THUNDER BAY – A Kuwaiti physician has started a year-long fellowship hosted by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) to learn a unique type of prostate laser surgery that significantly improves the care and recovery time for patients. The training will take place at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
Dr. Abdulrahman Ahmad of Kuwait is learning under the guidance of Dr. Hazem Elmansy, NOSM Assistant Professor and Faculty Lead of Urology and a Urologist at TBRHSC said a news release from NOSM. Elmansy was described as one of few doctors in the world who performs holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), a specialized form of prostate surgery. The procedure is used to treat men with urinary outflow obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate.
NOSM said Ahmad is the first of a list of 40 potential candidate urologists who will take the post-residency training through NOSM and the Thunder Bay hospital. Ahmad said he was pleased to be accepted.
“Dr. Elmansy is known world-wide as one of the few experts in the HoLEP method, and I had read his international publications. It was very exciting to meet him in person and to work in a supportive and friendly environment. I think it’s the best decision I’ve made,” said Ahmad.
Elmansy, who has been performing the specialty HoLEP laser surgery for roughly six years, said the procedure is less invasive, more precise and allows patients to recover more quickly.
“It benefits patients of Northern Ontario and we’re looking at expanding our care to patients in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances,” said Elmansy. He added there is a three-year waiting list of patients, including some from out of province, who want to have the procedure.
NOSM Dean and CEO Dr. Sarita Verma said the international fellowship was the result of leadership from both the hospital and the medical school.
"NOSM helps to develop clinical expertise in other countries as part of our global social accountability,” said Verma.
The program was also endorsed by Dr. Robert Anderson, NOSM associate dean, postgraduate medical education and health sciences, who said it was an exciting first for NOSM and would inspire more clinical fellowships.
“Creating more fellowships that are led by dynamic faculty leaders like Dr. Elmansy is a next step in NOSM’s growth as a medical school integrated with academic health science centres. Advancing patient care, research, and faculty engagement through clinical fellowships is part of our strategic plan for NOSM’s residency programs moving forward," said Anderson.
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