From Patient to Pediatrician: How Shriners Children's Inspired Saif's Journey

Saif was born in 1999 in Jordan with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a rare congenital condition that results in a significant leg length discrepancy and a displaced hip.

At the time, medical resources for his conditions were limited in Jordan, causing Saif and his family to face challenges in finding the best care. Saif’s father refused to be defeated by these limitations and began searching for care outside of Jordan and, with consistent determination, came across Shriners Children’s. In 2000, Saif began his journey at Shriners Children’s Shreveport, where he received his first evaluation for treatment.

In 2001, Saif returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, and received a customized shoe lift to help him with his difference in leg lengths. But as he got older and grew, so did the amount of discrepancy, which required more specialized care. Saif was then referred to Shriners Children’s Spokane where he went through additional examinations, and it was concluded that he would need hip correction surgery. After this major surgery, Saif was in a spica cast for six weeks, followed by a period of rehabilitation for strengthening and gait training. Saif continued his treatment in Spokane for some time before transferring his care to Shriners Children’s Southern California after he and his family relocated to San Diego, California.

Being a Shriners Children’s patient for so many years left a strong impression in Saif’s life. Growing up surrounded by physicians, nurses, therapists and staff inspired him to study medicine. Today, Saif is a PGY-1 family medicine resident at a university in Jordan.

With a deep understanding of what it means to be a patient, Saif is committed to helping and enhancing the journeys of others. He is planning to apply for residency in the United States to continue his medical education.