Ala Magzoub is a medical graduate from University of Gezira, Sudan, who is currently completing her internship in University of Beni-Suef, Egypt. She is in her first year as a student in the Master of Global Surgical Care program. Read on to find out more about Ala, her experiences, what led her to the MGSC, and more!
What are some of your hobbies & interests (cooking, sports, travelling, etc?) What do you love to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love cooking and baking—I enjoy getting creative with my salad bowls, and I’m well known for my banana bread and cinnamon rolls recipes. I also enjoy photography and reading novels.
Can you please tell us about your career or professional background?
I’m a medical graduate currently completing my internship in Egypt. My clinical experience has strengthened my passion for surgery. I worked as a pediatric surgery intern for six months in Sudan, and even as an undergraduate student, I spent my summers volunteering at Gezira National Pediatric Surgery Center which made me very interested in the field.
What has inspired you to study and work in the field of global surgery? Please share any experiences you have had in global surgery work.
During medical school, I came across the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery by John Meara and his colleagues from 2015, and reading it was a true epiphany for me. The more I learned—through articles, webinars, and online discussions—the more fascinated I became by the idea of global surgical care. As a student, I joined the Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery (GEIGS), serving as the Africa Chapter Liaison, and later became involved with InciSioN, where I helped launch and chair the InciSioN Sudan chapter alongside an incredible team of passionate students. My hands-on experience at the Gezira National Pediatric Surgery Center in Sudan further shaped my understanding. Working with international missionary surgeons performing reconstructive procedures like anorectoplasty and urethroplasty exposed me to the true essence of global surgery—ensuring equitable, safe, and timely access to surgical care for all. Each of these experiences, in their own way, deepened my passion and ultimately led me here.
What attracted you to the MGSC? How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained from this program in your career in the future?
What first attracted me to the Master of Global Surgical Care program were the mentors I met online whom introduced me to this program and shared very inspiring experiences. As I explored further, I realized how well the program’s objectives align with my goals. It provides a strong foundation in the principles and practice of global surgery, offering both the academic knowledge and applied research experience that are essential for shaping equitable surgical systems. Coming from a low-resource setting, I found the program’s mission deeply personal and relevant—it feels designed for people like me who want to bridge global surgical disparities. The flexible online format also allows me to continue my clinical work and board exams preparation while learning from a global network of experts. I plan to use the skills and insights gained from this program to strengthen surgical care systems in resource-limited contexts and to advocate for timely, safe, and equitable access to surgery. This program is an important step toward fulfilling my mission of becoming a global surgeon who serves both locally and globally.
I understand you studied medicine in Sudan during a time of significant challenges. Can you tell us more about your experience and how that has shaped your perspective on healthcare and your journey as a medical professional?
During my medical education in Sudan, I witnessed my country go through a series of political and health crises—from the Sudanese Revolution and a military coup, to the COVID-19 pandemic and, most recently, the Sudanese civil war. I’ve firsthand witnessed people unable to receive healthcare or surgical care when roads were closed during the rainy season—flooded, muddy, and impassable. I’ve seen people lose their lives due to the lack of oxygen supplies during the pandemic. I’ve seen patients in urgent need of surgery when there were not enough anesthesia or pain management medications. These experiences exposed me to the systemic gaps within health infrastructure, workforce, and policy, and revealed how inequities—economic, social, and gender-based—can determine who lives and who doesn’t. Although my medical education in Sudan was shaped by many challenges, it remains the driving force behind my pursuit of global surgery. It did not merely inspire me—it forged within me a profound sense of responsibility, taught me resilience, strengthened my ability to adapt and serve in any context.
Is there any work/document/article that you are currently working on that you’d like to promote? Our community would love to find out what our students are currently working on. How can our community learn more about you? (Website, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.)
Not at the moment — I’m currently focused on balancing my master’s program, clinical duties, and preparation for my board exams. My plate is quite full, but I look forward to contributing to meaningful research and advocacy projects once this phase settles. You can connect with me on LinkedIn to stay updated: www.linkedin.com/in/ala-magzoub-73843a206