Posts by Shiyam Galyon

Born in Syria, Dr. Sakr is a nationally recognized medical educator, physician, and pathologist who has served since 2022 as Dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools. Over the course of his distinguished career - including leadership roles at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Detroit Medical Center - he has guided institutions of national prominence while mentoring generations of future physicians.

But what makes Dr. Sakr truly exceptional goes beyond titles and accolades. He is a unifier across worlds.

Dr. Sakr has been instrumental in building bridges between professional and community-based organizations and their academic partners. From his service as National President of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) to his leadership within the Arab Division of the International Academy of Pathology and the biannual (ACCESS) Arab Health Summit, he has strengthened ties between academia, community, and international institutions – elevating collaboration, scholarship, and collective impact.

Equally important, he leads with dignity and integrity.

Whether in moments of celebration or in times of pressure and uncertainty - especially in today’s charged climate - Dr. Sakr carries himself with steadiness, humility, and principle. He approaches complex challenges with grace, modeling the kind of leadership we aspire to: calm, ethical, and deeply grounded in service.

With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and NIH-funded research, including work examining racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, his professional achievements are remarkable. Yet it is his character - his commitment to bridging divides and upholding dignity - that further defines his legacy.