George M. Abouna: the History of a Pioneer in Transplant Surgery

This is the true story of a man who rose from the depth of poverty to become a pioneer in modern medicine. Born in a small village in Iraq, and raised by a poor family, he met and conquered many adversities in his pursuit of a better living and his goal of becoming a physician. His chosen path was briefly derailed when he was granted a full scholarship to study engineering in United Kingdom, but he eventually came back to a successful career in medicine, becoming a leader in organ transplantation, one of the most innovative fields in modern medicine. Unfortunately, he became the victim of his own success when his achievements created animosity in his colleagues, who waged a political war and booted him to another country thousands of miles away. In his voluntary exile, he refused to be defeated and ultimately emerged stronger than ever. When forced to relocate yet again, his fame preceded him to the United States of America, where he has continued his mission to the present day. This book is a snapshot of the professional and personal life of a surgical innovator and pioneer. It is set in the background of a previous era in British, North American and international surgery. But what was his life like? How did he reach the pinnacle of success? Find out in this book.