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Abdul Hajjar was selected from a competitive field to participate in the 2-month specialty immersion program focusing on research, mentoring, and clinical experiences.


Abdul Hajjar was selected from a competitive field to participate in the 2-month specialty immersion program focusing on research, mentoring, and clinical experiences. The Mauricio Castillo, MD Diversity and Inclusion Scholars program began at UNC’s Radiology Department 1 year ago. The program now includes 14 specialties, including Emergency Medicine (EM) this year!

Abdul brings to the program many unique perspectives and experiences. Abdul’s commitment to helping underserved populations was influence by background having grown up in war-torn Syria and his years of experience as an EMT in North Carolina. He states that he “applied to the program with the intentions of expanding his education and engaging with the incredible faculty and staff within EM and the patients they serve.” Abdul will participate in various career enhancing activities, including engaging with Castillo Scholars from other departments, an independent research project under the tutelage of Ms. Julianne Cyr, EM and other interprofessional clinical shifts, mentoring sessions with clinical and administrative EM leadership, and participating in our ERMD 101 course with Dr. Maglin Halsey-Nichols, which includes mentoring of college students in EM knowledge and skills. Abdul is excited to “actively participate in learning and contributing to the exciting field of EM.” He hopes to facilitate this engagement in the world of EM to enhance his skills and further his journey to becoming the physician he wants to be.