Expert in Robotic Surgery appointed Chief of Urology at Tawam HospitalG

July 29, 2008
Al Ain, UAE
Tawam Hospital, Al Ain’s largest hospital and the region’s leading medical institution, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, has appointed Dr. Waleed A. Hassen M.D, as the hospital’s new Chief of Urology.

Dr. Hassen joins Tawam from the United States, where he is currently an Assistant Professor of Urology at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine. He is an expert in urologic oncology and minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Dr. Hassen received his MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School and trained at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In his new role as Chief of Urology at Tawam, Dr. Hassen will be performing most oncologic procedures such as radical cystectomy, partial nephrectomy, and radical nephrectomy laparoscopically. Dr Hassen will be the only urologic oncologist in the UAE.

Offering a safer, more effective way to remove a small renal tumor, while preserving the remainder of the kidney, Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy is a minimally invasive technique.  Compared to traditional open surgery, there is less discomfort for patients, equivalent results, significantly less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work and daily activities, a more favorable cosmetic result that appears to be identical to that of open surgery.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO of Tawam Hospital, Mr. Michael E. Heindel said: “Tawam Hospital is pleased to announce that Dr. Waleed A. Hassen M.D. has been appointed as Chief of Urology at Tawam. He is an editorial reviewer for numerous scientific journals and a member of many urological and oncologic societies. He is currently one of only 2% of US urologists who perform laparoscopic radical prostatectomy without the aid of a robot, Dr. Hassen brings a wealth of experience to the UAE that will benefit patients at Tawam.”

Johns Hopkins Urology Department is continuously ranked as number 1 in the United States. Dr. Hassen will help in bringing these resources to the UAE. Dr. Hassen is available for all consultations regarding urologic oncology as well as complex stone disease, advanced treatments for BPH, incontinence and sexual dysfunction. “While the volume of prostate cancer in the UAE is not high, the majority of patients are unfortunately diagnosed at late stages,’’ said Dr. Hassen. “By educating the public about the importance of screening it is my hope that we can reduce the number of prostate cancer patients in this country,” he added.