It was the summer of 2003. I completed a fellowship in Hospital Administration at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. As I started to network for full-time job opportunities, I came across many individuals who shared valuable tips and advice. It was during this phase when I came up with the idea of starting an organization that connected Muslims working in diverse sectors of healthcare, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, dentists, healthcare administrators, entrepreneurs etc.

I felt there was a great deal of untapped potential. I envisioned this organization would exist for professional development reasons but the larger goal was to provide a platform so we can leverage our collective skill sets and expertise to work on public health initiatives. From lack of affordable health coverage to stigma around mental health issues to gun violence to homelessness to domestic violence, there was no shortage of issues which required our collective and dedicated attention.

Over the years, the organization has accomplished many great feats and events that have garnered nationwide support. In 2016, we convened a National Interfaith Enrollment Campaign with over fifty partner organizations and in 2017, we hosted the first-ever National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit. More recently, we launched a series of Mental Health First Aid Certification training in various cities. I’m deeply indebted to past and current presidents, board members, staff, volunteers and donors who have spent countless hours to enact AMHP’s mission by bringing together and strengthening the impact of health professionals to improve the health and wellness of all Americans.

As Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. profoundly remarked, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” 

Fighting for a fair and equitable health system for everyone in our country is mandated by our faith. To serve others is one of the most beautiful ways to worship God and that is a guiding principle that we must remind ourselves when taking care of vulnerable members of society. I hope you will pick a public health cause that resonates with you and contribute to making a lasting impact by improving the health and wellness of all Americans.

Respectfully,

Arshia Wajid

Founder & Development Director

American Muslim Health Professionals