Dr. Zarif attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduating magna cum laude with a PharmD degree. He then attended Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he earned his medical degree while actively serving the North Philadelphia community. Dr. Zarif is active in volunteer communities with a strong emphasis on access to care for new immigrants, as well as clinical work in his homeland of Egypt. He has consulted for several top 10 healthcare technology companies on implementation and global feasibility.
Before his fellowship, Dr. Zarif served as an attending physician in general surgery at New York Presbyterian, where he was part of the faculty at Columbia University Medical Center. His surgical training was completed at Lenox Hill Hospital-Northwell on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where he distinguished himself as chief resident in his final year. During this time, he was actively involved in the Program Evaluation Committee and residency admissions, gaining insight into the selection process for surgical residents.
Dr. Zarif received additional training in basic microvascular techniques at Columbia University's microsurgery lab. He further honed his skills during a rotation with the Traumatology service at the world-famous Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD. His expertise spans a wide range of hand conditions, including trauma-related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological issues, tendinopathy, arthritis, and vascular pathologies, with a focus on both operative and non-operative management.
His research interests focus on robotic surgical technology, perioperative outcomes, and resident-centered education. Dr. Zarif has presented his findings at several national meetings and published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, he has taught MCAT courses to Penn undergraduates and provided private one-on-one tutoring.
Dr. Zarif's global upbringing has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and understanding for individuals from diverse backgrounds, which greatly influences his patient care approach. He believes that hands are our passport to the world around us, empowering skilled laborers, inspiring artists, assisting surgeons, and facilitating everyday tasks from grandmothers cooking to toddlers playing.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Zarif is passionate about resident advocacy and wellness. He is dedicated to helping surgical residents become productive and efficient while minimizing burnout, a critical issue in the demanding field of surgery.
Dr. Zarif’s approach to admissions counseling is holistic, believing that no single factor—be it a score or a particular school—should definitively keep an applicant out of contention. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity and finding the right fit rather than focusing solely on prestigious names.