PERSONALITY FOCUS: PROF DR WAN HAZABBAH BIN WAN HITAM - FATHER OF NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY IN MALAYSIA
 Early Life and Background
I was born at Bukit Besi, Dungun, Terengganu in 1966. I received my primary education at Sekolah Rendah Sultan Omar, Dungun, and secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mahmud (SESMA), Kuala Terengganu. I was appointed as the head boy during my secondary school. That was the time when I learnt about leadership. Later, I continued my study in medicine at Universiti Sains Malaysia and graduated as MD (USM) in 1991.
What Made You Choose Medicine as a Profession?
My interest in medicine developed during childhood. I was born in a family with a medical background. My father was a medical assistant, and my late mother was a staff nurse. I’ve explored more by joining the Malaysia Red Crescent Society and was appointed as chairperson. I was also representative for National First Aid Competition for my school.
Career in Ophthalmology
I joined the Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital USM during my medical-officership in 1993. This is the time when I started to develop my interest in ophthalmology. I was offered as a USM trainee lecturer in ophthalmology in 1994 and continued my post-graduate training at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the same year. I completed my postgraduate training and obtained M.Surg. (Ophthal) (UKM) in 1999. I became a lecturer and ophthalmologist at the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
I was appointed as the head of the department from 2003 till 2013. I did my fellowship training in Neuro-ophthalmology at The Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore in 2006-2007. I am the head of the neuro-ophthalmology service at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia since 2007. I became an associate professor in 2008 and was later appointed as professor in 2014. I was the first professor in ophthalmology for our department since it was established in 1993. I was then elected as a senate member of USM from 2018 till 2020. Later, I was appointed as Deputy Dean of Industry, Community Engagement and Student Affairs in 2019 till now.
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