“I Hope to Advance Breast and Thyroid Care in Saudi Arabia”

 

▲ Khalid Alqurashi from the Division of Breast Surgery and the Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center.

 

I am a general surgeon at King Faisal Hospital Makkah in Saudi Arabia. During my residency, I had the opportunity to rotate through various specialties and developed a particular interest in the comprehensive care of patients with breast and thyroid diseases, from screening and diagnosis through surgery and ongoing care. I have continued to build my experience in these fields since becoming a specialist.

 

Before coming to Korea for further training, I sought advice from my colleagues, and they all recommended Asan Medical Center. Many of them had already completed training here, which gave me even greater confidence in my decision. Since arriving in Korea in December 2024, I have been undertaking a two-year training program, spending one year in Breast Surgery and another in Endocrine Surgery. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and gain valuable experience in both departments!

 

#Dr. Khalid Alqurashi participating in an operation in Endocrine Surgery.

 

I am gaining valuable experience in advanced breast and thyroid surgery.

 

In Breast Surgery, I trained under Professor Sae Byul Lee, and I am currently receiving training in Endocrine Surgery under Professors Kee Wook Jung and Tae-Yon Sung. I have spent a tremendous amount of time in the operating room throughout my training. In the early stages of the program, I participated in more than five surgeries a day.

 

At my hospital in Saudi Arabia, my responsibilities included not only surgery but also outpatient consultations, emergency care and various administrative duties, leaving me with limited time to study and research new surgical techniques and treatment approaches. In Korea, I can focus almost entirely on surgery, which has been extremely beneficial.

 

The surgical cases I have encountered in Korea are much more diverse and complex than those in Saudi Arabia. Although the fundamental surgical approaches are similar, I am learning how to perform procedures more smoothly and deliver treatment more efficiently.

 

#(Right) A photo taken on Seongnaecheon Bridge on his way to work. The winter cold is bearable! 😂

(Left) A mug featuring his Korean name, “Khalid.” Hasn’t it come in handy?

 

I Have Fallen in Love with Korean Food and Scenery!

 

After nearly two years in Korea, I have fully adapted to life here and become quite familiar with Korean cuisine. Thanks to my Muslim colleagues who had already been living in Korea, I learned about quite a few halal restaurants and developed a taste for kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) without pork and dakgalbi (spicy stir fried chicken).

 

I also have unforgettable memories of exploring Korea’s beautiful landscapes during trips to Busan and Jeju Island with my wife, who came to visit me. We even promised each other that our next trip to Korea would be purely for travel, not training! One thing I still cannot get used to, however, is the sticky weather during the monsoon season. Even the 15 minute walk from my home to the hospital left me drenched in sweat, so much so that I had to take another shower when I arrived (laughs).

 

#With colleagues from Breast Surgery (left) and Endocrine Surgery (right). Dr. Khalid Alqurashi is circled.

 

We Came Together Through the Universal Language of Surgery

 

I cannot talk about my hospital experience without mentioning my colleagues. The medical staff in Breast Surgery, Endocrine Surgery and the Surgical Nursing Team were all deeply dedicated to their patients and committed to providing the best possible care. Whenever surgery began, I felt that we became one team through the universal language of surgery, transcending nationality, language, religion and culture.

 

I am also grateful to my colleagues for adjusting my work schedule during Ramadan so that I could observe my daytime fast, and for showing genuine interest in halal food and making an effort to understand Islamic culture. As I will be completing my training next month, what I will miss most is saying goodbye to all these wonderful colleagues.

 

# (Clockwise from top left) Professors Sae Byul Lee, Kee Wook Jung and Tae-Yon Sung. Thank you!

 

I Hope to Improve Healthcare and Patient Experience in Saudi Arabia!

 

Studying theory, learning from outstanding experts, putting that knowledge into practice and eventually passing on the skills and experience gained to others. This is how a surgeon grows. Thanks to the colleagues I have met in Korea and the professors who have generously shared their knowledge, I feel I have taken another important step forward in my professional development.

 

I plan to adapt the surgical techniques and approaches I have learned here to the clinical setting in Saudi Arabia. Another valuable outcome of my training has been gaining insight into Asan Medical Center’s clinical workflows and hospital management systems. I have come across many practices that I believe could also be applied at my own hospital. I hope to incorporate these ideas and contribute to improving healthcare delivery and the patient experience in Saudi Arabia.