Retina Today (RT):When did you first know that you wanted to become a retina specialist?
My father’s stories about his work as a retina surgeon are a cherished part of my childhood. After his fellowship in Montreal, he returned to Syria in the 1970s to carry out the country’s first modern retinal detachment repairs. It’s no surprise that I went to medical school already wanting to pursue retina. Residency confirmed that retina was the perfect fit because it involved everything I enjoy: surgery, medicine, and technology.
RT: Who do you look up to as mentors in the field?
Mentorship has come to me in many forms, and from more people than I could fairly name here. A few stand out because they opened doors and helped shape the path I’m on today. In Montreal, Renaud Duval, MD, introduced me to AI in medicine, and he also supervised my first vitrectomy as a resident. Pearse A. Keane, MD, mentored me during my medical AI fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and he helped me grow as a clinician-scientist in that space. I have learned so much about leadership just by watching him.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, recruited me to the Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute for fellowship and immediately made me feel welcome. He treats his trainees like family, and that sense of support made a huge difference in my training. He is a patient and generous educator to whom I owe much of my surgical foundation.
Finally, Salim Lahoud, MD; Karim Hammamji, MD; and Mona Harissi-Dagher, MD, were instrumental in bringing me back to Montreal and recruiting me to the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. I am grateful for their trust and support and thrilled to join a team of colleagues who share the same commitment to thoughtful, patient-centered care.
RT: What has been one of the most memorable experiences of your fellowship thus far?
My most memorable experience has been operating alongside Jonathan E. Sears, MD, and his nurse, Christine Sonnie, BSN, CRNO, RN. Caring for complex pediatric retina cases with them has been very inspiring. Retina surgery in children carries a unique responsibility, and Dr. Sears showed me what “first, do no harm” truly looks like in practice: restraint, humility, and empathy. Learning beside them was a privilege I will not forget.
quote
RT: What advice can you offer to residents who are considering retina?
Stay humble and keep learning. In surgery, approach each case from basic principles; break it down step by step and understand the reasoning behind every move. When possible, record your cases and review them to see where you can improve. That steady habit of reflection and refinement is what makes great retina surgeons.
