Dr. Ali Jafar Completes Rhinology Fellowship at UTHealth Houston
Ali Jafar, MD, has completed a fellowship in neurorhinology and advanced endoscopic sinus surgery at the Texas Sinus Institute in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. A native of Kuwait, he will accept a faculty position as assistant professor in Kuwait University’s Department of Surgery at the conclusion of his training.
Dr. Jafar received his medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, in 2014, where he was recognized with the Fitzsimons Gold Medal in Surgery and graduated with first-class honors. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Surgical and Interventional Sciences at University College London in the United Kingdom. He completed internship training at Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialization in Kuwait City, followed by residency training in otolaryngology at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
As a fellow, Dr. Jafar worked closely in clinic and in the operating room with the department’s three attending rhinologists: Martin J. Citardi, MD, professor and chair; Amber Luong, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair for academic affairs; and William C. Yao, MD, associate professor and director of the otorhinolaryngology residency program, who together serve as co-directors of the UTHealth Houston Rhinology and Skull Base Fellowship. He spent clinical time with all three rhinologists, with assignments prioritized for participation in their more complex revision and skull base cases.
“For fellowship, I was looking for a program that imparts the knowledge and skills necessary for academic practice, one that encourages its fellows to be leaders in education and that provides innovative research opportunities,” Dr. Jafar says. “I was especially interested in pursuing research opportunities in complex and recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, and virtual endoscopy. I found that opportunity in working with Dr. Citardi, Dr. Luong, and Dr. Yao. This was a busy and fulfilling year where I spent a substantial amount of time with three world-renowned faculty members, each with unique working styles.
“In addition to learning excellent clinical and surgical techniques, I was mentored in departmental managerial skills by Dr. Citardi, while with Dr. Luong I learned research methodology and the nuances of clinical trials,” he observes. “With Dr. Yao I gained experience in medical education leadership and teaching skills, which will help me as the future program director of our ENT program at Kuwait University. I hope to maintain strong collaborative bonds with all three physicians to share experiences, knowledge, and research in the future.”