The APPNA South Texas Chapter has continued to enhance community engagement, health services, and social interaction among members throughout 2024. Below is a summary of our key initiatives and events from 2024, followed by our plans for 2025:

1. APPNA STC House:
Supported by contributions from local community members, the chapter maintained its house in 2024, hosting 80 visiting medical students and residency candidates. We facilitated over 60 students for electives and observerships, reinforcing our commitment to education and mentorship.

2. Health Fair Camp:
On May 5, 2024, we organized our annual health fair camp, providing essential health services and screenings. We held another successful healthfair on May 4,2025.More than 200 patients came for checkups, underscoring our commitment to community well-being.

3. Indoor Sports Tournament:
In July 2024, we hosted an indoor sports tournament featuring badminton, table tennis, and squash, attracting 90 participants. This year, we will return with another tournament in August 2025.

4. APPNA STC CME Cruises:
From June 6 to 10, 2024, we conducted our inaugural cruise, allowing 130 family members to bond in Cozumel. Following this success, we are planning a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska in July 2025.

5. Cricket Tournament:
On October 26, 2024, we held our annual cricket tournament with eight men’s teams and two women’s teams. This year, our tournament is scheduled for November 1, 2025.

6. Inaugural Golf Tournament:
We anticipate significant participation in our first golf tournament in 2025, providing another avenue for community engagement.

7. Membership Drive:
With over 400 active members, we are actively increasing membership within APPNA Central. We published a directory to enhance connectivity and are leading a drive to boost membership this summer.

8. Annual Gala:
We celebrated our achievements at the Annual Gala on November 16, 2024, attended by 800 guests. The next gala is scheduled for November 29, 2025.

As we look to 2025, we invite friends and family of APPNA to visit Houston and join us for our Annual Gala. For more information, please visit our website at www.appnastc.org

Warm regards,

Naveed Saqib, MD FACS FSVS
President, APPNA South Texas Chapter