Dr. Serena Taj | Physician, Public Health Professional & Clinical Researcher
Dr. Taj is a distinguished physician, public health specialist, and clinical researcher, whose extensive career spans South Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Grounded in a strong clinical foundation and enriched by advanced public health education, Dr. Taj is passionately committed to serving underserved communities and addressing systemic healthcare disparities through multidisciplinary expertise and compassionate care.
She earned her MBBS degree and completed MCPS training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, delivering comprehensive surgical and medical care to women of low socioeconomic status in local communities. Dr. Taj further advanced her academic credentials with a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Epidemiology, authoring several publications focused on the challenges posed by both communicable and non-communicable diseases in public health.
Throughout her career, Dr. Taj has forged meaningful collaborations with leading international organizations, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Her work has encompassed immunization campaigns, strategic health communication, and capacity-building efforts designed to fortify healthcare systems serving marginalized populations. As a member of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (UK), she continues to contribute to advancing global health knowledge and practice.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Taj played a pivotal role as a Telehealth Practitioner within the Tele-ICU Pilot Project a landmark initiative by UNDP, UNFPA, and the Government of Pakistan delivering critical care remotely to hospitals in underserved regions and enhancing clinical decision-making where specialist access was scarce. She also spearheaded nationwide PPE training for healthcare professionals, leaders, and allied departments, and held operational leadership at Pakistan’s first 24/7 COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in underserved areas.
Dr. Taj’s public health endeavors include leading field immunization campaigns against polio, measles, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, with a focus on underserved communities throughout Pakistan. Her efforts are marked by extensive community engagement and close collaboration with healthcare workers, leaders, and allied departments to bolster vaccination coverage and preventive health.
Beyond her medical and public health pursuits, Dr. Taj is an acclaimed literary artist. She received the International Poet of Merit Award from the International Society of Poets, USA, in 2002, and garnered international recognition by winning a prestigious poetry contest in 2003. Her work was featured in the anthology Letters from the Soul, a testament to her profound ability to convey the depths of human emotion through poetry.
Building on her impactful work across South Asia, Dr. Serena Taj’s unwavering dedication to social justice and advocacy is reflected in her comprehensive focus on mental health awareness, the dismantling of structural and socioeconomic health inequities, and the empowerment of women. She has actively championed women’s empowerment initiatives and worked tirelessly to advance the education of children with disabilities. Through strategic health communication and advocacy campaigns, Dr. Taj has collaborated closely with diverse governmental and community departments including religious affairs, Auqaf, minority rights, labor emergency services, civil defense, and social and community welfare organizations to foster inclusive and resilient communities. Deeply motivated to nurture equitable societies, she embraces collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to address complex global health challenges. Drawing upon her rich multinational experience and public health expertise, Dr. Taj aspires to promote healthcare equity worldwide, offering hope and actionable solutions toward a more just and compassionate future.
