APPNA Organizes Forum on ‘Muslims in the Hospital’
By Yousuf Bhuvad

Speakers at the APPNA meeting

Phoenix, Arizona: The APPNA Arizona chapter organized a forum on “Muslims in the Hospital: A Research Agenda to Study Muslim Americans, Health, and Medicine" on May 17th at a Hospice facility in Phoenix , Arizona .
The program started at 6:30 pm with a social hour. The gathering included professionals in the Phoenix metropolitan area, both physicians and non-physicians.  After Maghrib prayers, Dr. Asim Khawja, president of APPNA Arizona, and Dr. Azhar Jan welcomed the guests and gave a brief overview of the purpose of the forum. Dr. Khawaja introduced Fakhia Rashid, Director of Development Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU).
Fakhia described the mission, goals and objectives of the ISPU, a think tank committed to education, research and analysis of issues related to the American Muslim community. It provides the cutting edge analysis, policy solutions through publications, public events, media commentary and community research.
Saeed Khan, who is a founder and senior research fellow Institute of Social Policy & Understanding and a lecturer in the Department of Near East & Asian Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit also addressed the audience.
Dr. Hasan Shanawani, MD, MPH, ISPU Research Fellow, Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Wayne State University, Michigan, the keynote speaker, gave a powerful presentation on how ISPU collaborates with other organizations in performing and sharing studies and stories to allow the policy makers make the right decision. He gave specific examples of studies done by various think tank organizations on Muslim patients and their concerns for end of life treatment. This was followed by a question answer session.
In his closing remarks, Dr Asim Khawja noted that many people think that APPNA has become a religious organization while others feel it is not doing enough for the religion. We should be open minded and remain united respecting all viewpoints. He thanked Dr. Sharif and his team for providing the venue/dinner and the volunteers for making the event successful.

 

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