For Hassan Alani, the path to becoming a doctor has been a global adventure.
Born in Iraq and raised in Dubai, Hassan’s academic journey has taken him across three continents.
After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of California-Irvine, and a master’s degree at Keck Graduate Institute, he embarked on a life-changing medical journey at The University of Queensland Ochsner Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
Now, having completed his fourth year and graduating, Hassan reflects on his experiences with pride and gratitude.
Hassan Alani said, “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I’ve had role models and inspirations in my life who paved the way, and over time, the calling just grew stronger.”
When he was accepted into the UQ-Ochsner MD program, he knew he’d made the right choice.
“Having this program as an option made the rest of the application cycle much less stressful. It’s been such a rewarding experience,” he said.
The UQ-Ochsner MD program offers the unique opportunity to study in two vastly different cultural environments: Australia and New Orleans and for Hassan, this was an exciting prospect.
“I’ve moved around a lot, so the chance to experience two new cultures was thrilling. Both Australia and New Orleans are vibrant places with so much to offer,” he said.
Hassan’s journey began in Brisbane during the height of COVID-19, with online classes and a mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
“The first two weeks in Australia were probably some of the most exciting weeks of medical school.
“We all stayed in the same building during quarantine, and afterwards, we had two weeks to explore Sydney together. It helped us form close bonds that have lasted to this day,” he said.
The diversity of the program’s cohort also stood out to Hassan.
“My first-year small group included students from the UK, Italy, India, and Australia. It was enriching to learn from each other’s perspectives and backgrounds,” he said.
As he progressed through the program, Hassan discovered his passion for general surgery.
“It was something I considered from the beginning, but I kept my options open,” he said.
“Once I started clinical rotations, I realized surgery was what excited me most. Even with the long hours, it’s what I look forward to every day.”
Hassan speaks highly of the clinical training at Ochsner.
“The clinical training here is incredible. As a tertiary referral center, you see the most complex cases alongside bread-and-butter ones.
“The physicians are very dedicated to teaching. The more effort you put in, the more you get out of it,” he said.
With plans to pursue a residency in general surgery, Hassan feels ready for the next chapter.
“I’ve had a wide range of experiences—from clinic work to surgeries and even organ procurement trips. The attendings and residents here are very supportive and involve you from the beginning,” he said.
As he reflected on his journey, Hassan offered advice to aspiring medical students.
“Make the most of your time. Study hard during the week so you can free up time on the weekends to explore. Stay persistent—it will always work out,” he said.
For Hassan, the whirlwind of medical school has been a challenging yet rewarding adventure.
“I’m proud and a little surprised at how fast time has flown. It feels like just yesterday I was applying to med school, wondering about moving to Australia and dealing with COVID. I’m so glad I made the most of it,” he said.
