For four decades, Zohair Y. Alhalees, MBBS, FACC, has dedicated his life to advancing congenital heart surgery in Saudi Arabia and strengthening cardiac surgery programs and education around the globe.

“I thank the ACC for honoring me,” says Alhalees. “This organization is truly international, spreading knowledge and acknowledging excellence around the world irrespective of borders.”

Alhalees is a distinguished senior cardiac surgeon and consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he has held numerous positions since 1985.

In addition to being an esteemed lecturer and researcher, Alhalees has received several awards, including the King Abdulaziz Medal of Honor First Degree, and served in many prestigious positions, including president of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery.

What led you to pursue training in cardiac surgery?

I’ve been fortunate to train at top-notch centers in my region and in the U.S., and with extraordinary leaders in the field.

Some legendary American surgeons recruited to work at KFSHRC, namely K. Alvin Merendino, MD, and William Weirich, MD, helped shape my early start and taught me discipline and commitment. In 1978, through a contract with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, an open-heart surgery program was established at KFSHRC under the leadership of the late Michael E. DeBakey, MD, and Arthur C. Beall Jr., MD, FACC. I was integrated into this program, which sparked my interest in cardiac surgery. Subsequently, I received a scholarship for general surgery training in Houston, followed by cardiac surgery training in Ottawa, Canada, and a fellowship in congenital cardiac surgery in Denver, CO

I returned to KFSHRC in late 1985 and with the support and cooperation of the hospital administration and mentors like the late Carlos M.G. Duran, MD, PhD; Magdi H. Yacoub, MBBCH, FACC; and many other national and international leaders, we’ve built a state-of-the-art heart center of excellence – one of the best in our region. It provides advanced cardiac medical and surgical care to adult and pediatric patients, and it helps advance cardiac care through research and innovation.

What clinical initiative do you hope will be remembered as part of your legacy?

Presenting and demonstrating surgical techniques locally and internationally really opened my eyes to what was going on around us. I saw the need for better cardiac care in many countries that I visited and felt the unmet demand of looking after children with heart disease.

I also led multiple charity missions reaching out to those in need, performing corrective surgery, training local physicians, nurses and technicians, and providing logistical support to establish local heart centers.

I managed to perform over 30K cardiac procedures in both adult and pediatric patients. This figure is hard to imagine for some, yet it’s a true reflection of the efforts and dedication of so many individuals, physicians, nurses and technicians who did not mind the grueling working hours. I am very grateful for each of them and owe them this incredible success story.

What impact has your research had on pediatric cardiac surgery?

I developed a keen interest in the Ross procedure. For our cohort of patients, particularly infants and children, it provides the closest valve substitute to the ideal. In our registry, we performed over 600 Ross procedures in adults and children and published over 30 papers related to the topic in peer-reviewed journals, plus a book chapter. We also introduced a technical modification that simplifies the procedure in infants and children.

How has your career impacted you as a person?

In a nutshell, this experience has made me a better person. Meeting so many people and experiencing so many cultures taught me tolerance and perseverance. I’ve learned that performing tasks requires intelligent approaches, patience, determination, thinking outside the box, innovation and occasionally some improvisation and compromise.

How has ACC involvement benefited your work and career?

Being a member of the ACC since 1994, I’ve had the privilege of attending many ACC Annual Scientific Sessions and other activities. I’ve been able to create friendships with many cardiologists through the congenital heart sessions, and some have even joined our charity missions.

At this stage of my life, I will continue teaching, publishing and charity missions, though with less intensity. I would like to acknowledge my family, particularly my wife, for her unconditional support and for tolerating my erratic schedule and the frequent absences from home.

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, ACC Annual Scientific Session, ACC26