Shining Star of the Month (Mar 2007)

Iftikhar Ahmad Ali, M.D., was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1971, and relocated with his family to Houston in late 1979.  His academic excellence during high school procured a scholarship to attend the University of Houston.  After graduating with honors, Iftikhar went on to Texas Tech Medical School, and then returned closer to home to complete a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.  After completing his residency in 2000, Iftikhar joined the faculty of UTMB as an Attending Physician in both departments of Internal and Emergency Medicine, working largely in the Level I ER at the facility.

It was in early 2005 that he had his first taste of “disaster” medicine. Under the advice of his father, Mirza Irshad Ali, Iftikhar decided to join Humanity First (HF) in Indonesia for the Tsunami Relief Effort.  However, while at the airport, minutes before embarking upon his journey he learned that the Indonesian government was not allowing any additional volunteers.  After discussing the situation with Munum Naeem, Chairman of HFUSA, Iftikhar’s itinerary changed as he was redirected to Guyana, South America for flood relief.  Guyana had just experienced the worst flooding in over 130 years, and unfortunately had received little in the way of publicity for the cause or relief.

Iftikhar completed two tours of relief work in Guyana, which was not only a life-changing experience for him, but also one that brought many blessings.  Soon after his return to the United States, he was not only fortunate enough to marry a like-minded and devoted physician (Tayyeba Kanwal Ahmad), but was also blessed to have the Nikkah performed by Huzoor(aba) during the Canadian Jalsa Salana.

Disaster struck close to home in late August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Iftikhar again volunteered through Humanity First at the Gonzales Shelter outside of New Orleans for a week.  He was obligated to leave the relief effort early, as Hurricane Rita was heading towards his workplace of Galveston, TX.  Iftikhar then worked at his home-base ER while Rita made its way through the area.

In October 2005, a catastrophic earthquake hit Kashmir, and again Iftikhar volunteered through Humanity First for approximately two weeks time in the medical camp at Baagh. 

In February of 2006, immediately after his Valima (wedding ceremony), he embarked on another humanitarian mission – this time with his wife to Peru with the Carefree Foundation.  While there, he served as a Spanish-language translator, performed medical procedures, and gave public health lectures to members of local villages.

Iftikhar’s humanitarian missions have not gone unnoticed. In 2005, he was presented with the "Humanity First Presidential Award" and was also named as the “2005 Most Valuable ER Faculty” in Galveston.  In 2006, he received notification that he was named one of “America’s Top Physicians” and also the recipient of the “Russell Miller Award for Excellence.” Although these awards bring much pride and honor, Iftikhar continues to believe that the best reward lies in Allah’s hands.