Committees

Goals

• Mentorship & Career Development: Establish mentorship for new medical graduates, focusing on providing resources for North American clinical experience.
• Residency Application Guidance: Provide support throughout the residency application process, including personal statement development, Letters of Recommendation (LoRs), interview preparation, and networking events.
• Resources for USMLE & Match Process: Create materials and webinars to help graduates prepare for the USMLE, navigate the ERAS and SOAP processes, and improve their residency application competitiveness.
• Visa and Relocation Support: Offer detailed guidance on different visa types (H1B, J1), their pros and cons, and provide information on accommodation, travel, and cultural adaptation for international graduates moving to North America.

Potential Projects

• Organize a "Residency Bootcamp" webinar series with mock interviews and panel discussions featuring current residents and program directors.
• Develop a "Visa and Relocation Guide" for international graduates, including important tips for adjusting to life in North America.
• Establish a mentorship matching platform where graduates can be paired with experienced pediatricians based on specific career interests.
• Maintain a list of programs where externship or observership opportunities may be available for new graduates.
• Guide for medical school electives for current medical students in Pakistan, along with relevant processes and resources.

Members:

• Dr. Muhammad Ali Syed (Chair)
• Dr. Kaukab Naseer
• Dr. Khwaja Raza Mahmood
• Dr. Ayezah Mir
• Dr. Israa Khan

Goals

• Support Residents During Training: Address challenges such as work-life balance, mental health, and burnout by organizing peer support groups, and virtual desks.
• Board Exam Preparation: Develop curated study materials and offer regular review sessions to help residents prepare for pediatric board exams, including mock tests and interactive Q&A sessions.
• Career Development Guidance: Provide personalized career guidance for residents pursuing academic medicine, fellowships, or private practice.
• Interpersonal Skills and Job Search Resources: Host workshops on CV building, job searching, contract negotiations, and soft skills crucial for success in medical careers.
• Fellowship Pathway Support: Offer resources for residents applying for subspecialty fellowships, including guidance on the application process and matching them with potential mentors.
• Encourage residents to become trainee members of APPNA Pediatrics.

Potential Projects

• Develop an Interactive Learning Repository: Create an online platform offering board review materials and case studies, allowing users to engage in self-paced learning.
• Launch a Fellowship Guidance Panel: Establish a panel where successful fellowship applicants share their experiences, provide insights, and offer application tips to aspiring candidates.
• Organize Monthly Residency Wellness Sessions: Facilitate monthly virtual support group calls aimed at addressing mental health, managing stress, and fostering peer connections for residents.
• Provide Mentorship for Research Initiatives: Offer structured mentorship and resources to support residents in conducting research activities.
• Create Research and QI Project Guidance Materials: Develop comprehensive guides on writing research and quality improvement (QI) proposals, including strategies for successfully executing projects during residency.
• Publishing Support for Research and QI Projects: Provide resources and guidance on writing manuscripts for research and QI projects, with step-by-step assistance to help residents achieve publication.

Members:

• Dr. Kaukab Naseer (Chair)
• Dr. Raheel Khan
• Dr. Nasir Rashid
• Dr. Israa Khan
• Dr. Muhammad Shahzad

Goals

• Foster Research Collaboration: Promote collaboration among early-career pediatricians on research projects that address pediatric health issues, fostering partnerships that lead to co-authored papers or grant applications.
• Training in Research Methodologies: Offer workshops on medical writing, statistical analysis, and research methodologies, focusing on both clinical and translational research.
• Funding and Grant Writing: Educate members on securing research grants, particularly from institutions like the NIH, and assist them in the grant writing process.
• Academic Growth: Provide mentorship and workshops on navigating the academic promotion process, including writing a successful academic portfolio.
• Private Practice Education: Host sessions on the pros and cons of private practice versus academic medicine, including guidance on establishing a private practice and medicolegal risk protection.

Potential Projects

• Organize an annual Pediatric Research Symposium (virtual or in-person) where members can present their ongoing research and receive feedback.
• Create a "Grant Writing 101" webinar series covering the basics of identifying funding sources, writing proposals, and managing grant budgets.
• Launch a "Publish with a Mentor" program to help early-career pediatricians co-author research papers with experienced mentors.

Members:

• Dr. Sana Syed (Chair)
• Dr. Shahid Sheikh
• Dr. Aftab Chishti
• Dr. Faiqa Qureshi
• Dr. Shehzad Saeed
• Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta

Goals

• Policy Advocacy: Advocate for national and international policies that improve pediatric healthcare, engaging with government bodies and healthcare organizations to ensure the needs of children are represented.
• Collaborations: Work closely with healthcare organizations and policymakers to promote child health initiatives, including immunizations, childhood obesity prevention, and access to healthcare.
• Community Outreach: Conduct campaigns to raise awareness about pediatric health issues, engaging local communities to promote health advocacy at grassroots levels.
• Legislative Action: Mobilize APPNA members to support key legislative initiatives that impact pediatric healthcare, including public health policies and healthcare reforms.

Potential Projects

• Host an annual "Pediatric Advocacy Day" where APPNA members meet with legislators to discuss child health policies.
• Develop a "Child Health Advocacy Toolkit" for members to use in their local communities, including templates for letters to legislators, op-eds, and public speaking guides.
• Lead a "Health Equity in Pediatrics" campaign focusing on addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations.
• Advocate and collaborate with the Ministry of Health in Pakistan to make the NRP provider course a mandatory certification for anyone involved in newborn care, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and midwives.
• Advocate and collaborate with governmental and non-governmental bodies to improve health literacy in Pakistan, including changes in school and college curricula with a focus on primary disease prevention.

Members:

• Dr. Mobeen Rathore (Chair)
• Dr. Arsala Bakhtyar
• Dr. Afshan Khattak

Goals

• Community Health Education: Develop educational materials for the general public, focusing on preventive pediatric healthcare. Topics could include childhood immunizations, nutrition, mental health, and early childhood development.
• Workshops and Webinars: Organize community-focused educational workshops and webinars, aimed at improving knowledge on pediatric health issues such as vaccinations, child safety, and developmental milestones.
• Content Creation for YouTube and Digital Platforms: Manage content creation for the APPNA Pediatrics YouTube channel, utilizing tools such as AI to create videos, tutorials, and infographics that enhance public health education.
• Community Engagement: Launch health promotion campaigns that are interactive, using AI-generated educational videos, podcasts, and blogs to reach parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Potential Projects

• Develop a series of AI-driven educational videos for the YouTube channel, focusing on preventive care and childhood development, and distribute them across digital platforms.
• Launch a "Pediatric Health Awareness Campaign" in communities, involving interactive webinars and video tutorials on child safety, vaccinations, and common pediatric illnesses.
• Organize regular community webinars where pediatricians answer questions from parents and community members.

Members:

• Dr. Safdar S Khan (Chair)
• Dr. Mahreen Siddiqui
• Dr. Ayesha Najib
• Dr. Naeem Zafar
• Dr. Bisma Arbab
• Dr. Naseeruddin Mahmood

Goals

• Enhance Digital Presence: Develop strategies to improve the digital visibility of APPNA Pediatrics across multiple platforms (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook).
• Content Creation: Create and promote multimedia content that highlights organizational achievements, events, educational materials, and advocacy efforts.
• Engage with the Pediatric Community: Launch social media campaigns to engage both APPNA members and the wider pediatric community, encouraging discussions on child health issues.
• Outreach and Collaboration: Partner with pediatric organizations, influencers, and healthcare bodies to expand the reach of digital campaigns.
• Communications Regarding Annual Meeting Scheduling, Management, and Arrangements: Coordinate and disseminate information related to the scheduling, management, and logistical arrangements of the annual meeting.
• Maintain and Update APPNA Pediatrics Website: Ensure the APPNA Pediatrics website is consistently updated with relevant information, including upcoming events, announcements, and resources, to enhance member engagement and communication.

Potential Projects

• Develop a series of infographics on pediatric health, targeting different platforms like Instagram and Facebook to raise awareness.
• Initiate a "Pediatric Q&A Live" series on social media where experts answer questions from parents and pediatricians on child health topics.
• Launch a "Spotlight on Pediatrics" campaign highlighting members’ contributions and pediatric health advancements.

Members:

• Dr. Tooba Mansoor (Chair, Secretary APPNA Pediatrics)
• Dr. Rao Rashid Mushtaq
• Dr. Nighat Mehndi
• Dr. Khalid Kamal

Goals

• Grow Membership Base: Design outreach strategies to increase the number of registered APPNA Pediatrics members, particularly by engaging those who may not yet have involved in the organization.
• Foster Member Engagement: Create opportunities for current members to connect through events, webinars, and other networking activities.
• Member Benefits: Develop exclusive member benefits, such as access to specialized pediatric resources, discounted events, and participation in mentorship programs.

Potential Projects

• Launch a Membership Growth Campaign
• Maintain the membership form to be fully digital and accessible online, enabling members to complete it as a fillable form rather than as a paper or static PDF file.
• Additionally, integrate an online payment system for membership dues.

Members:

• Dr. Israa Khan (Chair)
• Dr. Shahla Kaukab (Treasurer APPNA Pediatrics)
• Dr. Ghazala Khan
• Dr. Shoaib Rao
• Dr. Waseem Akhtar

Goals

• By-Laws Review: Regularly review the organization's by-laws and propose amendments to keep them relevant to APPNA Pediatrics' growth and mission.
• Governance Alignment: Ensure that all governance practices align with the organization’s mission and best practices in non-profit management.
• Interpretation and Guidance: Provide guidance on interpreting the by-laws, ensuring that all committees operate in accordance with established rules and regulations.

Potential Projects

• Host an annual "By-Laws Workshop" to educate committee members and the general membership about governance processes.
• Regularly update the By-Laws Guide to ensure it reflects the latest legal and organizational needs.
• Prepare an annual Governance Report for the Executive Committee, detailing areas for improvement or amendment.

Members:

• Dr. Mohammad Riaz (Chair)
• Dr. Ayesha Najib
• Dr. Arsala Bakhtyar
• Dr. Khalid Kamal

Goals

• Oversee Elections: Ensure that APPNA Pediatrics leadership elections are transparent, fair, and well-publicized, and conducted in accordance with current by-laws, encouraging full participation from eligible members.
• Encourage Leadership Development: Promote opportunities for leadership within the organization, ensuring that diverse voices are encouraged to take on leadership roles.
• Engage Membership in the Process: Increase awareness about the nomination and election process, ensuring all eligible members have an opportunity to nominate and vote for candidates.

Potential Projects

• Develop a Leadership Development Program to mentor potential candidates for future leadership roles.
• Create a Nomination and Election FAQ Guide to demystify the election process and encourage participation.
• Organize a Leadership Candidate Forum where candidates can present their vision for the future of APPNA Pediatrics.

Members:

• Dr. Khwaja Raza Mahmood (Chair)
• Dr. Khoshnood Ahmad
• Dr. Waseem Akhtar

The committee will receive and review all grievances brought forward by any member of the association and provide an opinion on them. It will also review and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board regarding any ethical conduct issues that may be raised about any member of the association.

Members:

• Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta
• Dr. Khoshnood Sajid Maqbool
• Dr. Waseem Akhtar

This committee will work towards reducing perinatal mortality in Pakistan by gathering neonatologists working in North America, holding meetings with neonatologists in Pakistan, and adopting measures to reduce mortality at the hospital, district, and village levels.

It will also facilitate the rollout of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).

Members:

• Dr. Misbah Qureshi (Chair)
• Dr. Mohammad Riaz (Co-Chair)
• Dr. Nasir Rashid
• Dr. Kamel M Ghaben
• Dr. Shehzad Huda
• Dr. Muhammad Shehzad

Goals

• Advocate for the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course in Pakistan to increase the number of certified individuals.
• Support critical care services in Pakistan, including tele-rounds and collaborations with child life foundations.
• Help improve emergency and critical care services in Pakistan.

Members:

• Dr. Mahreen Siddiqui (Chair)
• Dr. Muhammad Ali Syed
• Dr. Mahmood Khichi
• Dr. Faiqa Qureshi
• Dr. Samina Hijab
• Dr. Tooba Mansoor

Goals

The focal person will facilitate communication and collaboration among subspecialists, maintain a WhatsApp group involving subspecialty members from the USA and Pakistan, ensure regular updates and discussions, and find avenues for better healthcare delivery in Pakistan through collaborative efforts.

Pediatric Cardiology: Dr. Danyal Khan
Pediatric Critical care: Dr. Adnan Bhutta
Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Dr. Faiqa Qureshi
Pediatric Endocrinology: Dr. Omar Ali
Pediatric Gastroenterology: Dr. Hassan Abdullah
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology: Dr. Naheed Usmani
Pediatric Infectious Disease: Dr. Mobeen Rathore
Neonatology: Dr. Nasir Rashid
Pediatric Nephrology: Dr. Aftab Chishti
Pediatric Neurology: Dr. Misbah Salam
Pediatric Pulmonology: Dr. Shahid Sheikh
Pediatric Surgery: Dr. Faisal G Qureshi