If it matters, the actor is actually of Pakistani descent. IMDb says he's from a well-known acting family in Pakistan and India, and his parents are screen-writers in Pakistan. As for the character, I think Iraqi Kurd is a good bet. I knew a man from there, and he has a similar story.   See 10 other replies

After hearing the theories and re-watching the episode; I am placing my bets on Iraqi Kurd.What he said in his pre-surgery monologue doesn't fit Palestine or Pakistan/India Conflict.   See 10 other replies

Darn, lost the connection have to start over. Yes i got the reason for the spelling issue, Hulu is very picky. I agree that the whole episode and the "too lucky" (I also agree) operation was nothing more than an ego boster to and already super inflated ego. Surgens tend to have super egos anyway. However this operation does put a feather in his cap that would make his job secure. The multiple experimental tests were expected and did end up with a live saving cure though, as a lot of medical breakthroughs do. The heathly mom to be/ vegitable episode was maybe to show he is fallible after all. The feather in the cap for this latest operation did make him even more asinine it seems and telling the chief to sleep on it makes him even more obnoxious, and I, as you, do not find Derek really a feel good doctor in this episode.A larger concern is the fact that the entire staff conspired and lied and went out of thier way to conceal from the chief an operation they knew was not supposed to happen. This part of the story totaly undermined the chiefs athourity and makes his position as boss obsolete. This development was of greater concern than even Dereks crimes.   See 3 other replies