This Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Fidelis Care celebrates the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, especially in the healthcare field. Fidelis Care talked with Buffalo Medical Care physician, Dr. Fahim Tazwar, about his experience and how he works to improve health literacy and outcomes within this community.

Fidelis Care: What does it mean to you to be an Asian American provider?

Dr. Tazwar: It is a privilege to be an Asian American physician and have the opportunity to serve my community. Being fluent in Bengali and Hindi, I can communicate with patients more effectively in their native language and connect with them on a deeper level. I also understand my patients’ cultural beliefs and practices that may influence their behavior, preference, and ultimately their compliance. This allows me to bridge the language barrier, ensuring that my patient fully understands their conditions and my detailed instructions. As a result, my patients highly appreciate my services, which is a great honor.

Fidelis Care: What are your thoughts on health literacy within the Asian American community?

Dr. Tazwar: I believe that the Asian American community faces many barriers. The language barrier is a major concern. This alone prevents many from getting essential medical care, understanding the issues regarding their health, and ways to improve the outcome. The socioeconomic factor is another barrier the Asian American community deals with. Many suffer from low income and substandard education, which can affect their health literacy. Let’s not forget the cultural belief that also hinders getting necessary care on time. These barriers can become less of an issue if we work together by providing translated health materials, offering interpreter services, increasing access to resources, and providing culturally sensitive care. Limited health insurance coverage is another issue. Thankfully, Fidelis Care has employed multilingual representatives to help the local community address this issue. We are grateful to Fidelis Care Sales and Marketing Supervisor Md Karim and his team for their dedication and work in closing the gap in insurance coverage.

Fidelis Care: How has your role as a physician and leader changed the Asian American community? How do you give back?

Dr. Tazwar: I have been working as a physician with the Asian American community since 2012, first in New York City and now in Buffalo. Being one of few Bengali-speaking physicians in the Greater Buffalo region, I have been tirelessly providing medical care to underserved, underprivileged Asian American patients. A strong believer in ‘prevention is better than cure,’ I have been trying to positively impact the local communities through outreach. The focus is to educate people and improve health literacy. If the general population learns part of what medical professionals know, then it would be easy to reduce the prevalence of many chronic diseases that our community is facing. With that vision in mind, I have been actively participating in community events, giving presentations, and writing articles. I work closely with local health officials to address disparities affecting Asian Americans, advocating for improved healthcare access. One of my greatest achievements is to be a part of the Buffalo Bangla newspaper, printed in the Bengali language, bringing authentic news including health-related issues to the Buffalo Bangladeshi community.

Fidelis Care: What is your favorite cultural tradition? 

Dr. Tazwar: There are many. One of my favorites is breaking a monthlong fast by celebrating Eid al-Fitr with friends and family and exchanging gifts, engaging in social events, reconciling differences, sharing meals, and giving in charity to help others.  I also enjoy the communal bonding. Eid celebrations bring together family, friends, and communities in joyous gatherings. 

Fahim Tazwar, MD, MPH, DABOM, is the Managing Director of Buffalo Medical Care, a leading primary care clinic serving the underserved population in Buffalo. He was previously affiliated with Erie County Medical Center and Batavia Internal Medicine Clinic. He is a family medicine specialist and has over 12 years of experience in the medical field. He holds a master's degree in Public Health, a Doctor of Medicine degree, and a Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine.