We were lucky to catch up with Lana Al-Sabe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
One key lesson I learned during my time as Chief Resident of the General Surgery Department, leading a team of 50 residents, is that true leadership requires being socially smart, not submissive. Leadership is not about control or authority, it’s about influence. People don’t follow the rules, they follow the vibe you create! When you set the tone through your own actions, when you work alongside your team with integrity and commitment, you don’t need to give orders, your example does the leading!
Residency is, without question, one of the toughest phases in any doctor’s life. And I’m not just talking about the sleepless nights or endless working hours, it’s the missed family moments, the fading social life, and the constant mental and physical drain. During my year as Chief Resident, I made a conscious decision to lead with heart. I wanted to create an environment where residents felt that all their effort was worth it! Where they were treated with respect, supported in a friendly atmosphere, and spared from unnecessary toxicity. It was about replacing intimidation with understanding, and punishment with recognition.
Navigating between consultants and residents is an art; It takes emotional intelligence knowing how to read the room, to build rapport and to earn trust, while never losing sight of your own role or boundaries. I’ve learned that pleasing people isn’t always weakness when done with purpose; it’s a strategy! Knowing when to listen, when to speak up, and when to stand your ground is what makes leadership truly effective.
Lana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey has been one of dedication, resilience, and an unwavering passion for both patient care and medical education. I like to define myself as both a surgeon and an educator, two roles that, for me, are inseparable.
I completed my general surgery residency in 2024, graduating with distinction, ranking first in my cohort, and receiving the Award of Academic Excellence in General Surgery. Today, I practice as a general surgery specialist in a private clinic, while also teaching at the Department of General Surgery, at the School of Medicine, University of Jordan.
My work is driven by a commitment to deliver premium and high-quality healthcare to my patients, to integrate AI into clinical practice, to advance global surgery research, and to redefine medical education in Jordan by moving beyond passive learning and outdated teaching methods, focusing on case-based learning, simulation, innovation and hands-on training.
I am also the founder of #SurgiConnect and #Meducator, two projects that reflect my vision for the future of medicine. SurgiConnect is an international research community that unites surgeons and medical students interested in global surgery. Meducator is a long-held dream of mine: an online smart platform dedicated to making high-quality surgical education accessible to medical students everywhere.
What drives me most is the impact I can have on others. The greatest compliment I receive is when someone tells me that I have inspired them to embrace their own potential! Every day, I aim to empower the next generation of physicians and surgeons, reminding them that medicine is not a business and patients are not clients; they are people who deserve our care, our attention, and our empathy.
So, for those who haven’t followed my journey before, know this: I didn’t just become a surgeon, I became an exceptional one. And I’m just getting started!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Early in my residency, I believed that to succeed in this male-dominated field, I had to be tough, suppress my emotions, and fit a mold that wasn’t made for me. I thought strength meant being like everyone else. Over time, I realized that softness and kindness don’t mean you are weak or less capable, they are strengths of their own!
I don’t need to speak their language or behave like them to be a good surgeon. Because being a woman in surgery isn’t about constantly proving I belong, it’s about redefining what belonging truly means!
This is a reminder to all young women pursuing careers in surgery: always keep your energy balanced and stay connected with your natural femininity, even in environments that seem to reward “masculine” traits. Because true strength comes from authenticity, intuition, and the courage to lead as yourself, in the operating room, in the classroom and beyond!
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
Absolutely, but not for the same reasons I did the first time. Initially, I was drawn to the challenge, the prestige, and the idea of saving lives with my own hands. But over time, I learned that surgery is not just about skills or knowledge. It’s about endurance, sacrifice, and a deep understanding of human fragility.
I’ve seen moments of triumph and moments of loss, and both have shaped me in ways I never expected. So yes, I would choose this path again, but this time with a clearer understanding that surgery is as much about healing the spirit as it is the body. It’s about providing a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and understood.
Every incision carries the weight of trust, every procedure is an opportunity to change a life and make a lasting impact, and the best part? No case is ever truly routine. Each day is a new puzzle, revealing mysteries hidden beneath the surface and reminding me why I chose this path.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lana.thesurgeon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanasabe