From Central Office
Member Spotlight Q&A
Dina Ekram
Dina Ekram has been working as a Physician in the field of Transfusion Medicine in the Egyptian National Blood Transfusion Services since 2003. She was the Head of the Serology Department from 2013 till 2019 and currently holds a post as a Consultant of Transfusion Medicine at the Ministry of Health.
What started your interest in Blood Transfusion?
It all started in 2003 when I joined the Egyptian National Blood Transfusion Services as a resident physician after finishing medical school. At that time, the National Services was involved in an Egyptian- Swiss Project for the restructuring of Blood Transfusion Services in the country. I was intrigued by all the knowledge and science the project had to offer in Transfusion Medicine, coming from international experts in the field. Training courses, workshops, and coaching at work paved the way, and shortly after I decided to indulge deeper and study Transfusion Medicine. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
How did this interest develop and what are your main topics of interest now?
I took my interest one step higher when I started to study Transfusion Medicine through the Egyptian Fellowship program. Throughout this 4-year program, I studied Transfusion Medicine in detail from vein to vein starting from donation and donor care and ending by issuing blood and blood products to patients in need. In the meantime, I grew a special interest in Transfusion Transmitted Infections particularly, working routinely in the Serology testing lab of the National Services Headquarters.
What have been the most rewarding times in your career?
I am lucky to have had many times that I consider rewarding in my career, among which was excelling in my study of Transfusion Medicine with the highest rank in 2012, my first abstract submission being accepted as an oral presentation at the 2009 ISBT Congress in Nagoya, Japan. Being chosen as one of the 9 mentees of the I TRY IT program in 2015 was another rewarding milestone. To be mentored by international experts in the field through this program was a valuable and significant addition to my career. I am grateful to play a role in the implementation of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) routine screening project in the National Blood Services for the first time in my country. I consider all these steps as enriching moments that I will cherish forever.
Who have been the most influential people in your career?
Among the most influential people in my career, I must mention Dr. Faten Moftah, my first role model in the field. She was the Director of the Egyptian National Blood Services when I first joined, and I was proud to work with her till 2011. Dr. Brian Custer and Dr. Marion Vermeulen were both my mentors in the I TRY IT program, and I consider myself lucky to learn from them.
Dina and Faten at the poster session of the 2015 ISBT Congress in London.
What role have you been involved in within ISBT and how did this impact your life?
Besides being a regular member of ISBT since 2008, in 2015 I have participated in the I TRY IT program offered by ISBT. I applied at the time and was chosen among 9 participants from all over the world. I am forever proud to have been the first participant from my country. The program offered extensive knowledge about research, protocols and study designs and levelled up my interest in Transfusion Transmitted Infectious Diseases. Since then, I became member of the TTID Working Party. In 2023, I was nominated to be a member of the Standing Committee of ISBT Academy. This role allows me to engage more in the educational support that ISBT has to offer through ISBT Academy to all those interested especially from LMICs. It is very encouraging when you let people interested know about this support and later on, when the educational event is conducted, you hear about the success and positive feedback from the organizers and participants knowing that you played a role in this accomplishment.
What are your personal goals concerning ISBT?
I encourage colleagues, associates, and fellow workers to join ISBT and its working parties related to their field of interest. I am spreading the word to all young investigators in the field of Transfusion Medicine from the Eastern Mediterranean Region to participate in the I TRY IT program and the knowledge it has to offer in research. I love to be engaged in working with ISBT and all the activities and events conducted enhancing my educational motivation as regards Transfusion Medicine in the region.
Dina with the ATMF15 congress attendees in Egypt, 2024 January
What energizes you most at work?
Learning and education. I am captivated by learning anything new in technology, science, and its trends. I have a passion for education. I enjoyed teaching junior staff and giving lectures through the Egyptian Fellowship Program for Transfusion Medicine from 2012 till 2019.
What do I do in my spare time?
Since work takes up most of the time, I insist that my spare time is spent with my family. Travelling is always satisfying, and a good book is always welcomed along.
Finally, what do you wish to add, or what would you like to say to our Transfusion Today readers?
Joining ISBT adds up a lot to transfusion medicine practitioners and professionals. Expanding networking as well as knowledge is guaranteed. Educational support and ISBT educational resources magnify the benefit even more. The chance of exposure and learning from the international field that the ISBT meetings hold should not be missed. I encourage colleagues, especially from our Eastern Mediterranean Region, to jump at the chance of becoming an ISBT member.
