Interview with Mirvat Alasnag and her mentors Waqar Ahmed and Khaled Al-Shaibi
Mirvat Alasnag was the first female interventional cardiologist in the Gulf region. She works at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
What made you choose interventional cardiology as a career?
Growing up with a parent with coronary artery disease showed me the benefits of modern medicine, but also its limitations. During a cardiology rotation as part of my internal medicine residency, I decided to become an interventional cardiologist.
What is the most valuable advice you've been given by your mentors?
My mentor Dr Waqar Ahmed, cardiologist at KFAFH had a big impact on my career. One piece of advice from Dr Ahmed that still resonates today is that it isn’t about being the first – it’s about being the best. That has always inspired me to push myself beyond any preconceived potential.
How have your mentors helped you on a personal and professional level?
Khaled Al-Shaibi, also from KFAFH, became my mentor later, when I was a practicing interventional cardiologist. I learned from him that humility takes us a long way and that even as an established interventional cardiologist, we all need trustworthy mentors and partners. Dr Al-Shaibi trusted in my abilities and incentivised me to become the first female director of a cath lab in the region.
What advice would you offer a training fellow, particularly a female fellow?
First - and regardless of gender - hard work pays off! Working hard will naturally attract mentors and sponsors. I am most grateful to have had mentors and sponsors throughout my career and today, they remain mentors, teachers and above all, trusted friends.
As a woman in a male-dominated field, I believe I provide an added perspective to interventional cardiology. I have demonstrated that women can be successful leaders and managers and raise families without losing sight of our focus, which is patient care.
Q&A with Wagar Ahmed and Khaled Al-Shaibi
What characteristics do you admire in Mirvat Alasnag?
WA: I first worked with Mirvat when she was a medical resident prior to starting her cardiology fellowship. She was the brightest resident I had ever worked with!
KAS: Mirvat is the most technically gifted young cardiologist I have come across. She learned very quickly and always wanted to go to the next level. Soon, she was coming to me with challenging cases, wanting to discuss treatment options.
Yes, we both feel a sense of satisfaction and pride at Mirvat’s achievements as an interventional cardiologist in the hospital, but also nationally and internationally. It is similar to the pride of a parent. There is a sense of great privilege to have been her mentor and now her colleague, for she truly is an exceptional physician.
