Meet Our Director
About Dr. Ahmed Khairoun
Dr. Ahmed Khairoun was a third-year veterinary student when he was introduced to the world of equine surgery at a presentation in his home country of Morocco.
“Both pathophysiology and surgery fascinated and enthralled me,” Ahmed says. “From that moment on, I knew that my path would be with horses, and I wanted to become a surgeon … my ultimate goal was to become a board-certified equine surgeon in order to help all equids and to teach the next generation of Moroccan equine vets.” In 2025, Dr. Khairoun achieved that goal, passing the American board exam and becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Large Animal (DACVS, LA)
Dr. Khairoun studied veterinary medicine in Rabat, Morocco, then went on to complete four equine internships, followed by a three-year residency in equine surgery. Of the various internships, he recalls the first one — with the American Fondouk, under the supervision of Dr. Gigi Kay — as his “most memorable and enjoyable.” The Fondouk “has been and will always be the best place for medical and surgical training,” he adds.
Over the past decade, Dr. Khairoun has built a strong knowledge base and has gained a wide array of experience in equine surgery as well as general equine practice. “As a way of paying back my country in any small way,” he says, “I have dedicated the last ten years of my life to learning about equine surgery so that I can save lives and teach others how to save lives in my country.”
His talent and skill have been widely recognized, most recently as recipient of the Dr. Ann L. Johnson and Dr. Walter E. Hoffman Residency Teaching Award, at Purdue University’s graduation ceremony this spring, in recognition of “Outstanding Teaching in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.”
This award was “particularly gratifying,” Dr. Khairoun observes, “considering that I had to compete against all of the residents at Purdue University” (more than 50 of them) “as well as against all specialties (large and small animal surgery, large and small animal internal medicine, radiology, oncology, neurology, and more).
Now, as the American Fondouk Director, Dr. Khairoun’s goal is “providing working equids with the same diagnostic modalities and treatment options as other hospitals overseas and leading the American Fondouk with the support of our president, board members, MSPCA-Angell, generous donors, as well as all animal lovers, to be the best equine hospital in Africa.”