Dr. Mohammed Hassan, MD

Dr. Mohammed Hassan, MD, FACS, MBA, specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery, in which he has practiced since 2008. As part of our team of physicians at Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Outpatient Care Center, Dr. Hassan performs such procedures as beating heart surgery, arterial bypasses, valve replacements, mitral valve repairs, aortic surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, robotic assisted cardiac surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
What is your patient care philosophy? Physicians should treat patients as they would treat their own family. I also like to involve patients in their care so they are actively engaged in their own health.
What would you like people to know about you as a physician? I take pride in my technical skill, good judgment, and compassion as a physician. These key parts allow me to give the best treatment and care to my patients. As a physician, I feel it is also important to be able to self-assess and continually improve; learning …never stops.
Why did you decide to become a physician? I grew up with physicians in my family, namely my uncle who was an Orthopedic Surgeon and served as a role model. I enjoy the academic and technical aspects of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and I especially feel it is a privilege to treat patients and make a difference in their lives.
What do you enjoy most about working with patients? Patients give us, the physicians, complete trust with their care. Making a difference in someone’s life (and possibly saving a life), makes me happy and fulfills my sense of purpose.
When did you know you wanted to be a doctor? During high school, I studied Health Sciences and volunteered at several hospitals, which confirmed my career goal of becoming a Cardiac Surgeon.
How does your work improve lives? In many cases, patients present with changes in their levels of activity, possibly limiting their work or their ability to exercise, travel etc. In those cases, patients go through a transient period of surgery and recovery, and the majority are able to resume their normal lifestyle; or at least, prevent further decline. In some cases, surgery is emergent and is life-saving.
What else would you like to share with our readers? I believe the patient plays an integral part of their own care, and, as such, I involve and educate the patient. The “maintenance” and ongoing care after the surgery is just as important as the actual procedure performed, so I treat the patient as a partner in the care plan. Both of us need to do our part to have the best outcome.
What are some interesting facts about you? I speak several languages because of where I have lived. This has helped me tremendously to connect with many patients of different backgrounds.
With what community and volunteer organizations are you involved? I am heavily involved in the school events and Cub Scout events for my kids.
Would you like to share about your family? I enjoy playing tennis and travelling with my son and daughter.
What childhood memory do you have about visiting the doctor? As a teenager, my family doctor spent a lot of time discussing the field of medicine and giving me advice about the career. He helped shape some of my career choices.
What else would you like to share with our readers? I enjoy travel, locally and abroad. I also have an interest in healthy living -- including diet and exercise.