WCM-Q alumni share career advice with future doctors
Left to right – Dr Sulaiman Alshakhs, Dr Mohammed al-Abdulla, Dr Diala Steitieh, and Dr Ibrahim al-Emadi.
The spring edition of the series, which ran from January to March, featured presentations from five distinguished alumni of WCM-Q and Weill Cornell Medical College (WCM). The speakers discussed how their passion for medicine evolved over time, the challenges they faced in their careers, and the motivations behind their choice of speciality. They also provided essential guidance to students just beginning their journeys in medicine. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session, allowing students to explore the career paths of each speaker while considering their own future plans.
The speakers included Dr Ibrahim al-Emadi (Class of 2016), a urologist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), who has a special interest in urological oncology, renal transplantation, management of male lower urinary tract symptoms, and urinary stone management.
He was joined by Dr Sulaiman Alshakhs (Class of 2021), a senior resident in psychiatry at HMC and a clinical associate in psychiatry at WCM.
Dr Alshakhs’ clinical and research interests include personality disorders and advocacy for vulnerable populations with mental health conditions.
Other speakers included Dr Mohammed al-Abdulla (Class of 2020), a senior clinical associate at WCM with a special interest in inflammatory skin disorders and advancements in medical dermatology. He completed a residency in dermatology and venereology at HMC and is European board-certified.
Dr Diala Steitieh (Class of 2017), an assistant professor of medicine at WCM and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York, presented.
Dr Steitieh is also the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program at WCM’s Division of Cardiology and a member of several prestigious medical societies.
The alumni were joined by Dr Steven H Sewall, an orthopaedist with over 50 years of experience. Dr Sewall graduated from WCM in New York in 1965 and completed a surgical internship and residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, followed by an orthopaedic residency at the University of Cincinnati. He then spent two years practising orthopaedics at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in California. Since 1972, Dr Sewall has been a member of a private orthoapaedic group associated with a community hospital near Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr Marco Ameduri, associate professor of physics/senior associate dean for Pre-Medical Education and Education City Collaborative Curricular Affairs, said: “The experiences shared by the medical experts were not just about career achievements, but also about the commitment needed to establish a successful medical career. The speakers also played an important role in helping our students understand that a future in medicine could take many different and exciting directions.”
Dr Rachid Bendriss, associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programmes, added: “The seminars offer a valuable platform for students to connect with practising medical professionals and gain practical insights into the realities of a medical career. The series is an invaluable opportunity to inspire students and equip them with vital information early in their academic journeys.”
The Medical Career Seminar series is a weekly activity for students. Each session features guest speakers, including WCM-Q faculty, alumni, and community partners, who provide valuable insights into the journey to a medical career and the practice of medicine.
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