[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E93]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING DR. SYED LATAFAT HUSAIN HAMZAVI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HALEY M. STEVENS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible life 
of Dr. S. L. Husain Hamzavi, an influential resident of Michigan who 
passed away on January 15th. Dr. Hamzavi was proud to be the devoted 
husband of Aquela and loving father of Iltefat, Fasahat, and Asra. He 
will also be remembered by many as a caring healthcare provider, 
passionate academic, and noble servant to the community.
  Syed Latafat Husain Hamzavi was born in Aurungabad, India in 1940. 
After earning a degree from Nizam College, Syed Hamzavi attended 
Liaquat Medical School in Hyderabad, Pakistan, and then continued his 
education at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. At the University 
of Glasgow, Dr. Hamzavi earned his PhD, researching the usage of Zinc 
for the treatment of leg ulcers, and was trained in dermatology. He 
fondly recalled his time in Glasgow, sharing memories of how the 
British dermatology community embraced him despite the prevailing 
ethnic biases of the time.
  In 1969, Dr. Hamzavi married Aquela. In 1977, the family moved to 
Detroit as one of the first South Asian and Muslim physicians to become 
an American Board of Dermatology-certified physician, working with Dr. 
Herman Pinkus to develop the Contact Dermatitis Unit. Dr. Hamzavi began 
his full-time academic practice at Wayne State University in 1980, and 
his commitment to the education of aspiring medical professionals 
persisted for decades thereafter. He and his wife were also the 
founders of Hamzavi Dermatology, growing the practice to include dozens 
of healthcare providers, across many locations in Southeast Michigan 
over the course of their careers and inspiring their children to pursue 
a career in the medical field. Those who knew him say that he cared 
deeply about his patients and staff alike, following his beloved 
Aquela's lead in treating his staff like family.
  Beyond the many significant contributions that Dr. Hamzavi made to 
the medical profession, he was also an active philanthropist and 
organization leader. His passion for education was further evidenced by 
his generous support of the Pinkus Chair and the Aronson lectureship at 
Wayne State University, The Henry Lim research Chair at Henry Ford 
Hospital, and multiple student scholarships at The University of 
Michigan, in addition to leading the weekend Islamic school activities 
at the IAGD mosque in Rochester, Michigan. Proud of his Indian and 
Pakistani heritage, Dr. Hamzavi served on the board of various cultural 
organizations such as APPNA, the Pakistani American Association, and 
was a member of the Indian medical group, AAPI. Dr. Hamzavi was a man 
of deep religious conviction who believed in an inclusive world. 
Leading by example, he was generous to all and always sought to improve 
himself.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Syed Latafat Husain Hamzavi will be truly missed 
by his family and all who knew him and benefitted from his many 
contributions to the community. His incredible legacy will continue to 
improve the lives of others for a long time to come, and we are truly 
grateful.

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