We were lucky to catch up with Rashed Al -daradka recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rashed, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The story of establishing my own practice (SRIG) stems from a deep sense of frustration. I had worked with many organizations and closely observed what universities in Jordan were providing to medical students, and I found it severely lacking in the extracurricular area. The opportunities offered were repetitive and stagnant, students weren’t gaining anything new or meaningful. Most workshops and events were just the same basic activities recycled over and over, making every experience blend into the next without any real sense of growth or advancement.

On top of that, there was no system to recognize excelling students or reward hard work with better opportunities. It felt like everyone was stuck in the same cycle, without any room to grow.

This frustration as a medical student led me to believe that we deserved more, much more. So, I established SRIG to break that cycle. It was created with the goal of offering students high-quality, meaningful opportunities that truly help them improve, grow, and reach their full potential. SRIG was built to fill the gap and provide what was missing for medical students in Jordan.

One of the biggest challenges in setting up my practice was believing that the dream could become a reality. People often assume failure from the very beginning, and that negativity can be discouraging. Because of this, I decided early on to keep my plans to myself until I had something solid to share, so I wouldn’t be disheartened by doubts or skepticism from others.

As I moved forward, I kept myself motivated by focusing on the cause I truly believed in. It was my driving force and what kept me going, even when things felt overwhelming. A significant challenge, though, was finding the right people to help me achieve this vision. Thankfully, I was fortunate to find passionate, like-minded students who shared my dream, and they made the process much easier.

However, the most difficult obstacle I faced was the lack of interest and support from the higher-ups in the medical community. Doctors and influential figures in medical education didn’t fully understand or appreciate the purpose of interest groups like ours. It was incredibly challenging to break through and convince them why creating opportunities for medical students was so crucial.

I believe this resistance stems from being stuck in outdated ways of thinking. They weren’t adapting to the rapidly changing world we live in today. The competition in the medical field is getting tougher, and if medical students in Jordan don’t recognize this shift and work toward change, we will inevitably be left behind. This made it even more important for me to push forward, despite the challenges, to create something meaningful for students who deserve better.

My advice for young professionals considering starting their own practice is to always focus on your “why.” Whether it’s something personal or driven by a desire to help others, your purpose is what will keep you grounded and motivated. Hold onto that reason, and don’t let anyone discourage you. Not everyone will understand what you’re trying to achieve, and that’s okay.

Believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, and trust in your cause. Ignore the voices that try to bring you down because true success comes from those who dare to take a different route. I genuinely believe that the people who break away from the norm, who step outside their comfort zone and take risks, are the ones who excel in life.

If you see a gap in your field, don’t just accept it, build a bridge to fix it. Don’t settle for walking the same path as everyone else simply because it’s easier. Be the person who takes a different route, who challenges expectations, and who defies the odds. It’s these individuals who leave a lasting impact, and I truly stand by this belief.

Rashed, 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?

The Surgery and Radiology Interest Group (SRIG) was founded with a vision to unite students and professionals who are passionate about surgery, radiology, and their subspecialties. We chose to focus on these two fields because we believe they are increasingly intersecting, especially with the rise of minimally invasive techniques and the integration of radiology into surgical practices. Our goal is to prepare medical students for what we see as the future of medicine, where these specialties will work hand-in-hand to achieve better outcomes for patients.

Our mission is to create a dynamic, supportive, and empowering environment for medical students interested in pursuing careers in surgery, radiology, and their subspecialties, including neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, surgical oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, trauma surgery, and general surgery. Historically, opportunities in these fields have been limited for students in Jordan, leaving them with little to no exposure or growth until later stages in their education. SRIG was established to change that narrative and to provide high-quality, meaningful opportunities that have never been available before.

Our primary program, the Research and Journal Club, aims to address the lack of accessible and impactful research opportunities for medical students. In Jordan, research involvement typically begins in the fifth year of med school, and before that it often revolves around basic topics that add little value to students’ professional development. Our program is designed to provide students with opportunities that truly matter, helping them build stronger CVs and gain practical experience early in their medical careers.

The program begins with an orientation stage, where students are taught the fundamentals of research by experienced professionals. This ensures that even those with no prior experience can confidently engage in research. The next step is the journal club, where participants stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in their chosen subspecialties. This knowledge equips them to actively contribute to their research projects. Finally, students are given access to pre-approved research opportunities, carefully designed to be inclusive of both experienced and inexperienced participants.

One of our key objectives is to make research more accessible and less daunting for students. We understand the challenges of juggling medical studies with the demands of research, so we offer support to students at every stage. Whether they lack a topic, a group, or a mentor, we step in to provide the missing pieces. By doing so, we empower students to succeed without compromising their academic responsibilities.

SRIG also addresses the long-standing barrier of doctors preferring to work only with experienced students. By training inexperienced participants to become skilled researchers, we make collaboration seamless for both doctors and students. This approach not only benefits the students but also encourages professionals to engage in mentorship, further enriching the learning experience.

Through our efforts, we aim to reshape medical education in Jordan by fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. SRIG is more than just an interest group; it is a platform for students to unlock their potential, gain valuable experiences, and prepare for a future where surgery and radiology converge.

In addition to our research initiatives, we offer services like the Observership Program, which is a well-established practice in the United States but remains relatively unknown in Jordan. Many students here are unfamiliar with the concept or the significance of observerships, particularly when applying for residency programs in the U.S. Furthermore, hospitals in Jordan provide very few observership opportunities, leaving students with limited exposure to clinical environments. Recognizing this gap, we have taken the initiative to collaborate with hospitals, surgeons, and radiologists to create observership opportunities for students. Once these opportunities are prepared, we announce them and invite interested students to participate, ensuring they gain invaluable experience that can enhance their medical education and career prospects.

We also host skill lab events to address the lack of diverse training opportunities in our universities. This issue is not unique to Jordan; it is a global trend where skill labs tend to focus solely on basic techniques, leaving students unprepared for more advanced clinical procedures. We strongly believe that offering higher-level training to medical students is essential for their growth and success in both medicine and clinical practice. Our skill labs are designed to teach advanced clinical techniques that students typically do not encounter during their studies. By providing these opportunities, we ensure that when students transition into their roles as practicing doctors, they are equipped with a broader range of knowledge and skills that set them apart and prepare them for real-world medical challenges.

We also have a dedicated Volunteering and Conference Awareness community, where we share the latest volunteering opportunities and conferences happening both nationally and internationally. While opportunities exist for medical students, a significant issue has been the lack of awareness among students about what is available, both within Jordan and abroad. To address this, we created this community to ensure students interested in our field have access to these opportunities, helping them build their CVs and gain valuable experience.

In addition to this, we conduct an annual give-back project to support our community. This year, our project focuses on teaching Basic Life Support (BLS) skills to individuals in low-income and remote areas. These regions are often far from clinics and hospitals, and critical cases requiring urgent care frequently result in death or permanent disability due to delayed medical attention. Such outcomes create a ripple effect of financial and health-related challenges, perpetuating a vicious cycle. To break this cycle, we partnered with doctors and organizations to bring BLS training directly to these communities, aiming to reduce deaths and disabilities.

This initiative has been incredibly rewarding, as we witnessed firsthand the impact it had and the gratitude expressed by the people we trained. Given Jordan’s unique challenges, including a high number of Syrian refugees, this issue is especially pressing. At SRIG, we feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back to our communities, particularly where the need is most urgent. Beyond its impact on these communities, the project also provided numerous volunteering opportunities for medical students, allowing them to contribute meaningfully while gaining hands-on experience.

Our USMLE Mentorship and Residency Advisory Program is unique because it offers personalized advice to medical students applying for residency. We connect them with individuals who have already matched in the US, allowing for one-on-one sessions where students can get tailored guidance. This is different from the usual approach, where students typically only attend lectures on studying for the steps or applying for residency, without receiving personalized advice on how to enhance their own steps and CVs.

Additionally, we have an interview preparation program, which is crucial because many well-qualified students fail their interviews. They often focus so much on building their CVs or doing extra research that they neglect interview preparation. Our program allows students to have their first mock interview with us, so they can get constructive feedback and improve before facing the actual interview with a hospital that will determine their future.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I look back on my journey with SRIG, one of the most defining moments was overcoming the skepticism and negativity from some of the higher-ups in the medical field here in Jordan. At the beginning, many didn’t see the vision I had for the organization, and some doubted the potential of medical students to make an impact. It was disheartening to face such resistance, especially because I strongly believe in the incredible talent and potential we have as medical students. We are often the ones who bring new energy and ideas, and I’ve seen firsthand how capable and driven we are.

The lack of support from those in higher positions presented many unnecessary obstacles, but what kept me going was the unwavering support from the community around me. SRIG wasn’t just a vision I had on my own; it became a collective effort. With 30 other passionate medical students working alongside me, I was fueled by their belief in the cause. The passion in their eyes when they engaged in the opportunities we created kept me moving forward. Their encouragement and commitment helped me push through the tough times, and without that support, I honestly don’t think I would’ve succeeded in getting SRIG to where it is today. It’s a reminder that sometimes resilience isn’t just about persevering alone, but about the strength you gain from those who believe in the mission and stand with you.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Honestly, my main advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. As a leader, it’s essential to listen actively and make sure every team member knows their contributions matter.

One thing I’ve learned is that people perform at their best when they feel connected to the mission and know they have a role in its success. So, fostering a culture of trust and open communication is key. When challenges arise, I make it a point to be transparent about the situation, involve the team in brainstorming solutions, and acknowledge the effort everyone puts in, no matter how small the task may seem.

Another important factor is encouraging balance whether it’s between work and personal time or professional growth and self-care. This helps prevent burnout and keeps the team motivated in the long run. In SRIG, we’ve seen that when the team feels supported not just professionally but personally, their morale and productivity are much higher.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srig_jo/profilecard/?igsh=cGg4NWxtbXJ0NHNq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DnhuvyJpG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/surgery-and-radiology-interest-group/