Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Dr. Fatima Zafar

Floor Speech

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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.

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