Nihal Shakankiry

About Nihal Shakankiry

Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the University of Alexandria, Egypt

What is your proudest professional achievement?

The construction of the pediatric ophthalmology unit in the ophthalmology department of Alexandria University in 2000. Being a pediatric cataract surgeon, I am proud to operate on more than 8,000 cases of pediatric cataracts for charities, without financial support, while teaching younger generations of ophthalmologists the skills of pediatric cataract surgery. Also, I have been previously named one of the top 10 most successful women in Egypt by the Egyptian president.

Outside of ophthalmology, what makes you happy?

Giving rather than taking; helping people and making them happy.

Why is it important that we celebrate women in the field this way?

Celebrating women in ophthalmology may encourage other women to achieve their goals and be eminent in the field, providing the best care to patients, and spreading their knowledge to younger generations.