Department of Surgery

Teaching

The Department of Surgery plays a crucial role in both the Pre-Clinical (Years 3 and 4) and Clinical Phases (Years 5 and 6) of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

In Year 3 and Year 4, the department contributes significantly to the teaching of medical science, organ systems, and clinical skills, through a combination of team-based learning, Problem-based learning, and standard lectures integrated throughout the curriculum. 

During Year 5 and Year 6, students immerse themselves in the principles of Surgery and their practical applications. The surgery rotations offer clinical exposure at college-affiliated SEHA hospitals and private medical facilities in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. During this time, students take ‘on-call’ duties and undergo various assessments, including written tests, clinical evaluations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), and medical case presentations.

The Junior Surgical Clerkship, a comprehensive eight-week rotation, offers students a unique opportunity to explore various surgical disciplines, including General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Vascular Surgery, and Anesthesia. The Senior Surgical Clerkship, a four-week intensive focus primarily on General Surgery, provides a deeper understanding of this crucial field. Surgical education is further enriched by dedicated two-week rotations in both Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, allowing students to gain specialized experience in these fields.

Research

Research in surgery spans a wide range of areas aimed at advancing surgical techniques, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing surgical education. Some main research areas in surgery include:

• Trauma and Emergency Surgery: Researching optimal approaches to the management of traumatic injuries, acute surgical conditions, and critical care to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes for trauma patients.
• Trauma and Orthopaedics: Researching optimal approaches to the management of musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic conditions, including fractures, joint dislocations, sports injuries, and degenerative diseases.
• Vascular Trauma: Investigating surgical interventions and endovascular techniques for the management of vascular injuries and traumatic vascular emergencies, including arterial and venous trauma.
• Hernias and Abdominal Wall Disorders: Studying surgical techniques and approaches for the repair and management of hernias, abdominal wall defects, and complex abdominal wall reconstructions.
• Metabolic Surgery: Investigating surgical interventions for metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, to improve metabolic control, weight management, and overall health outcomes.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Investigating and refining minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery to minimize surgical trauma, reduce recovery time, and improve patient outcomes.
• Surgical Oncology: Research focuses on optimizing cancer treatment strategies, including surgical resection, adjuvant therapy, and targeted therapies, to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.
• Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: Researching surgical interventions for obesity and metabolic disorders, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and metabolic surgery, to improve weight loss, metabolic control, and long-term health outcomes.
• Head and Neck Trauma: Investigating optimal management strategies for traumatic injuries to the head and neck region, including facial fractures, airway compromise, and cervical spine injuries.
• Head and Neck Tumors: These include benign and malignant tumors in the salivary glands, thyroid, oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx.
• Hearing Loss, Vertigo, and ENT-related Sleep Apnea: Researching surgical interventions and devices for hearing restoration and management of sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea, related to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions.
• Ophthalmology: Investigating surgical techniques and interventions for various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders, and refractive surgery, to improve visual acuity and quality of life.
• Health Services Research in Surgery: Investigating healthcare delivery models, healthcare policy, and cost-effectiveness of surgical interventions to optimize resource allocation and improve healthcare systems' efficiency and effectiveness.
• Surgical Education and Simulation: Research effective methods for surgical education and training, including simulation-based training, competency assessment, and curriculum development, to ensure the proficiency and readiness of future surgeons.

To access the research profiles of individual faculty members, kindly click here. 

Faculty

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Dr. Mohamed A. Al Ali	Chair and Assistant Professor	m.al-ali@uaeu.ac.ae	7584
Prof. Fayez T. Hammad	Professor	fayezh@uaeu.ac.ae	7590
Prof. Tahra A. Al Mahmoud	Professor	tahra@uaeu.ac.ae	7580
Prof Fikri Abu-Zidan	Professor	fabuzidan@uaeu.ac.ae	7121
Dr. Ali M. Jawas	Associate Professor	ajawas@uaeu.ac.ae	7563
Dr. Ashraf Hefny	Associate Professor	ahefny@uaeu.ac.ae	7578
Dr. Shadi Al Bahri	Assistant Professor	sbahri@uaeu.ac.ae	7579
Dr. Zuhair A. Alfardan	Assistant Professor	z.alfardan@uaeu.ac.ae	7573
Dr . Abdus Samee	Assistant Professor	asamee@uaeu.ac.ae	7540
Dr Suleiman Shantour	Assistant Professor	sulaiman@uaeu.ac.ae	7240
Dr Suhail Matar	Instructor	suhailmatar@uaeu.ac.ae	7321

Staff

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Ms. Jannah Salac	Administrator I	jannah.s@uaeu.ac.ae	7214
Mr. Loay I. Lubbad	Medical Research Specialist I	loay_lubbad@uaeu.ac.ae	7550

General Enquiries

Thank you for your interest in the Surgery Department. We welcome your query and encourage you to contact us using the information below:

United Arab Emirates University,

College of Medicine and Health Sciences

P.O.Box: 15551, Al Ain, UAE

Email: Cmhs.office@uaeu.ac.ae