The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
What is your hometown?
Sidon, Lebanon
When did you join the University of Iowa faculty?
February, 2006
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
In my last years of high school I discovered that science, chemistry and biology were my favorite topics. When I was finishing my bachelor degree I became more interested in medicine, and decided to pursue a medical degree then.
What interested you to pursue a career in Urology?
I knew I wanted to go into a surgical field and Urology is a very interesting specialty. It has both a medical and a surgical aspect to it, along with a reasonable lifestyle.
Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shaper you career?
My uncle who is a physician pointed out to me how attractive urology was as a specialty. I took his advice and took urology as an elective in medical school and really enjoyed it. I had mentors all through my residency at Iowa that were exceptionally supportive.
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa?
I finished my residency at Iowa and had the privilege to have excellent mentors and teachers. I decided to stay on staff as I enjoyed the collegiate atmosphere between the faculty members. I had the support and encouragement of all of them.
The University of Iowa’s faculty members are united to provide exceptional patient care while advancing innovations in research and medical education. How does your work help translate new discoveries into patient centered care and education?
From a translational standpoint I help with the gene therapy trials for prostate cancer, a field that faculty in our department have done significant research on. Clinically, I have developed an interest in robotic surgery, which is a new treatment modality that has emerged in recent years and that I have been able to implement into my practice.
What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at an academic medical center provide?
It provides access to experts in all medical fields with tremendous experience and expertise.
Please describe your professional interests.
My interests are urologic cancers and minimally invasive urologic surgery techniques, especially robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. I also have an interest in teaching and am in charge of the urology clerkship.
What led to your interest in Urologic Oncology?
Urologic cancers constitute about 25% of all cancers and are a high percentage of what a general urologist treats. I wanted to be able to provide the best care I can for those patients, and thus my interest in oncology. Working with talented faculty at the University of Iowa further instigated my interest in this subspecialty.
How has the use of robotic surgery changed your field of medicine and patient outcomes?
Years ago, no one would have thought that some new technology would come to replace the traditional open prostate surgery. The location of the prostate deep in the pelvis poses a challenge to the urologist. The emergence of laparoscopic and robotic surgery has provided us with unparalleled access to the prostate with great magnification and minimal morbidity. I have been impressed with the results of robotic surgery and patients have been very pleased with the outcomes.
How does working in a collaborative and comprehensive academic medical center benefit your work?
Having experts in all medical fields is very helpful in providing the best care for our patients. Working closely with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists provides comprehensive care to our cancer patients.
What are some of your outside interests?
Traveling, watching history documentaries and biking.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?
I do the best I can to take care of my patients.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I would fix the inequalities in the health care system.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?
The change from maximally invasive surgery to minimally invasive surgery like laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
What one piece of advice would you give to today's students?
Take the most you can from every clerkship; this is a unique opportunity that may never recur. Always remember that patient care comes first.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
I see surgery becoming less and less invasive, and the Internet playing a bigger role in patient education and the coordination of patient care.
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 have given presentations on urologic cancers as well as the emergence of robotic surgery in public settings off campus. Our department is also involved in organizing urology conferences for urologists and primary care physicians, an activity that all of the faculty are involved in.