I'm an MD/MBA and currently live in Manhattan.  I'm the youngest of 4 and like to think my parents got it right with the last one (to which my siblings roll their eyes...  I grew up in South Florida (born in Miami, grew up outside of Tampa) but have been fortunate to live in multiple big cities throughout the US, including NYC, Chicago, Boston, DC, and San Francisco.  I even lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a few months before my residency and learned how to dance the Argentine tango, though that's a story for another time.  I went to undergrad and medical school at Northwestern University where I was in the 7-year BA/MD combined honors program and also did my MBA at Harvard Business School.  

I currently work as a senior executive at the intersection of healthcare and technology at a global pharmaceutical company and also moonlight as an Internal Medicine physician in the NewYork-Presbyterian system. On a more personal level, I am a big fan of music and the Arts so am always looking for opportunities to check out plays, concerts, exhibits, or performances - one of the benefits of living in a big city.  I’m passionate about issues of social justice as I think it’s important to be civically aware, which is why I particularly value being around people who can teach or expose me to new points-of-view.  I'm also a big sports fan, particularly when it comes to basketball and football, and make a point of trying to stay physically active myself - whether it be going to the gym, playing sports with friends, or running in Central Park.  Oh, and I love good adventures.  I'm blessed to have made it to all 7 continents, including spending a night in a sleeping bag in Antarctica in 30 degree weather (the only time I've ever been camping :).

I have an eclectic group of friends (both Muslim and non) and value the diverse perspectives they bring.  On a religious level, I'd consider myself a moderate, open-minded, observant Muslim with a Sufi bent (i.e. a focus on the internal), for I think faith is much more about improving the quality of one’s character, heart, perspective, and relationship with God than overt expressions of religiosity.  I pray 5x/day and don’t drink/smoke.