Dr. Mehmood Khan (l.) and his wife Shahida Khan are congratulated by National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy on the occasion of Dr. Khan receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
On May 7, 2016 LUMS Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) advisory board member Dr. Mehmood Khan was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his accomplishments in medicine, nutrition science, business and sustainability as well as his inspired service to society
On May 7, Dr. Mehmood Khan, M.D., a member of the LUMS Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) advisory board, was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony in New York City.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients embody the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity. The award is presented each year to a select group of individuals whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to society are cause for celebration. The award recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.
Dr. Khan, who currently serves as vice chairman and chief scientific officer of PepsiCo, was recognized not only for his notable professional contributions to the fields of medicine, nutrition science, business and sustainability, but also for his commitment to promote economic growth and education in Pakistan through his work on the US Pakistan Business Council, his involvement in the Asian-American Business Roundtable and his work on the advisory board at LUMS Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE).
On the occasion of receiving the award, Dr. Khan had these words to share with the student of LUMS:
I have always been a believer that when you give your mind permission to show up in unexpected places—your talent will be given the opportunity to express itself in unexpected ways.
In many ways my own life has been full of the unexpected. I am a Pakistani who spent his childhood in England and came to America to begin a medical career. Some 30 years later I look back on a career that has included clinical work, teaching and research in the fields of endocrinology and nutrition science and global careers in drug research and development and, now, the food and beverage industry where I lead innovation and sustainability efforts.
Receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor was another unexpected stop along the way. And it was especially gratifying for me because it recognizes and celebrates the connection between my heritage, my professional accomplishments and my continued efforts to contribute to a greater good.
I hope that you all see in yourself the potential to embrace the unexpected and explore new territories as you embark on your careers. Remember that diversity of thought and experience is a key contributor to personal success. By exposing yourself to new ideas that are seemingly outside your scope of expertise, you actually help you fortify and expand that expertise. It’s about paying attention to things that you think may not pay, but in fact deliver handsome dividends.
