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Ahmed bin Saeed and Mansoor bin Mohammed attend graduation of first cohort of Dubai Health Leadership Academy
23 Jan 2026
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, attended the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Dubai Health Leadership Academy’s flagship Systems Leadership Program.
Delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the Program celebrated the graduation of 40 graduates during a ceremony held at the Museum of The Future.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum congratulated the graduates, highlighting the importance of investing in leadership capabilities that can contribute to the development of the healthcare sector. “Guided by the vision of our leadership, Dubai is advancing the future of healthcare by developing leaders who can navigate rapid change and transform it into meaningful opportunities for growth and innovation,” he said. “I congratulate all the graduates whose leadership will shape the future of health in Dubai and advance the quality of care and life for our community,” His Highness added.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said “We are proud to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of the Dubai Health Leadership Academy’s Systems Leadership Program, delivered in partnership with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. Building future-ready leaders remains central to our journey toward a sustainable health system, one built on knowledge, innovation and care, and informed by leading global practices.”
The ceremony was also attended by Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, Chairperson of the Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors, His Excellency Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority; His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; members of the Dubai Health Board of Directors; as well as Dr. Eleanor Murray, Academic Director and Senior Fellow in Management Practice at Oxford Saïd Business School, and Dr. Mark O’Brien, Program Director of the Systems Leadership Program and Associate Fellow at Oxford Saïd Business School.
His Excellency, Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, said: "The Systems Leadership Program stands as a powerful catalyst for transformation across our health system. It develops leaders who can navigate complexity, think holistically across the continuum of care, and champion the values at the heart of Dubai’s health sector. By strengthening the foundations of a resilient, people centered health system, we ensure excellence for our community today, while shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for our city and beyond."
His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, said: “This program was founded on the powerful idea that leadership in health must reflect the complexity and compassion of the system we serve. The Dubai Health Leadership Academy was designed with an ambitious purpose, to prepare leaders for a health system as dynamic as Dubai. Today our graduates are ready to carry that purpose forward.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their support of the program, noting that the knowledge and experience gained by the graduates will be applied across the Dubai Health system.
He also thanked the program partners; Emirates, Dubai Airports, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, in recognition of their valuable contributions which elevated the program’s impact and continue to inspire Dubai Health’s transformation journey.
Commenting on the program, Dr. Eleanor Murray, said: “Witnessing this cohort reach graduation has been especially meaningful. The Systems Leadership Program brought together distinguished faculty and global experts who fostered thoughtful dialogue, encouraged reflection, and enriched participants’ understanding of leadership within complex health systems. Their Certificate of Completion, jointly endorsed by Dubai Health and Saïd Business School, formally recognises the comprehensive learning journey they have undertaken and the commitment they have shown throughout the program.”
Dr. Mark O’Brien said: “This graduation represents an important milestone for Dubai Health and Oxford Saïd Business School, reflecting a shared commitment to developing leaders who can drive transformation. Their progress throughout the program has been remarkable, and the capabilities they have developed will support Dubai’s continued pursuit of excellence and innovation for many years ahead.”
The Dubai Health Leadership Academy was launched in September 2024, alongside its inaugural Systems Leadership Program, delivered through a partnership with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, with the aim of cultivating leadership talent capable of contributing to the advancement of the healthcare sector. It was designed based on the expertise of academics and specialists from around the world, alongside best practices, and was developed in alignment with the priorities and initiatives of Dubai Health, which served as a cornerstone for learning throughout the duration of the program.
Over 14 months, delivered through four modules, participants applied their learning in practice, supported by personalised executive coaching and insights from experts at Oxford Saïd Business School.
Dubai Health Welcomes a New Cohort of Emirati Nurses
Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in the emirate, has announced the addition of a new cohort of Emirati nurses to its team. This expansion strengthens healthcare delivery across the system and reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to nurturing and promoting local talent within the healthcare sector.
The new cohort, all graduates holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah, has been strategically placed across four locations within Dubai Health: Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Rashid Hospital, Hatta Hospital, and Latifa Hospital.
Commenting on the announcement, His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health, stated: “We are proud to continue to place local talent at the heart of the frontline workforce at Dubai Health. The latest cohort of Emirati nurses brings a wealth of knowledge and a local perspective to help our integrated academic health system elevate the standard of care and advance health for humanity. We look forward to their contribution to serving Dubai and its communities.”
Khalifa Baqer, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Health said: “The arrival of these talented Emirati nurses marks another significant milestone for Dubai Health. Their dedication and passion for healthcare delivery will undoubtedly enhance our services and patient care. We are proud to offer a supportive environment for Emirati talent and are fully committed to supporting these nurses as they contribute to our vision to advance health for humanity.”
Nursing at Dubai Health thrives with 4,300 dedicated nurses committed to advancing health. Through mentorship and development programs, Dubai Health nurtures nursing leadership, empowering nurses to drive change in healthcare. The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), which leads the Learning and Discovery missions, offers specialized master’s programs tailored to local healthcare demands. The Master of Science in Cardiovascular Nursing and the Master of Science in Pediatric Nursing equip nurses with skills for optimal patient care, shaping the future of nursing and elevating healthcare quality.
Dubai Health Welcomes the Tenth Cohort into the Doctor of Medicine program
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, welcomed its tenth cohort into the Doctor of Medicine program with a White Coat Ceremony. This event is a deeply symbolic tradition for medical students during which they take the Hippocratic Oath, marking the beginning of their academic and professional journey and reinforcing the values of commitment and professional ethics throughout their studies.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU; Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Chief Academic Officer at Dubai Health and Acting Provost at MBRU; Professor Suleiman Al-Hammadi, Dean of the College of Medicine at MBRU; and Dr. Laila Al Suwaidi, Dean of Student Affairs at MBRU, along with MBRU faculty members, students, and their parents.
Dr. Amer Sharif congratulated the students on reaching this important milestone in their academic journey, emphasizing that MBRU leads the learning and discovery missions of Dubai’s first integrated academic health system, Dubai Health. He also introduced a new tradition, the Patient First Pinning Ceremony. As the primary value of Dubai Health, wearing the Patient First pin on the white coats underscores the students’ commitment to placing patients at the center of their medical practice, and serves as a reminder of the university’s core values: Respect, Excellence, Teamwork, Integrity, and Empathy.
Since its launch in 2016, the Doctor of Medicine program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences has graduated 170 doctors, many of whom have joined residency and fellowship programs both within the UAE and abroad. The six-year program combines medical education with clinical training and scientific research.
Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi said: “The White Coat Ceremony, now in its tenth edition, represents an important milestone in the journey of our new students and reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to developing medical professionals who contribute to serving the community and enhancing the quality of healthcare in Dubai and across the UAE.”
She added: “Through our integrated academic health system, we ensure a connection between education, clinical practice, and scientific research, providing our students with the knowledge and experience that strengthen their skills and elevate their capabilities. Over the past ten years, we take pride in supporting the healthcare sector with highly qualified medical professionals across various specialities, contributing to the advancement of the health system.”
Dean Suleiman Al-Hammadi said: “The tenth cohort of the Doctor of Medicine program represents a continuation of the journey that began in 2016, followed by our graduates’ progression into residency and specialty programs. This new cohort continues this advanced academic path, contributing to the preparation of physicians qualified to enhance the quality of medical services.”
Dean Laila Al Suwaidi said: “The new cohort ceremony is a moment of pride that renews each year and reflects the university’s commitment to guiding medical students from their first day until they graduate as distinguished physicians. We are dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment that expands knowledge, develops talent, and equips students with the skills to advance healthcare and serve the community.”
Dubai Health Announces New Cohort of Emirati Scholars for Residency Training in Canada
Dubai Health has announced that eight Emirati scholars have secured residency training positions in Canada. This achievement was facilitated through Dubai Health’s Academic Mentorship Program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Deanship of Graduate Medical Education, which aims to cultivate the next generation of highly skilled healthcare professionals equipped to address the evolving demands of patient care.
This latest cohort brings the total number of Emirati scholars pursuing residency programs in North America through Dubai Health’s program to 38. The current group of scholars will specialize in General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and Diagnostic Radiology. Residency programs will range from three to five years, depending on the chosen speciality.
Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health, and Provost of MBRU, stated: “This achievement exemplifies the strength of our learning mission, one of the four core missions of Dubai Health. It reflects the high standard of medical education, mentorship, and clinical training that MBRU provides as part of Dubai’s integrated academic health system. The success of these scholars in securing residency positions abroad reinforces our commitment to preparing medical professionals who can thrive in a global healthcare landscape. I am proud of their dedication and equally proud of the graduate medical education team that has guided and supported them.”
Professor Suleiman Al Emran, Dean of Graduate Medical Education at MBRU, confirmed that the doctors will leave for Canada in the second quarter of 2025. He highlighted that these training programs will significantly refine the doctors' skills and capabilities, ultimately enhancing and fulfilling Dubai Health’s ‘Patient First’ promise.
Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education at MBRU, said: "These residency training placements reflect our commitment to providing our learners with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth. By enabling them to gain international clinical experience, we are fostering a generation of medical professionals who will advance healthcare excellence in the UAE. This achievement reflects the dedication of our scholars and the strength of our academic mentorship programs.”
The doctors selected for this opportunity include Dr. Hend Al-Awadhi, Dr. Fatima Abdulaziz Al-Baftah, and Dr. Ahmed Sahib Al-Habshi, specializing in General Surgery; Dr. Mizna Ali Hussein, and Dr. Salma bin Hindi, specializing in Internal Medicine; Dr. Hind Sameh Al-Halyan, specializing in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery; and Dr. Mohammed Al Banna, specializing in Emergency Medicine; and Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al Haj, specializing in Diagnostic Radiology.
Dr. Hend Al-Awadhi, one of the doctors selected for training at McMaster University in General Surgery, said: “I am honored to receive this incredible training opportunity from MBRU and Dubai Health. It marks a turning point in my academic and professional journey that will enable me to give back to my country and aid the progression of our healthcare sector.”
These residency training opportunities, facilitated by Dubai Health's Academic Mentorship Program for Physicians, underscore the organization’s commitment to cultivating local talent and enhancing healthcare excellence. Dubai Health aims to expand the training opportunities in North America in the coming years, ensuring a robust and future-ready healthcare workforce.