Healthcare Technology Entrepreneur: Dr. Vikram Kumar

Providing healthcare in developing countries often poses unique challenges: Electricity comes and goes; Internet access is unreliable; and various resources are in limited supply. Addressing these challenges is where Dr. Vikram Sheel Kumar, 30, has found his niche. As co-founder of Dimagi, Vikram leads a team that creates technologies specially customized for the conditions encountered in the developing world. For example, it has co-developed an open-source electronic medical records system in Zambia. Patients have smart cards that contain their medical records. This technology gives healthcare workers access to patients' information in places where telecommunications are limited and paper records aren’t working. Another innovation is Ca:sh, a mobile electronic medical records system. Outreach workers that visit patients have a handheld device, and the Ca:sh software application on it lets them access patients' information and enter updates. To learn more about Vikram and Dimagi, check out this week's Young & Professional Profile.

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If you are interested in attending a conference with influential speakers, useful and practical workshops, Career fair, and interesting people from all over the globe then NASALSA is the place to be. Come out February 15-17 to Los Angeles and learn about the Legal South Asian World as well as make great connections.

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A One-of-a-Kind Magazine for Desi Kids

Many publications in the United States target adults of specific ethnic groups. But surprisingly, until recently no publication targeted children of a specific ethnic group. Three years ago, though, Kahani magazine became a one-of-a-kind publication by offering contemporary stories, features, and illustrations especially for children of South Asian heritage. The quarterly magazine aims to entertain, educate, and empower children ages 6 to 11 with content that speaks to their day-to-day experiences. Additionally, kids can feel less isolated in knowing that other kids share their life experiences. The magazine is printed on thick, glossy paper with brilliant colors. It contains no advertising, in keeping with the belief that kids don't need to be exposed to even more ads than they already are, and none of the staff or contributors are paid. Kahani just won a Parents' Choice Award, the ultimate seal of approval for children's media, so learn more about the magazine in this week's Nonprofit Spotlight.

Inspiring Muslim Girls: Ausma Khan

If you're a Muslim girl growing up in North America, you can feel isolated and alienated at times. Fortunately, however, Ausma Khan is striving to inspire, celebrate, and enlighten young Muslim females with Muslim Girl Magazine. The publication tells the real-life inspirational stories of North American Muslim teens and college students. It also focuses on education and empowerment through its series "Women to Watch," which profiles Muslim women who are making positive contributions to the world. Additionally, the magazine has features on popular culture and the arts. As Editor-in-Chief, Ausma, 38, hopes the magazine will not only inspire Muslim girls, but also reshape the public's perception of Muslims by dispelling misconceptions and fostering dialogue between communities. She wants Muslim girls to grow up and be empowered to participate in and shape important public debates. To learn more about how Ausma is inspiring Muslim girls, check out this week's Young & Professional Profile.