Profile of the Month | Dr. Neelofur Ahmad
It’s gala season and we all have our favorite charities and parties to attend. LCA Houston International Society News is particularly drawn towards events and charities that support literacy. This Saturday September 12, 2015 Developments in Literacy DIL will host its 13th Annual Gala and we are honored to feature DIL Houston Chapter President Dr. Neelofur R. Ahmad MD as our Profile of the Month.
Neelofur has worked tirelessly in promoting the cause since 2009. Ahmad was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised in Peoria, Illinois. She attended Northwestern University and Northwestern University Medical School as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education, a 6-year accelerated program. She received her medical degree and after completing her residency in radiation oncology Neelofur spent the first 5 years of her career in academic medicine at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications during her academic career. Upon relocating to Houston in 1998, Dr. Ahmad joined the private practice of radiation oncology as a member of Northwest Radiation Oncology, a physician group which staffs several hospital based radiation oncology facilities in Houston.
No gossip no pretensions! Dr. Neelofur means business, an eloquent speaker with a striking personality who reflects sophistication and grace seldom losing focus from her goals and visions. “Successful organizations understand that the focus must remain on the cause. It is not about any one individual. It is a team effort,” explains Dr. Ahamad. Dr. Ahmad has taken DIL to great heights and provided a vision and has made appearances on FOX 26, Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan, and many others. International journalist and Editor of LCA Houston, Ruchi Mukherjee sat down with this woman of substance for a conversation.
Why is DIL so important to you ?
DIL is a way for me to give back to Pakistan. Education empowers individuals and lifts up future generations. It is a sustainable way to reduce poverty and extremism.
What should we expect at the gala?
A beautiful and entertaining event for a worthy cause. The theme is “1001 Arabian Nights” so expect lots of color and glamour.
South Asian women play a significant role in Houston. Tell us your view.
There are a tremendous number of South Asian women in all fields, including medicine, law, engineering, media, and a large variety of entrepreneurial ventures. It is a vibrant community that continues to amaze me.
Your favorite hot spots in Houston?
I think there are too many to choose from! My favorite area of town is the Museum District/Montrose. Lots of interesting shops and restaurants, and the beautiful Hermann Park.
Other than DIL what are the other organizations you are involved with?
Locally, my husband and I support Al-Amaanah Refugee Services, Interfaith Ministries of Houston, and Shifa Clinic. International organizations we support include Pratham, the Bilquis Edhi Foundation, and Doctors Without Borders.
For more information on the upcoming Developments In Literacy (DIL) Gala Saturday September 12, 2015 please visit Developments In Literacy.
