OMI International Partners Series: Hamad Medical Corporation

Feb 4, 2021

To continue the OMI blog series featuring our partner institutions worldwide, we would like to introduce Hamad Medical Corporation, our partner in Qatar. Established in 1979, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is now the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and is one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East.

Dedicated to delivering safe, effective and compassionate care to all its patients, HMC manages 12 hospitals, the National Ambulance Service and home and residential care services. Hamad Medical Corporation is leading the development of the region’s first academic health system – combining innovative research, top-class education and excellent clinical care – and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar.

In 2007, the corporation opened a new Education Center, underlining its commitment to medical education. Medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs and there is an active continuing medical education program that includes medical students of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, one of HMC’s Academic Health Partners.

Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar was established in partnership with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and is part of Cornell University. Some of our highly esteemed OMI faculty members are also members of the Joint Advisory Board of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, such as Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi (Co-Chair) and Dr. Michael G. Stewart, both representing Cornell University, OMI’s main academic partner.

Since 2004, 103 physicians from Qatar participated in OMI Seminars and OMInars, gaining and sharing knowledge in their respective medical specialties. An impressive number of 72 of these fellows showed an outstanding performance through their case presentation, test score or excellent participation during the course, illustrating the successful collaboration between OMI and Hamad Medical Corporation.

The OMI Seminar in Salzburg was an exceptional experience, which gave me the opportunity to meet other psychiatry trainees from different parts of the globe and to participate in the discussions of fascinating topics presented by the trainees. The course trainers and organizers’ valuable input makes it a unique experience that you would be eager to have again.

Bushra Elhusein, MD (Qatar)

OMI Fellow, Psychiatry 2019

I was lucky enough to get the chance to join the ESU Master Class in Urology during my chief resident year, beginning with members of the Organizing Committee who were extremely professional and offered all kinds of help, and then the course itself which offers a unique experience for young urologists to tackle challenging topics in their practice. I can’t praise the amazing faculty enough; they were really interested in sharing their experiences and company with us. Overall, it was a lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed, thanks!

Hossameldin Alnawasra, MD (Qatar)

OMI Fellow, ESU Master Class in Urology 2019

I’m working as a pulmonologist in Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar. I attended the OMI Internal Medicine Seminar in 2019. It was a great experience meeting physicians from different places and different ways of practice. I enjoyed attending the different case reports presented during the seminar with different opinions, diseases and medical cultures! During the seminar we attended different lectures by amazing and very humble professors that gave us a great example of how dedicated we should be as physicians. I really wish all the best to OMI organization and hope for more collaboration.

Antoun Y. Kamel, MD (Qatar)

OMI Fellow, Internal Medicine 2019

OMI faculty members from Qatar include Dr. Salman Al Jerdi (OMI Seminar in Neurology 2019), Dr. Lyuba Konopasek (OMI Seminar in Medical Education 2011 and 2013) and Dr. Basim Uthman (OMI Seminar in Neurology 2016).

As part of the collaboration with HMC and Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, the first OMI Satellite Symposium on the subject of Diabetes Management was conducted in Doha in 2012. The presentation of the latest treatment protocols for Diabetes and further information will assist Hamad Medical Corporation in establishing their Diabetes Prevention Program. OMI faculty included Dr. Antonio M. Gotto (Weill Cornell Medical College), Dr. Bernhard Ludvik (Medical University of Vienna), and Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran (Weill Cornell/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital).

In March 2013, the second Satellite Symposium in Doha took place, this time focusing on the topic of Urology – Bladder and Prostate Cancers with our academic partners, Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork Presbyterian College, and OMI faculty members, Dr. Wolfgang Aulitzky (OMI Medical Director) and Dr. Joan Palou.

Another highlight of the collaboration was the OMI Visiting Professorship on the topic of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2019 under the auspices of Weill Cornell Medicine – NewYork Presbyterian Hospital with OMI faculty member Dr. Jaspal Ricky Singh (Weill Cornell Medicine).

Satellite Symposium in Diabetes, Dr. Amin Jayyousi (HMC), Dr. Wolfgang Aulitzky (OMI Medical Director), Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran, Dr. Bernhard Ludvik (MUV), Dr. Abdul Latif Al Khal (HMC) and Dr. Mahmoud Zirie (HMC), Doha, Qatar (2012)