Sarwat Malik, MD, FACP
Medical School: Fatima Jinnah Medical College, 1965
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Career Highlights:
Service with AMWA: Founder, MWAR -- Medical Women's Association of Rochester, Branch 65
Quote: Feminist in my vocabulary, means one who advocates for the rights of women justly and judiciously. When women are strong, so are their families, communities and countries. Empowered women create peace as they engage with both their Muslim and non Muslim neighbors. In the United States, I have found the freedom to speak up for my rights and the rights of others without any fear or repercussions. I'd like to see every woman empowered in a way that she feels that she has the dignity, respect, human rights and desire to do something positive in the world.
Biography:
Sarwat Malik, M.D., FACP, was born in Pakistan and graduated from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in 1965. Dr. Malik specialized in Internal Medicine and went on to practice for 35 years in the Rochester, New York, area. Dr. Malik was the Founding President of both the American Medical Women’s Association of Rochester, Branch 65, and the Fatima Jinnah Medical College North American alumni chapter. She also helped create the Global Partnership for Women and Girls that promotes the educational and economic advancement of Muslim women and girls.
Growing up in Pakistan at a time when most women stayed at home, Dr. Malik’s parent’s encouraged her to strive and succeed. She graduated from high school at the age of 15 and entered medical school. The supportive environment there sheltered Dr. Malik from the discrimination and hardships that other Muslim women faced.
As an adult living in the United States, Dr. Malik was a passionate advocate for the advancement of Muslim women and girls, and fought for equality and social justice—including equal pay for women physicians—not only through her words but through her actions and organizational affiliations. She helped countless patients, mentored students and residents, and was a beloved and respected member of her community.
After being diagnosed with stage four metastatic lung cancer in 2007, Dr. Malik retired from her practice to focus on her healing and the development of the Global Partnership for Women and Girls. Dr. Malik is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dr. Salahuddin Malik, and her two daughters Sumaiya Malik Wood and Nadia Malik.
When asked about her commitment to women’s health, wellbeing, and agency, Dr. Malik said, “Feminist, in my vocabulary, means one who advocates for the rights of women justly and judiciously. When women are strong, so are their families, communities and countries. Empowered women create peace as they engage with both their Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors. In the United States, I have found the freedom to speak up for my rights and the rights of others without any fear of repercussions. I’d like to see every woman empowered in a way that she feels that she has the dignity, respect, human rights, and desire to do something positive in the world.”
For Dr. Malik’s lifetime service to women, she was commemorated with the Women’s e-News “21 Women for the 21st Century” Award in 2010.
