Hany Emam, BDS, MS, Invited as Distinguished Lecturer and Presenter in Egypt
Dr. Hany Emam is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) and Dental Anesthesiology. He leads the division’s administrative, academic, research, and clinical programs, and sets the course for the faculty, staff, and residents who contribute to those endeavors. In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Emam is fully engaged in other essential efforts. He contributes to the OMFS residents’ clinical training. And he conducts nationally recognized research on novel surgical procedures, bone regeneration, and reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial bone defects.
Dr. Emam has a wide scope of practice that includes dentoalveolar procedures; dental implants placement; orthognathic surgery; TMJ surgery; benign jaw pathology; reconstruction of bone defects; and management of traumatic injuries to the face. With such an array of skills, experience, and expertise, it is not surprising that he was recently asked to provide a week-long series of distinguished lectures and demonstrations for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in his native city of Cairo, Egypt.
The invitation came from the Assistant Defense Attache’ at the Maadi Military Hospital, an extensive medical complex that provides comprehensive healthcare for soldiers and civilians. The idea for the lectures and a “grand rounds” type of experience originated with Dr. Emam’s friend and former colleague, Dr. Youssef Elmansy, BDS, MS, PHD, who now serves as Chair of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Maadi Military Hospital.
“After some conversations with Dr. Elmansy, I expected to present a fairly informal series of lectures and perform some surgeries,” Dr. Emam said. “But my visit was widely publicized in a national newspaper for more than a month in advance, so it was attended by oral surgeons at the Maadi Hospital complex, as well as other surgeons and students throughout the Cairo area. That level of attendance was unexpected, but it was gratifying to find that so many healthcare providers wanted to learn from my experiences.” He added, “I was treated like a visiting dignitary and I was given a ‘red carpet’ welcome. It was a total surprise, but it was a wonderful way to return to Cairo where my career began.”
Dr. Emam’s first professional position was a faculty appointment in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Cairo University. He had earned his Bachelor of Dental Medicine and Surgery degree with top honors from the university in 1999, after which he completed a four-year residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He then joined the faculty and took up his clinical and teaching duties. After finishing his master's degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery, he began preparing for work on additional projects to augment his knowledge, skills, and credentials. He was then offered a research fellowship with Dr. Mohamed Sharawy, a professor at the Medical College of Georgia, now known as Augusta University (AU).
“Research has always been an important part of my work as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon,” Dr. Emam said. “Research allows us to practice on a solid scientific basis that is evidence-based, and to provide the best possible care for our patients. So the fellowship at AU was a great opportunity. It was also the beginning of a new phase in my life and career.” Around that time, he became acquainted with Dr. Mark Stevens, a professor at Augusta University and Chair of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department. After completing his research fellowship, Dr. Emam was drawn to the residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He said, “After almost a year of observation, I liked the way AU's program was set up. It included multiple hospital rotations, and that was very interesting to me. I wanted to broaden my knowledge and enhance my skills, so I applied and was very fortunate to be one of two residents accepted that year.”
When asked about the decision to embark on a second, highly demanding oral and maxillofacial surgery residency, Dr. Emam admits there were challenging moments. “In the beginning, it was like going back to square one,” he said. “I was doing procedures I’d learned in the first year of my residency at Cairo University. But I was treated as a colleague by the faculty at AU who knew I was a qualified oral surgeon. And I was honing my skills and gaining another level of expertise. Those years did require some sacrifices, but it was worth it.”
With a decade of advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and research, Dr. Emam’s professional experience and expertise was welcomed by the Egyptian surgeons who attended his lectures and demonstrations at Maadi Hospital.
“On the first day, I saw about 40-45 patients with a multitude of different conditions,” Dr. Emam said. “During the rest of the week, I performed a variety of surgical procedures that included complex facial trauma, alveolar and palatal cleft repair, orthognathic procedures, tumor resections, and reconstructive surgeries.” He added, “Many of the surgeries involved treatments I’ve researched, helped to develop, and have written about over the years, so it was especially rewarding to share the knowledge I’ve gained. The hard work continues to pay off.”
Drs. Emam and Elmansy (center right and left, respectively) with members of the surgical team at Maadi Hospital in Cairo
When asked if he plans to return to Egypt for other lectures and demonstrations, Dr. Emam said, “I’d like to do something similar in the future because I feel that everyone benefited from the experience. The patients received care. The surgeons learned new methods and techniques. Some of the young residents were inspired by the possibilities for their future careers. And I was able to contribute in a way that helps others. In addition to all that, the trip represented an international exchange of knowledge, and it put Ohio State’s College of Dentistry on the map as a place where excellence is a top priority."
Throughout his career, Dr. Emam has received a number of awards and honors. They include the Larry J. Peterson Young Educator’s award for faculty who demonstrate “exceptional enthusiasm for teaching” and the faculty Paper of the Year Award for best clinical research. He has also been honored with a Faculty Educator Development Award given by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in recognition of his scholarly activities and overall impact on the profession. Most recently, he was ranked among the top 1% of all faculty experts on the Ohio Innovation Exchange that includes more than 10,000 experts from The Ohio State University and five other universities in the state. The ranking was based on the frequency with which his scholarly publications have been viewed and used.
Dr. Emam’s research has been widely published in the most respected peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; the Journal of Oral Implantology; and Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an examiner and Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.