Villa Guest Profiles

Meet Dr. Attaullah Khan

 Who You Are

My name is Dr. Attaullah Khan. I am an ethnic PASHTUN belonging to the YUSUFZAI tribe, a medical doctor and public health professional from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. I hold an MBBS from Khyber Medical College and a Master of Public Health from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where I studied on the Government of Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship. Over the past 12 years, I have worked across multiple dimensions of the health system—ranging from clinical medicine and disease eradication programs to policy formulation, implementation, and coordination of major health reform projects. Currently, I serve as Deputy Project Director in the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s flagship Secondary Healthcare Revamping Project. Outside my professional life, I’m a passionate public speaker, sports enthusiast, and lover of history. I strongly believe that “whatever gets measured gets managed,” and my work is deeply driven by a commitment to improving health systems through evidence, ethics, and accountability.

What Brought You to Villa

I arrived at Villa International on August 9, 2025, as part of the Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. This 10-month non-degree academic and professional program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, focuses on leadership development and mutual exchange in the field of public health. Villa was introduced to our cohort by the Humphrey Fellowship team at Rollins, and it has quickly become a home away from home. Living here among people from all over the world has enriched my cultural understanding, strengthened my communication skills, and expanded my global friendships.

 

“The exchange of stories and experiences at Villa has made me appreciate the diversity and unity of purpose that bring us all together. Every evening spent sharing laughter and ideas in the common room reminds me that while our paths and professions differ, our humanity connects us deeply.”

Future Plans

Over the next 5–10 years, I plan to advance healthcare policy and system reforms in my home province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. My primary goals include:

  • Introducing public health and management curricula in medical education to produce well-rounded professionals beyond clinical roles.
  • Establishing a state-of-the-art Health Professionals Training Institute to enhance service quality and management capacity.
  • Fostering a data-driven decision-making culture in public health policy and service delivery.
  • Strengthening health education and promotion as a preventive strategy in low-resource settings.

Ultimately, my dream is to rise through the civil service ranks to become the youngest Director General of Health Services in the province and lead a transformation toward a more equitable, efficient, and people-centered health system.

Villa Experience

Living at Villa has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Humphrey year. It has offered me a global family and a genuine sense of belonging. I have enjoyed learning new cuisines from fellow residents, participating in multicultural events, and joining friendly competitions in various sports. The exchange of stories and experiences at Villa has made me appreciate the diversity and unity of purpose that bring us all together. Every evening spent sharing laughter and ideas in the common room reminds me that while our paths and professions differ, our humanity connects us deeply.