Adam Hamawy
Dr. Adam Hamawy is more than just a reconstructive surgeon; he is a testament to unwavering dedication in the face of profound adversity, from the battlefields of Iraq to the crisis zones of Gaza. His story weaves together military heroism, medical innovation, and deep humanitarian commitment. Discover how one doctor's oath to heal transcends borders and personal safety. Dr. Adam Hamawy's military service as a combat surgeon dramatically shaped his dedication to trauma care, leading him to save countless lives, including that of Senator Tammy Duckworth. His recent volunteer mission in Gaza highlighted the extreme challenges faced by medical teams in conflict zones, leading to his temporary entrapment and a high-profile rescue effort. Beyond his surgical expertise, Hamawy is a vocal advocate for ethical medical practices and humanitarian aid, speaking out against both the trivialization of surgery and the dire conditions in war-torn regions.
AI Summary
Dr. Adam Hamawy is more than just a reconstructive surgeon; he is a testament to unwavering dedication in the face of profound adversity, from the battlefields of Iraq to the crisis zones of Gaza. His story weaves together military heroism, medical innovation, and deep humanitarian commitment. Discover how one doctor's oath to heal transcends borders and personal safety.
- Dr. Adam Hamawy's military service as a combat surgeon dramatically shaped his dedication to trauma care, leading him to save countless lives, including that of Senator Tammy Duckworth.
- His recent volunteer mission in Gaza highlighted the extreme challenges faced by medical teams in conflict zones, leading to his temporary entrapment and a high-profile rescue effort.
- Beyond his surgical expertise, Hamawy is a vocal advocate for ethical medical practices and humanitarian aid, speaking out against both the trivialization of surgery and the dire conditions in war-torn regions.
A Life of Service Begins
Adam Hamawy's journey began in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, born to immigrant parents from Egypt. His academic path was rigorous, taking him through Rutgers University for his undergraduate degree, New Jersey Medical School, and advanced medical training at prestigious institutions like Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He later even pursued an MBA from Rutgers, demonstrating a broad intellectual curiosity.
A Combat Surgeon's Path
Driven by a call to serve, Hamawy enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard. For eight years, he dedicated himself to the Medical Corps, serving as a reconstructive surgeon, a general surgeon, and even a flight surgeon. This experience forged him into a physician capable of operating under the most extreme conditions.
His commitment led him to a harrowing nine-month deployment in Baghdad during the Iraq War. Stationed at the 31st Combat Support Hospital with the U.S. Army, he performed life-saving surgeries on hundreds of wounded service members and civilians alike, witnessing firsthand the brutal realities of war.
Among the lives he saved was that of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. In 2004, after her Blackhawk helicopter was shot down, she was brought to his operating table. She credits him with not only saving her life but performing a critical vascular procedure that prevented her from becoming a triple amputee—a testament to his skill under immense pressure.
The Combat Support Hospital was a crucible of trauma. On an average day, they treated 15 critical cases, but during the most intense periods, such as the Second Battle of Fallujah, that number could soar to 40. Such an environment demands unparalleled resilience and surgical prowess.
When Dr. Hamawy separated from the Army, he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military service profoundly shaped his medical career, instilling in him a deep understanding of trauma and a steadfast resolve to help those in dire need.
From Battlefield to Princeton
After returning from his military service, Dr. Hamawy established a thriving private practice in Princeton, New Jersey, where he continues his work as a highly respected reconstructive surgeon. His specialized skills allow him to restore form and function, helping patients recover from injury, illness, or congenital conditions.
Beyond the operating room, Hamawy has also lent his expert opinion to various publications, including fashion and celebrity gossip magazines. Notably, he publicly criticized a plastic surgery mobile game, expressing concern over its potential negative impact on children's self-esteem and body image.
Responding to Crisis
Dr. Hamawy's commitment to immediate crisis response isn't new. In the aftermath of the devastating September 11 attacks, he was among the medical professionals who selflessly treated the wounded and first responders, offering his skills during one of the nation's darkest hours.
Trapped in Gaza
In May 2024, Hamawy joined a volunteer international mission to Gaza, organized by the Palestinian-American Medical Association and the World Health Organization. His plan was to spend two weeks at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, where he performed an astonishing 120 surgeries—over half of them on children.
The mission, however, quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal. During his time there, two of his colleagues were tragically killed in strikes on their homes. He also heard harrowing accounts from doctors who had been released from Israeli detention, describing experiences of torture, painting a grim picture of the conflict's toll.
Shortly after his arrival, Israel seized and closed the Rafah border crossing, trapping Hamawy and his team inside Gaza. What was meant to be a two-week mission extended for an agonizing additional seven days, leaving the medical volunteers stranded amidst the conflict.
The dire situation caught national attention, prompting U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth to personally intervene. Remembering Hamawy's life-saving actions in Iraq, she spoke directly to Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog and delivered a letter from Hamawy to President Joe Biden, advocating for the team's release.
When 17 of the doctors were finally cleared for departure, Hamawy made a principled decision: he refused to leave until the non-American members of his team—from Jordan, Egypt, and Australia—could also depart. "When you go in as a team, you leave as a team," he stated, echoing the profound ethos instilled in him by the Army.
Upon his return, Hamawy shared his heartbreaking observations with the New York Times, recounting that "Children who lost limbs and could not run or play specifically said they wished they had died, and some wanted to kill themselves." He further highlighted to NPR the devastating mortality rate in Gaza hospitals, an alarming 80% compared to 10% in recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars, attributing it to a severe lack of medication, personnel, and resources.
U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, whose district includes Princeton, expressed profound relief at his safe return and later invited him as her guest to President Donald Trump’s 2025 State of the Union address, recognizing his courage and sacrifice.
In June 2024, Dr. Hamawy continued his advocacy, testifying at a congressional briefing to share his firsthand experiences treating patients in Gaza. His testimony aimed to shed light on the humanitarian crisis and the immense challenges faced by medical professionals in conflict zones.
A History of Humanitarian Aid
His work in Gaza is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing commitment to humanitarian aid. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Hamawy has consistently volunteered his surgical expertise in response to some of the world's most devastating disasters and conflicts.
Dr. Hamawy's commitment to global humanitarian efforts spans three decades, demonstrating a consistent dedication to those in crisis: Siege of Sarajevo 2010 Haitian earthquake Syrian civil war
Beyond the Operating Room
When he is not deploying to global hotspots or performing life-changing surgeries, Dr. Adam Hamawy cherishes his personal life. He is married and lives with his four children in Monmouth Junction, balancing a demanding professional life with his role as a devoted family man.
Article
Adam Hamawy
Dr. Adam Hamawy is an American reconstructive surgeon in Princeton, New Jersey and former combat surgeon. He gained national attention as part of a volunteer team of American doctors in Gaza that was unable to leave due to Israel seizing and closing the Rafah border crossing during the Gaza war. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who credits Hamawy with saving her life when they were both serving in the Iraq war, personally intervened to help them leave. Hamawy was one of three doctors who chose to stay behind until the non-Americans on the team could depart.
Early life
Adam Hamawy
Adam Hamawy grew up in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. His parents are immigrants from Egypt. He attended Rutgers University-New Brunswick for his undergraduate studies and New Jersey Medical School. He completed his medical training at Weill Cornell Medicine and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He later obtained an MBA from Rutgers University Camden.
Medical career
Combat physician
Hamawy enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard and served 8 years as a reconstructive surgeon, a general surgeon, and a flight surgeon in the Medical Corps during the Iraq war, including a 9-month deployment in Baghdad at the 31st Combat Support Hospital with the U.S. Army. He operated on hundreds of service members and civilians, including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who credited him with helping save her life after her Blackhawk helicopter was shot down in 2004. Duckworth later recalled "When I was wounded, within 20 minutes, I was in front of him – and he is the doctor who not only saved my life, but was able to prevent me from becoming a triple amputee by employing a vascular procedure that he'd just learned in medical school." The Combat Support Hospital treated an average of 15 traumas a day, but during the busiest days, such as during the Second Battle of Fallujah, they treated up to 40.
When Hamawy separated from the Army he had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Private medical practice
After returning from military service, Hamawy built a career as a reconstructive surgeon in Princeton, New Jersey.
He has been an expert opinion in articles about plastic surgery in fashion and celebrity gossip magazines such as Life and Style and the Hollywood Reporter., the latter of which he criticized a plastic surgery mobile game that appeared targeted at children due to its effect on their self-esteem and body insecurity.
Physician in disaster zones
September 11 attacks
Hamawy treated the wounded and first responders immediately following the September 11 attacks.
Gaza
In May 2024, Hamawy joined a volunteer international mission organized by the Palestinian-American Medical Association and the World Health Organization. The original plan was to spend two weeks working as part of a 20-person medical team of physicians at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis. While there he performed 120 surgeries, with more than half of them on children.
During the medical mission, two of his colleagues at the hospital were killed in strikes on their homes, and he spoke to doctors who had been released from Israeli detention and described being tortured.
Israel seized and closed the Rafah border crossing shortly after his arrival, which trapped the team of physicians inside Gaza. The team was unable to leave at the end of their mission, and stayed an additional seven days. Senator Duckworth personally intervened to help 17 of the doctors leave by speaking to Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog and delivering a letter that Hamawy had written to President Joe Biden. Hamawy refused to leave until the other members of the team from Jordan, Egypt, and Australia were also able to leave, saying "When you go in as a team, you leave as a team. That’s the right thing to do, and that's what was bred into us [in the Army]."
Hamawy was quoted in the New York Times after he returned, "Children who lost limbs and could not run or play specifically said they wished they had died, and some wanted to kill themselves." In an interview to NPR he said "Many of these patients die when they arrive to the hospital. The mortality rate is 80%. In our most recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the mortality rate was 10%." He said this was mainly due to lack of medication, personnel, and adequate resources.
U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who represents Princeton in Congress, said then that she was "deeply relieved" when he finally returned from Gaza. The congresswoman later invited him as her guest at President Donald Trump’s 2025 State of the Union.
In June 2024, Hamawy testified to a congressional briefing to describe his experience treating patients in Gaza.
Other disasters
Over the past 30 years, Hamawy has also volunteered following the siege of Sarajevo, 2010 Haitian earthquake, and the Syrian civil war.
Personal life
Adam Hamawy
Hamawy is married and they live in Monmouth Junction with their four children.