Fatimah Alqarni (October 1976- April 2019)

Neurosciences journal extends deepest saddened and heartfelt sympathies by the loss of our outstanding advisory board member Dr. Fatimah Alqarni, Neuromuscular Neurologist. Fatimah Alqarni, 42, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 3rd 2019. She was born in Belgarn City, Aseer Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 31st 1976. Dr. Alqarni graduated from High School and received Abha reward of General Education with a second rank in 1995. She went on to receive a Bachelor degree of Medicine and Surgery from King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period 1996-2002.

Dr. Alqarni took pride in completing the Saudi Board Fellowship of Neurology with the first rank on November 2006 and the first rank of the Jordanian Board in Neurology on 13th September 2007. After that, she obtained her Clinical fellowship in Neuromuscular Disorders and Electrodiagnostic Medicine from McMaster University, Canada during (July 2008-June 2010) and the Clinical fellowship in Mitochondrial Diseases, McMaster University, Canada during (July 2010-June 2011). On January 2011 she worked with Dr. DiMuro and Dr. Michio Hirano, Neuromuscular and Metabolic Consultant at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA and obtained the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She had participated also in Harvard Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program (GCSRT) for 2015- 2016 course and received Medical Education Research Certificate. She followed her passion in learning and obtained Master degree in Clinical Epidemiology from University of Newcastle, Australia on 2015.

During her work with king Fahad Medical City (KFMC), she was the program founder and director of Comprehensive National Neuromuscular disorders program at National Neuroscience Institute in KFMC from October 2011 until January 2016. She had taken the lead in commissioning Adult Neuromuscular Program as well as the Mitochondrial Medicine Program and established in-patient and outpatient neuromuscular services at KFMC.

Many successful procedures that were not carried out previously started with her guide and knowledge at KFMC including suction-modified-Bergstrom needle Biopsy, Single Fiber electromyography (EMG), Epidermal-nerve fiber density and a large number of biochemical and genetic tests for neuromuscular patients as well as neurometabolic patients beside doing a large number of tests that are required to diagnose the aforementioned conditions that are available in the clinic including EMG and nerve conductions studies, repetitive nerve stimulation test, autonomic testing, lumbar puncture, metabolic exercise testing, skin biopsy and coordination of a large number of biochemical and genetic tests.

During her experience as a Medical Operation Director of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during November 2016 through April 2019, she contributed to many projects related to the Health Care Quality and Continuous Improvement. She was a project leader and sponsor for the Hospital Outpatient health clinic scheduling, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University 80

Hospital Improving Outpatient Department Medical Operation Project, Internal Medicine Department Documentation Committee, and a project leader for King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital Outpatient Flow Project.

Dr. Alqarni served as a researcher, academician, health practitioner and clinical administrator with many duties. She was appointed as Board Member of the Scientific Board of Neurology and Examination Board of Neurology at the Saudi Council for Health Specialties, Board member & Treasurer, Saudi Neuromuscular and Eletrodiagnostic Medicine Chapter (SANEM), Saudi Neurology Society, Board Member of the health program evaluation for continuous education at the Saudi Council for Health Specialties, Member of American Academy of Neuromuscular Diseases and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Member of Riyadh Neuroscience Club.

She also organized the First and Second Annual Neurology Review Course, the First Saudi Neuromuscular Disorder Symposium: Systematic Diseases and Women, and The First Neuroimmunology update Symposium.She also Served as Advisory Board Member for Neurosciences journal from 2014 through 2019 during which she played an important role in delivering and promoting the journal. Certificate of appreciation was rewarded for her during our previpus 35th anniversary for Saudi Medical Journal.

Dr. Fatimah had a lovely, friendly and ambitious character. Her beneficial knowledge she left behind in the neuros ciences community will continue to grow and evolve and set up a path for all in the field.