| Dr. Riaz Qureshi (Late) is a name that needs no introduction, a magnanimous personality who worked hard in establishing primary health care in this region. He is famously known as the “Father of Family Medicine” in Pakistan. He dedicated a lifetime to the pursuit of knowledge and excellence in Family Medicine, leaving an ineradicable mark on the world of academia and healthcare. Dr. Riaz (Late) was awarded a fellowship of the RCGP for exceptional contribution to the teaching and training of Family medicine in Saudia Arabia and the United Kingdom. He graduated from Dow Medical College in 1966 following which he spent considerable time in the UK and Middle East, only to return to Pakistan with the vision of establishing Family medicine and successfully founded the first FM department in the country at the Aga Khan University Hospital. A mentor to many, his words of wisdom resonated in his trainees as he inspired them to become the ambassadors of primary health care. Today, many of his residents and trainees lead FM departments throughout Pakistan. He enjoyed his interaction with patients and had excellent communication skills. This quality made him a beloved and respected physician among his patients. His hypnosis sessions were highly fruitful for stress management. Over the years, he became synonymous with brilliance, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and students alike. He played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of countless individuals, instilling a passion for learning and a commitment to advancing the frontiers of medical knowledge. Beyond his academic achievement, he was a compassionate being, who made it very easy for people to approach him. As a Professor Emeritus awarded at IHHN, he continued to contribute to the field long after his retirement. He remained an active and engaged member of the academic community, offering invaluable insights and guidance to colleagues and aspiring professionals. His dedication to education and research was truly exemplary, setting a standard for excellence that will endure for generations to come. |
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Dr. Seemin Jamali (Late), also known as the “Iron Lady of Pakistan ” is an eminent figure in emergency services, known for her exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to the field. Born in Karachi in 1961, Dr. Jamali’s journey in medicine began at Nawab Shah Medical College, where she graduated in 1986. Over the years, she has become a beacon of expertise, dedicating her career to healthcare management and emergency care. Her pursuit of knowledge and desire to improve medical services led her to obtain a Master’s in Primary Healthcare Management from Thailand and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Emergency Care from the USA. With her outstanding abilities and unwavering commitment; she served as the Grade-21 Executive Director at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi’s largest tertiary hospital, earning the distinction of being the longest-serving in this role. Her impact reverberates through nearly three decades of dedicated service at JPMC’s emergency ward, where she exhibited unparalleled resilience in the face of crises, attending to a myriad of medical emergencies, from gunshots, to bomb blasts and plane crashes. Dr. Jamali launched several health initiatives to improve Sindh’s public health sector. Recognized as a “global hero” by the World Health Organization for her outstanding services during the COVID-19 Pandemic, she received the “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” as a testament to her significant contributions to healthcare in Pakistan. Despite retirement from JPMC in 2021, her dedication persisted in her ongoing work in the medical field. In 2022, the Pakistan Army bestowed upon her the rank of “lieutenant colonel” in acknowledgment of her outstanding service and commitment. Dr. Jamali’s indomitable spirit, extensive knowledge, and compassionate approach to healthcare have left behind a legacy of unwavering dedication to saving lives and improving healthcare in Pakistan. Her commitment to emergency care has established a benchmark for excellence that will be sustained for generations to follow. |