IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Amara Fazal, 2019 Winner of the Robert Kemper Award

Amara Fazal, the 2019 Robert Kemper Award recipient

Amara Fazal is the winner of this year’s Robert Kemper award for Professionalism in Medicine, awarded in memory of Key Biscayne physician Dr. Robert Kemper, who died in 2011.  The award, made annually, is given to a final year student who throughout medical school exemplified Dr. Kemper’s ideals and demonstrates a series of traits including respect for patients, faculty, staff, and peers; compassion; courtesy; and dedication to the ethical practice of the medical profession. The award is underwritten by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and is made possible by generous donations.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to Florida.  

I’m actually from all over the world. I was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Shortly after I was born, my family moved to New York City, then we moved to North Central Florida, then we moved to New Zealand, only to return to Pakistan. We finally came and settled in Florida again. For me, growing up with change was more usual than the opposite.

As I was growing up, I was exposed to poverty in Pakistan. I can remember being in a taxi, and on a street corner where the taxi stopped, you have lots of people surrounding the car and begging for things and money. I just remember as a 7-year-old looking out the window seeing kids my age or maybe younger, whom are looking at back me and at that moment, not understanding why I was in the taxi and they were outside of it. From that moment, I kind of developed this sense of justice.

Here in Miami,  you have a severe juxtaposition of wealth, with folks wearing designer clothing living in affluent housing walking past homeless people on the street. That level of inequality has always struck me very powerfully.

Q: You’ve worked to fight against human trafficking, including training sessions for medical staffers on how to spot it. What do people need to know about human trafficking?

Human trafficking is incredibly common. It’s a huge illicit industry and quite terrifying. The sale of human beings is such a thriving business because it is…modern-day slavery. Miami is continuously rated as one of the top three cities in the U.S.  for sex trafficking.

So much is happening under our noses not visible to the general population but a lot of it does occur in plain sight. The reason myself and my classmates came together to work on this project is because a professor engaged us and exposed us to the inner workings of sex trafficking, particularly in South Florida. As we learned about it, we became increasingly concerned. Miami hosts numerous major events annually that generate heavy demand…We focus mainly on advocacy, making sure people know what to do if they see someone in trouble. I worry about the support we can provide these trafficked peoples.

Q: When did your interest in medicine start?

Both my parents are physicians…but I was a bit hesitant. I wasn’t sure the medical track was the best way to approach my goals. So,  I ended up studying economics because I wanted to work in economic development. But I kept being drawn back to medicine and knowing that you can always help the person right in front of you.

Q: You’re interested in internal medicine?

I was debating between internal and family medicine. I love them both because my passion is community health. The program I entered is a primary care internal medicine program which means it’s focused on primary care, of course. I ended up focusing on this a bit more because it focuses primarily on the adult, who at times are the most vulnerable.

Q: What have you learned about Dr. Robert Kemper, the doctor whose work is recognized by the award you are receiving?

I had not heard of the award before being nominated by the F.I.U. faculty and my cohort. I was shocked to hear that I had won and I was flattered beyond belief that they believed I reflected Dr. Kemper’s ideas and work ethic. He was such a wonderful person. Dr. [Eugenio] Rothe called to announce that I had won the award and gave me huge insights on Dr. Kemper’s career and his life. Dr. Rothe was a good friend of his so was able to speak about Dr. Kemper with love and compassion.  The thing that struck me the most was the amount of love the Key Biscayne community had for Dr. Kemper.

He really was a beautiful human being. He’s exactly what people think of when they think of who a doctor really is. The kind of doctor you want as your physician.

His life story was incredible and I hope I can be something like him.