Achievements & Milestones

Professor of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine

Kuwait University

Promoted to Full Professor in May 2025.

Executive MBA (in progress — expected 2027)

London Business School, UK

KFAS research grant (~USD 500,000) — fatty liver disease via ex-situ normothermic perfusion, with King's College London

Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS)

Jaber Al-Ahmad Young Researcher Award

Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science

Kuwait's most prestigious scientific award for young researchers, granted for his medical research output.

First enhanced-recovery (ERAS) bariatric surgery in Kuwait

Director, Advanced Laparoscopy & Bariatric Surgery Fellowship Program

Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS)

Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine

American Board of Obesity Medicine

Among the first cohort worldwide — one of the few surgeons in the Middle East certified in both the surgical and medical treatment of obesity.

Pioneer in Clinical Care Award

Kuwait Association of Surgeons

Awarded for founding Kuwait's liver transplant program and performing the first successful liver transplant in the country's history.

One of the first robotic bariatric surgery programs in the region

Acting Chairman, Department of Organ Transplantation

Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University

First successful liver transplant in Kuwait's history

With Dr. Hussain Al-Mahmeed

Performed on January 17, 2018 — founded Kuwait's national liver transplant program and performed the country's first successful liver transplant.

First laparoscopic resection of a pancreatic head tumor in Kuwait

Head, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Unit

Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, Kuwait

Founding Director, Principles of Surgery Program

Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS)

Led the program to full Canadian Royal College accreditation — the first surgical training program accredited by the RCPSC outside Canada.

KFAS research grant (~USD 337,000) — metabolic surgery, uncoupling proteins and browning of fat

Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS)

Founding Member, Kuwait Surgical Society

Fellowship in Bariatric, Metabolic, Advanced Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery

Cleveland Clinic, USA

Cleveland Clinic is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the world.

Council Member, Organ Transplant Society of Kuwait

Member, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO)

American Fellowship in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery & Organ Transplantation

McGill University, Canada

Best Poster Award, Canadian Association of General Surgery Meeting

CAGS — Quebec City, Canada

Member, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

Member, Medical Education Development Committee

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Julius Gordon Travelling Fellowship — outstanding resident in research

McGill University, Canada

General Surgery Residency — Canadian & American Board of Surgery

McGill University, Canada

Outstanding Resident Teacher Award — excellence in undergraduate education

McGill University, Canada

Best paper nominee, IHPBA World Congress

IHPBA — Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nominated for best paper from among hundreds of submissions.

Member, Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE)

Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)

Member, American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA)

Master of Education — medical curricula & teaching methods

University of Cincinnati, USA

Member, Association for Surgical Education (ASE)

Member, American College of Surgeons (ACS)

American College of Surgeons

Member, Canadian Association of General Surgery (CAGS)

MBChB — Distinction with First-Class Honours (top of class)

University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Cardno Prize in Anatomy — top student in Anatomy

University of Aberdeen