Syria. It’s in the headlines every day. But there is a Syrian in New York City who doesn’t read such things. For now, at least, he must put his head down…and read medical journals.
The following is a story of unusual trials, a long journey, and an outstanding level of dedication to patient care and to the pursuit of a better life.
His life in Syria was unpredictable and terrifying. To survive a day was a creative endeavor. Sometimes there was no anesthesia for his patients. At times, bombs fell around his hospital as he tried to pull shrapnel out of someone’s leg. But even as Bassel Diebo, M.D. cared for the patient in front of him, he knew that he would find a way out of the madness.
Bassel Diebo, along with his two younger brothers, grew up in Latakia on the Mediterranean Sea. His father is a pharmacist and his mother devoted herself solely to the care of her children. After finishing high school at the National Private School of Latakia, he relocated and began studying at the Aleppo University, School of Medicine. At the age of 26, Dr. Diebo left Syria after completing two years of training in general surgery at Ibn Al Nafees Hospital in Damascus, the capital of Syria. Ibn Al Nafees is a busy hospital affiliated with Syrian Ministry of Health that is located at the border of Damascus and the suburbs. This makes it the hospital of choice for emergency cases coming from Damascus’ hot zones. Now, at the age of 29, Dr. Diebo is a postdoctoral fellow at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Dr. Diebo is solidly focused on his promising new life and on the future. Describing the origin of this journey, Dr. Diebo tells OTW, “Before all hell broke loose I had been communicating with Elian Shepherd, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon in Merryville, Indiana. Eventually, our clinical discussions turned to my future. Given that I could not envision a future as a physician in Syria, Dr. Shepherd said to me, ‘If you can get here, you will have one.’”
“There is no American embassy in Syria, so I went to the German embassy. When they told me that it would be eight weeks before I could obtain a visa, I traveled to Jordan and presented myself at the American embassy in Amman. Two weeks later I was on a plane to a new life in Merryville, Indiana. That was Christmas 2012.”
“When I landed in Dallas for a layover, some guy stopped me and asked if I was alright. I guess nearly two years of war and strife were evident.”
“In order to function well and integrate into my new life, I had to disconnect from Syria…no news, nothing. I began observing Dr. Shepherd at Methodist Hospital and stayed there for seven months. I learned what the expectations were for interacting with patients, something that is pretty different than in Syria. The quality of care is so much better here, and it was truly refreshing to see that bedside manner is viewed as a very important part of clinical care. At that time I would observe two or three cases in the OR per day, then help out in the spine clinic the rest of the day.”
“In March 2013 I attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and met Dr. Virginie Lafage of New York University, who basically interviewed me in the hallway. She asked, ‘Do you have a research background?’ ‘No’ ‘Have you contributed to any publications?’ ‘No.’ I had one PowerPoint presentation to my name. But then she dug further and discovered that I am a very motivated learner. ‘I will give you a trial, ’ Dr. Lafage said.”
Dr. Diebo did not disappoint. He moved to New York in October 2013, passed her trial, and settled in at NYU to begin conducting spine research. Today, he has had his name on nine publications, several chapters/books and has been on ‘the podium’ at numerous scientific conferences including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society annual meetings. He is a reviewer for American and international spine journals. “I loved it, ” he says. “There was an incredible team, but no one worked harder than Dr. Lafage. Her passion for excellence meant that she often didn’t leave the lab until 3am. I made sure that I didn’t leave until she did. I grew a lot at NYU.”
Dr. Diebo, who passed the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) last month, says, “Dr. Frank Schwab, the new chief of spine at HSS, has also been a stellar role model for me. He and Dr. Lafage asked me to join them at HSS and here I am. After taking the second part of the USMLE I plan to apply for a spine residency (either through orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery). I enjoy trauma surgery because I like the instant decisions that you have to make. And I certainly had to make many of those as a doctor in Syria.”
Asked to reflect on how his early years as a physician may differ from those of his American colleagues, Dr. Diebo paused, then said. “Syria was tough. I think that I have been tested more than most physicians my age.”
As for going home to work in Syria, Dr. Diebo says it would be enormously difficult to return. “There are too many factors that get in the way. Aside from the war, the politics and the lack of resources profoundly inhibit the lives of physicians. To practice good medicine, how much money are decision makers willing to pay for research? How much are they willing to pay to improve the quality of care? The answers are ‘0’ and ‘0.’”
“My physician colleagues from Syria and I just want this war to end. While it is hard to encourage people to leave, I will say that if they ever decide to do so they will find the community here and in Europe welcoming. Maybe it is a Syrian thing, but we like to help…and when we come to a new community we try our best. I encourage research and clinical programs to take a chance on my Syrian colleagues. Frankly, I think we are so grateful to have a chance in the U.S. that we are willing to outwork anyone around us and do our absolute best.”
“I am so grateful to the American government for giving Syrians a chance to work and have a temporary protective status. In this land everything is possible. I was very fortunate to connect with Drs. Lafage and Schwab as they have the rare gift of knowing how to empower others. With the HSS team, I am part of the International Spine Study Group (ISSG), which is one of the world leaders in spine research and innovations. Life is inclusive here…you just have to show motivation and honesty.”
