Waqar Saleem and other volunteers
represented APPNA & Doctors for Healthy Communities (DHC). They partnered with Jefferson
County Public Schools (JCPS) health care staff & Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation staff to perform
vision screening, hearing screening, and sports/school physicals at Audubon Traditional
Elementary School.
Muhammad Babar MD MBA MSc

NHCD was organized by Dr Tanvir Chaudhry.  They held it twice. Once at a church and once at a Muslim center. “We had a successful event in North Carolina. We saw between 30 to 50 patients and diagnosed a few new patients of diabetes, COPD and hypertension, and give them appropriate advice.”

NHCD was organized by Dr Saeed Sabir. “Alhumdulillah!! We had a wonderful turn out and successful National Health Care Day and flu shot event done yesterday 10/12/25 by Nevada Chapter. We provided variety of services to all Las Vegas community. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who came out and spared their time on a Sunday to give back to the community!! Thank you Asra – Secretary and Ali Haq – Treasurer for all your hard work. We appreciate you so much!! Thank you for coming together for a greater cause, improved health for the community🙏

NHCD event was organized by Dr Mehmood Alam.

NHCD NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana-was organized by Dr Mohammad Sulemain and Dr Samia Suleman.

 

“Salaam All, we had a very successful National Healthcare Day in New Orleans! We treated several patients for HTN and DM. We vaccinated over 40 community members Alhamdolillah!!

We had a wonderful turn out for the Appna PCA JMA Jefferson Parish foundation healthcare, fair, and flu shot event!!! Thank you so much to all the volunteers who came out and spared their time on a Sunday to give back to the community!! We appreciate you so much!! Thank you for coming together for a greater cause, improved health for the community! JZK

NHCD was organized by Dr Muhammad Ashfaq.

NHCD was organized by Dr Mubashar Rana. “Salaams. We held our National Healthcare Day on October 12. A total of 40 volunteers contributed to this initiative, including 4 primary care physicians, 12 specialists, 4 dentists, and several pre-medical, high-school, and international medical graduate (IMG) volunteers. We provided comprehensive primary and specialty consultations, dental screenings, and conducted A1C, fasting/random blood sugar (FSBS), and blood pressure checks. Walgreens graciously supported us by providing free flu vaccines. Arrangements for follow up have been made for all patients as needed through our regularly operated free clinic. Attached are a few pictures from the event. We have obtained HIPAA-compliant consent from all patients featured. A heartfelt thank you to everyone across the country for your incredible effort and dedication to this cause. This initiative truly reflects the spirit of service that unites us. We plan to hold another health fair in April next year. Special appreciation to Dr. Rehman for her outstanding leadership and for bringing it all together so beautifully.”

-Oklahoma’s Colloborative Health Fair. It was organized by Dr Rabeeya Nusrat.

Another event was organized by Dr Umar Farooq.

“We had a very successful NHCD in Philadelphia. We provided variety of services including Flu vaccine , diabetic screening, HgA1C , a new blood test for colon cancer screening, skin cancer screening, glaucoma screening , dental screening and many more . Thank you Dr Imran Amir, Dr Mohammad Arshad, APPNAPUN president Shazia Saval and especially my doctor students (IMGS) and volunteers to make it an amazing exemplary success.”

Southern California
NHCD was organized by Dr Yasmin Qasim and Dr Nusrum Iqbal.

NHCD was organized by Dr Shamim Salman.

NHCD was organized by Dr Shahram Malik.“APPNA members held a successful health camp at the local mosque.Our physicians saw approximately 50 patients, gave them Flu vaccines too. One new patient with DM was identified, two patients with uncontrolled blood pressure were identified and were Counseled.”

The Washington Association of Pakistani Physicians (WAPP), in collaboration with APPNA and ICNA Relief, successfully organized the National Health Care Day (NHCD) event on October 11, 2025, at the ICNA Relief Center in Renton, WA.

 

Approximately 12 medical and dental physicians and 20 additional volunteers participated in the event. We had a total of 45 attendees registered to receive services.

 

Medical services included blood pressure measurement, blood glucose and A1C testing, hemoglobin screening/iron checks, depression screening, mental health consultations, foot and ankle care, back care, vision screening, and flu vaccinations. Dental services were offered in partnership with Medical Teams International, including oral health screenings and tooth extractions.