Member Spotlight Questions

1. Please tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare.

As a physician with over two decades of clinical and academic experience, I witnessed the profound influence that healthcare professionals have on individuals and communities. I was inspired to pursue a career in medicine and healthcare leadership by my quest to make a positive impact in people’s lives, beyond their physical illness.

Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and the challenges it presents require constant adaptation and innovation. This aspect of the profession intrigued me and fueled my desire to contribute to the advancement of healthcare.

In addition, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of healthcare and leadership. Recognizing the critical role that effective leadership plays in driving positive change and improving healthcare outcomes, I was motivated to pursue a career that combined my medical expertise with leadership skills. I believe that strong leadership is essential for addressing thecomplex challenges in healthcare and implementing innovative solutions, and physicians can play a key role in healthcare leadership.

2.What activities do you like to do in your free time?

I love to read, write, travel, and spend time with my family, but I dedicate a large part of my free time to giving back to the community and paying it forward to future generations. I am very grateful to my husband, Tariq, my sons Cyrus and Salman and my daughter-in-love, Heena for supporting me in my career journey. Both Cyrus and Heena are physicians in Houston and Salman is an aspiring physician.

As a clinical professor at Tillman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, I have the privilege

 of teaching and guiding future physicians. It is fulfilling to see my students grow and develop, and I am proud to shape their careers and contribute to healthcare’s future. Being a professor is a rewarding combination of my love for medicine and dedication to education.

As a board member of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Greater Houston, I actively contribute to the organization’s mission of improving the health of underserved communities. Through mentoring and supporting Schweitzer Fellows in their service projects, I collaborate with passionate individuals to make a positive impact in the community, reinforcing my commitment to equitable and quality care for all.

I am actively involved as a board member of SHIFA Healthcare and Community Services in Houston, where I contribute to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations. This includes identifying gaps in healthcare services, advocating for policy changes, and exploring innovative approaches to improve access to quality care and promote community well-being.

As a Master Certified Professional Coach, I cultivate strong healthcare leaders through personalized coaching, helping them unlock their full potential, enhance their skills and navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry. By investing in leadership development and fostering a culture of continuous learning, healthcare organizations can cultivate an innovative leadership community committed to excellence and improving patient care.

As a senior fellow in Class XLV of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), I participate in transformative experiences that deepen my understanding of effective leadership. ALF serves as a unique platform for leaders from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and drive positive change through leadership programs, workshops, and community projects. Through my involvement in ALF, I gain valuable insights into different leadership styles and strategies, while emphasizing the importance of servant leadership. Being a part of ALF enhances my leadership capabilities and 

empowers me to have a greater impact on my community.

3.What is your favorite ACHE memory or activity?

Earning a Fellow of ACHE is a significant achievement for me. It brings recognition and credibility to my professional experience, indicating a commitment to excellence in healthcare management and leadership. By meeting ACHE’s strict standards of education, experience, and ethical conduct, I demonstrate my dedication beyond clinical expertise. As a Fellow, I gain access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and career development support. I can connect and collaborate with a diverse network of healthcare leaders, learn from industry experts, and stay updated with the latest trends in healthcare management. ACHE offers specialized resources, educational programs, and events that enhance my knowledge and skills. Overall, being a Fellow of ACHE validates my commitment to excellence, opens doors for professional growth, and positions me as a leader in the healthcare industry. I want to inspire physicians to be part of ACHE and pursue a career in healthcare leadership by earning a Fellow certification.

4.How do you envision healthcare in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, healthcare is poised to undergo significant advancements and transformations. Rapid advancements in technology will revolutionize healthcare delivery, with widespread adoption of telemedicine, artificial intelligence, wearables, and remote patient monitoring. These technological innova

tions will improve access to care, enhance diagnostics, and enable personalized treatment plans. Data-driven healthcare decision-making will become integral, utilizing big data and analytics to identify patterns, predict diseases, and develop targeted interventions. This data-driven approach will enable proactive and personalized care. The focus will shift towards a more patient-centric model of care, empowering patients with increased access to their health information and actively involving them in their own care decisions. Shared decision-making, personalized medicine, and patient engagement will be key elements of healthcare delivery. Healthcare systems will emphasize population health management, addressing the broader determinants of health through preventive care, health promotion, and addressing social determinants of health. Collaborative efforts across sectors will be crucial in achieving improved population health outcomes. Additionally, seamless interoperability and secure health information exchange will become a reality, enabling comprehensive views of patients’ health information and facilitating better care coordination, reduced medical errors, and improved patient outcomes. Overall, the future of healthcare holds immense potential for advancements that will enhance accessibility, quality, and patient outcomes.