Mohammed, a final-year medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, completed clinical rotations across multiple specialties in the USA, including Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Anaesthesia. He also presented his research on surgical capacity in Palestine at an international conference, gaining invaluable experience in advanced healthcare systems and hands-on patient care, which he hopes to bring back to benefit his community.
“This journey has strengthened my clinical skills, deepened my passion for Gastroenterology, and renewed my commitment to improving healthcare in Gaza.”
Check the photos and testimonial below.
My name is Mohammed, a final-year medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. I arrived in the United States on 15 October 2024 and had the opportunity to begin my journey by presenting an oral paper at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in San Francisco. My presentation focused on assessing surgical capacity in Palestine, a topic that deeply reflects the realities of healthcare in my home country. That week was not only academically enriching but also deeply emotional, as it marked the first time I stood on an international stage to represent Gaza’s resilience and potential.
After San Francisco, I moved to Lubbock, Texas, where I completed clinical rotations at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine (including two weeks in Gastroenterology), Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Anaesthesia. Each rotation was a milestone in my training, but it was during my time in Internal Medicine that I discovered my passion for Gastroenterology. The combination of hands-on procedures, patient care, and the diagnostic depth of the field captivated me, and I now hope to specialise in GI in the future.
One memorable case during my GI rotation involved an IBD patient with pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare and complex condition. With the guidance of my mentor, I am currently working on publishing this case. I also had the opportunity to support second-year medical students at Texas Tech in preparing their poster presentation for a local university conference, where I was listed as a co-author.
These rotations gave me invaluable exposure to a highly advanced healthcare system—something that is, unfortunately, a world apart from the limited resources we have in Gaza. From diagnostic tools to procedural capabilities, the contrast was eye-opening and only strengthened my resolve to return home equipped with the skills and training needed to help rebuild and serve my community.
I am incredibly thankful for the support I received, which made this journey possible. I was also fortunate to receive letters of recommendation from four of my attending physicians, who not only mentored me clinically but also encouraged my continued path towards residency training in the U.S.
I carry these experiences with deep gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose—to be part of the change my people desperately need and deserve.
Thank you once again for your generous support.
Read more about the international training placement programme here