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Ahmed
Hassoon
,
MD

Assistant Research Professor
Ahmed Hassoon

Departmental Affiliations

Primary
Division
Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology
School of Medicine
Joint

Contact Info

BSPH E6035
Baltimore
Maryland
21205
US        

Research Interests

Epidemiology; Cancer; CVD; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Diagnostic Excellence; Strategic Planning; Big Data; Systems.
Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
MPH
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
2014
MD
Baghdad College of Medicine
2004
Overview
I am trained in medicine, biostatistics, epidemiology, music, project management, and machine learning. My work focuses on data-driven Artificial Intelligent solutions to improve clinical diagnosis patient and outcomes on a system level.

Domestically, I project lead with Professor David Newman-Toker (PI) at the Center for Diagnostic Excellence on a big-data project for missed diagnosis of stroke, sepsis, and heart attack in Johns Hopkins and Kiser Systems.I am the technology team-lead at Johns Hopkins University for a project to enhance cancer care for underserved populations in urban settings in Maryland and DC by using machine learning algorithms to assist in developing a personalized transition of care plan, funded by the MERCK Foundation. Internationally, I am the lead analyst for three projects: 1) National Prevention Strategy for the State of Qatar 2017-2022; 2) Big Data for Health Service Performance for the State of Qatar. Under the Cigarette Restitution Fund Junior Faculty Award, I collaborated with Amazon to develop an artificial intelligent voice command solution to increase physical activity among patients, developed a Natural Language Process (NLP) engine to analyze cancer text data, and built the first novel advisory tool on Epic system to flag patients eligible to experimental cancer therapy at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC). In addition, I am working on other technology-guided coaching for weight loss and assessing risk of developing lung/breast/prostate cancer.

Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University, I successfully ran several multi-million US government-funded public health projects spanning 35 countries. I proudly served as an interpreter for the US Army 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne, and also served as the Senior Information Officer for a $650M USAID Cooperative Agreement to provide essential community service in Iraq. During that time, I was shot in the head, kidnapped, and survived multiple bombings. In addition to my career as a scientist and physician, I am also a musician—classically trained in cello at the Iraqi Music & Ballet School. My life experiences have deeply influenced my desire to save human lives. As an scientist, I am combining my scientific and artistic talents to improve the human journey through the healthcare system with a desire to improve patient diagnostic journey on individual and macro scale.
Honors & Awards
1992-1997 Honor Student. Baghdad Music and Ballet School. Baghdad, Iraq.
1998 National Scholarship Award, Baghdad University College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq.
2000 Honor Student. Baghdad College of Medicine. Baghdad, Iraq.
2002 Honor Student. Baghdad College of Medicine. Baghdad, Iraq
2008 Appreciation Certificate. Baghdad University, President Office. Baghdad, Iraq.
2010 Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Award, U.S. Department of State, DC, USA.
2011 US President Appreciation Certificate. The White House, DC, USA.
2012 Atlas Corps Award, Atlas Service Corps, DC. USA.
2013 99 under 33 year most influential leader, Diplomatic Courier Magazine. DC, USA.
2013 Sommer Scholarship Award, Bloomberg School of Public Health, MD, USA.
2014 Post-Doctoral Award, Welch Centre, Bloomberg School of Public Health, MD, USA.
2016 Biotech Leaders of Tomorrow (LoT), Biotech Forum, Maryland, DC and Virgin area.
2016 Tech Transfer Seed Grants Award for “Alexa-Based Digital Health Coach: a voice interactive wellness product”
2016 State of Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Faculty Award (two awards)
2017 State of Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Translational Research Award (two awards)
2017 Young Physician Leader, Berlin, Germany.
Select Publications
Selected Publications:
  • Hassoon A, Schrack J, Naiman D, et al. Increasing physical activity amongst overweight and obese cancer survivors using an alexa-based intelligent agent for patient coaching: Protocol for the physical activity by technology help (PATH) trial. JMIR Research Protocols. 2018:7(2). doi:10.2196/resprot.9096.
  • Mane K, Rubenstein KB, Nassery N, Sharp AL, Shamim EA, Sangha NX, Hassoon A, Fanai M, Wang Z, Newman-Toker DE. Diagnostic Performance Dashboards—Tracking Diagnostic Errors using Big Data. BMJ Qual Saf. 2018.
  • Johns Hopkins University Qatar National Strategy Team. National Quality and Safety Indicator’s Review Report. https://www.moph.gov.qa/home-en. 2017.
  • Johns Hopkins University Qatar National Strategy Team. Qatar National Public Health Strategy 2017-2022. https://www.moph.gov.qa/home-en. 2016.