Fatima provided the foundation for my lengthy education, the opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious medical schools, and ultimately, my successful career as pediatrician in the United States, despite the small class size and limited resources during my time at the school. I therefore encourage all alumni to continue to work together to provide more state of the art resources for the students so they can be more competitive and better prepared for college.

My advice to the young students is to value the education that you are currently receiving as this will be the starting point of the path leading to the fulfillment of your goals. As other alumni will tell you, it is not going to be easy. There will be bumps and bruises along the way. Whatever you want to be…. a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, an engineer, or an astronaut, you will need to work hard. And remember, if it was easy, then everyone would do it. And you are not everyone. You are special – someone who is destined to be great and do something worthy and important. Do the hard work now and when you are as old as I am, you will be so grateful.

 Dream big like I did (although I was the smallest in my class)! Be goal-oriented. So that, like myself and many other alumni, you can be successful and be the very best that you could be. Never give up. God knows that you are special and you can do it too!

Lastly, in behalf of my family, I am sending my warmest greetings for a blessed and joyful holiday season!

Thank you.