Dr Azmad Kareem from Putrajaya Hospital secured first place at the Thieves Market Competition in Chicago with his rare clinical case presentation.
KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has congratulated Dr Azmad Kareem Anwardeen for winning first place in the Thieves Market Competition in Chicago.
The Internal Medicine Specialist and Rheumatology Fellow at Putrajaya Hospital presented his case titled “The Tale of the Silent Guard and the Ceramic Core” at the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2025.
Dr Dzulkefly said in a Facebook post that Dr Azmad’s presentation stood out for its examination of how immune deficiency can trigger serious inflammatory processes.
“The clear clinical narrative, strong reasoning, and implications of the case for medical practice made his presentation stand out from hundreds of other entries,” he said.
The minister added that this achievement should inspire young Malaysian doctors to strive for excellence in treating autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases.
Dr Azmad’s presentation on October 26 captivated judges and audience with its blend of clinical reasoning and narrative clarity.
With over 200 submissions worldwide, only four finalists were selected for live presentation at the competition.
Dr Azmad secured an overwhelming 75% of audience votes to claim the top award.
The ACR Convergence is recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious rheumatology meeting.
This year’s event attracted more than 13,000 delegates from over 100 countries.
“Well done and congratulations, Dr Azmad! May you continue to shine on the world stage,” Dr Dzulkefly added. – Bernama
