What is your hometown?
I am a product of globalization. I was born in Amman, Jordan to a Palestinian mother and British father. I grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and attended the American University of Beirut (AUB). After graduating from medical school, I came to the United States for neurosurgery residency.
When did you join the University of Iowa faculty?
After my neurosurgery residency and fellowship at the University of Iowa, I joined the faculty in 1980. It seems like only yesterday.
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
As far back as I can remember I wanted to go to medical school at AUB. My parents also did not encourage other options. I was swayed to neurosurgery by the faculty at AUB.
What interested you to pursue a career in Neurosurgery?
While growing up, one of my uncles suffered a stroke and was rendered disabled. Perhaps that event had a greater influence upon me than I thought at the time.
Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?
The two people that had the greatest influence on me were Dr. Fuad Sami Haddad and Dr. Adel Afifi (64R Neurology, 65MS). Fuad Haddad was the first neurosurgeon boarded by the American Board of Neurosurgery to practice in the Middle East. Adel Afifi whom you all know, is Professor of Neurology and Anatomy at the University of Iowa, and author of leading textbooks on neuroanatomy. While at AUB, those two had the greatest influence upon me to pursue neurosurgery.
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa?
When I applied for neurosurgery residency Dr. Afifi was spending a sabbatical at Iowa. Also my close friend and roommate, Ziad Kronfol was a psychiatry resident here. At the time the University of Iowa was one of the few places in North America with a CT scan!! Hard to believe- I am giving away my age.
What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
Most of what I do today in neurosurgery was unavailable during my residency, such as functional neurosurgery, spinal instrumentation, image guidance and MRI to mention a few. Being at the University of Iowa has made it possible for me to develop and remain on the cutting edge, and participate in these developments.
Please describe your professional interests.
This is a particularly difficult question to answer. During my residency a neurosurgeon did everything from brain tumors to peripheral nerve entrapment. Things have become more specialized now for the delivery of more efficient and expert care. In earlier years I was involved in functional neurosurgery, CT and MRI guided brain operations. Currently I enjoy complicated spinal operations, pituitary tumors, cerebral bypass procedures, and facial pain.
What are some of your outside interests?
Traveling to the Middle East, reading history of the Arab World, and swimming whenever I can.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?
Yes I do. Much of what I do I acquired during residency; in particular knowledge, judgment, and dexterity. The other issues that are not emphasized enough in textbooks, and you pick up on the way are the following three things:
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
Make medical care free and the same for all, irrespective of finances.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?
The greatest changes have been in diagnostic imaging, and the introduction of the microscope for just about everything we do.
What one piece of advice would you give to today's students?
Be driven by the desire to help others irrespective of who they are.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
Newer techniques in imaging. Less invasive procedures. Advancement of endovascular techniques. More effective treatments for spinal cord injury and brain tumors.
In what ways are you engaged with the greater Iowa public (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagements off campus, etc.)?
I am currently involved with our neurosurgery residents in several biomechanical studies on spinal implants and fixation devices. Hopefully we will develop a new classification scale for spinal fractures, and how best to treat them. I am also involved in an National Institutes of Health funded clinical study for the improvement of blood flow to the brain. As President of the World Association of Lebanese Neurosurgeons, together with our officers in North America and Europe, we hope to facilitate fellowships for young Lebanese neurosurgeons to travel abroad for specialized training. As far as Iowa is concerned, I cannot think of a better place to live, grow, and practice.