Let’s Meet the Presidential
Candidates!
Tarik Khan, FNP, RN
Would you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a family nurse practitioner (FNP), I've been a nurse for over eleven years, and
I live in Philadelphia with my wife, Fatima. I loved my time as a bedside nurse,
especially the special bond that I formed with patients after consecutive 12-hour
shifts. I love my job now as a FNP at a federally qualified health center that
provides care for families with limited access to healthcare.
I have a passion for working with persons with intellectual disabilities, and in 2011,
I helped to start a non-profit in Haiti called Enabling Minds with friends to help
children with developmental disabilities go to school for the first time in their lives.
We have raised over $45,000 for these amazing children, and they are entering
th
their 4 year of classes!
I am an active person and enjoy CrossFit, swimming, ice-skating, and rock
climbing. I also love the music of Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, and I play a bit
of guitar. I also enjoy meeting new people, recreating restaurant dishes at home
with my wife, and grabbing FroYo after dinner!
Please describe your involvement in and experience with
professional organizations, such as PSNA or any others.
Education:
FNP, La Salle University Master of Science
Nursing, Roxborough Memorial Hospital
School of Nursing
Theater/English, Davidson College
Experience Snapshot:
§ Currently works as a FNP within the Family
Practice and Counseling Network in
Philadelphia, PA
§ Founded Enabling Minds, a non-profit in Haiti to
help children with developmental disabilities go
to school
§ Has extensive experience in professional
organizational leadership in Young Involved
Philadelphia, the Montgomery County Nurses
Association, and the PSNA Government
Relations Committee and Board of Directors
§ Has lobbied on Capitol Hill numerous times with
ANA, PSNA, and the National Association of
Community Health Centers for nursing and
health legislation
§ Works as Preceptor for University of
Pennsylvania FNP program and Mentor for the
PSNA Star Leadership Institute
I started on the board of Young Involved Philadelphia during nursing school,
where we worked to encourage civic engagement among young Philadelphians.
I became involved with Organizing for America to first register voters (over 300
folks with my mom, who is also an RN), and later to urge the passing of The
Affordable Care Act (ACA). In this effort to get the ACA passed, I made public
speeches, made phone calls, canvassed door-to-door, and I even visited The
White House twice with the American Nurses Association. The Medicaid
expansion under the ACA profoundly benefited my patients, as it has helped
them to access healthcare, some for the first time in their adult lives!
I became active with PSNA in 2008 after going on my first lobby day, and the
next year I joined the Montgomery County Nurses Association Board of
Directors. I was later appointed Vice-Chairperson and then Chairperson of the
Government Relations Committee (GRC), where I am currently serving another
term. I was elected to the PSNA Board of Directors in 2010, and I completed a
second term from 2014-2015. I am entering my second year of being a mentor
in the PSNA Star Leadership program, and last year, I served as a mentor for
an Independence Blue Cross Scholar. I've participated in three lobby days so
far this year to advocate for our nurses and patients with the ANA, PSNA, and
the National Association of Community Health Centers!
As I mentioned, I helped to start Enabling Minds, where I am Chairperson and
Assistant Treasurer. I have taken a leading role in managing our organizational
finances, directing and motivating a Board of Directors, and fundraising. I
helped to start another 501(c)(3) NGO called Project Affinity to serve persons
experiencing homelessness. I’m currently a FNP Preceptor for the University of
Pennsylvania and will be joining their faculty next spring. And currently, I am
leading a multi-faith effort to get out the vote in Philadelphia!
I loved my time as a bedside nurse,
especially the special bond that I
formed with patients after consecutive
12-hour shifts.
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