[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. FATIMA ZAFAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2022

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and legacy of Dr. Fatima Zafar, a beloved, wife, mother, 
physician, and medical leader in Miami-Dade County.
  Whereas, Fatima Zafar, MD was born on October 20, 1941, in Hyderabad, 
India, the first of six children. She was inspired by her father as she 
watched him, a middle-class contractor working for the government, 
tirelessly helping those in need, including buying food with his own 
money to feed the poor, and always encouraging his children to help 
others. Fatima's upbringing also included accompanying missionaries to 
the countryside to administer smallpox vaccines. She witnessed women 
seeking medical help from nuns at a time when they were prohibited from 
seeing male doctors. These experiences intrigued Fatima. Her 
fascination with the process of healing contributed to the seeds of 
compassion and doing for others sown into her life; and
  Whereas, Fatima was very athletic and very active in high school 
sports. With her father's encouragement, she turned that focus to 
science and medical classes, and was subsequently accepted at the 
Osmania University Medical School. Upon graduation she completed her 
residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology, at the Muslim Maternity and General 
Hospital where she was in charge for three years; and
  Whereas, Fatima and Ferrukh met and were later married, had two 
daughters, and journeyed to Miami, Florida where Fatima completed a 
residency in Psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital and became a 
Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice; and
  Whereas, in 1980 Fatima was hired as Chief Medical Officer for the 
Economic Opportunity Family Health Center, Inc. (EOFHC), at a time when 
EOFHC was located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Miami-Dade 
County and was just a collection of trailers. The medical leadership 
which she provided over 28 years has been unparalleled including 
distinctions such as, but not limited to, leading her medical team in 
providing care for one of the first HIV/AIDS cases in Miami-Dade; 
building the first brick and mortar site for the Center; expanding the 
accessibility and convenience of high quality care provided by EOFHC by 
opening six primary care sites; establishing the Jefferson Reaves House 
as one of the first substance abuse treatment programs for women and 
their children; establishing programs for effective management of 
chronic illnesses; establishing a fund through the Jessie Trice 
Community Health Foundation to supplement the costs of pharmaceuticals 
for patients unable to pay. For the following twelve years she focused 
on family medical services and specialty services in the health system; 
and
  Whereas, Fatima relocated in 2020 to New Jersey to be near family 
after the passing of her husband. Even after relocating to New Jersey, 
up until one week before her own passing on July 4, 2021, she continued 
her commitment to touch and to heal, and to provide the highest quality 
of care to the most vulnerable patients served by EOFHC, by providing 
telehealth services for ongoing management of chronic illnesses and 
also providing psychiatric consultation; and
  Whereas, Fatima leaves behind her two daughters, peers, mentors, 
staff and thousands of patients who were all inspired by her life and 
legacy of healing, giving, and love for all mankind, including the 
least of these; and
  Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a member 
of the United States House of Representatives representing the 24th 
Congressional District of Florida, am honored to recognize the naming 
of the main site of the Jessie Trice Community Health System, Inc. for 
the late Dr. Fatima Zafar, and to recognize her for her commitment, 
dedication, and the outstanding medical leadership that she has 
provided to our community.

                          ____________________