Montrealer creates line of modest medical scrubs for hijabi women

A Montreal dental hygienist is doing her part to make the world of medical wear more inclusive.

Suaad Hamam, who came to Canada in 2011 to study in her field, found regular scrubs not properly adapted for Muslim women who wear the hijab, as she does.

Hamam says she struggled to find modest medical scrubs that did not require her to dress in layers.

“I faced some difficulties wearing the typical scrubs in terms of the total length and the sleeve length,” she said. “The idea of modest scrubs was only an idea at the time because I was a student.”

That’s how the concept for Hazel Apparel was born – the company she founded and describes as a first in modest medical wear.

“It came out of my personal need,” she said.

“I wanted to feel like I fit in.”

Suaad Hamam wearing a smock over her hijab in school. (Credit: Suaad Hamam/handout)

Hamam’s scrubs have longer sleeves, so Muslim women don’t have to layer beneath. And they are longer than typical scrubs, too.

“When COVID hit the world and we stayed at home for a long time, I took the time to sit and think in depth to develop this idea,” she said. “I worked on the design, on the fabric and I came up with this brand.”

Farah Abou Sharebain, a dentistry student, was more than happy when she came across Hazel Apparel while scrolling through Instagram.

“You have the option to have an open sleeve or an elastic on them,” said Abou Sharebain. “In dentistry, one of the factors we learnt that could cause a huge risk of injury is if you have an open sleeve. So a feature where you could have an elastic now while you’re moving and working is that you’re reducing the risk of injury, so that was a huge plus for me.”

Hamam says it’s practical for nurses as well.

“They have to reach up or bend down so usually unwanted skin is exposed, so using the extra inches we have added to our scrubs, it gives that extra coverage that is needed.

“In the hospitals and clinics usually it’s cold so other women have to layer and wear jackets to stay warm. So why do I have to layer or wear cotton shirts under my premium quality scrubs, so the idea of long sleeves makes it much easier.”