Printer-friendly format

In many ways, Dr. Kashif Latif is on a journey.

Originally from Pakistan, Latif came to Memphis for a very important reason.

"I followed her," he said with a laugh, while pointing to his wife, Shazia.

It is difficult to talk about Latif's past and present journeys without including his wife, Dr. Shazia Hussain, a pediatrician practicing with Pediatrics East.

"We met in medical school," said Hussain, who is also Pakistani. The two attended Aga Khan University Med College in Pakistan, traveling to the United States afterwards to continue their education and work. Latif first practiced internal medicine in Dyersburg, coming to Memphis in 1992 to complete a fellowship at the University of Tennessee (UT).

Latif credits Dr. Abbas Kitabchi and Joseph Fisher at UT for opening doors. "When I decided to come to Memphis, they created a spot specifically for me," said Latif.

Latif was afforded research options at UT and developed a greater understanding of disease, and he enjoyed working with the transplant patients. Latif earned the Best Resident award from 2000 to 2002 and credits his own philosophy to his early teachings. "I came to understand that medicine is so much more than just writing a prescription," he said.

With specialties in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, Latif's own research has centered on studying diabetic decay and cell transplant. He observes that treatment has become more advanced in the last 30 years; as late as the 1970s, patients were carrying huge pumps. Today, patients have access to small portable pumps that can monitor sugar levels in real time. "The increase and combination of medicines has created more complex therapeutic options," said Latif.

When their first son was born, Latif and Hussain faced a new experience as both physicians and parents. At 11 months, their son, Ahmed, became very sick. "He was extremely lethargic and was urinating a lot," explained Latif. Even for two parents who are highly-trained physicians, recognizing the symptoms did not necessarily mean they were able to diagnose him. "He had just started drinking more from a cup, so we at first thought his excessive urinating was perhaps from all the drinking," added Latif.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Instead, Ahmed was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes before he celebrated his first birthday, with no history of diabetes on either side of his parents' families.

Ahmed manages his diabetes well and has even explained his disease enough at school and among his peers that he has helped his classmates understand diabetes better, said Latif.

Both Latif and Hussain made a decision early in Ahmed's life that they would not view his diagnosis as a handicap. "When he was diagnosed, I had other parents saying how sorry they were. My response was, 'Why are you sorry? It could have been cancer or something worse,'" said Hussain.

It's not to say there are no frustrating moments for Ahmed, especially as the 10-year-old approaches his teenage years. "He came to me recently and asked why God gave him this. I told him that we all have something in life, and it is not ours to question why we are given some burden, but how we live with it. We all have tests during life and this is his," said Hussain.

Three years ago, Latif and Hussain made a decision to open a center that would focus specifically on diabetes treatment. "There was nothing here that offered comprehensive treatment for diabetics on an outpatient basis," said Latif.

Thus, the AM Diabetes & Endocrinology Center was founded.

Despite the lack of financial incentive to pursue the business, the couple spent two years investing in the center. Both feel strongly about providing diabetics with a one-stop, comprehensive center that can address everything from nerve testing to education to eye exams. While the center treats all ages, Latif prefers that patients be at least 5 years of age.

As in the past, the couple works as a team at the center. Hussain handles all the business operations, along with office manager Jeff Rogers. "Our vision is that the center becomes the one place that people can get all their care," said Latif.

Both Latif and Hussain believe that the American lifestyle has undoubtedly contributed to the increase in diabetes. Bad food, sedentary habits, excessive time in front of television and the lack of family cohesion are all reasons the health of Americans is declining. Latif reports that there has been relatively little change in the incidence of juvenile diabetes, but that there has been a 4 to 5 percent increase in type 2 diabetes, also called adult onset diabetes.

Education is a large part of managing diabetes, and Latif said that if he could clear up one misconception, it would be to advise people to avoid drinking juice. "I don't want to put the juice people out of business, but it's just like drinking sugar water," he explained.

It's important that even Americans who are borderline diabetics be aware of their lifestyle because pre-diabetes is reversible simply through diet changes.

"There are different stages of diabetes. We want to be able to make recommendations to people, but let them work with their primary care physicians on treatment," said Latif.

During the interview, Latif and Hussain frequently relied on each other for information, alternating in answering the questions and ultimately leaving the impression of a strong, valued partnership, both personally and professionally. Latif credits his wife with his success. "She stood by me and worked hard to support me through my fellowship," he said. "Our center wouldn't have done what it has up to now without her."

When asked about other activities, community involvement or how they spend their spare time, Hussain laughed. With three children, the continued development of the center and her full-time pediatric work, the couple has little free time. Practicing what they preach, Hussain said that work and family are their focuses.

Latif agreed, adding that their vision embodies a wider world. "We decided to do something that would benefit many people, and with the center, we hope to make something permanent that will be here long after we are gone," she said.


November 2006

Tags:

None

Do you know someone else who would like to see this?
Your Email:
Their Email:
Comment:	(Will be included with e-mail)