Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus > Meet the Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus
Name: Dr. Afroz Hafeez
ACS CAN role/title: Illinois Advocacy Constituent Team (ACT) Lead
Location: Illinois
Dr. Afroz Hafeez, a healthcare and community leader from Illinois, is involved with the ACS CAN organization as a ACT Lead for the 8th congressional district. Currently, he is leading telemedicine and is a wellness peer supporter at RUSH University Medical Center.
For many of us in ACS CAN, cancer has affected many lives and families. Through the memory of Dr. Hafeez’s mother, Panjeten, as a patient experiencing diagnosis / treatment with multiple cancers and health issues over 18 years, he feels empowered to participate in the organization. Ultimately, he had lost his 56 yr old mother to cancer. This has always inspired him to be involved on many frontiers to help advance efforts on many frontiers.
Dr. Hafeez comes from a background of well rounded education (BS, MD, MBA) and experiences (healthcare, public health, education, buisness). He has supported cancer research, the hospital cancer committee, establishing forums, attended ACS CAN trainings, attended summits / convention, participated in establishing the AAPI caucus, and advocacy efforts on state / federal levels. The IL chapter was recognized with an award for state advocacy efforts at the ACS CAN summit. In 2023, he received a Congressional Global Community Oscars Award in recognition of community and organizational leadership as well.
Health equity is an important goal for our communities as it will bring a higher standard of quality care regardless of ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. As a team, he is excited to work together to bring cancer advocacy initiatives to light and make an impact in this cancer fight. Dr. Hafeez looks forward to working on these efforts with the ACS CAN members. Aside from this great advocacy work, he enjoys traveling with his wife Rubina and daughter Aaliyah.