Annual Gala

Bradford Regional Medical Center
M. Javed Akhtar, M.D.
M. Javed Akhtar, M.D. is “eminently qualified”, stated Widad Bazzoui, M.D., (first
Spring Swing Physician recipient) to receive the Physician Award for Medical and
Philanthropic Excellence at Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Spring Swing
Gala slated for March 24, 2012.
Dr. Akhtar began his career in Bradford, PA in January 1982 and was the
first ear, nose, and throat specialist hired in this region. Dr. Akhtar serves
patients at both BRMC and Olean General Hospital, both of which are
member hospitals of our new Upper Allegheny Health System.
During his thirty year medical tenure he has served as President of BRMC
Medical Staff and also for the McKean County Medical Society. He and his
wife have generously supported Bradford Hospital Foundation in helping to
meet the mission of BRMC.
As a Bradford Rotarian who will assume the Presidency role this July, Dr.
Akhtar has a life philosophy that “community comes first”. Through Rotary, he
championed efforts to raise important funds to eradicate polio, a disease still prevalent in India,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. His Rotarian efforts to raise support for polio brought important
international attention to this disease culminating in a Regional Service Award for Polio Eradication in 2010-
2011 through Rotary International for Dr. Akhtar.
Currently Dr. Akhtar is establishing a free standing “walk in” clinic in the Bradford area to assist with indigent
and working poor families. This newly developing non-profit 501(c)(3) organization will have board oversight
and will be managed by volunteer physicians and nurses. This clinic mirrors one established by the Association
of Pakistani Physicians of North America, a 2400 physician member organization whose mission focuses on
local and world wide relief work including earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis, etc. In January, Dr. Akhtar assumed
the post of Chairman of Board of Trustees of this organization, while his wife Shahnaz has served as Past
President of this Association’s Auxiliary.
He credits his ability to serve others here and afar because of the endearing partnership with his wife,
Shahnaz. He and his wife grew up with their families thinking that it’s important to find meaning in life, and
that we are called to help the suffering and underprivileged. “My greatest gifts in life are my wife and our
two children”, Junaid, age 31, who has served for 8 years in the Army and currently works at the Pentagon
and Henna, 28, who is in her last year at Ianovia Fairfax Hospital in Virginia as Chief Pediatric Resident.
Dr. Akhtar is the youngest of nine children. His medical education started at King Edward Medical College,
Lahore, Pakistan. His surgical residency was completed at SUNY Buffalo, and his otolaryngology residency at
the University of Miami in Florida in 1979. His certifications include Fellow American Academy of Otolaryngology
Surgery in 1979, and Fellowship in American College of Surgeons (FACS) in 1985.
For more than thirty years the Akhtars have made Bradford their home and life commitment. Their belief in the
needs of all have served us both here locally and throughout the country and the world. Side by side the
Akhtars have embraced humanity and have reached out wherever they are to serve. We are honored to
have them as part of our Bradford Community!
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