| Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Prof. Dr. Med. Iyad Hassan is an internationally recognized general, visceral, endocrine, and minimally invasive surgeon with more than 25 years of distinguished clinical, academic, and research experience.
Following his medical education and surgical training in Germany, he obtained the German Board Certification in Surgery (2005) and German Board Certification in Visceral Surgery (2007). He developed his academic career at the Philipps University of Marburg, where he made significant contributions to surgical education, minimally invasive surgery, and simulation-based training.
Since 2009, Prof. Hassan has held major surgical leadership positions in the United Arab Emirates. Since 2014, he has served as Chairman and Head of the Department of Surgery at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, where he established one of the region's leading endocrine surgery programs through the founding of the Center for Endocrine Surgery. His clinical expertise encompasses thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and endocrine oncologic surgery, with particular emphasis on minimally invasive and technology-assisted surgical techniques.
Research Excellence and Scientific Contributions
Prof. Hassan has established an internationally recognized academic portfolio in endocrine surgery, surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, surgical education, and emerging technologies in surgery.
He has authored and co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications in leading international journals, including the British Journal of Surgery, World Journal of Surgery, Surgery, Thyroid, Endocrine, Frontiers in Surgery, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Diagnostics, Diseases, and Swiss Medical Weekly.
His research has advanced several important areas of modern endocrine surgery, including:
- Advanced thyroid and parathyroid surgery
- Intraoperative neural monitoring and nerve mapping
- Near-infrared fluorescence imaging and ICG-guided parathyroid preservation
- Minimally invasive endocrine surgical techniques
- Surgical simulation and virtual reality-based surgical education
- Artificial intelligence applications in endocrine surgery and clinical decision support
His investigations have contributed to improving surgical safety, reducing complications, optimizing patient outcomes, and advancing technology-driven surgical innovation.
International Scientific Recognition
Prof. Hassan is widely recognized within the international endocrine surgery community.
He is an active member of leading professional organizations, including the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) and the American Thyroid Association (ATA).
He contributes to the scientific community through peer-review activities for numerous internationally respected journals, including:
- British Journal of Surgery
- World Journal of Surgery
- Endocrine
- Multiple international surgical and medical journals
He has also participated in scientific guideline review activities, including contributions supporting American Thyroid Association clinical guideline initiatives.
Leadership and Academic Impact
Throughout his career, Prof. Hassan has combined scientific excellence with visionary clinical leadership.
His major leadership appointments include:
- Chairman and Head of Surgery, Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi
- Founder and Director, Center for Endocrine Surgery
- Founder, Marburg Surgical Skills Laboratory (MACH!), Germany
- Director of Eurocrine activities at Burjeel Hospital
- Former Head of Surgery, Al Ain Hospital
His expertise has received continued international recognition. While serving as Chairman of Surgery in the UAE, he was invited by German university-affiliated hospitals to assume senior leadership appointments as Chief of Surgery (Chefarzt), including:
- Klinikum Main-Spessart, Lohr (2017)
- Klinikum Hochrhein, Waldshut-Tiengen (2021)
These invitations reflect sustained international confidence in his surgical leadership, academic achievements, and clinical expertise.
Professional Recognition and Awards
Prof. Hassan has received numerous national and international distinctions recognizing excellence in surgery, innovation, and endocrine surgery, including:
- Johann Mikulicz Award for German Endoscopic Surgery (2005)
- Felicien Steichen Award for German Endoscopic Surgery (2006)
- Doctors' Choice Award – Abu Dhabi City Winner (2021)
- Doctors' Choice Award – UAE National Winner (2021)
- Aesculap Akademie Recognition for Advanced Thyroid Surgery
- SRC Master Surgeon in Endocrine Surgery Accreditation (2025–2028)
He also established the first Eurocrine-licensed endocrine surgery center outside Europe, reflecting international recognition of his program's quality and standards.
Impact on Healthcare
Prof. Hassan has significantly advanced endocrine surgery through pioneering clinical programs, innovative minimally invasive techniques, surgical simulation, fluorescence-guided surgery, neuromonitoring, and the integration of artificial intelligence into surgical practice.
His work has strengthened patient safety, enhanced surgical quality, modernized endocrine surgical education, and promoted international collaboration in endocrine surgery research and innovation. Through sustained academic productivity, clinical excellence, and institutional leadership, he has influenced both surgical practice and surgical training on an international scale.
Eligibility for the Distinguished Scientist Award
Prof. Dr. med. Iyad Hassan is exceptionally qualified for the Distinguished Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels. His career exemplifies sustained scientific excellence, international leadership, and transformative contributions to modern surgery.
Over more than two decades, he has combined outstanding clinical practice with influential research, resulting in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, pioneering innovations in endocrine and minimally invasive surgery, advances in surgical simulation and artificial intelligence, internationally recognized academic leadership, and the establishment of leading endocrine surgery programs.
His enduring contributions have advanced surgical science, improved patient care, strengthened international surgical education, and promoted innovation in endocrine surgery worldwide. Through his exceptional achievements in research, clinical innovation, academic leadership, and global scientific collaboration, Prof. Hassan represents the highest standards of excellence recognized by the Distinguished Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels.