New Jersey/Hyderabad: Dr. Uzma Syed who is a first-generation Indian Muslim American, born to Hyderabadi parents, has been awarded “Woman of Substance” by two leading film personalities—Saif Ali Khan and Javed Jaffery—recently.
Dr Syed’s parents emigrated to the U.S. to provide a world-class education to their children. The success story of Dr Syed stands testimony to their efforts.
Saif Ali Khan and Javed Jaffery presented her with the award on September 1.
Addressing the gathering of about 4500, Dr Syed said, “As a daughter of Indian Muslim American immigrants I know the value of hard work and education. I have strived myself to give back to the community and most recently established my non-profit Align US organization which helps foster career goals for our youth. I care deeply for all of our children and their future. Because I know that investing in their future, is for the betterment of us all.”
Most recently Dr Syed was recognized by the Nassau County Legislature as a trailblazer in the millennium. She was also given the distinguished south Asian woman empowerment award by former Miss Universe, Bollywood actress and woman advocate Sushmita Sen.
Who is Dr. Uzma Syed?
Growing up on Long Island, Dr Syed enjoyed the suburban life while both her parents worked full time. After graduating high school Uzma was accepted to a 7-year combined medical programme. She spent her undergraduate years in upstate New Jersey followed by a medical school in Maine. All the while she drew back again and again to her hometown of Syosset.
After graduation, she joined for residency in Internal Medicine at Winthrop University Hospital. She then completed her fellowship in Infectious Disease there. Once her post-graduate training was complete she joined the private practice at South Shore Infectious Diseases & Travel Medicine Consultants.
Currently, she is a full-time practising physician-partner business owner. She also sits on the antimicrobial stewardship committee and continues to teach medical students. She was invited to participate in the Harvard business roundtable with UN ambassadors during UNGA 2018 to discuss a strategy to provide mobile healthcare to the underserved world.
Uzam’s petitions for Eid and Diwali holidays in Long Island
She spearheaded the petition for ‘Eid holiday’ and was responsible for getting both ‘Eid al Fitr and ‘Eid al Adha approved as official school district holidays in Syosset Central School District. She simultaneously supported the recognition of Diwali as an official holiday in the school district, thus making Syosset the very first school district on Long Island to recognize these holidays.
She has helped in organizing the first-ever Interfaith Teen Iftar and Sukkot event. She has held fundraisers for refugee resettlement in Canada and intimately involved locally for Mercy First who are currently housing the displaced immigrant children.
With the ultimate goal of helping the youth, Uzma established a non-profit organization called Align US Inc, which focuses on career development for high school students. With programmes like these Uzma hopes to continue to groom the next generation of youth among the communities.