WebEx instructions: For Alumni who want to view this talk online
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Aga Khan University Alumni Association of North America
Connecting AKU Alumni in North America
Contributions for the next issue of the AKU-NAMA to be published in April/May, 2013 are now being accepted. AKU-NAMA continues to reflect the breadth and depth of alumni experiences and successes and highlight unique attributes and achievements throughout the World. So reach for your favourite pen or the nearest keyboard and let’s get started!
Materials worth contributing are as diverse as AKU’s amazing alumni body! From exciting career options to achievements in research; from initiatives in public service to unusual interests. Letters to the Editor, travelogues, book reviews, opinion pieces in modern technology and trends in education are always welcome!
Article length should be approximately 500-600 words. Photographs are welcome but they must be high resolution digital photographs (JPEG files over 1 MB). You can submit articles at the Article Submission Form on the AKU website.
Last day for submissions for the next issue is January 21, 2013.
Please note that the next and subsequent issues of the AKU-NAMA will primarily be circulated in electronic format. If you would like to receive a paper copy, kindly indicate so on the Update Your Information Form on the AKU website or email at alumni@aku.edu.
Dr. Farhat Abbas, Dean, Medical College has been named a Fellow of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences. The Academy, a non-governmental body of distinguished scientists from across Pakistan, serves to advise the government of scientific development in the country. Dr. Abbas’s contribution to the University, the community and the country in the field of clinical practice, medical research and education is exemplary. Members of AKUAANA congratulate Dr. Abbas on this honor.
Flyer: AKU Annual Forum on Continuing Medical Education
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Registration Form: AKU Annual Forum on Continuing Medical Education
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Dr. Saad B. Omer is an Assistant Professor of Global Health, Epidemiology, & Pediatrics at Emory University, Schools of Public Health and Medicine. He received his medical degree from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan (Class of 1998) and his PhD from Johns Hopkins and has worked on studies in the United States, Guatemala, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda and South Africa. Dr. Omer’s research portfolio includes clinical trials to estimate efficacy and/or immunogenicity of influenza, polio, measles and pneumococcal vaccines; studies on the impact of spatial clustering of vaccine refusers; and clinical trials to evaluate drug regimens to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Africa. He has conducted several studies to evaluate the roles of schools, parents, health care providers, and state-level legislation in relation to immunization coverage and disease incidence. Dr. Omer has published widely in peer reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, the Lancet, British Medical Journal, Pediatrics, American Journal of Public Health, and American Journal of Epidemiology.
Pregnant women, fetuses, and young infants are high risk groups for morbidity and mortality after influenza infection. Dr. Omer was first to document the effect of influenza immunization in pregnancy in preventing pre-term and small for gestational age births. He was one of the investigators who, for the first time, demonstrated that vaccinating pregnant women against influenza protects their infants against this disease. These findings formed the evidence base for national recommendations in multiple countries and for the WHO’s recent recommendation for global introduction of influenza vaccination –particularly among pregnant women. Dr. Omer was first to demonstrate that spatial clustering of vaccine refusers is associated with outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. This work and other related studies influenced laws and policies in multiple states in the United States.
In 2009, Dr Omer was awarded the Maurice Hilleman award in vaccinology by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases on his work on impact of maternal influenza immunization on respiratory illness in infants younger than 6 months – for whom there is no vaccine.
The AKUAANA website features an AKU alumnus every quarter. We want profiles to highlight various aspects of alumni careers/lives – academic and research, clinical, private practice, political achievements, social activism, philanthropy etc.
Profiles of other alumni highlighted on the website over the time can be viewed under the “Featured Alumni” category.
In order to nominate someone or self-nominate, email your nomination and information by email to .
Partnerships In Action is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation USA to raise awareness and funds for innovative programs that create hope and opportunity for disadvantaged communities in the developing world.
The link to Partnerships In Action is AKF USA’s online portal to accept gifts exclusively for Aga Khan University. Aga Khan Foundation’s webpage for online contributions is now active. You can access the page using the following link: http://partnershipsinaction.kintera.org/aku
Please note that online gift processing fee charged by Kintera is 3%. Donors wishing to make a contribution should realize that this fee will be deducted from their online contribution and the net value will be credited to the donor
Hurricane Sandy has been a disaster of mammoth proportions. More than 8 million people have been affected. The damage in New York alone is estimated to be over 30 billion dollars. Several APPNA members and their families in New York and New Jersey have been personally affected and their life is just returning to near normalcy.
APPNA is helping with relief efforts in Brighton beach, New York and Jersey Shores where over 1000 Pakistani Americans have also been affected. These people need our urgent help as they are desperately in need of heaters and blankets. Following APPNA efforts are under way:
These are the initial efforts. APPNA plans to do much more for all Hurricane affected Americans in coming weeks. Please contribute generously for the storm victims. You can sponsor any of the following:
To help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, please donate generously to a relief fund set up by APPNA. You do not have to be a member of APPNA to participate in this humanitarian effort. Any amount large or small is welcome. Please visit the APPNA web page for public donations.
Thank you
Sadaf Khan
President, AKUAANA