Fast Facts

Hometown: Damascus, Syria

Family: Shaza (wife) Layth (son)

Hobbies: Hunting and soccer.

Education: Damascus University in Syria and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Kentucky

 

Medical News: Why did you become a doctor?  

Maher Kassis: It’s rewarding for me to be a part of this healing ministry.

MN: Why did you choose this specialty? 

 

MK: Primary care allows me to develop and keep relationships with patients and their family for years and provide continuity of care.

MN: Is it different than what you thought? How?  

MK: Most of my days are not too far off from what I thought, but each day is different.

MN: What is the one thing you wish patients knew and/or understood about doctors?  

MK: How much doctors try to care for all their patients while working in a very demanding healthcare environment.

MN: What’s one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you? 

MK: How much time I spend working and dedicated to patient care.

MN: What’s the best advice you ever received? Who gave it to you? 

MK: My very supportive wife told me, “The key to success is finding a balance between work and family.”

MN: Who are your heroes?

MK: My parents.

MN: What’s the last good book you read?  

MK: A book for my board exam.

MN: Favorite daytime beverage?  

MK: Turkish coffee or hot tea.

MN: How do you go the extra mile, above and beyond your daily tasks to improve patient care, community health or hospital operations? 

MK: When a patient chooses to trust me with their healthcare needs, I go above and beyond to take care of them the way a doctor should. I focus on caring for them and taking the time to answer their questions.

MN: What is your motto? 

MK: Work hard.

MN: Three words your coworkers use to describe you? 

MK: Dedicated, hard-working, leader.

MN: Three items on your desk? 

MK: Doctor rubber duck, Jesus on the cross and a wedding photo.