Core Group

The physicians and professionals behind AMPI

A small group of volunteers in Chicago who give their time, skill and support to AMPI’s free clinic, inpatient ward and programs in Hyderabad. Tap a face to read their story.

Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy & Immunology

Dr. Javeed Akhter

Board Member

Physician and pediatric specialist in Pulmonology, and Allergy/Immunology.

  • Asthma comprehensive program
  • Cystic Fibrosis. Top ten in the US
  • JMF Primary Immune Deficiency center
  • Recognized as “Best doctors of Chicago” by the Chicago Magazine and US News and World Report
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Writing for general audience

Started writing for newspapers right after 9/11. Over 70 op-eds in two Chicago area newspapers, the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald, on pluralism, democracy, civil rights, human rights, Islamophobia, and the Indian Muslim.

Books and Chapters

Book on Seera: Author of a peer-reviewed book analyzing the biography of prophet Muhammad titled “Prophetic Wisdom: The seven phases of Prophet Muhammad’s life.” Professor Sani, one of the reviewers, summarized it as follows. “The author not only succeeds in achieving his declared objective-namely, to present, in a holistic rather than in an anecdotal manner, the dynamics of the Prophet’s life but also states eloquently the current epistemic shift in the sirah scholarship now highlighting the liminal aspects of the anecdotal discourse as they relate to contemporary realities and problems. The book represents a fascinating document by someone other than a Fachmann, a specialist, in Islamic history.”

Cherif Bassiouni promoted the book strenuously, Tasneema Ghazi says it is good ‘niche’ book. The book is available on Amazon and Audible.

Other books: ‘The treasure trove’ (edited version of Maulana Azad’s Sura Fatiha), available at Iqra and LuLu. Does Islam promote violence (Apple book).

International Strategy and Policy Institute (ISPI)

Also directs another NGO, ISPI, a Muslim think tank designed to promote pluralism from a Muslim perspective, running a ‘covenant Madina based’ Pluralism Project with Indiana University.

  • Pluralism is a gift of Islam to humanity
  • Muslims need to be reminded of their glorious pluralistic past
  • Non-Muslims need to be educated about Islam’s inclusive values
  • Networking with like-minded groups
  • Strategies for living in a pluralistic world, making the world better and preserving Islamic values
Internal Medicine

Dr. Zainab Baig

Board Member

Dr. Zainab Baig, MD is a Board-Certified Internist who has practiced as a Hospitalist and Practice Builder at several hospitals across Chicagoland for over 20 years. She is currently a regional Director at Humana where she helps physicians and healthcare facilities manage complex inpatient care.

In 2024, Zainab represented AMPI and in collaboration with Helping Hands foundation inaugurated a special inpatient ward for treatment of tropical diseases.

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Zainab did her Internal Medicine residency from Cornell University hospital in New York City and studied medicine at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. Zainab is passionate about expanding access to healthcare and education for underprivileged communities.

Zainab is also a board member of FORA, a Chicago based organization that helps bridge educational gaps for refugee children who are accepted into the Chicago public school system. Zainab and her husband Aamer have two adult daughters and live in downtown Chicago.

Neurology

Dr. Sohail Ahmed

Long-term member, former Secretary

Dr. Sohail Ahmed is a neurologist at Advocate health system. He is a long-term member of the AMPI enterprise and has been a secretary of the organization for some years.

A quiet and thoughtful member and a great asset to AMPI.

Cardiology & Cardio-Oncology

Dr. Nausheen Akhter

Northwestern Medicine

Nausheen Akhter, MD is a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine and an associate professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She specializes in cardio-oncology and imaging, and is the Director of the Cardio-Oncology program at Northwestern Medicine, which recently received a designation as an International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) Gold Center of Excellence.

Awarded the Northwestern Medicine 2025 Humanitarian award.

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Dr. Akhter has published multiple peer-reviewed papers. She is also passionate about service, advocacy and mentorship, and has received several awards for teaching and humanism.

She is faculty of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and faculty of the American Society of Echocardiography (FASE). She has served leadership roles nationally on the inaugural board of directors for the ASE Foundation and is a member of the ACC Cardio-Oncology Leadership Council. She was selected as part of the ACC’s inaugural cohort of the Sandra J Lewis Midcareer Women’s Leadership Institute. She is a councilor with the IL-ACC and leads the IL-ACC Social Justice Committee. She is also on the ACC Health Equity Committee.

She is an associate editor for the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Case Reports and is on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. She also serves as the current chair for the Chicago City-wide Cardio-Oncology Rounds.

Pharmacy & Infectious Diseases

Tarannum Qureishi

Medical Affairs, Invivyd

Medical Affairs professional with over 20 years of combined pharmaceutical industry and clinical experience. Currently at Invivyd, with prior roles at BMS and Merck focused on HIV, virology, healthcare access, and medical strategy.

Brings unique expertise bridging clinical practice, research, and pharmaceutical development with a focus on advancing therapeutic options in infectious diseases.

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Background includes pediatric clinical pharmacy at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and investigational drug pharmacist for NIH-sponsored trials (IMPAACT, ACTG, ATN).

Internal Medicine

Dr. Mehjabeen Naseer

Swedish Hospital, Chicago

Dr. Mehjabeen Naseer is an Internal Medicine physician who practices outpatient Internal Medicine at Swedish Hospital in Chicago, IL. Her clinic primarily serves low SES members of the north Chicago and north suburban South Asian communities.

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She is a graduate of Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She resides in Chicago’s western suburbs with her husband, three children and in laws.

With gratitude

AMPI is also grateful for its many volunteers and supporters

Kaneez ShaukatallahVolunteer
Mateen BaigVolunteer
Dr Naheed AkhterThe quintessential silent worker whose advice is invaluable
Dr Sabreen AkhterWest coast member
Zamin Farukhi SahebWest coast member, generous supporter with his entire family and our financial advisor
Islamic FoundationFor their encouragement and support
Masood AliFalak restaurant
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