What Drew You to Anesthesiology? 

When I came from Syria, to be able to get into American specialties I had to go to internal medicine first. However, I felt like my dream was more intervention. I wanted to have hands-on. With the help of the medical director of internal medicine, they appointed me to anesthesiology. When I went to interview, I really fell in love with the culture. I fell in love with how everybody is down to earth. As a junior CA1 or CA2, you felt like you were one of the team. And I really like that. The other thing is the immediate satisfaction of when you care for the patient. You’re right there monitoring the outcome … and you’re treating it right away. 

How About Your Subspecialties?

I graduated from anesthesia in 2000. Then I did the pain management fellowship and a pediatric anesthesia fellowship. I had to pick one to be my long-term career, and that was pain management. Because I missed my own patients. I missed following patients long-term. In pain management, you can do a procedure and you can follow the patient for years. Just like any other medical specialty. So I get the best of both worlds.

How Long Have You Been an Anesthesiologist?

I’ve been an anesthesiologist since 2000 — so 25 years. 

Why Did You Join VSA?

I think we have a duty to support our societies. Because without them, a lot of the regulations, the discussions and the lobbying with Congress or the local politicians, we have to be an advocate. We have to push for patient care, and continuing to be the physician-led specialty. … I can give some of my time, we can support the PAC. Because it makes a big difference. It’s important that the physicians support their societies.

What Would You Like Medical Students to Know?

If you like medicine, and at the same time you like interventions, direct patient care, hands-on … we’re a good compromise between internal medicine and general surgery. What I like about anesthesia is that we care, and our departments care, about our work-life balance.