FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT ELECT 2019

As a member of the 2019 Executive Committee, I am looking forward to working with APPNA President, Dr. Naseem Shekhani and other elected officials to set new goals and advance the mission of APPNA. I am very optimistic that we will refocus as an organization on our constructive vision and a brighter future. Dr. Shekhani and I have discussed the following specific initiatives I will take the lead on with our membership’s help and participation.

1. Nurturing women leadership

We want to ensure that the many talented women physicians of APPNA are making their contributions to APPNA in leadership roles. We will kick off women leadership training and mentorship workshops in APPNA meetings and are inviting APPNA women to put forward their names and ideas to develop this initiative.

2. Strengthening APPNA Educational Initiatives: RESA and MERIT

In my new role as Advisor for APPNA educational initiatives – RESA and MERIT, I met with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Vice Chancellors in December to discuss ways in which APPNA can strengthen medical education there. APPNA and HEC are working on an MOU for formal collaboration. APPNA will also develop APPNA Faculty Network to guide our educational programs.

3. Strengthen APPNA Component Societies

As APPNA President-Elect, I will work to bring greater sharing of best practices and more standardization across our component societies and help train component society leaders for their role on APPNA Council.

4. US/Canada medical graduates section

We will start rebuilding an APPNA section specifically for US/Canada graduates. The Section will be a platform for professional networking, advocacy, US and international medical missions, youth mentorship, social and entertainment activities geared specifically to these graduates.

5. Chapter-based Youth Mentorship

I will work with APPNA Chapters to create Youth Mentorship Committees for our high school and college students to help them succeed in healthcare fields. This could be an excellent collaboration between local chapters and APPNA Alliance.

I want to thank all of you for entrusting me with the role of President-Elect 2019 and the departing members of 2018 EC for their hard work, including Past President Sajid Chaudhary and Secretary Sohail Khan. I am looking forward to working with 2019 EC members, including President Shekhani, Past President Iqbal Zafar Hamid, Secretary Lubna Naeem, and Treasurer Aftab Khan. Please join us in kicking off a productive 2019 and a stronger APPNA!

Naheed Usmani, M.D
President Elect 2019