On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered his address to a joint session of Congress, where lawmakers and invited guests gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Among them was Dr. Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon based in Princeton, New Jersey, known for his volunteer medical work in Gaza.
He was invited by Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey’s 12th District in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
Dr. Hamawy, a retired U.S. Army combat surgeon, has an extensive background in trauma and reconstructive surgery.
He was raised in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 1989.
He later attended Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, followed by specialized training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College.
He completed his military medical service at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, where he gained experience treating complex injuries.
During his deployment in Iraq, he performed emergency surgery on Senator Tammy Duckworth after her helicopter was shot down in 2004.
Following his military service, he continued practicing medicine, specializing in plastic and reconstructive procedures.
Currently, he runs Princeton Plastic Surgeons, located in Princeton Forrestal Village.
In May 2024, he traveled to Gaza on a volunteer mission to treat civilians injured in the ongoing conflict.
He was stationed at the European Hospital near Rafah when hostilities escalated, which rendered it unsafe for him to leave.
His evacuation required coordination between the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and Senator Duckworth’s office.
He was eventually able to return to New Jersey after weeks of uncertainty.
His mission in Gaza even coincided with the graduation of his eldest daughter, Noor, from Rutgers University, which he wasn’t able to attend due to the conflict.
Despite the challenges, he remains committed to returning to Gaza for future medical missions.
At Trump’s address, Dr. Hamawy was one of several guests chosen to represent key policy issues.
The White House also invited individuals aligned with the administration’s priorities, including the families of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, two women killed by men in the U.S. without legal status.
Other guests included Marc Fogel, an American teacher recently freed from a Russian prison, and individuals advocating against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Democratic lawmakers invited guests who they say have been affected by Trump’s policies.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraged members to highlight former federal workers laid off due to restructuring under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Guests included Michael Missal, former Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Jason King, a disabled veteran terminated from the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety division.
Several attendees also represented Medicaid recipients, as congressional Republicans have proposed cuts to the program.
The guest list also included individuals connected to the Israel-Hamas war.
Speaker Mike Johnson invited Noa Argamani, an Israeli hostage rescued from Gaza in June 2024.
Representative Tom Suozzi of New York brought Ronen Neutra, whose son, Omer, was killed in the October 7 attack and whose body remains in Gaza.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey invited the family of Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage held by Hamas.
