PD Member of the Month

Ahmed Abou-Zamzam, MD

Program Director

Loma Linda Vascular Surgery Residency and Fellowship

What is your personal background in vascular surgery education (how long have you worked in the vascular field, why did you choose vascular surgery, etc.)?

I'm an old man now having finished fellowship in 2000. Having the pleasure to once again serve as PD has been great with our new vascular residency. Seeing the growth and changes in our filed over the decades has been wonderous - especially considering that I chose Vascular Surgery by accident. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job? as a vascular surgery Program Director? What is the most challenging part of your job?

Interactions with the residents and fellows continues to be the most rewarding, and, at times, most challenging aspect of the job.

What are your personal goals within the vascular field?

I hope to continue to train surgeons who will go on and be impactful in our filed.

If you had a blank check to change medical education in America, what would you do first?

Free Medical School with a dedicated period of service in under-served regions of the US.

From your perspective, what qualities make a successful vascular surgery applicant?

Interest, enthusiasm, and a bit of innocence as to how difficult the road is.

What is a "fun fact" about yourself that you would like others to know?

I couples-matched with my wife into General Surgery in 1992 - crazy that we've had this wonderful journey together in both life and career.