Today we’d like to introduce you to Babak Hajhosseini
Hi Babak, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a first-generation immigrant with a journey shaped by perseverance and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare. My family arrived in the United States long before me, but I chose to stay in Iran to complete my medical education, knowing that gaining admission to medical school there was a tremendous accomplishment. After graduating at age 25, I made the pivotal decision to immigrate to the U.S. where I immediately fell in love with the country and its boundless opportunities.
I was fortunate to secure a Research Fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center, where I spent three years conducting groundbreaking research in laparoscopic and robotic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Camran Nezhat, the “Father of Modern Video Laparoscopy.” My work resulted in several peer-reviewed publications in top medical journals, and my contributions were recognized by USCIS, granting me a Green-Card and later U.S. citizenship under the category reserved for individuals of extraordinary ability whose immigration is in the national interest of the United States.
After my research fellowship, I pursued six years of clinical training in general surgery and plastic surgery at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including Stanford, UCLA, the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and NUMC at Stony Brook University. It was during my time at Stanford that I met Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner, the Director of the Stanford’s Wound Clinic, who introduced me to the transformative field of “wound healing”.
I was struck by the profound impact this field could have on patients who had suffered for years with chronic, complex wounds. One patient, a 28-year-old woman who had been paralyzed in a car accident at age 18, had endured a large pressure injury in her back for over five years. Despite numerous visits to emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and specialist clinics, no one had been able to heal her wound. Yet, with just a few months of specialized care, we were able to fully heal her. This experience highlighted how incredibly little it takes to make a life-changing difference for patients when they receive the right care from experts who truly understand wound healing.
I became deeply invested in addressing the staggering gaps in wound care training. It’s astonishing to me that wound healing is not systematically incorporated into medical education and residency programs in the U.S., forcing physicians to seek specialized training outside traditional pathways. Determined to fill this void, I spent 3 years completing two separate academic fellowships: one in Complex Wound Healing and the other in Burn Injuries. I am proud to be one of only a handful of physicians nationwide—if not the first—with a surgical training background, to have completed academic fellowship training in both of the primary disciplines of wound healing: “complex wounds” and “burn injuries.”
Armed with this unique expertise, I returned to Los Angeles and founded the Wound and Burn Centers of America in January of 2024. My mission is to offer a beacon of hope for patients suffering from complex wounds who have long been neglected. We not only treat patients but also work tirelessly to advance the science and art of wound healing. To ensure a lasting impact, I created a fellowship program to train the next generation of wound healing specialists. Our vision extends beyond the borders of the U.S. as we aim to educate healthcare providers worldwide, particularly in underserved areas, to make a lasting difference in wound care globally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As an International Medical Graduate, I had to put in significantly more effort than my U.S. Medical Graduate peers to compete for some of the most competitive residency and fellowship positions at prestigious institutions like Stanford University. Language was also a major obstacle as I initially struggled with both reading and speaking English when I first arrived in the U.S. Additionally, I had to continually overcome the skepticism that often accompanies being an “outsider,” proving myself through relentless hard work, strong work ethic, and unwavering determination and willpower.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wound and Burn Centers of America is the world’s leading provider of advanced wound healing services. As one of the nation’s very few physicians—if not the first—to complete dual academic fellowships in the two core disciplines of wound healing—Complex Wounds and Burn Injuries—I bring a unique expertise that allows us to treat even the most intricate and challenging cases of complex wounds across all patient demographics, from infants to the elderly. We specialize in some of the most challenging conditions, including but not limited to diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, venous insufficiency ulcers, arterial ulcers, and burn injuries.
Although we are an independent practice and not formally affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, our flagship center is located within the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical Office Towers. We are the only wound center, burn specialist, and provider of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Cedars-Sinai campus, offering unique services that set us apart.
We Set the Bar! At Wound and Burn Centers of America, we don’t just utilize the latest advancements in wound healing; we are at the forefront of developing them. We have pioneered groundbreaking techniques, identified novel applications for treatment modalities such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Laser Therapy, and made significant strides in Regenerative Medicine and Skin Substitutes. Our management guidelines have become a standard reference for experts in the field.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. Success is the result of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to continuous growth. By consistently applying our best efforts, no matter the circumstances, we position ourselves to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise.
True success is measured not by how we perform when things are easy, but by how we rise to challenges. The hardships we face shape our character and build the resilience needed to move forward. Through perseverance and learning, we develop the skills and knowledge that prepare us for the moments that define our future.
Our efforts shape not just our success, but our fate. By staying focused and never giving up, we create our own path and ensure that when opportunity knocks, we are ready to answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.WoundAndBurnCenters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.hajhosseini
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093386382239
- Twitter: https://x.com/WoundBurnCenter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WoundAndBurnCenters
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wound-and-burn-centers-of-america-west-hollywood
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.hajhosseini
