PGY-2
Dr. Mohamed Alhantoobi
Hometown: Al Fujairah, UAE
Medical School: United Arab Emirates University
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? I enjoy all aspects of neurosurgery.
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? McMaster offers a great environment for specializing in neurosurgery.
Professional Interests: Epilepsy, spine, and peripheral nerves
Dr. Mohamad Kesserwan
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Undergraduate: University of Toronto, Honours Specialization in Human Biology
Medical School: McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? It started with the striking parallel between our technological systems and neural networks, and the implications of that on decoding the brain to improve patient outcome and quality of life. Participating in the management of acute neurosurgical cases and operating around neuroanatomy in medical school strengthened my choice to become a neurosurgeon.
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? The staff and residents at McMaster introduced me to the world of neurosurgery, and they have been like a family from the beginning. The program is appealing with its early operative exposure, large catchment area, supportive working and learning environment, and the opportunity to pursue higher education in any related field of interest. Finally, McMaster’s expertise and productivity in clinical epidemiology add a lot of value to its residency programs. Also, Hamilton!
Professional Interests: I believe its still early for me to have a specific interest. However, at this point I believe I would sub-specialize in open vascular/ endovascular neurosurgery. I am planning to obtain a higher degree in brain-computer interfaces in the hope of applying this technology to help promote recovery of function in patients who experienced cerebrovascular accidents.
Other Interests: Horseback riding, freediving, spearfishing, deep sea fishing, marine wildlife encounters and target shooting.
Dr. Hassan Khayat
Hometown: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Undergraduate: Medical bachelor and Bachelor of Surgery MBBS
Medical School: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences – National Guard, Saudi Arabia
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? First and foremost, neurosurgery is a life-saving service for many patients who show up in the ER for acute incidents. I really feel the value of being at those people need. It also can improve the quality of life of many chronic conditions involving spine and peripheral nerves. In addition, the technology is always utilized here and rapidly evolving. I would add that this service is also in high demand and many health systems are in shortage of it.
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? For its well-known history, excellence and experience in providing medical education/training.
Professional Interests: Everything at the moment. I know many areas of neurosurgical practice are yet to come during training.
Other Interests: Aviation
PGY-3
Dr. Taylor Duda
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
Undergraduate: BscHons Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan
Medical School: University of Saskatchewan
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? Started with good mentors and wet lab brain dissection courses, and the more exposure I had, the more I knew what I wanted to do. I think being in an operating room for the first time is a very dichotomous experience and in my case, it quickly became the only career I wanted to choose.
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? McMaster offers the full package. Complete support, fantastic co-residents and staff relationships, high quality academics, high volume, and high acuity, interdisciplinary support, surgical experience from day one, and an ever-improving program.
Professional Interests: Still everything! Every time I spend time in a discipline, I find it more and more interesting. So far…vascular, pediatrics, skull base, functional, spine, tumour…everything. Medical education is another passion of mine. I’m pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Epidemiology to help answer those immediate clinical questions that guide our discipline. International neurosurgery is an interest I hope to pursue in the future.
Other Interests: Family, good beer, many nerdy activities I don’t tell my co-residents about, racquetball,
good whiskey, squash, reading (fiction & non-fiction), movies.
Dr. Melissa Lannon
Hometown: Labrador City, Newfoundland
Undergraduate:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Behavioural Neuroscience – Memorial University 2012
Bachelor of Nursing – Memorial University 2014
Medical School: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2018
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? I am interested in the diagnosis of disease criteria. I did research in neuroscience throughout undergrad neurosciences worked as a neurology nurse, so I considered neurology briefly, but ultimately, I found my comfort zone in the OR. I also enjoy caring for high acuity patients and being there for patients & families during the most impactful moments of their lives.
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? I love the people, the support system here, nice co-residents, staff & the care team at HGH all have quickly made Hamilton home after moving from Newfoundland for the first time.
Professional Interests: Functional Neurosurgery, trauma, and critical care
Other Interests: Yoga, hiking, swimming, and travel
PGY-4
Dr. Majid Aljoghaiman
Hometown: Al-Ahsa / Saudi Arabia (Eastern Province)
Medical School: King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Why did I choose Neurosurgery? I admire surgical intervention and acute care of brain and spine pathology and possibility of doing life-saving procedures
Why McMaster Neurosurgery? High-ranked among Canadian and International universities. Profound surgical and research experience
Professional Interests: Spine surgery – Minimally Invasive Interventions
Other Interests: Travel, biking, swimming