Profile of the Month | Monira Hamid-Kundi

With a subtle and quintessential calmness, Dr. Monira Hamid-Kundi will always greet you with a smile. A busy colorectal/general surgeon in private practice in Houston, Texas, Dr. Hamid-Kundi grew up in the metropolitan city of Karachi, Pakistan, where her initial education was at a Catholic school and college. She currently serves as the Chair of International Medical Graduates Council at the Texas Medical Association, a delegate of the Harris County Medical Society and a Capitol Club member of TexPac. She continues to serve on many councils and committees at the TMA and HCMS.

Dr. Hamid-Kundi has been recognized with the Patient Choice Award for her compassion. Don’t be fooled by her demure personality and the Hermes scarf that gently covers her head with a vintage style à la Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Dr. Hamid-Kundi is a woman of substance dedicated to many woman based charities. She believes in helping, elevating and establishing women.

“We as women should stay united and empower each other,” she says. “In my opinion, women should be more involved in politics. They should be making more political decisions.”

Dr. Hamid-Kundi is the only muslim female colorectal surgeon in private practice in the greater Houston area. She has kept the demands of a stressful career in balance with her many philanthropic and social commitments for years. Dr. Hamid-Kundi is spotted at social events supporting her favorite charities and friends.

Clearly an overachiever, Dr. Hamid-Kundi is not the typical doctor who confines herself to her medical practice.

Though she now calls Houston home, she has not forgotten her country of birth. She supports many non-profit organizations globally, whether it’s to improve education or health. “After all we are all citizens of the world,” she says. “South Asians have a lot of potential, and they need to take the opportunity and get out of their shells and comfort zones,” she says. “I am involved with multiple charitable projects in Pakistan such as The Ladies Global Fund, Development in Literacy, American Pakistan Foundation, and Child Life Foundation. However Houston, United States of America is my home, my country and I want to help my country first.”

Along with her professional accomplishments she continues to be a generous philanthropist and active member of the Houston community. She is actively involved in Interfaith dialogues and outreach, and refugee services through Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston and Alliance for Compassion and Tolerance. She serves on the Board of Directors for Houston Shifa Services Women’s Center to help women and families engulfed by domestic mayhem find a place of refuge.

“I admire what LCAHouston is doing. Very proud of the International Mothers’ Day Soirée that truly bridges the gap between the ethnic and mainstream communities. This soirée showcases so many honorable mothers from various ethnicities and different walks of life,” she says admiringly.

A beautiful wife and mother of three, Dr. Hamid-Kundi would not step out of the house without a fashionable scarf and a beautiful smile!