Pakistan is another country claimed by the Eye Cancer Foundation! Recently, Dr. Saima Amin graduated from her training sponsored by the Eye Cancer Foundation in Amman, Jordan at the King Hussain Cancer Center under the training of Dr. Yacoub Yousef. Of the hospital she worked, she notes that unfortunately in order to save their lives, “almost all retinoblastoma patients were getting enucleated (having their eye(s) removed)” and the burden of these patients was increasing every day. However, today she is the first fellowship trained ocular oncologist in Pakistan.
During her fellowship, Dr. Amin was able to assist in several types of surgeries, including plaque surgery and the excision of tumors and biopsies from different sites. In addition, she witnessed the more complex cases of retinoblastoma, which truly helped in preparing her for the full spectrum of pediatric patients she may see in her home country’s hospital. Proudly, she states that she was “involved in every step – the examination, treatment, and decision making.” While honing her skills in a clinical setting, Dr. Amin was also able to practice scholarly research by writing a paper for an international journal under the guidance of Dr. Yousef.
When Dr. Amin returned to her parent hospital, she said that she feels so much more confident in dealing with oncology cases, particularly retinoblastoma, where so many tumors can be treated without losing a patient’s sight or their eye(s) as a consequence. She is grateful to Dr. Finger and The Eye Cancer Foundation for allowing her intensive training to happen!
Dr. Amin and supervisor, Dr. Yousef
Dr. Amin’s Farewell
