We meet Dr Heba Rashed, Associate Professor of Neurology at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt.

Affiliation:      Ain Shams University 
Position:     Associate Professor of Neurology

What education and training did you have to arrive at your current position?

Master degree in neurology and psychiatry in 2010
Doctorate degree in neurology in 2015
European board of neurology in 2015
Neuromuscular fellowship (HSS affiliated by Weill Cornell university) from 2016 to 2018
Currently serving as a peripheral nerve fellow at Mayo clinic.

What led you to follow a career in field of neuromuscular disorders in particular?

I have seen how patients get misdiagnosed and neglected because of the lack of experience in this field, I have seen how they suffer, and how they deteriorated very fast. I have seen the physical and psychological suffering of patients and their loved ones. Therefore, I decided to join the minority who dedicated their lives to learn about this category of disorders to treat patients efficiently.

What is your current research/ clinical intrest in neuromuscular disorders?

Motor neuron disease and peripheral neuropathy.

What type of patients you see in clinic? 

I see diverse neuromuscular disorders, mainly patients with motor neuron disease.

What are the regional challenges from the point of view of local doctors in the field of neuromuscular disorders?

Raising awareness among physicians in general and neurologists in particular, and establishing multidisciplinary clinics, because these disorders usually involve more than just the neuromuscular system.

How does your work help patients in this region? 

I try to teach young neurologists about how to diagnose and manage these disorders, I try to improve the quality of life of my patients, even if someone has a fatal illness, he deserves to live the rest of his life without physical and psychological pain. Also, teaming up with physicians from different specialties is important to manage diverse problems the patient may have. That is why it was a priority to set up a multidisciplinary ALS clinic, so that the patient gets seen by more than one physician from different specialties in one place.

What do you love most about working as neuromuscular expert?

The challenge I face with every case, and giving hope and improving lives of patients and their loved ones. 

What inspires you to continue working? 

My patients and my duty towards them. No one deserve to suffer, and everyone one should do the best he can to eliminate pain and suffering from this world.

What is one unique fact about you that many other people do not know?

Persistence.

How do you see networking as a way to empower experts in your field?

Without networking, everyone would be practicing medicine in an isolated island, we would never learn about what’s new out there in the world, and we would never have the chance to multiply our experience. Another important aspect also, is the psychological support we get from each other as physicians. This field is stressful, and sometimes depressing, but getting to know others’ experience would help in minimizing this stress.

What will support collaboration in your region?

More scientific meetings (physical and virtual). 
More courses and more learning opportunities.

Do you recommend any young neuromuscular experts in North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean region?

All neuromuscular specialists at Ain Shams University neuromuscular team.