Long before he became a serious stem cell research doctor on the Gulf Coast, Dr. Hazem Barmada began his medical career in 1974, when he graduated from Manchester University Medical School in the UK. After finishing his internship in ENT surgery and hematology, Dr. Barmada held a two-year residency in pathology and internal medicine. He believed that such experience would make him a better surgeon.

In 1977, Dr. Barmada started a general and periatric surgical residency, followed by a residency in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, working with two of the giants of cardiac surgery: Donald Ross and Sir Magdy Yacoub. Over the next several years, Dr. Barmada acquired extensive experience in cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery.