Member of the Month: Ahmad Abazid, MD

Residency faculty enjoys womb-to-tomb aspect of specialty

posted 7.16.15

Born and raised in Syria, Ahmad Abazid, MD, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, for an internship at a Carolina Medical Lab, where he later became an assistant medical director. He was given the opportunity to do a residency in Wichita Falls, where Abazid is currently full-time core faculty at the Wichita Falls Family Practice Residency Program. He became vice chair of the department in 2013 after being voted on by his colleagues. Abazid completed United Regional Health Care System’s Physician Leadership Academy in 2014, and this year graduated from the Texas Medical Association’s Leadership College.

Why did you choose family medicine, and what’s your favorite aspect of it? Were you inspired by anyone?
I chose family medicine because I want to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I touch. Growing up as an orphan made me realize the importance of giving back to the community and family medicine allows me to do that exactly. There is no dull moment in our career, there is always something new, and there is always something different. I work in the office, in the hospital, in the emergency room, in nursing homes, and everything in between. I have the privilege to take care of patients from the womb to the tomb.

Dr. Douglas Curran, my mentor in TMA’s Leadership College, is a true inspiration. He took me under his wing, showed me the road, and taught me the tricks of our trade. He is a phenomenal paramount family physician leader.

It is important for me to be a member of AAFP and TAFP because:
I believe it is very important to be a part of such Academies because it allows family physicians to be connected, united, and have one voice. It is an important networking, mind sharing, and brain storming community. It keeps us posted with the most updated tools we need to help our patients.

What is the most interesting/memorable experience you have had when dealing with a patient?
To be honest with you, I had to think about this question a lot. Is it that day when I have to explain to the family why their 35-year-old beloved one, who is in the ICU after the flu, is now on ECMO? Meanwhile their 94-year-old frail grandma in the next room refused to go to rehab and wants to go home to care for her weak chihuahua? I thought a lot and I could not pinpoint it or narrow it down to only one. Every day is an interesting day. I learn from my patients and my residents. We challenge each other to be the best at what we do in order to deliver the best available care for those who trusted us with their needs.

What do you think your experience in the TMA Leadership College will bring to you as a physician?
TMALC was an eye-opener for me. I learned so many things, about myself, my career, and about politics. It trained me to have a full spectrum experience and see things from a different perspective.

What is the most important quality a family physician should have?
Adaptable, happy person, who is in it for the right reason, caring for the patients and the community at large.

Tell me something fun (unrelated to medicine) about yourself.
I probably have more than 365 ties in different shapes and colors. I figured if I don’t smoke or drink I better spend my money on something fun and interesting, so I enjoy collecting different ties in different colors. Each one has a story behind it and why I have it.

How do you spend your free time?
I don’t have much free time to spend, but when I do, I like to spend it playing with my son and watch him growing up. I love to travel and visit my family. I enjoy going out to try new restaurants and cuisines.

TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by e-mail at swhite@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666. View past Members of the Month here.