STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dr.
Nor Darwish, 37, said her vast interest in the sciences, combined with a penchant for helping people, made the career of a doctor appealing to her as a child. Having never lost that ambition, this single-mom who is fluent in Arabic, has just opened her own practice on Staten Island. “I decided to pursue medicine because I’ve always loved science—initially dreaming of becoming a scientist.
But as I grew older, I realized my true passion lay in directly helping people,” said Darwish, who obtained her medical degree at Ross University, Manhattan and completed her family medicine residency at Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton, N.Y. She later worked at AdvantageCare Physicians.
One of Dr. Nor Darwish's top missions is to make patients feel comfortable and to provide culturally sensitive care for Muslim patients. (Courtesy of Dr.
Nor Darwish) Earlier on in her medical career she learned about disparities in healthcare. “Learning about the significant social disparities in healthcare, especially for women and minorities, really drove this home for me. I wanted to be part of the solution, creating a healthcare environment where everyone feels safe and respected.
That’s why my patient panel now includes a diverse mix of men and women from different backgrounds,” said Darwish who was born in the United States, but moved to Syria for five years in her teens with her parents. Since opening Darwish Wellness Medical Office in Oakwood in April, the former Brooklynite who now resides on the North Shore, said her doors have been flooded with patients, some coming as far as the Bronx for a well visit. Dr.
Nor Darwish, 37, in her office with her son, Ayan Kassir. (Courtesy of Dr. Nor Darwish) And one of her top missions is to make patients feel comfortable and provide culturally sensitive care for Muslim patients.
“My practice is primary care, family medicine. As a Muslim, of course, I will attract that population. I wanted to open up the doors for people to come and feel comfortable enough and get care from a woman doctor,” said Darwish.
She offers variety of services to patients, which includes primary care for all ages, gynecological health, geriatric care, in office blood work, weight loss treatment, allergy testing, nerve testing, injections, vaccines and aesthetics. Darwish firmly believes that listening is the key to being a good doctor. Dr.
Nor Darwish has toys and activites in her office waiting room to make children have a good experience when visiting Darwish Wellness. (Courtesy of Dr. Nor Darwish) ”I hear my patients’ stories.
You don’t even need to give them a solution. You just need to listen to them, hear them out, validate what they’re going through, and if you can help, great. If you can resolve it, amazing,” said Darwish.
“Having that partner in what they’re going through, I feel like is so much bigger than actually fixing the issue.” The best feeling, she says, is “seeing the relief in people’s faces,” when she listens, shows compassion and goes beyond proving medical care. That feeling is really incredible.
” As a family practice, her waiting room features toys to keep kids busy, and often her staff will help entertain children if their parent is being examined by Darwish, she said. Dr. Nor Darwish is pictured with her father, Imad Darouich.
(Courtesy of Dr. Nor Darwish) Darwish noted that her approach to patient care is always about finding solutions to her patients’ health needs, and she said she will spend all the time necessary to accomplish this. “I might not be able to help with exactly every little thing, but I will definitely guide people to where they can get the help they need.
I’ll spend a whole extra hour with a patient trying to make appointments for them, trying to help them do the next step,” she said. Having never lost that ambition, this single-mom who is fluent in Arabic, said has just opened her own practice on Staten Island. Since opening Darwish Wellness Medical Office in Oakwod in April, the North Shore resident said her doors have been flooded with patients, some coming as far as the Bronx for a well visit.
(Courtesy of Dr. Nor Darwish) In addition to her love for helping people, Darwish loves cats. This led to her co-authoring a children’s book inspired by a video of one of her four cats that went viral on social media.
Darwish co-authored “Can You Hear The Music,” with her uncle, Karim Shamsi-Basha , who is a photographer, food & culture columnist with NJ Advance Media and author of several books. The book centers around Mino the cat to teach children “valuable lessons about self-acceptance and the beauty of diversity,” she said. Dr.
Nor Darwish with her uncle, Karim Shamsi-Basha, who is a photographer, food & culture columnist with NJ Advance Media, and author of several books. He co-authored "Can You Hear The Music." (Courtesy of Dr.
Nor Darwish) “My uncle wrote ‘ Cat Man of Aleppo ’ (Penguin Random House, 2020), which got the Caldecott award. And I love cats. I said to my uncle, ‘I read so many children’s books, I need to write one,” said Darwish.
Reading to her 4-year-old son on a regular basis, Darwish said she has many more ideas for children’s books she would like to pursue in the future. “I feel like it [writing the book] just came very naturally to me. I’ve always liked to write, and I want to do more,” she said.
Darwish co-authored a children’s book, “Can You Hear The Music,” with her uncle, Karim Shamsi-Basha, who is a photographer, food & culture columnist with NJ Advance Media, and author of several books. (Courtesy of Dr. Nor Darwish) DARWISH WELLNESS AT A GLANCE Address: 299 Guyon Avenue, Suite A Website: darwishwellness.
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