Incredible Spring Meeting of Pakistani-American Physicians in Chicago

By honoring Top Physician Achievers and their noteworthy contributions to the American Medical Society over the course of a four-day conference, APPNA puts the emphasis on Pakistani American physicians.

The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) held its Annual Four-Day Spring Meeting and Conference at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, Illinois, from Thursday, April 25, to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The fantastic occasion highlights Pakistani American doctors by honoring Top Physician Achievers and their noteworthy social achievements. Throughout the year, APPNA has four meetings. In addition to providing social gatherings, its meetings offer chances for ongoing medical education.

Over the course of over 40 years, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) has been an invaluable resource for millions of Americans across the country.and overseas also. APPNA works on significant projects each year to help its component chapters grow the network of free clinics and provide assistance to the underprivileged community members, irrespective of their race, religion, or ethnicity.

When it comes to helping the community's less fortunate residents during natural catastrophes like tornadoes, floods, etc., APPNA has always been at the front of the line.
Year 2024's president was Dr. Asif Mohiuddin, while the event's chair was Dr. Sajid Mehmood, MD, FCCP.

Fifty distinguished speakers, Physicians, Academics, Civic leaders, and Journalists were scheduled to address attendees of the Spring Meeting of the APPNA. Congresswoman Delia Remirez and Congressman Jamaal Bowman's remarks.

Masood Khan, the Pakistani ambassador to the United States, praised APPNA for its services to mankind and expressed gratitude to Asif Mohiuddin, the organization's president, and Sajid Mehmood, the chairperson of the 2024 Spring Meeting, for giving him the chance to participate.

In a video message, U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar honored APPNA physicians for their lifetime commitment to medical education and community service. I will always be appreciative of the ways in which you all contribute to the upkeep of our communities. highlighting the valuable contributions being made by Pakistani immigrants, particularly medical professionals.

About 18,000 Pakistani citizens, mostly medical professionals, become citizens of the United States this year, the ambassador informed the gathering. In two rounds of high-level health dialogue, he added, Pakistan and the US have made resolutions to advance bilateral cooperation in healthcare. To assist us in establishing a CDC in Pakistan for disease surveillance, we have asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Pakistani Ambassador stated. He continued, "We have also chosen to devote our time, efforts, and resources to the prevention of non-communicable diseases as well as the death of children and mothers." Masood Khan asked the medical community to increase financing to Pakistan in response to the investments made by Pakistani-American physicians in telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical transcription billing, and other healthcare-related subsectors back home. He added that further research should be done on the concept of health tourism based on Turkey's example.

highlighting the IT sector as another. Masood Khan emphasized that there is a significant chance to profit from IT investments because the nation has 135 million internet members and 192 million mobile phone users. In terms of IT, he continued, Pakistan is the most affordable nation. "Invest in Pakistan and have faith in Pakistan," the ambassador implored. He restated that the most enduring link in the Pakistan-US relationship was the Pakistani diaspora in the United States, particularly the medical community, engineering community, and other professions. We are proud of our strong and enduring relationship. Both Pakistan and the United States benefit from this. Prior to this, the Ambassador also engaged with the Pakistani community at the Consul General of Pakistan's Chicago residence.

Professionals, business executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders were among the guests. The ambassador gave a speech to the group and mentioned the abundance of investment prospects in Pakistan, particularly in the extractives, IT, agricultural, and renewable energy sectors. In order to facilitate investments, remove obstacles, and guarantee that the business community in Pakistan is given a friendly atmosphere in which to conduct successful commercial operations, he emphasized the crucial role that the Special Investment Facilitation Council was playing.

Among the civic representations who warmly attended the event were the Consul General of Pakistan, Tariq Kareem, many other members of the Pakistani community, and several elected officials of Metropolitan Chicago.

Numerous television networks in the Chicago area, as well as numerous mainstream and ethnic media groups, covered the event.