Connection is at the heart of the CAP Foundation’s work and nowhere is that more evident than in Sandra Haddad, MD’s story. Shared in partnership with Ace My Path, her story is a powerful, deeply human account of resilience shaped by war, illness, mentorship, and the courage to begin again. More than a professional path through training and certification, Dr. Haddad’s journey reflects how progress in pathology is built through connection between people, across borders, and at the moments when support matters most. We invite you to read and reflect on the connections that have shaped your own path, and the ones you are helping create for others.

Through War, Cancer, and Boards: A Pathologist’s Unbreakable Journey
by Sandra Haddad, MD

I began my pathology residency in Syria during the war. Despite the instability and danger, I pursued my training with focus and passion—until the war forced me to make the most painful decision of my life: I had to leave.

I left in my third year of residency, walking away not just from my program, but from my family, my friends, and the world I knew. I came to the United States alone, starting from zero. I applied for asylum, uncertain whether I would ever see my loved ones again.

While adapting to a new country and preparing for the USMLE exams, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. I went through surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation while studying and working in research to stay connected to pathology—and to keep myself distracted. It was one of the darkest chapters of my life—but I never let go of my dream.

Eventually, I matched into residency at Loyola University Medical Center. There, my journey took a new shape—one of healing, achievement, and purpose. I completed AP/CP training, passed both board exams, and pursued a cytopathology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Along the way, I was honored with multiple awards, including the Dr. Pambuccian Award for Moral Ethics and Teaching, a recognition that means the world to me. In my fourth year, I was named Resident of the Year.

These honors reflect not only the effort I put in, but also the extraordinary support I received. I was fortunate to have amazing mentors and teachers—exceptional physicians and human beings—who guided me with kindness and wisdom. I also had the privilege of training alongside incredible co-residents, senior residents, and fellows—people who challenged me, uplifted me, and helped me grow into the physician I am today.

Two years ago, I became a U.S. citizen—after eight years of separation from my family. This journey has been filled with sacrifice, but also with meaning. This month, I’ve started my first job as an attending pathologist in Florida.

What Helped Me Succeed:

• Unyielding belief in my dream, even when the world felt like it was falling apart.
• Work ethic born of necessity and nurtured by passion.
• The love and mentorship of people who believed in me when I was still rebuilding.
• And above all, the lesson that you don’t get through this alone—you grow with others.

What I Learned:

• Hope is a conscious decision—and the most radical form of survival.
• You can begin again, even in a new country, a new system, and a new life.
• Gratitude matters—for the people who walk beside you when things are hard.

From a war-torn hospital in Syria to battling cancer in a foreign land…

From applying for asylum to earning citizenship in a safe country…

From being a patient diagnosed with cancer to becoming a pathologist who diagnoses cancer…

I built a life that once felt impossible.

To every IMG walking this road: keep going. Your story matters. Your dream is still alive. And your strength—especially the kind you don’t yet see—is what will carry you through.

Recognizing Ace My Path: The CAP Foundation, in collaboration with Ace My Path, is collecting first-hand stories from IMGs whose journeys reflect resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to patient care. Whether you trained in a large academic hospital or a resource-limited setting, your experience carries wisdom that can guide and inspire others.