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The Department of General Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, at Ain Shams University, celebrated its first annual day, in an unprecedented event that is the first of its kind, confirming the department’s prominent position and pivotal role in the medical education and health service system, and in appreciation of the contributions of its pioneering professors and successive generations.

This took place in the presence of Prof. Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention Affairs, Prof. Sherif Wadih Nashid, Deputy Chairman of the Health Committee in the Senate and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Scientific Research and Advisor to the Minister of Health, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Graduate Studies and Research Affairs, Prof. Ali El-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Hospitals, Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals, Prof. Tarek Mohamed Youssef, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Graduate Studies and Research Affairs, and Prof. Hala Sweid, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs.

The celebration was organized by Prof. Tarek Magid, Head of the Internal Medicine Department, and Prof. Salwa Sadiq, Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department at the Faculty of Medicine.

During his speech, Prof. Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention Affairs, expressed his pride in being present at the Faculty of Medicine, at Ain Shams University, and his deep affiliation with this prestigious medical institution. He emphasized his particular appreciation for the Department of Internal Medicine and its pioneering role in supporting the healthcare system.

He pointed out that the role of the Faculty of Medicine is not limited to education alone, but extends to serving the entire nation through the distinguished medical services it provides. He stressed that this national role obligates us all to continuously support and appreciate the Faculty and its various departments.

He concluded his remarks by extending his greetings and appreciation to all the professors, acknowledging their contributions and their role in preparing successive generations of doctors and serving the nation.

Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, affirmed that the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine is a cornerstone of the university's medical education and healthcare system. He commended the department's pioneering scientific and medical role in preparing distinguished medical professionals who combine scientific competence, clinical experience, and a strong sense of humanity, which positively impacts the quality of healthcare provided to citizens.

During his address at the inaugural annual event for the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, the President of University explained that achieving institutional excellence relies on integrated roles, teamwork, and intergenerational continuity, along with the continuous development of academic, research, and medical performance, and keeping pace with the latest global scientific advancements.

He also commended the ongoing contributions of the department's faculty staff in the fields of education, scientific research, and community service, emphasizing that Ain Shams University prioritizes the development of medical education, the support of scientific research, and the improvement of healthcare services, stemming from its strategic vision and its national role in supporting the healthcare system and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Prof. Ali El-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, expressed his pride in his esteemed professors, emphasizing that honoring them and appreciating their contributions is a fundamental duty towards those who founded and built this prestigious institution. He explained that the departments of General Surgery and Internal Medicine represent the two pillars of the medical establishment at Ain Shams University, and from these two departments emerged the various specialized departments we see today.

He affirmed that the department will remain a unified entity comprising integrated specialized units that cannot be separated, while working to provide it with a number of accredited specialty certificates to support our doctors and prepare them for the international job market.

Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals, began his address by welcoming the attendees and expressing his appreciation to the department's professors. He emphasized that the Department of Internal Medicine is an integrated system comprising a group of hospitals with multiple medical specialties, where each unit operates as a self-contained entity providing specialized medical services according to the highest standards.

He noted that the Hematology Unit has been upgraded to operate at a high level of efficiency, and that work continues on developing Unit 5 (Internal Medicine) and the Primary Care Unit for Internal Medicine, all of which contribute to raising the level of medical services provided to patients within the university hospitals.

Prof. Tarek Mohamed Youssef, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Graduate Studies and Research and former Director of the Internal Medicine Hospital, affirmed that the Department and Hospital of Internal Medicine are a source of pride for Ain Shams University, given their pivotal role in education, training, scientific research, and medical services.

He highlighted the hospital's prominent national role during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it has undergone comprehensive development with state support, encompassing infrastructure and operational systems. He emphasized that the department will remain a single, integrated entity under the name "Internal Medicine," while offering subspecialization at the doctoral level, thus strengthening the specialization and keeping pace with modern scientific advancements.

Dr. Tarek Magid, Head of Internal Medicine Departments, affirmed that the aim of this initiative is to highlight and appreciate the significant role played by esteemed professors from previous generations, especially those who have reached retirement age, considering them scientific and humanitarian role models for younger generations.

He explained that the decline in some professional values ​​and behaviors, and the lack of respect for elders, necessitates re-emphasizing the status of senior professors and their role in establishing medical ethics. He stressed that a professor remains a valuable asset and a source of accumulated experience that does not end with reaching a certain age.

He added that this initiative carries a message of appreciation and gratitude to senior professors, and affirms the continuation of their role and participation within the departments, in recognition of their scientific and humanitarian contributions. They are the true wealth and role models that we are keen to pass on to future generations.

Dr. Salwa Sadiq, Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Secretary of the Department of Internal Medicine, affirmed that the Department of General Internal Medicine has achieved remarkable progress in recent years on both the educational and service levels, through the preparation of qualified medical personnel, the development of the examination system and postgraduate programs in accordance with quality standards, in addition to paying attention to the training of residents and interns and raising their scientific and practical competence, stressing the continuation of work on developing scientific research and benefiting from the experiences of full-time professors in a way that enhances the pioneering role of Ain Shams University in medical education and community service.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Prof. Awad Tag El-Din, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, Prof. Sherif Wadie, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, and a number of former heads of the Department of Internal Medicine and faculty staff of the Department of Internal Medicine were honored in recognition of their distinguished efforts and effective contributions that have helped elevate the department and support its academic and medical progress.