When Hakim began his research, strokes were widely regarded as unpreventable and available treatments were limited.[2] By gaining a better understanding of the process of a stroke and the nature of the damage to the brain, he was able to identify possible treatments and, later, how to reduce the likelihood of strokes.[1]
In 2007, he was named an Officer in the Order of Canada. In 2013, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.[1] In 2017, he was selected for the prestigious Canada Gairdner Wightman Award for his outstanding research into strokes and their consequences and championing stroke prevention and treatment in Canada and beyond.[6]
Hakim has written the book Save your mind: seven rules to avoid dementia in 2017 (ISBN1988025214), which is also available in French "Préservez votre vitalité mentale: 7 règles pour prévenir la démence".