This morning’s guest speaker was Ms. Madiha Raees, the daughter of Club member Mr. Saeed Raees, who was in Pakistan during the recent political assassination. She managed to have a meaningful experience during this ‘political turmoil’ and wanted to tell us about her experience.
She wanted to share her adventure, ‘without the colorful overtones of the mass media’, and explain what actually is happening in her home country.
The reason she was in Pakistan, said her father, was that she was on an ‘internship’ at Agu Khan University. She wants to be ‘brain surgeon’ someday, so she wanted to see ‘first hand’ the training and responsibilities that ‘neurosurgery’ entails.
In the United States, intern trainees are not permitted in the operating room while surgery is performed; only the operating doctor, his staff, and medical students in a gallery. In Pakistan, interns are permitted in the operating rooms to see if this is the specialty they truly want to pursue – ‘up close and personal.” Removing a lodged bullet in the brain is one type of surgery she witnessed. Her father was very impressed with her attitude. She still wants to become a neurosurgeon. She is very determined said her father, “She has wanted to be a brain surgeon since her middle school years in California.”
Madiha’s internship was performed at the “Indus Hospital” while in Pakistan. It would be a hospital similar to Grady Hospital here in Atlanta, where indigent patients go for specialized care. In Pakistan there is NO health insurance. Pakistanis must pay for all medical services they receive, except at this particular hospital.
All medical tests are done ‘in house’ at the hospital’s laboratory. And this is the first hospital to offer a ‘paperless’ system for all patients. All medical information can be accessed by the patient’s doctor on computer, bedside. That’s more advanced than some American hospitals.
On the downside, these medical services are not offered to villagers living outside major cities. Electrical service is spotty; and no modern hospitals exist with highly trained specialists. Doctors are not willing to open clinics because these people cannot pay the high cost of medical care. The government is not helping.
And speaking of the government, the Raees family is very pleased with the recent national Pakistani elections. With the incumbent defeated, they are hopeful change in the ‘political atmosphere’ will result in a better standard of living for all people of Pakistan.
Madiha is an Emory Junior ‘majoring’ in Neuroscience and ‘minoring’ in Spanish. She’s waiting to hear from Medical schools.
150 PEOPLE ATTENDED. Ronni French thanked everyone for their time and help. Her ‘silent auction dinner party’ was sold for $550.00
Conference is scheduled for February 23rd at Wesleyan College in Macon. George Scheer and Jim Pilcher plan to attend.
Interclub meeting, next Friday February 29th with North side Club.
Next scheduled meeting, March 4th. Need speaker
Club President Sherry Neal looking for a ‘few good men and women’ [4 or 5] to help develop a new ‘young child’ project. She has a number of ideas to sort, review, and prepare for Board consideration. She needs your help.
Peachtree-Atlanta Club is 40 years ‘young’. 25 of the past 34 club presidents to be honored at Club breakfast, February 26th. You don’t want to miss all the funny stories and antidotes these ladies and gentlemen will provide.
Past presidents will occupy the two front tables…clear the way…
A.P.D. Detective received the Police Officer of the Month award for HER thoroughness and diligence investigating aggravated assault and sex crimes. She recently not only investigated a man shot, but his ‘crime partner’, who was also shot in their apartment in an argument. By the way, she discovered the men were ‘big time marijuana farmers’ in their apartment. BINGO!
* Many thanks to John Nix who filled in as ‘Master of Ceremonies this morning. Club President Sherry Neal is ‘under the weather’ with the flu and she’s nursing her daughter and husband who have the same illness. Get well soon, ya’ll.
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