Aga Khan University (AKU) Medical College Dean Dr Adil Haider Wednesday received the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Award for Distinguished Alumnus, recognising his exceptional work as a surgeon, trauma disparities researcher, and his extraordinary leadership in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan last year.

The Johns Hopkins University, known for its contributions to medicine and research, bestowed the honour on Dr Haider as their distinguished alumni.

The development was announced through a statement released by the AKU, which also mentioned Dr Haider’s exceptional trajectory as a successful and extraordinary medical professional. 

“The Distinguished Alumnus Award from Johns Hopkins stands as a testament to Dr Adil’s remarkable contributions to the field of medicine and his unwavering dedication to quality, access and patient care,” the statement read.

The recipient of the prestigious accolade also welcomed the honour, expressing delight at being acknowledged for his services.

“It is an honour to be able to represent AKU at such a notable occasion, and to showcase the impactful work being done in Pakistan. Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing teams we have both here and in the US,” he said.

Dr Haider added that the award is a testament to the incredible teamwork displayed by the AKU staff, trainees, and faculty which he is “grateful” being a part of.

“I look forward to continuing to work with them to #makeadifference.”

In its statement, the AKU mentioned that Dr Haider’s journey, from his graduation from AKU in 1998 to his current status as a thought leader in the medical world, is nothing short of inspiring.

“Throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently exemplified excellence in the field of medicine, while also taking it upon himself to bridge the gap between quality healthcare and underprivileged communities,” it stated.

During his time at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the statement further highlighted, that Dr Haider’s team identified disparities in outcomes after traumatic injury and helped found the field of surgical disparities research.

“What truly sets Dr Haider apart is his unyielding commitment to shaping the future of healthcare. He has actively mentored over 150 research trainees, authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, and has been the Principal Investigator on extramural grants valued at more than twenty million dollars,” the AKU statement mentioned.

His influence in healthcare extends well beyond the walls of AKU. In addition to serving as the Dean of the Medical College, Dr Haider holds the esteemed position of Director of Disparities and Emerging Trauma Systems at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, USA, it added.

Dr Haider has served as a visiting professor at more than 30 universities and has held numerous leadership positions, including the Association for Academic Surgery President.

He adds to his laurels by serving as the current Deputy Editor of JAMA Surgery, the number one scientific journal in the field, and chairing the academic board of Pakistan’s Medical Regulator (PMDC) from 2020-2022.

The prestigious recognition not only highlights Dr Haider’s extraordinary personal accomplishments and professional achievements but also reflects AKU’s unwavering commitment to nurturing well-rounded leaders in the fields of medicine and healthcare.