Newswise — Hani Najm, M.D., Cleveland Clinic Children’s Chair of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, has been named the first winner of the Great Arab Minds award in medicine in recognition of his outstanding contributions to pediatric and adult cardiac surgery, including his innovations to surgically treat congenital heart diseases.
The Great Arab Minds awards – announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai – acknowledge accomplishments across six categories: engineering and technology, medicine, economics, architecture and design, natural sciences, and literature and arts.
The gala presentation of the first Great Arab Minds awards was on January 8, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Saudi surgeon, Dr. Najm, has been widely covered in international media for his life-saving procedures, which have included a novel way to revascularize an infant’s heart, thereby eliminating the need for a future heart transplant; and a remarkable surgery involving the removal of a large heart tumor from a fetus still in its mother’s womb. He also designed and developed a growth-compatible heart valve that can be implanted, adjusting as the child grows, avoiding the inherent risks of multiple surgical procedures. He has performed more than 10,000 complex heart surgeries on newborns, children, and adults.
“On behalf of my country, my family, and all my colleagues – past and present – it is a tremendous honor to be recognized by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, for the excellence of my professional work over several decades,” Dr. Najm says. “I have said many times that we work so hard for our patients’ improved outcomes, not ever for our own recognition. However, it is nice to be recognized for the pioneering work that I have done, and, more importantly, I hope to be the shoulders for my colleagues to stand on to improve the field of cardiac surgery.”
After training in Canada in general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and pediatric congenital heart surgery, Dr. Najm spent 17 years as head of heart surgery at the Heart Center of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he was a pioneer in his field, constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation.
“I had a very successful practice in Saudi Arabia, so I was well trained and thoroughly prepared to take on my new role at Cleveland Clinic. The environment here is conducive to creativity, and this is what I have focused on over the past eight years. It has enabled me to make significant innovations and contributions,” Dr. Najm says. “The Cleveland Clinic culture of teamwork is inspiring. I am always surrounded by talented people who trust each other. As a surgeon with extensive experience, I had the courage to take on challenging cases based on science, and to take calculated risks – these are a key component of my success.”
In 2016, Dr. Najm joined Cleveland Clinic Children’s as the Chair of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery and is currently a member of many national and international professional organizations, including the Gulf Heart Association, the Board of Trustees of the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
“I always wanted to contribute a lasting legacy to my specialty of cardiac surgery. This passion for excellence has led me to constantly innovate to improve the care of patients. A great example is the ‘ventricular switch’ – a concept I created a few years ago and which is now common practice in our field,” says Dr. Najm.
“In addition, I have always believed that Cleveland Clinic – in line with its mission to treat the ‘sickest of the sick’ – would be the ‘last stop’ for patients. I have always been aware of the pressure of being a patient’s last resort or last stop, so to speak,” Dr. Najm adds.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 77,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,658 salaried physicians and researchers, and 19,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,699-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, more than 275 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2022, there were 12.8 million outpatient encounters, 303,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 270,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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About Cleveland Clinic Children’s
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Cleveland Clinic Children’s supports 389 beds in four acute care hospitals and one post-acute specialty hospital. In addition, pediatric services are available at more than 50 outpatient clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. A staff of more than 400 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see 750,000 pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for 13,000 children per year. Nationally ranked, Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research, and education. Visit us online at www.clevelandclinic.org/childrens and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandclinicchildrens.
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