Dr. Saif Hassan is a board-certified general surgeon who earned his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Baghdad College of Medicine in Iraq in 2006. He completed a transitional internship year at Jordan University Hospital in 2007 and then had the opportunity to come to the United States where he participated in clinical research at Baylor College of Medicine as a Research Postdoctoral Fellow until 2011. He completed his General Surgery internship in 2012 and his General Surgery residency in 2016 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is also certified in the DaVinci robotic surgery system. Prior to joining Kelsey-Seybold in 2021, he was a General Surgery associate at Surgical Group of The Woodlands.

Awards & Publications

Awards

• Fellow, American College of Surgery, Inducted 2018

Publications

• Hassan SF, Cohn SM, Admire J, Nunez-Cantu O, Arar Y, Myers JG, Dent DL, Eastridge BJ, Cestero RF, Gunst M, Markowski H, Keric N, Liao L, Mueller DL. Natural history and clinical implications of nondepressed skull fracture in young children. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2014 July: 77(1):166-9. Cited in PubMed: PMID 24977773
• Lazar DA, Fallon SC, Benson EM, Hassan SF, Brandt ML. Scarless laparotomy in children: a transumbilical technique with umbilicoplasty. The American Surgeon. 2013 Dec: 79(12):1304-5. Cited in PubMed; PMID 24351361.
• Yunker WK, Hassan SF, Ferrell LB, Hicks MJ, Giannoni CM, Wesson DE, Cassady CI, Hernandez JA, Brandt ML, Lopez ME. Needle core biopsy in the diagnosis of pediatric thyroid neoplasms: a single institution retrospective review. Pediatric Surgery International. 2013 May. 29(5)437-43. Cited in PubMed. PMID 23411614.
• Hassan SF, Stephens E, Fallon SC, Schady D, Hicks MJ, Lopez ME, Lazar DA, Rodriguez MA, Brandt ML. Characterizing pilomatricomas in children: a single institution experience. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2013 July. 48(7):1551-6. Cited in PubMed. PMID 23895971.
• Fallon SC, Hassan SF, Larimer EL, Rodriguez JR, Brandt ML, Wesson DE, Palazzi DL, Lopez ME. Modification of an evidence-based protocol for advanced appendicitis in children. Journal of Surgical Research. 2013 Nov. 185(1): 273-7. Cited in PubMed. PMID 23835072.
• Fallon S, Brandt M, Hassan S, Wesson D, Rodriguez J, Lopez M. Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Discharge Protocol for Children with Advanced Appendicitis. The Journal of Surgical Research. 2013 Sep. 184(1):347-51. Cited in PubMed. PMID 23731683.
• Hassan SF, Pimpalwar AP. Primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using negative pressure dressing (Wound Vacuum). European Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2011 Oct;21(5):287-91. Epub 2011 Jul 21. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 21780019
• Hassan SF, Pimpalwar AP. Modified Laparoendoscopic Gastrostomy Tube (LEGT) Placement. Pediatric Surgery International. 2011 Nov;27(11):1249-54. Epub 2011 Sep 23. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 21947136
• Hassan SF, Mathur S, Magliaro TJ, Larimer EL, Ferrell LB, Vasudevan SA, Patterson DM, Louis C, Russell H, Nuchtern JG, Kim ES. Needle-core versus open biopsy for diagnosis of intermediate and high-risk neuroblastoma in children. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2012 Jun; 47(6):1261-6. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 22703803
• Pimpalwar AP, Hassan SF. Esophageal Bronchus in an Infant: A Rare Cause of Recurrent Pneumonia. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2012 Jan; 47(1): e5-8. Cited in PubMed; PMID:22244434
• Lazar DA, Cass DL, Rodriguez MA, Hassan SF, Cassady CI, Johnson RY, Johnson KE, Belleza-Bascon BV, Olutoye OO. Impact of Prenatal Evaluation and Protocol-based Perinatal Management on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2011 May; 46(5): 808-13. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 21616231.
• Mathur S, Vasudevan SA, Patterson DM, Hassan SF, Kim ES. Novel use of glycopyrrolate (Robinul) in the treatment of anastomotic leak after repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2011 Mar; 46(3): e29-32. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 21376184
• Rodriguez MA, Cass DL, Lazar DA, Cassady CI, Moise KJ, Mushin OP, Hassan SF, Belleza-Bascon BV, Olutoye OO. Tumor-to-Fetal Weight Ratio as An Early Prognostic Classification for Fetal Sacrococcygeal Teratoma. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2011 Jun; 46(6): 1182-5. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 21683219.

Presentations

• Hassan SF, Nicholson SE, Pimplin JC, Cannon JW, Dent DL, Mueller DL. (2015, April). A Peripheral IV Leading to ECMO: Septic Thrombophlebitis with Necrotizing Pneumonia. Poster presented at The Southwestern Surgical Congress, Monterrey, CA.
• Hassan SF, Cohn SM, Admire J, Nunez-Cantu O, Arar Y, Myers JG, Dent DL, Eastridge BJ, Cestero RF, Gunst M, Markowski H, Keric N, Liao L, Mueller DL. (2014, January). Natural history and clinical implications of nondepressed skull fracture in young children. Poster presented at: Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Fort Meyers, FL.
• Hassan SF, Carberry K, Slesnick T, Fraser C, Wesson D. (2010, May). Feeding Gastrostomy in Children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease. Poster presented at: Texas Children's Hospital Surgical Research Day; Houston, TX.
• Hassan, S Ferrell L, Mazziotti M, Lopez M, Chumpitazi B, Fishman D, Mehta S, Lazar D, Lee T, Brandt M, Wesson D. (2011, September). Benefits of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Children with Biliary Dyskinesia. Poster presented at: The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons; Ontario, Canada.
• Hassan SF, Pimpalwar A. (2011, March). Modified Laparoendoscopic Gastrostomy Tube (LEGT) Placement: Outcomes of our all-in-one technique. Poster presented at: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons; San Antonio, TX.
• Lazar D, Cass D, Rodriguez M, Hassan SF, Cassady C, Johnson R, Johnson K, Belleza-Bascon B, Olutoye O. (2010, September). Impact of prenatal Evaluation and Protocol-Based Perinatal Management on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Outcomes. Poster presented at: The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons; Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Rodriguez M, Cass D, Lazar D, Cassady C, Moise K, Mushin O, Hassan SF, Belleza-Bascon B, Olutoye O. (2010, May). Tumor-to-Fetal Weight Ratio as An Early Prognostic Classification for Fetal Sacrococcygeal Teratoma. Poster presented at: Texas Children's Hospital Surgical Research Day; Houston, TX.
• Hassan SF, Mathur S, Ferrell L, Vasudevan S, Patterson D, Louis C, Russell H, Nuchtern J, Kim E. (2011, October). Needle-core versus open biopsy for diagnosis of intermediate and high-risk neuroblastoma in children. Oral Presentation presented at: The American Academy of Pediatrics; Boston, MA.
• Hassan SF, Brandt M, Lazar D, Ferrell L, Wesson D, Lee T. (2011, February). Pre-operative hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor for increased post-operative complications in gastroschisis patients. Oral Presentation presented at: The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons; Houston, TX.
• Hassan SF, Lee T, Carberry K, Slesnick T, Fraser C, Wesson D. (2011, February). Outcomes in Children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Stamm Gastrostomy Procedure. Oral Presentation presented at: The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons; Houston, TX.
• Hassan SF, Pimpalwar A. (2010, September). Primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using negative pressure dressing (Wound Vacuum). Oral Presentation presented at: The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons; Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Hassan SF, Stephens E, Lopez M, Lazar D, Rodriguez M, Brandt M. (2011, February). Pilomatrixomas (Pilomatricomas) in Children. Oral Presentation presented at: The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons; Houston, TX.
• Lopez M, Hassan SF, Brandt M, Kim E, Mazziotti M, Olutoye O, Wesson, D. (2011, February). Increased postoperative intra-abdominal abscess rate in children with advanced appendicitis: follow-up after instituting a clinical pathway. Oral Presentation presented at: The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons; Houston, TX.
• Lazar D, Olutoye O, Cassady C, Fernandes C, Hassan SF, Cass D. (2011, April). Predictors of Outcomes for Fetuses with Omphaloceles. Oral Presentation presented at: The Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons; Cancun, Mexico.
• Yunker W, Ferrell L, Hassan SF, Giannoni C, Hicks M, Wesson D, Brandt M, Lopez M. (2011, April). Needle Core Biopsy in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Thyroid Nodules.. Oral Presentation presented at: The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; Chicago, IL.
• Lazar D, Olutoye O, Cassady C, Fernandes C, Hassan SF, Cass D. (2011, May). Predictors of Outcomes for Fetuses with Omphaloceles. Oral Presentation presented at: International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society; Sedona, AZ.
• Rodriguez M, Cass D, Lazar D, Cassady C, Moise K, Mushin O, Hassan SF, Belleza-Bascon B, Olutoye O. (2010, October). Tumor-to-Fetal Weight Ratio as an Early Prognostic Classification for Fetal Sacrococcygeal Teratoma. Oral Presentation presented at: The American Academy of Pediatrics; San Francisco, CA.
• Chauhan D, Zamora I, Lazar D, Hassan SF, Olutoye O. (2012, June), Predictors of Operative Intervention in Children with Chronic Pancreatitis. Oral presentation presented at: British Association of Pediatric Surgeons; Rome, Italy

Research

• William J. Pokorny Clinical Research Postdoctoral Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2009 – 2011.

Hobbies & Interests

Dr. Hassan enjoys traveling and fishing, is an avid basketball and soccer player, and is a billiards enthusiast.

Fun Facts

The best advice Dr. Hassan has ever received is “Do not hurt anything that has a name.”

The most exotic/interesting place he has lived is Haditha, a small town in Iraq where his parents are from.

Not everyone knows this about Dr. Hassan, but he writes Arabic poetry.

As a child, he always wanted to be a surgeon. Growing up in a war-torn country made him interested in helping people, and he found that surgery was the fastest way to have a positive impact on the lives of people in need.