Dr. Usama Shafiq

Where the journey began

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful.

Who would have thought that a boy from a far-flung area of South Punjab would one day make it to Yale University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, to pursue his dream in Radiology, one of the most competitive specialties in medicine.

My journey began in a village near Bahawalpur, where I was born and raised. I studied in local schools throughout my early education, mostly on scholarships; not only because I worked hard academically, but also because my family could not easily afford the fees. I continued receiving scholarships during my pre-medical college years as well. Somewhere along the way, a dream began to grow inside me: to become someone who could help save lives and make a difference for others.

Finding PRF

By the grace of Allah, I secured admission to the public-sector Rawalpindi Medical University on my very first attempt. Getting in was a huge milestone, but the challenges did not end there. Even a few thousand rupees in tuition fees and hostel expenses became major hurdles for my family. At that point, one of my relatives introduced me to Shaheen Ahmad and Rashid Ahmad and subsequently PRF (People’s REACH Foundation), which generously supported all of my educational expenses and allowed me to continue my studies without interruption.

Their kindness always reminds me of the words of Allah in the Quran:

“And they give food, despite loving it themselves, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive.” [Surah Al-Insan (76:8)]

Holding on to the dream

Medical school exposed me to a much bigger world. I saw seniors leaving for higher training abroad, and slowly, I developed the dream of doing the same one day. But once again, finances stood in the way. Still, I refused to let go of that dream. I started saving whatever I could from my monthly income, borrowed money from friends, and somehow managed to appear for the USMLE Step 1 exam, the first step toward practicing medicine in the United States.

I wanted to continue immediately with the next exams, but life had other plans. Financial limitations, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, brought everything to a halt. After completing my house job in 2020, I had to start earning because supporting my family became a necessity. At one point, it genuinely felt as though the dream of higher education might never become a reality.

With that in mind, I decided not to waste time and to continue my specialization in Pakistan, and was fortunate enough to secure a residency position in Radiology at Shifa International Hospital, a highly competitive training program in the country. Residency itself was not easy, but I quietly continued working toward my goal.

PRF stepped in again

During those years, my family obligations increased substantially. Once again PRF came through. They believed in me. Two donors, Dr. Bashir A. Azhar and Rashid Ahmad, through PRF, began helping by taking over one of my major financial obligations. It provided me financial space and thus allowed me to focus on my goal. I was able to save money again, and completed the remaining United States licensing exams.

In December 2025, I completed my Radiology residency, and passed my FCPS Part II examination. Alhamdulillah.

In June 2026, I began my Pediatric Radiology fellowship in the United States at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Gratitude

Looking back, this journey has never been smooth. It has been filled with uncertainty, financial struggles, setbacks, and moments where giving up would have been easier. But through every hardship, I remained steadfast and kept moving forward. I never allowed difficult circumstances to define my future.

This journey is not mine alone. It belongs to Reach Group, my parents and my friends who supported me when I had nothing. Their support reminds me of the beautiful saying of the Prophet ﷺ:

“Allah is helping the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother.” (Sahih Muslim)

Above all, this journey belongs to Allah Almighty, whose mercy, guidance, and countless blessings carried me through every stage of my life.

And truly, there were people who relieved my hardships at every stage of life. For them, I pray that Allah grants them ease and reward, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever relieves a believer’s hardship in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim)