Hasan Hammo is a skilled medical professional and author. He started his career as a general practitioner at Prince Hussein Hospital, doing a mandatory government internship to attain accreditation to practice medicine in Jordan. Following his internship, Hasan Hammo completed a transitional year at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman. There, he focused on inpatient care for patients with complex and late-stage cancers, managing admissions, performing detailed diagnostic evaluations, and coordinating care plans.
Between 2021 and 2024, Hasan Hammo worked as an internal medicine resident at Stoger Hospital of Cook County Health. In this role, he coordinated resident education and administration, served as a bridge between residents and institutional leadership, and advocated for improvements in training and patient care.
Dr. Hammo’s scholarly contributions include co-authoring multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference abstracts on cardiovascular disease, outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, hypertensive emergencies, and health disparities in myocardial infarction and pulmonary hypertension. His research has appeared in journals such as Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, and Cureus, and in high-profile conference proceedings for the American Heart Association and Circulation.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts with waking up early to do my morning prayer, which helps me begin the day with focus and peace. After that, I take a shower, have breakfast, and drink coffee to get energized. I spend time studying before heading off to work, where I focus on staying organized and efficient. When I come home, I make sure to spend quality time with my kids, play with them, and enjoy dinner with my family. In the evening, we either relax together at home or go out to a coffeehouse, which helps me unwind and keep a healthy balance between work and family life.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by writing them down because a written plan turns them into real actions. I break ideas into clear, step-by-step tasks with the end goal in mind, so I always know the next move. When I hit obstacles, I go back, edit the plan, and try a new approach until it works. This process of planning, doing, and refining keeps ideas moving from concept to reality.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the rise of AI and its applications across many different fields. The speed and accuracy with which AI is advancing opens up endless opportunities to solve problems more efficiently. I am especially inspired by how AI can improve lives, create new solutions, and make the world a better and more connected place.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is planning out my day the night before. By knowing what tasks and priorities I have ahead of time, I can start the day with a clear direction. This habit keeps me motivated, helps me to use my time efficiently, and allows me to stay organized throughout the day.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, I would say to always stay hungry and keep looking for the next opportunity. It is important to focus on constantly improving yourself and striving to be better than who you were yesterday. At the same time, I would remind myself to stay calm, express my opinions firmly, but always with respect and courtesy toward others.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that black coffee tastes good, even though most people might disagree. I enjoy its rich and bold flavor without needing any sugar or cream to change it. To me, drinking coffee black allows you to truly appreciate its natural flavor and aroma.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I repeatedly do and recommend to everyone is waking up early. Starting the day early gives me extra time to focus, plan, and accomplish important tasks without distractions. It helps me feel more in control, productive, and energized throughout the day.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I first take a step back and focus on my breathing to calm my mind. I also pray and ask God for guidance, which gives me clarity and peace. Spending time with my family helps me recharge and feel motivated again, and then I return to the drawing board with paper and pen to break down my problems into smaller, manageable steps. This approach helps me to regain focus and tackle challenges more effectively.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me advance in my career is always looking for the next opportunity and figuring out how to grow toward it. I make it a point to learn from my role models and mentors by asking for their advice and guidance. By applying their insights and taking deliberate steps toward new challenges, I have been able to grow my skills, expand my experience, and advance more quickly in my career.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me be productive is a chat-based AI. I use it to organize my thoughts, make detailed plans, and break down complex tasks into manageable steps. It also saves me a lot of time by quickly providing information and answers that would otherwise take longer to search for.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was on a 3-in-1 coffee machine that makes espresso, black American coffee, and cold brew. It has improved my mornings by giving me high-quality coffee at home, saving me time and money from going to coffee shops. Having great coffee ready anytime also helps me to start my day energized and focused, which makes me more productive both personally and professionally.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I wouldn’t say I have a favorite book or podcast, but I really value the video lecture series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi. He is an incredibly scholarly academic, and his lectures have taught me a lot about religion, history, values, and life. Watching his talks has helped me gain a deeper understanding of important topics and has inspired me to think more critically and reflectively.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A series I recently enjoyed is called Omar, which depicts the life and times of Omar bin al-Khattab, one of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The series is both factual and enjoyable, offering a compelling story that keeps you engaged. It is full of valuable lessons on courage, strength, honor, loyalty, and perseverance, making it both entertaining and inspiring.
Key learnings
- Always stay proactive and seek ways to improve yourself, making each day meaningful and purposeful.
- Prioritize family and maintain strong relationships, as they provide support and balance in life.
- Focus your time and energy on activities that are beneficial and contribute to your personal and professional growth.
- Remember to take breaks and give yourself time to rest, recharge, and maintain focus.
- Learn from your mistakes by reassessing, planning, and trying again, turning setbacks into growth opportunities.