The Pakistani connection among Texas Medical Board members has surfaced on the radar, with Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, an advocate for medical freedom, revealing how one of the board members also holds office in Pakistan, and how another advises foreign students on how to obtain residency in American medical schools.
Rao Kamran Ali
Rao Kamran Ali, a Texas resident and member of the Texas Material Assistance Council, also serves as the USA coordinator for URAAN Pakistan, a flagship initiative of Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives that aims to build a “trillion-dollar economy” by 2035. “Pakistan is known for its tolerance of violence against women, child marriage and honor killings,” Dr. Bowden noted.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott appointed Ali to the Texas State Medical Board in September 2023. After his term ended, the governor reappointed him in April 2025 to serve until 2031.
doctor Sharif Saffron
Dr. Sherif Saffron is the President of the Texas Medical Board. Dr. Boudin noted that Saffron is more interested in providing advice to foreign students to attend medical school in the United States. Dr. Bowden shared a video of Dr. Saffron addressing Pakistani medical students, writing: “Are you an American hoping to get into medical school? Texas Medical Board President, Dr.
Sherif Saffron actually has some great tips, but for some reason, he focuses on sharing them with international students.
I encourage all American pre-med students to watch this for important information.”Dr. Saffron pointed out that there are some specialties, such as psychiatry and family medicine, in which foreign medical graduates can obtain residency opportunities, as there is not much competition, unlike specialties such as surgery and ophthalmology, where competition is intense.Dr. Bowden cited the case of one of her colleagues who had a spotless record but did not obtain a medical license in Texas, where the Texas Medical Board recruits doctors from other countries to apply for a license.
