Though he arrived for his first day of work in late April, Dr. Abbas Raza Hamdani Syed has been settling nicely into Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital as the newest general surgeon.

Syed graduated with a bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery from Nishtar Medical College in Pakistan. Once in the United States, he graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in the top 15 percent of his class. He completed his general surgery residency at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and Medical Center of Independence in Missouri. After moving to Michigan in 2008, the St. Joseph resident said the move from Watervliet Community Hospital to Borgess-Lee has been an easy transition.

“It’s been really positive,” Syed said. “The hospital staff has been really welcoming and warm.”

Syed, who commutes from his home in St. Joseph, said living in the region helped him quickly familiarize with Dowagiac’s medical center.

“I came in aware of the environment and the patient population,” Syed said. “In a smaller community, general surgery is critical, and I’m blending in well. Patients have been really accepting of me.”

Syed said he offers a variety of surgery services, such as operating on the large and small intestines, stomach, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, hernias, pancreas and breast disease. He also performs a wide range of procedures, including cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), appendectomy, carpel tunnel syndrome release surgery and upper and lower endoscopy. He is trained in minimally invasive techniques that often allow patients to experience fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.

John Ryder, Borgess-Lee’s new interim administrator and chief operating officer, said Dowagiac will benefit from having another surgeon with specific expertise.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Syed on board,” Ryder said. “Thanks to his skill and breadth of experience, the Dowagiac community will have even greater access to the latest surgical services, without having to travel far from home.”

When Syed is not working, he said he enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons at home in St. Joseph. His oldest son, studying at the University of Michigan, is looking into the surgeon profession, following Syed’s footsteps. His middle son studies at Michigan State University, something Syed said creates fun competition at home.

“I’m sure when they’re both home I’ll have a football match in my back yard,” he said.

Syed’s third son is a sophomore at St. Joseph High School. In his free time, Syed enjoys beach walks, gardening and yard.

For more information on Syed’s services, call (269) 782-2273.