Chief Residents

I have always felt like a modern nomad. I'm a Syrian who did medical school in Saudi Arabia. Clerkship and research hunt took me to New York, Chicago, Huston, and even Lexington, KY. (It's hard, you know the drill, Lol). I finally started residency in Phoenix, AZ. It's far, I know. So believe me when I say me to and then In my wildest dreams I have never expected to end-up in Florence, AL. However, it did turn out to be an awesome twist of fate and an essential part of my development. I believe everything happens for a reason. In Florence, I found A lovely small town, it's green, calm, traffic-less, and so safe it's weird. It's definitely a place you can raise a happy healthy family (as long as all of your kids join the football team), but most importantly I can now confirm "southern hospitality" really exists. I genuinely feel like everyone cares about everyone.

At North Alabama Medical Center, I found a dynamic young residency program where you immediately feel home. My experience so far has been nothing but stellar. I met lifelong role models, I had a wonderful clinical experience, here you are not intern "No. 47", Here they know your name, what you care about, your future plans and they genuinely help you and love to see you succeed. There is a high level of growth and progress driven by residents input. I feel like I'm building/contributing to the project. Our coordinators are immediately your best friends and the free food is such a blessing. To conclude, I wouldn't have done it any other way. I just wish we had any semblance of Shawarma! Unfortunately, I need to leave for fellowship and deeply considering coming back to Florence. You know how to seduce me just a good shawarma.

Moving to the United States with my family to begin my internal medicine residency was both an exciting and daunting experience. As an Egyptian, I was stepping into a world vastly different from my own—not just in terms of medical practice, but also in everyday interactions, traditions, and cultural nuances. Everyone I knew kept asking, “Why are you moving to the United States after having a well-established career in Egypt and starting all over again?” To be honest, I asked myself the same question at one point and wondered if it would truly be worth it.

I found my answer as soon as I joined North Alabama Medical Center. I was genuinely impressed by the hospital’s high standards of care. The quality of medical education, the abundance of resources, and the strong mentorship available to residents opened my eyes to a whole new world of medicine I hadn’t experienced before.

Here, hard work truly pays off. I was honored to be selected as one of the chief residents—a deeply meaningful moment that reflected the trust of the leadership and gave me the opportunity to grow and contribute to the improvement of our program. The support and guidance I received from faculty and program coordinators was nothing short of exceptional. It made me feel like I was part of a family. Florence has become a home to me, and I know I’ll be back—perhaps to settle here for good.

I am proud to have chosen North Alabama Medical Center (NAMC) for my Internal Medicine training. From the beginning, it has felt like home, and I have developed a strong connection with the faculty. Residency here has provided everything I hoped for: extensive clinical exposure, time for personal growth, and opportunities to prepare for independent practice. I’ve also appreciated having the flexibility to attend Internal Medicine conferences and pursue my specific interests, such as Rheumatology.

Although we are in a smaller town, our schedule’s flexibility has allowed me to explore nearby major cities during my time off, providing a great balance. The work we do at NAMC is incredibly meaningful and has a tangible impact on our community. Physicians in community hospitals often face unique challenges, and these experiences have been invaluable in strengthening my skills as a clinician.