Dubai Health launched the Dubai Health Leadership Academy, a unique transformative initiative dedicated to creating a sustainable pipeline of leadership talent in healthcare. The Academy aims to foster a collaborative culture of leadership at all levels in Dubai’s academic health system and promote efficient operations to deliver its ultimate goal of ensuring a high standard of care for patients and their families.

The Dubai Health Leadership Academy launch event, held at the Etihad Museum, was attended by a distinguished gathering of delegates and healthcare professionals, including His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority; His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al-Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; Her Excellency Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); Adel Ahmad Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Airline; and Walid Saeed Al Awadhi, Board Member of Dubai Health.

Dubai Health Leadership Academy

The Academy reflects Dubai Health’s firm belief that investing in the professional growth of its staff is not only beneficial for individuals but also crucial for the overall strength of the organisation. This commitment to lifelong learning is one of four missions that form part of the academic health system’s innovative approach to elevate the standard of care and advance health for humanity.

Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), commented on the importance of the Academy within Dubai’s first integrated academic health system: "The launch of the Dubai Health Leadership Academy reflects the vision and directives of the Dubai Health Board, led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Board. This initiative is designed to cultivate a sustainable and adaptable leadership framework in healthcare, equipping it to tackle future challenges, while empowering national talents to assume impactful leadership roles."

“At Dubai Health, we recognize that the strength of our healthcare system lies in the capabilities of our people. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Leadership Academy, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in healthcare. At a time when our industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, this academy represents our commitment to advancing both the quality of care and the caliber of leadership. As part of launching this academy, we are introducing its inaugural program, the Systems Leadership Program, in collaboration with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. We are delighted to partner with Oxford Saïd, whose renowned expertise in leadership development is helping us advance health for humanity.”

The Systems Leadership Program, co-designed with Saïd Business School

In a significant step towards advancing healthcare leadership, Dubai Health signed an agreement with Oxford Saïd in April 2023 to launch the Systems Leadership Program (SLP), the Academy's inaugural program. Co-designed with Oxford Saïd, the SLP will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to navigate complexity, foster innovation, and cultivate a culture of excellence and safety within Dubai Health.

Dr. Eleanor Murray, Academic Director and Senior Fellow in Management Practice at Oxford Saïd, emphasized the importance of the partnership between Dubai Health and Oxford Saïd in the creation of the SLP, stating: “As we inaugurate the Systems Leadership Program, we hope to create a cadre of leaders with the knowledge, skills and attitude to transform healthcare delivery for the benefit of patients and serve the mission of the integrated academic health system.”

Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of MBRU, highlighted the significance of the Systems Leadership Program, saying: “At Dubai Health, our mission to integrate Care, Learning, Discovery and Giving, aims to create an engine for innovation, connected for the patient and delivered through a culture of collaboration across our integrated academic health system. Grounded in our values, I believe that the Systems Leadership Program will create greater alignment across our four missions and be pivotal in uniting us as one in the advancement of health to new heights of patient centric excellence.

We are deeply appreciative of Oxford Saïd, for their invaluable partnership in bringing this vision to life. Their expertise has been instrumental in ensuring that our leaders receive a world-class learning experience tailored to the unique needs of our academic health system.”

The inaugural Systems Leadership Program is an intensive 14-month initiative focused on generative leadership and systemic change that aims to equip Dubai Health’s leaders with the skills to drive innovation, foster a culture of accountability, and lead transformative projects. Engaging 200 participants across five cohorts of 40, the program is delivered primarily through in-person sessions and includes four comprehensive modules covering strategic leadership, healthcare innovation, patient safety, and building a high-performance culture. Participants will receive personalized coaching sessions from seasoned executive coaches, alongside insights from leading experts at Oxford Saïd, ensuring both global perspectives and tailored guidance for Dubai’s healthcare needs.

Dr. Mark O’Brien, Program Director of the SLP and Associate Fellow at Oxford Saïd, remarked: “The entire team at Oxford Saïd is excited by the comprehensive leadership curriculum that will be delivered by our leading faculty members and expert global practitioners. We are committed to providing an exceptional learning experience for all participants—one that will equip and inspire them to lead excellence in healthcare delivery within Dubai Health for many decades to come.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with top graduates from the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) Class of 2024.

His Highness commended the MBRU graduates for their dedication and perseverance in striving for excellence throughout their educational journey. He urged them to continue their commitment to excellence as they transition into their professional careers, noting that their achievements will inspire future generations of medical professionals. His Highness encouraged them to remain steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge, as their contributions will shape the future of healthcare and enhance the well-being of society.

Highlighting efforts to reinforce the UAE and Dubai's position as a center for excellence in medicine, health sciences, and scientific research, His Highness underscored the role of institutions like MBRU as well as healthcare professionals in the nation's progress. MBRU is a pioneering institution that significantly contributes to expanding scientific research and innovation, as well as empowering the next generation of national talent, he added.

The meeting was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Commenting on the occasion, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chancellor of MBRU and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Health, said: “I extend my deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his unwavering support. His visionary leadership in establishing Dubai Health and his dedication to advancing healthcare and education in Dubai have been instrumental in shaping the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). We take immense pride in our graduates who embody the values and aspirations of our nation. We are confident they will make significant contributions to the field of healthcare, both locally and on the global stage.”

Also present at the meeting were Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the MBRU Council and Dubai Health Board Member; His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, President of MBRU and CEO of Dubai Health; and Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Provost of MBRU and, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health.

At the event, Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg said: “We extend our sincerest thanks and profound gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for meeting our graduates and celebrating their remarkable achievements. This moment is a profound honor for our graduates. Inspired by a visionary leader whose foresight has shaped the trajectory of healthcare and education, our graduates now stand as inspiring role models for excellence across all fields.”

Addressing the gathering, His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif shared: “The gathering highlights His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in the field of medicine and health sciences. Under his vision, our integrated academic health system was established to empower all learners, from students to experienced clinicians, with a scholarly-driven ethos that not only advances the healthcare field but directly translates to better care for our patients at Dubai Health. We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and alumni and remain dedicated to nurturing talent and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

The 2024 graduating class from MBRU included 153 graduates from 24 programs, spanning the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, and the Deanship of Graduate Medical Education. Nearly 40% of the graduates were young Emiratis, with the remaining graduates representing 27 different nationalities. The diversity of the graduating class highlights MBRU’s commitment to advancing healthcare on a local and global scale.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced the signing of an agreement with Dubai Health to cooperate in the provision of an optimum environment to ensure the health and safety of astronauts, in addition to enhancing innovation in health sciences. The agreement was signed by H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, and H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Health, at the Centre’s headquarters recently.

H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said, “The health and safety of our astronauts are paramount, and this agreement will ensure that they receive the best possible care before, during, and after their missions. In the rapidly evolving space sector, collaboration is the way forward. By integrating our efforts with Dubai Health, we are not only enhancing the well-being of our astronauts but also pushing the boundaries of space healthcare and driving innovation in health sciences. This partnership not only strengthens our capabilities but also underscores the UAE’s commitment to pioneering advancements in space and health technologies.”

H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Health, said, “Emirati astronauts are a source of national pride and a significant asset for the UAE in advancing knowledge, scientific capabilities, as well as raising our great country's profile on a global stage. At Dubai Health, we are proud to play a direct role in ensuring the health and safety of our astronauts by offering an environment for quality healthcare, providing comprehensive health assessments and supporting the monitoring of health during space missions.”

He further commented, “This agreement aligns with our strategic objectives, encompassing key pillars of care, learning and discovery to elevate the standard of care and to advance health for humanity, whilst helping to strengthen our nation’s healthcare and space capabilities.”

The agreement outlines a range of initiatives by MBRSC to ensure the health and well-being of astronauts. In cooperation with Dubai Health, the Centre will conduct comprehensive health assessments for astronauts prior to mission deployment, including medical examinations, screenings, and evaluations to ensure fitness for space travel.

Furthermore, MBRSC will provide astronaut training programs in collaboration with Dubai Health, ensuring that astronauts are adequately prepared for health-related protocols and emergencies, in addition to integration and exchange of health data with healthcare providers for comprehensive astronaut care. Both entities will also work together to enhance medical technologies and methodologies related to space healthcare, fostering continuous improvement.