Year-End Message to Dowites – Aamir Ehsan, MD President DOGANA 2025
A Year of Reconnection, Service, and Hope
Dear Dowites,
As we come to the close of this year, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you directly and to
reflect, with gratitude, on what we have accomplished together as a global Dowite family.
When I accepted the responsibility of serving as President of DOGANA 2025, I did so with a simple
guiding principle: servant leadership in the service of D3 – Dow, Dowites, and DOGANA. Over the past
months, that principle has shaped every initiative we have undertaken and every conversation we have
had.
I am pleased to share that DOGANA has achieved its highest membership in the last five years, with over
400 active members, including more than 128 Lifetime members. Each new Lifetime membership
generates a $100 donation to ChildLife Foundation, matched by DOGANA, resulting in $22,000 in
support this year alone for the care of critically ill children in Pakistan. Our membership is no longer just
a registry; it is a powerful engine for impact.
I am equally proud of what we have done for our students and young physicians. Our loan program
reached a new milestone, supporting 16 students with a total of $32,000 for U.S. residency match
interviews. Through the Young Physicians Committee, we organized webinars and mentorship
opportunities that connected trainees with experienced Dowites for guidance, advice, and encouragement.
We also launched an Alternate Career Pathways initiative, recognizing that some graduates may pursue
non-traditional paths while honoring their medical education and commitment to service.
This year’s Chicago Retreat was a true highlight, bringing together nearly 300 attendees in an atmosphere
of camaraderie, learning, and reflection. The retreat was financially successful, generating a surplus of
about $10,000, and featured innovative sessions and a powerful keynote by Ms. Kelly Bryan, who shared
her journey as a living liver donor to our own late Dr. Zaka Khan. We were honored to welcome leaders
from other alumni organizations, demonstrating that DOGANA is ready to collaborate, to learn, and to
lead. The 50-year class reunion added a special emotional note, reminding us of the enduring bonds that
began in the corridors of Dow.
We also focused on strengthening how Dowites connect with one another and with DOGANA. This year,
we:
Launched a new podcast series highlighting the journeys and contributions of Dowites around the
globe.
Held a democratic election of the DOGANA Council with an open, transparent process that
reflected our shared values of fairness and accountability.
Established an official DOGANA WhatsApp group to facilitate effective communication and
community building among Dowites.
Activated and refreshed our social media channels and soon will update the DOGANA website,
ensuring that news, events, and opportunities are easier to access and share.
These steps have helped transform DOGANA into a more visible, accessible, and digitally connected
community.
Reconnecting DOGANA with Dow University of Health Sciences on the ground in Karachi has been a
core priority. We now have a DOGANA Coordinator at Dow Medical College and Dow International
Medical College who serves as our on-campus liaison. Through this presence, we have conducted a
student survey, enrolled more than 300 student members, and helped facilitate degree verification and
other alumni-related services. DOGANA is no longer a distant overseas entity; it is, once again, visibly
and actively present at Dow.
Our commitment to humanitarian work has also remained strong. In response to the ongoing needs of
flood-affected communities, DOGANA contributed $20,000 to the Edhi Foundation and the Indus
Hospital & Health Network. These efforts reflect our shared belief that when there is suffering, Dowites
must be part of the response—with compassion and concrete action.
DOGANA is financially stronger and have surplus for other initiative in future.
Looking ahead, there are several initiatives that I am especially excited about:
Expanding the Dow Entrepreneurs Network (DEN) Forum, creating a platform for Dowite
innovators and entrepreneurs to share ideas, mentor one another, and launch ventures that
advance healthcare and science.
Building a Digital Pathology Infrastructure at Dow, in response to the University leadership’s
vision, to strengthen patient care, training, and research in a rapidly evolving field.
Further strengthening DOGANA’s presence at Dow, moving from symbolic gestures to structured
programs, robust mentorship, and direct support to departments and students.
Aligning Dowites’ academic expertise in North America so that the talent, experience, and
networks of our diaspora can be systematically connected back to Dow and to Pakistan’s health
system.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and generosity of so many of
you. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the chairs and members of our various committees, whose
quiet, persistent work has powered much of the progress we celebrate today. I am also profoundly grateful
to the leadership of Dow University of Health Sciences for their unprecedented support, guidance, and
partnership throughout this journey.
As we turn the page to a new year, my message is simple: we are strongest when we move together. I
invite every Dowite, wherever you live and whatever stage of life you are in, to stay engaged: mentor a
student, join a committee, support a project, and reconnect with your classmates and with DOGANA.
Together, we can continue to honor Dow’s legacy, uplift future generations, and serve patients and
communities in Pakistan and around the world.
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to lead DOGANA and serve Dowites worldwide. With
gratitude and warm wishes for a blessed, healthy, and fulfilling new year for you and your families,
Regards,
Aamir Ehsan, MD
President, DOGANA 2025
Servant Leader
