September 20, 2025
Dr. Hassan AlKhawam, interventional and structural cardiologist, and dedicated SAMS member, is recognized for his compassion, expertise, and service.
Dr. Hassan AlKhawam, an interventional and structural cardiologist and a dedicated SAMS member, has built a career defined by compassion, expertise, and service.
Born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, with roots in Hama, Syria, Dr. AlKhawam earned his medical degree from Cairo University before moving to the United States to continue his training. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Elmhurst Hospital Center, followed by fellowships in Cardiology at St. Louis University, Interventional Cardiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an advanced fellowship in Interventional & Structural Cardiology at the same institution.
Today, he serves as an Interventional & Structural Cardiologist at the University of Alabama – St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham. His career milestones include helping lead a program recognized with the highest 3-Star rating for TAVR outcomes and performing the first Navitor TAVR valve implantation in Birmingham. Beyond medicine, he is a devoted husband and proud father of two daughters, Maria and Lara, and enjoys traveling, exploring history, and studying the evolution of technology.
Dr. AlKhawam joined SAMS in 2022, after eight years of intensive training. On his very first mission, following the devastating earthquake in Syria, he performed urgent cardiac catheterizations and PCI procedures. Since then, his impact has grown tremendously—introducing complex PCI, ASD closures, pulmonary valvuloplasty, and the first TAVR procedures in northern and central Syria.
He has also led hands-on workshops for cardiologists, surgeons, and fellows in Idlib, Hama, and Homs, while playing a key role in establishing a dedicated Valve Clinic in Syria. This clinic, complete with weekly valve conferences modeled after U.S. standards and a mentorship network, is helping train the next generation of physicians.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. AlKhawam says:
“SAMS provided the platform to channel my skills into meaningful service. It gave me the support and infrastructure to treat patients, educate future physicians, and deliver advanced cardiac care in Syria. Volunteering with SAMS taught me that true happiness lies in serving others.”
His story is a testament to the power of combining medical expertise with humanitarian commitment. Through his contributions, Dr. AlKhawam is not only saving lives but also building sustainable systems of care and mentorship that will benefit communities for generations to come.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from SAMS Members Under the Spotlight.
