Background
Dr. Faiq Asaad Al-Masri was born in 1925 in Nablus, where he grew up and began his education in 1931 at the Al-Nahda National School.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Faiq Asaad Al-Masri
Edit Profileفائق المصري
also known as
الطبيب الجرّاح فائق أسعد المصري
Dr. Faiq Asaad Al-Masri (1925–1994) was a Palestinian surgeon and one of the early pioneers of cancer treatment in Palestine. Educated at the American University of Beirut and the University of Virginia, he worked at Sloan Kettering Hospital before returning to Nablus, where he led major hospitals, served with UNRWA and the Jordanian army, and supported public health and social initiatives.
Education
He attended several schools before enrolling in the Arab College in Jerusalem, the highest educational institution in Palestine at the time. He graduated in 1943 with honors in the science track, earning the matriculation certificate issued by the Palestinian Higher Education Council.
He then traveled to Beirut to complete his undergraduate studies in general medicine at the American University, graduating in 1950. In 1954, he went to the United States to complete his residency in surgery at the prestigious University of Virginia.
Career
He subsequently worked at Sloan Kettering Hospital, founded in 1884 in New York City, specializing in cancer treatment. At that time, it was considered one of the leading hospitals in the United States.
He returned to Palestine in 1960, where he held prominent positions in his field. He then returned to the United States in 1978 to continue his work until his death in 1994. At his request, his body was transported to his hometown of Nablus, from where he was laid to rest.
The Professional Life of Dr. Faiq Al-Masri in Palestine and Jordan:
Upon his return to Palestine, Dr. Faiq Al-Masri became a member of the Jordanian Medical Association in 1960. He worked for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In 1962, he began working at the National Hospital in Nablus as a specialist in general surgery and oncological surgery. He was among the first to use chemotherapy in treating cancer in Palestine. He answered the call of national duty during the June 1967 war when he was summoned to join the Jordanian army to treat wounded civilians and soldiers from the participating Arab armies.
In 1969, he provided medical services to the Palestinian national movements through the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). During the 1970s, he served as director of several public and private hospitals in Palestine, including the Tulkarm Governmental Hospital, the National Governmental Hospital in Nablus, and the Arab Evangelical Hospital in Nablus. He also served as head of the administrative board of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society from 1971 to 1978 and was one of the founders of the elderly care home in Nablus, in addition to working at his private clinic in the city.
Dr. Faiq al-Masri held a special place among his people in Nablus and the surrounding towns and villages he served. He would often join the families of patients and accept their invitations after performing successful surgeries, celebrating with public lunches. He frequently took his children with him on these visits to allow them to meet a wide and diverse cross-section of Palestinian society and instill in them a love for their homeland and a sense of public service.
Dr. Faiq played a pivotal role in reopening Rafidia Hospital in Nablus after he defied the Israeli health authorities on Israeli television, demanding the return of equipment looted from the hospital after it was stormed and its medical supplies seized. He reopened the hospital after the authorities had converted it into a military base. His courageous stance led to his removal from the presidency of the National Hospital and the threat of exile.
Connections
In 1957, Al-Masri married Fatima Hikmat Al-Masri, and they spent the beginning of their life together in New York City, USA. During this time, he had his first two children, Randa and Saad, in New York City.
Upon returning to Palestine, he had his remaining children: Bashar, Rana, and Ammar, in Nablus. He was keen to ensure they all graduated from prestigious universities and to instill in them self-reliance, social engagement, and work experience in various fields to develop their personalities.
-
Born
-
Died
1994 (aged 69) -
Resting place
Nablus, Palestinian Territory -
Nationality
Palestine