The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) is an American physicians not for profit organization headquartered in Westmont, Illinois. It was formerly known as the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America when it started in 1976 and was formally incorporated in 1977. APPNA is one of the largest ethnic medical societies in North America representing more than 17,000 physicians and health care professionals of Pakistani descent[1] serving across the United States and Canada.
APPNA is a not-for-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois, and designated as a tax exempt charity under the section 501 (c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code. APPNA is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering scientific development and education in the field of medicine and to delivering better health care, irrespective of race, color, creed, or gender.
APPNA members participate in medical relief and other charitable activities at home and abroad. APPNA physicians have actively participated in the relief activities in the aftermath of 9/11, Katrina, the 2005 Pakistan Earthquake, and other natural disasters and humanitarian campaigns around the world.
The organization holds conferences in different locations throughout North America and an annual Summer Conference. There are regional chapters for all major parts of the United States and Canada, with some areas having multiple chapters. APPNA has also helped develop North American alumni association chapters for all major Pakistani medical colleges.
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APPNA SEHAT (Scientific Educational Health Administrative Training) is a subsidiary of APPNA that was established in 1989 and registered as Social welfare organization. In Urdu sehat means health. The main purpose of APPNA SEHAT was to develop a low cost model which could address health and related problems effectively and efficiently and to implement practically low cost primary health care projects based on the model for poor and marginalized segments of rural communities. APPNA appointed a team of health experts to investigate the health situation in Pakistan. SEHAT developed Health Education based low cost practical model for rural communities. The approach is aiming at behavioral changes through education, guidance and capacity building through trainings. The proposed model of self-help is a process of transformation of marginalized, un-served, and looking for ‘dole-outs’ communities into effective, independent, self-sustaining communities, meeting most of their needs especially the primary health care needs. The model was pilot tested from 1989 to 1992 in four topographically and culturally diverse areas of Pakistan from mountains of NWFP through hills and planes of Punjab to deserts of Sindh. It launched its first ever Primary Health Care project in 1989 as pilot project with 16,357 people living in 2,200 households of 15 villages at four places Mardan, Murree, Sahiwal and Badin. Through the policy of graduation out, which is the premise of the program, all those units which were on APPNA SEHAT financial support for more than three years or more, have been graduated out. The finances so spared will be used to include new communities waiting for technical and social guidance to improve their life style. So far 37 units at all locations have been graduated out of program and added 16 new communities. [2]
In 1990, Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) was formed as the political arm of APPNA and it was registered as a separate entity. Though originally it was primarily composed of physicians, it has since become open for all Pakistani Americans.
The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) is a nationwide, membership based, not for-profit lobbying organization registered with the US Federal Election Commission. PAKPAC membership is largely dominated by nearly 10,000 Physicians of Pakistani descent that are established across United States and contribute more than $100 billion to the GDP. It’s membership is open to the entire Pakistani American community which is rapidly approaching the 1 million mark PAKPAC's mission is to advance and strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations, while working tirelessly to preserve, protect and promote ideals of civil liberties commonly cherished by all Americans. PAKPAC is organized to give voice to issues and concerns common to the Pakistani American community. It play's an important role in fostering greater political and civic engagement within the Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also focused in collaborating with other regional and national Pakistani American organizations, as it continues to serve as a watch dog for inaccurate and negatively biased media coverage about Pakistan and Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also involved in educating media outlets, political parties, academic institutions, think tanks, and Administration (US as well as Pakistani) about issues of concern and significance to the Pakistani American community, especially concerns of becoming a victim of hate crime on account of ongoing terrorist threats.
PAKPAC is also engaged in enhancing US image in Pakistan by creating awareness regarding the greatness of America that has provided majority of Pakistani Americans to realize the “American dream” by living in peace and prosperity without fear of persecution.
PAKPAC is currently focused on promoting the following legislative agenda:
1. Civil Liberties:
The pursuit of civil liberties remains an unfinished business. PAKPAC continues to strive to ensure that Pakistani American community continues to enjoy the principles of free society through our role in remaining engaged with executive and the legislative branch of the government.
2. Economic Development:
The Pakistani American community is endowed with entrepreneurial spirit and if given the optimum chance can contribute immensely in creating employment opportunities for all Americans. We envision that at least $100 million every five years be earmarked for Pakistani Americans to seek through various SBA programs available with commercial banks, or grants and interest free loans available through Federal and State agencies; this would undoubtedly catalyze creation of skilled as well as unskilled jobs, especially in the healthcare and general services sector.
3. Education Credits:
Pakistani American community is very committed to encouraging its children to receive formal education. Most of the Pakistani American children finish graduate school. We believe that amongst the immigrant communities in the US, Pakistani American parents largely participate in defraying college education for their children. We hope that the US congress will consider offering $5000 in tax credit per child per year for Americans of Pakistani descent who is at least defraying 50% cost of their child's college education.
4. AID to Pakistan:
United States should begin to equate similar importance to Pakistan in Southeast Asia, as we offer to State of Israel in the Middle East to ensure global peace. PAKPAC envisions an additional $100 million per year to be allocated over next ten (10) years in aiding Pakistan to overhaul her primary education infrastructure, catalyze cultural evolution and welcome tourism.
5. TRADE with Pakistan:
Stimulating US-Pakistan trade is essential to create a sustainable economic growth in Pakistan. PAKPAC envisions US congress to pass legislation offering Federal corporate tax holiday for five years to small and mid size US companies that do business with Pakistan.
In 1990 the group organized CAPPNA (Children of Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America) to plan and promote programs for the members' children. Numerous activities were planned to promote education and fun for the youth of APPNA. However, in 2004 CAPPNA dissolved and remained inactive until the 2007 conference in Orlando, FL. The attempt to rejuvenate the organization had mild success due to lack of effort.
In 1993, SAYA was organized as the Society of APPNA's Young Adults. SAYA, is the youth group under the larger APPNA (Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America). SAYA is now an autonomous organization with college and graduate students. SAYA puts on events during the annual APPNA summer convention. The members of SAYA are highly active, working together throughout the year to organize events. SAYA's events and concerts have become popular with both the adults and children.
SAYA's mission as written on the SAYA website is as follows: "SAYA is moving towards a more philanthropic, mature, and responsible position while still providing the entertainment the younger adults love. This is the stance that SAYA believes Pakistani youth should take in their respective communities, so SAYA would like to emulate that. As SAYA rolls onto the future, SAYA hopes to extend its reach beyond the borders of the "APPNA weekend" every summer."