Omar Shihadeh

Doing my residency at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has been a blessing. The training program is solid, extensive, thorough, and comprehensive, led by well-known and highly trained faculty who are board-certified from the USA, Europe, or the Arab Board. We treat all neurosurgical diseases, interacting with patients of diverse cultures and backgrounds and of all age groups. Our residency is an ACGME-accredited program, providing a supportive and healthy environment for residents.

The pediatric neurosurgery rotations are conducted at Sidra Hospital, affiliated with HMC and specialized in treating pediatric patients with almost all kinds of neurosurgical diseases, including tumors, neonatal conditions, head injuries, functional diseases, spine conditions, craniosynostosis, and birth defects.

While it is difficult to summarize my entire experience during this residency, here is a glimpse:

• Assessed medical histories for details such as medication allergies, pre-existing conditions and laboratory results to develop personalized care plans.
• Conducted neurological examinations efficiently and accurately to inform diagnosis and treatment plans.
• Enhanced surgical team collaboration through effective communication and interdisciplinary cooperation during complex procedures.
• Prepared detailed operative notes documenting each step of surgical procedure aiding in postoperative management planning.
• Reviewed medical literature regularly to stay current on emerging trends and developments in the field of neurosurgery surgery.
• Managed postoperative care for neurosurgical patients, ensuring proper wound healing and timely follow-up appointments.
• Assisted attending surgeons in complicated surgeries, gaining valuable hands-on experience and improving technical skills.
• Performed comprehensive diagnostic assessments using advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans for accurate diagnoses.
• Demonstrated thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology relevant to neurosurgical cases.
• Educated patients about their conditions, treatment options, risks/benefits of potential interventions fostering informed decision-making.
• Managed neurosurgical emergencies promptly and efficiently, stabilizing patients and minimizing potential long-term consequences.
• Developed comprehensive preoperative plans for successful surgical interventions with minimal postoperative complications.
• Adhered to professional standards of national and local medical societies, licensing agencies and governmental agencies.

After completing my internship, I was accepted as a surgical resident (transitional year) at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), a specialized cancer center handling complex brain tumor cases in both adults and children. During this year, I was exposed to most surgical departments, including an eight-month neurosurgery rotation where I gained my first experience with pediatric neurosurgical patients. I learned many fundamental principles for managing this vulnerable age group, which continue to benefit me to this day.

I can summarize my experience during this transitional year of surgical residency in the following points:

• Exhibited adaptability through rotating across multiple hospital departments with diverse patient populations during residency training.
• Strengthened interpersonal skills by cultivating positive relationships with patients and their families during rounds and clinics appointments.
• Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
• Thoroughly examined patients and elicited medical history data to use in assessing health and identifying conditions.
• Maintained detailed and accurate medical records, facilitating seamless communication among healthcare professionals.