A Brother and Sister's Journey to Medicine

Long before they wore white coats and cared for patients in the Central Valley, Hemn Qader, MD, and Zinah Qader, MD, were simply a brother and sister growing up in Erbil, Kurdistan, dreaming about the future.

As children, the two often talked about becoming physicians like their father, an ophthalmologist who was known for helping his community. Those conversations became something of a sibling pact. Hemn would jokingly tell his younger sister, "You do medicine, and I'll do surgery." Today, those childhood dreams have become reality.

Working just steps away from each other at Adventist Health Central California Network, the Qader siblings carry on a family tradition of service, compassion, and healing that began with their father and continues through a new generation.

Inspired by their father's example

For both Hemn and Zinah, the desire to become physicians started early. Growing up, they watched their father care for patients and witnessed the difference he made in people's lives. The gratitude patients showed left a lasting impression on them.

Hemn knew at the age of 12 that he wanted to become a doctor. By high school, after spending time observing at a local hospital, he discovered his passion for surgery.

"I saw how rewarding it was to help patients through surgery and watch them recover," he said.

Zinah's path was similarly shaped by a desire to help others. As a young student, she was drawn to medicine because it offered the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives while building genuine human connections.

"My father was always helping people," she said. "Watching that increased my passion for medicine."

While she initially explored different areas of healthcare, she ultimately found her calling in family medicine because of the relationships it allows physicians to build with patients and families over time.

"I love that family medicine lets you care for the whole person," she said. "You can care for children, parents, and grandparents and become part of their healthcare journey."

Finding a home at Adventist Health

After earning her medical degree at Hawler Medical University in Iraq, Zinah moved to California in search of a residency program that would provide hands-on experience and the opportunity to serve patients in meaningful ways.

She found exactly that at Adventist Health Hanford’s Family Medicine Residency Program. Beginning her residency in July 2023, Zinah quickly discovered something special about the organization. Drawn by the faith-based organization’s mission of living God’s love and its commitment to serving underserved communities, she found support, mentorship, and a culture that felt welcoming from the moment she arrived.

"After a few months, I realized I was away from family, but I didn't feel alone," she said. "Everyone was supportive, and the patients were so appreciative."

During her residency, Zinah gained experience caring for patients across a wide range of settings, including the Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery, and outpatient clinics. Those experiences reinforced her passion for helping people and confirmed that she had found the right place to begin her career.

In 2026, Zinah completed her residency and began caring for patients as a board-certified family medicine physician at Adventist Health Primary Care in Hanford.

Convincing her brother to join the team

As Zinah grew to love Adventist Health and the Central Valley during residency training, she couldn't stop talking about it with her older brother.

At the time, Hemn was completing a bariatric surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and evaluating career opportunities across the country.

When Zinah learned about an opening at Adventist Health Central California Network, she encouraged her brother to take a serious look. She shared stories about the organization's mission, the supportive culture, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients. It did not take long to convince him.

"He was almost going to New York," Zinah recalled. "But I told him this was a place where he could build his career and make an impact."

The recommendation carried weight.

"When my sister told me about Adventist Health, she had so many positive things to say about the mission, the people, and the community," Hemn said. "She told me, 'You can make a meaningful difference here.' I don't regret my decision."

Within months, he signed a contract and relocated to the Central Valley.

Building careers and changing lives together

Nearly three years later, Hemn has helped establish and grow Adventist Health Hanford's bariatric and robotic surgery programs, bringing advanced surgical technology and procedures to the area.

He says one of the most rewarding parts of his work is helping patients improve their health, reduce their dependence on medications, and regain quality of life. Just as meaningful, however, is having his sister nearby.

"It is so nice," Hemn said. "I see how much Zinah has grown and how committed she is to patient care. It's wonderful to see family reaching their goals and making a difference."

The siblings occasionally collaborate on patient care and have had opportunities to learn from one another. During her residency, Zinah completed a rotation with Hemn, observing patients in clinic and spending time in the operating room.

Today, both practice in Hanford and share a common commitment to serving the community.

A family tradition continues

For the Qader family, seeing both children fulfill their dreams of becoming physicians has been a source of tremendous pride.
Their father, whose example first inspired them to pursue medicine, understands the dedication and sacrifices made to reach this milestone.

For Hemn and Zinah, the opportunity to care for patients together is about continuing a legacy of service that began with their father, supporting one another as siblings, and helping ensure that families throughout the Central Valley have access to compassionate, high-quality care.