Profile: Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan

By Beena Inam Shamsi

Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan, M.B., M.A.C.P. was born in Kashmir. He completed his medical training in Kashmir and came to the US in 1966 with his wife for more advanced training. He obtained his postgraduate training in medicine in New York and specialized in pulmonary diseases.

For 21 years, Dr.Khan has held the rank of Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

He is responsible for supervising the education of hundreds of internists and pulmonologists who are settled in many parts around the globe. (Internists are trainees, spending more time training to specialize in a particular internal organ or system. Pulmonologists are medical doctors who further specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia.)

Dr. Khan currently serves on the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA)’s Board of Regents. He represents IMANA on the executive committee of the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations — FIMA, which has representation from 30 countries.

Since 2002, Dr. Khan has served on the governing board Majlis ash-Shura of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and he has been a member of several committees including the convention program planning committee for 2004 and 2005.

He was the first International Medical Graduate Regent of American College of Physicians (ACP) and received the New York State ACP Laureate award in 1998.

Dr. Khan and his wife were the founding members of the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) in Westbury, NY, a center known for its innovative trend-setting programs and initiatives. One such initiative–American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue (AMJID)–received the 2004 Faith Fellowship Award.

AMJID focuses its attention on the deeper understanding and knowledge that is gained from replacing stereotypical thinking with realistic images. His acts of friendship have strengthened the bond between both communities.

Dr. Khan completed a three-year term as a president of ICLI in December 2005 and currently serves on ICLI board of trustees.

Dr. Khan has an extensive publication record including three books, more than 150 articles, and several hundred presentations. His book, The Story of a Mosque in America chronicles the growth and development of ICLI.

At the American College of Physicians, Dr. Khan organized six biennial conferences on advances in cardiopulmonary medicine. He also served as a chair of the Credentials and Educational committees. Under Dr. Khan’s chairmanship at Nassau County Medical Center (NCMU), the house staff have regularly won research awards at the ACP regional and national meetings in New York from 1987-1999. He successfully obtained New York state Primary Care and AIDS center designations for NCMU. He developed and expanded access in community health programs in Nassau County—Serving on the Board of the Health Welfare Council, steering and cultural competency committee of the HCAP grant–Health Community Access Program and Board for Professional Medical Conduct of New York state.

Dr. Khan is a frequent guest on PBS’ WLIW TV program, Forum 21 and Face Off, and is the advisor for Telecare TV program: Our Muslim Neighbor.

Dr. Khan and his wife Arfa are blessed with two children, Arif and Shireen, and two grandchildren, Hasan and Leena.

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