March 8, 2021
Mohammed Almekhlafi | Proud of the 不良研究所 Stroke Program
鈥淭o watch a stroke patient go from being completely incapacitated 鈥 paralyzed, unable to speak 鈥 to independent and leaving the hospital within a few days is just incredible,鈥 says , MD. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the most rewarding part of my job and it happens almost on a daily basis.鈥
Almekhlafi is medical director of the stroke unit at the Foothills Medical Centre, an assistant professor in the departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, and a member of the 不良研究所 Stroke Program. He began the 不良研究所 Stroke Fellowship Program in 2010 and is now trained to perform specialized neurointerventional procedures (innovative, catheter-based procedures used to treat problems affecting the blood vessels from inside the body).
鈥淚 can easily say that I鈥檇 always choose 不良研究所 for my training,鈥 says Almekhlafi who received Canada鈥檚 Governor General Gold Medal for academic achievement in 2013. 鈥淭he fellowship program here provides the most amazing and unique learning experience. More than half the trainees are from outside of the province which creates a diversified learning environment, the stroke program covers southern Alberta so there鈥檚 an opportunity to assist physicians located outside of 不良研究所, and all fellows participate in research activities and clinical trials. It鈥檚 the research that sets this program apart 鈥 everyone has ownership over the research that鈥檚 done and we all take pride in the fact that we鈥檙e changing the way stroke medicine is practiced worldwide.鈥
For Almekhlafi, who鈥檚 also a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, his research has focused on improving the outcomes of endovascular therapy using novel imaging and therapeutic techniques. He鈥檚 currently studying medications which help prevent strokes that complicate some of the neurointervention procedures that are performed.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of the program and everyone who鈥檚 a part of it,鈥 says Almekhlafi. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a group of people with different experiences, ideas and approaches. But the way we think about improving stroke care is the same. We all just want to make a difference.鈥