Abu Dhabi: Driven by ambition, resolve, excellence and confidence, Dr Jamal Mohammad Murad Heikal Amiri, an Emirati, has joined the US-based Mayo Clinic as a urologist becoming the first UAE resident doctor at this clinic who does not hold an American passport.
Dr Al Amiri is determined to be certified by the American Board of Urology so that he would apply the latest developments in the medical field in his country, relying on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and the use of robot in complex surgeries.
Inspired by his father who was among the early doctors to establish the Urology Department at Al Qassimi hospital, the Emirati doctor, who is less than 30 years, highlighted his passion for medicine in an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), saying: “I completed my high school in 2007 scoring a high average and was granted a university scholarship in Ireland and Canada but I chose Canada.
“I wanted a challenge, so I decided to specialise in Biology and successfully completed the Bachelor’s degree within three years instead of four with distinction. In 2010, I joined the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to pursue my education in the medical field for five years and was eligible for the Dean’s Honours List throughout my education period. By 2016, I completed the internship in Ireland,” Al Amiri added.
After that, I returned to the UAE, joining the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), where I worked as a doctor for several months before I was accepted at the US-based Mayo Clinic.
“While working in SEHA, I was motivated to go on a scientific visit to Mayo Clinic on Aguste 2016 by Dr Abdul Karim Al Obaidli, executive director for Academic Affairs at Seha, and supported by [the] Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. During my stay, Mayo Clinic doctors were greatly impressed by my performance and stressed the importance of being part of their team.”
“January 18, 2017 was the date that changed the course of my life. I was accepted at Mayo Clinic, becoming the first Emirati resident doctor who has no US passport at the Urology department.”
“Later on, I Joined the President’s Mission of Excellent Emirati Doctors’ scholarship which was announced soon after being accepted at Mayo Clinic.
“We، the people of the UAE, are fortunate for this unlimited support given by our wise leadership. The mission has provided us and all doctors with all care and attention, both materially and morally.”
Al Amiri said that the UAE is a pioneer in providing support to the world’s leading medical institutions and I am very proud to find the name of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, engraved on the wall at Mayo Clinic in appreciation of his and the UAE’s contributions to Mayo Clnic and supporting scientific research.
“Artificial intelligence techniques are the main driver of everything that is being done at the Mayo Clinic. I and other physicians were trained to perform surgeries using the robot ‘Da Vinci Surgical System’. After finishing my career at Mayo Clinic, I will be able to use this technique to perform complex operations such as the eradication of cancer tumours in bladder, prostate and kidneys” Al Amiri further said.
