MEET THE FOUNDERS

Medicine, education & civic engagement.

We’re a group of medical students and aspiring physicians who created this platform after seeing how deeply policy and law can shape Texans’ health—alongside the care people receive directly from healthcare professionals.

WHY WE STARTED

Health policy belongs in the conversation.

We believe Texans deserve understandable, trustworthy information about the policies that affect their health and communities. As medical students preparing for careers in healthcare, we have seen that health is shaped not only in clinics and hospitals, but also by laws, budgets, regulations, and decisions made by government.

We created Texas Health Policy Watch to make those connections easier to see. Our goal is to translate complex health-policy issues into clear, accessible information and give Texans practical tools to understand legislation, learn about their representatives, and participate in civic life.

Rather than telling people what to think, we aim to give Texans the knowledge, resources, and tools to think critically, make informed decisions, and advocate for the issues that matter to them.

Our perspective is informed by our experiences in healthcare and medical education, while our work is centered on evidence, education, and the wellbeing of Texas communities.

THE FOUNDERS

Meet the team.

Jawad Khan

Co-Founder | Fourth-Year Medical Student | Aspiring Anesthesiologist

Jawad Khan is a fourth-year medical student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and an aspiring anesthesiologist. His interests extend beyond the operating room to community health, with a particular focus on opioid and narcotic overdose prevention, naloxone access, and public education surrounding overdose recognition and response.

Jawad is passionate about empowering communities with practical health information and believes that education and access to lifesaving resources can make a meaningful difference in preventable deaths.

Outside of medicine and advocacy, Jawad enjoys hiking, fishing, and adventure, and values opportunities to connect with and empower the communities he serves.

Rehan Khan

Co-Founder | Fourth-Year Medical Student | Aspiring Psychiatrist

Rehan Khan is a fourth-year medical student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and an aspiring psychiatrist. His interests center on underserved populations, healthcare equity, and reducing barriers to healthcare, medications, and essential medical resources.

Rehan is passionate about mental health advocacy and believes that where someone lives, their circumstances, or their ability to navigate the healthcare system should not determine whether they can access the care they need.

Outside of medicine, Rehan enjoys basketball, exploring food and restaurants, and advocating for mental health, particularly within communities that have historically faced barriers to care.

Mariyam Farooqi

Co-Founder | Fourth-Year Medical Student | Aspiring Psychiatrist

Mariyam Farooqi is a fourth-year medical student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and an aspiring psychiatrist. Her interests include women’s mental health, particularly postpartum mental health, healthcare equity, and expanding access to psychiatric care for underserved populations.

Mariyam is passionate about reducing disparities in mental healthcare and creating communities where people from all backgrounds feel supported, heard, and able to seek care without stigma or barriers.

Outside of medicine, Mariyam enjoys cooking, mental health advocacy, and creating safe and welcoming spaces for people from all walks of life.

OUR VISION

A Texas where people understand how public policy affects their health, feel confident engaging with government, and have a meaningful voice in shaping healthier communities.

Better-informed Texans. Stronger communities. Healthier Texas.