Detroit’s First Lady Dr. Sonia Hassan’s mother, Dr. Fikria El Amrousy Hassan, passed away on Tuesday, May 24.
Described as an extraordinary wife, mother, scientist, and physician, the prominent medical leader shattered gender, cultural and religious norms, and misconceptions. She was passionate about studying and excelling in the male-dominated fields of science and medicine. Dr. Hassan graduated at the top of her class at Cairo University School of Medicine, where she met her husband of 61 years, Dr. Shawky A. Hassan.
Following graduation, she and her husband left Egypt to continue their serology studies in Paris at the University of Paris Medical School. Dr. Hassan and her husband then emigrated to the United States, where she continued her studies at Baylor University School of Medicine in Houston, Texas, obtaining her master’s degree in virology and epidemiology. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where she earned her Ph.D., while conducting vital research in virology and microbiology that remains highly relevant today. She then completed a post-doctorate fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Michigan in the department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Hassan practiced medicine with her husband in the field of allergy and immunology in Flint, and in Naples, Florida. She served thousands of patients and trained dozens of medical students and residents while also serving as the Chair of the Allergy Division of the Department of Internal Medicine at McLaren Medical Center in Flint.
A lifelong learner, at 77, she completed a two-year post-doctorate fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, continuing to serve her patients with cutting-edge care.
Dr. Hassan was the mother to five highly accomplished children. She raised them with tremendous love, gentle care, and devotion. She was a devout Muslim and held firmly to her faith, family, science, and community as the pillars of her life. Dr. Hassan inspired and guided all those who touched her with her wisdom, courage, grace, generosity, and leadership. She radiated kindness and compassion, had a delightful sense of humor, and was universally loved and admired.
Dr. Hassan is survived by her husband Dr. Shawky A. Hassan, her children Dr. Tarek Hassan (Dr. Diana Gomez Hassan), Ahmos Hassan (Tina Burns Hassan), Dr. Sonia Hassan (Michael Duggan), Susan Hassan (Rodd Schreiber), and Dr. Adam Hassan (Alita Berrios Hassan), and her grandchildren Alex, Adriana, Nadina, Amira, Omar, Gabriel, Ramses, Noor, Aten, Suraya, and Zane.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bassiouny and Hanem El Amrousy, and her siblings Fat-hi El Amrousy, Nazly El Amrousy, and Saad El Amrousy.
Services will be held on Friday May 27, at approximately 2:30 pm, following Salat El Jummah (Friday prayer services), at the Flint Islamic Center, 9447 Corunna Road, Swartz Creek, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Hassan’s name to CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), a global leader in the worldwide fight to end poverty, to support its work to develop and educate women and girls and provide food security in Egypt. Gifts can be made online at www.care.org/fikriahassan, or directed by mail to CARE USA, Kate Greenberg, Executive Director – Midwest Region, Post Office Box 57569 Chicago, Illinois 60657.
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