Early Academic Pursuits 🎓
Samia Hamouda’s academic journey began in Tunisia, where she completed her medical studies at the Faculté de Médecine de Monastir from 1993 to 2000. After earning her Doctorate in Medicine in January 2005, with a thesis focusing on “La Dyskinésie Ciliaire Primitive chez l’enfant: à propos de 13 cas,” she laid the foundation for her specialized focus on pediatric respiratory diseases.
Her interest in pediatrics led her to excel in the Concours National de Résidanat in December 2000, choosing pediatrics as her specialty. She continued to hone her expertise through various stages of training, including internships and residencies. In March 2006, Dr. Hamouda obtained her Diplôme de Médecin Spécialiste en Pédiatrie, marking the start of her specialized career in pediatric medicine.
Her thirst for knowledge didn’t end there. She further advanced her skills through post-graduate diplomas, such as the Diplôme Interuniversitaire de Pneumologie Pédiatrique from the Faculté de Médecine de Rouen in June 2006. This diploma solidified her specialization in pediatric pulmonology, as reflected in her dissertation on allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children.
Dr. Hamouda continued her academic growth with certificates in Immunology and Allergology (2012) and Cardio-Thoracic Imaging (2014), reflecting her broadening expertise across several critical domains in pediatric healthcare.
Professional Endeavors 💼
Upon completing her medical education, Dr. Hamouda embarked on an illustrious career in pediatric healthcare. In November 2007, she achieved a significant milestone by securing a hospital-university assistant position at the Hôpital d’Enfants Béchir Hamza de Tunis, one of the leading pediatric hospitals in Tunisia.
In 2016, Dr. Hamouda passed the Concours National de Maître de Conférences, becoming a Professor Agrégé in pediatric medicine. Six years later, in December 2023, her relentless pursuit of excellence was rewarded with a Concours National de Professorat, appointing her as a Full Professor in Pediatrics at the Faculté de Médecine de Tunis.
During her tenure, she has taken on several leadership roles. Notably, she founded the pediatric bronchial endoscopy unit in 2009, and in 2020, she became the Director of the Research Laboratory in Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology. Her expertise has extended to mucoviscidosis and interstitial lung diseases, further establishing her as a leader in pediatric respiratory disorders.
Contributions and Research Focus 🔬
Dr. Hamouda’s research has focused extensively on pediatric pulmonology, cystic fibrosis, and immunology, with numerous contributions to national and international scientific literature. Her research interests include cystic fibrosis, childhood asthma, and surfactant protein deficiencies, among other rare pediatric lung diseases.
One of her earliest impactful studies was the 2006 dissertation on allergic rhinitis among asthmatic children, which provided important insights into the interplay between respiratory conditions and allergic responses in pediatric patients.
In recent years, she has co-authored several important papers, including:
- “Variable Expression of Lung Disease Due to a Novel Homozygous ABCA3 Variant” (2022), highlighting rare genetic lung conditions and their variability in pediatric patients.
- “Impact of illness on mothers of children with cystic fibrosis in Tunisia” (2022), focusing on the psychological and social burdens faced by caregivers of children with chronic illnesses.
Dr. Hamouda’s work has also focused on improving diagnostic and treatment protocols for pediatric patients in Tunisia, such as her 2022 publication on the difficulties of treating an infant survivor with inherited surfactant protein-B deficiency. Her research extends to qualitative investigations, such as the 2022 study on the impact of cystic fibrosis on mothers, offering new perspectives on patient care and family support.
Accolades and Recognition 🏅
Dr. Hamouda has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including:
- Elected Member of the Board of the Société Pédiatrique de Pneumologie et d’Allergologie (SP2A) in France since 2015, where she collaborates with international experts in pediatric pulmonology and allergology.
- Coordinator of the Pediatric Pneumo-Allergology Group within the Société Tunisienne de Pédiatrie since 2022.
Her leadership in international organizations demonstrates her commitment to advancing pediatric respiratory medicine not only in Tunisia but globally. She is a highly sought-after speaker, presenting at international conferences such as the European Cystic Fibrosis Society and the European Respiratory Society, where her work has reached a wide audience of experts and stakeholders in pediatric healthcare.
Impact and Influence 🌍
Dr. Hamouda’s research has made significant strides in addressing pediatric respiratory diseases in Tunisia and other low- and middle-income countries. Her efforts to improve the early diagnosis and care of cystic fibrosis in these regions are particularly impactful. She has worked toward raising awareness of the importance of sweat testing for early cystic fibrosis diagnosis in North Africa, where many children go undiagnosed or receive inadequate care.
Her 2023 presentation at the European Cystic Fibrosis Society highlighted the challenges faced by children with cystic fibrosis in Tunisia, advocating for better diagnostic tools and more comprehensive care protocols.
Legacy and Future Contributions ✨
As a pioneer in pediatric pulmonology and immunology in Tunisia, Dr. Hamouda’s legacy will be her unwavering commitment to improving pediatric healthcare, particularly for children suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. Her leadership in establishing Tunisia’s first pediatric bronchial endoscopy unit and research laboratory in pulmonology ensures that future generations of pediatricians will have the tools and knowledge to continue advancing care.
Dr. Hamouda’s future contributions will likely focus on advancing pediatric respiratory diagnostics, creating innovative treatment methods, and furthering her work in low- and middle-income countries. As she continues her international collaborations and scientific research, her influence on the global pediatric community is poised to grow, solidifying her role as a trailblazer in the field.