Following the decision of the University of Jordan's (UJ) Council of Deans, based on the recommendation of the School of Medicine's Council, the title of Honorary Professor has been awarded to Professor Ziyad Hijazi, a renowned pioneer in the non-surgical repair of congenital and structural heart defects, and Professor Hagop Kantarjian, a renowned oncologist/ hematologist who devoted his life to research and practice in the field of oncology.
Ziyad M. Hijazi is a Professor of Pediatrics & Internal Medicine at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, and a Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York.
Prof. Hijazi, who earned his MBBS from UJ's School of Medicine in 1982, holds the position of Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar, and Director of Sidra Cardiovascular Center of Excellence at Sidra Medical & Research Center, Doha, Qatar.
His major area of interest is in the development of techniques to help treat or cure congenital and structural cardiac disease without open-heart surgery. Prof. Hijazi has more than 300 peer-reviewed published articles, seven books and over 40 book chapters and has received many honors.
Hagop Kantarjian is a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Leukemia as well as Samsung Distinguished University Chair in Cancer Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. He is also serves as Associate Vice President for Global Academic Programs, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Prof. Kantarjian received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in 1979, and has contributed to significant improvements in the treatment of various leukemias.
Kantarjian is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including and has authored or co-authored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed medical publications.
The title was presented by UJ President Prof. Azmi Mahafzah on Thursday in presence of Vice President for Scientific and Health Faculties Affairs Prof. Omar Kafawin and Dean of the School of Medicine Prof. Nathir Obeidat.