KAZAN, Dr Rabee
Spain/Syria - Family Doctor
Originally from Syria and now based in Spain, Dr Rabee Kazan is a passionate family doctor, educator, and ultrasound lead working in public primary care in Barcelona. He has been a key contributor to WONCA’s Special Interest Group on Emergency Medicine and the FM360 exchange programme for young family doctors.
Can you tell us about your journey into medicine and becoming a family doctor?
My road started with dedication and commitment during my bachelor’s degree in my home city Jaramana, on the countryside of Damascus, Syria, and it was fulfilled with the great joy of becoming the first doctor in my family. It is a journey that has never stopped. My parents supported me through every step I took, including my decision to migrate in search of better education in a more advanced country. Their encouragement helped me face the difficulties along the way, and I am forever grateful.
Becoming a family doctor was a dream fulfilled. In my home country, this path was not possible at the time. I spent wonderful years in my training programme, had an extraordinary mentor, and made lifelong friends.
What does your professional life look like today?
I now work as a family doctor in a public healthcare centre in Barcelona, Spain, and I also do urgent primary care consultations. I have become a tutor myself, educating trainees, learning from them, and staying updated.
At my centre, I lead an ultrasound group. I help colleagues use point‑of‑care ultrasound and work to spread the knowledge of PoCUS among more primary care physicians.
How has WONCA shaped your professional and personal growth?
I have always considered myself a third‑culture kid—raised to be open‑minded and respectful. These values have been nourished through WONCA conferences. Over the years, I have made many great friends, and I feel lucky to watch us all grow as professionals year after year. I have kept my knowledge updated through innovative learning methods, and I have added many important concepts related to healthcare delivery.
I am proud to be part of the WONCA Special Interest Group on Emergency Medicine. We have conducted many successful workshops at WONCA conferences in different regions around the world, such as Tips and Tricks of ECGs, Urgent Care Hunger Games, Mass Casualty Incident Management, and Up in the Air.
During the last two years, I served as the global lead of the Family Medicine Exchange Programme (FM360), a project that supports young doctors in arranging observational exchanges and experiencing healthcare systems in other countries. All these activities—and new projects still being developed—have helped me grow personally and professionally.
What role has your family played in your WONCA journey?
None of this would have been possible without the support of my wife. Her enthusiasm as a young doctor helped me keep the same spirit. She encouraged me to take part in enriching experiences, to teach others, and to build international collaborations.
I must also mention our daughter, who joined us everywhere and became “the WONCA kid”. She adapted to the rhythm of WONCA life, turning each event into her own opportunity to socialise and be part of the WONCA family. Recently, she has even seen herself as the perfect candidate for WONCA’s Junior President‑Elect.
WONCA has a special atmosphere. Once you experience it, you want to stay.
What do you enjoy outside of clinical work?
I enjoy many hobbies, including playing the Arabic oud—an Oriental instrument well known in the Middle East. I love travelling and I try to maintain self‑care through mindfulness, yoga, and running. These practices are an important part of our profession, and WONCA highlighted this beautifully during this year’s World Family Doctor Day campaign on building mental resilience.