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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.”
Ahmed bin Saeed attends graduation ceremony of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences ‘Class of 2025’
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Health and Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), attended the graduation ceremony of MBRU’s Class of 2025, the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The ceremony honoured 164 graduates representing 30 academic programmes across the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery, the College of Medicine, and the Deanship of Graduate Medical Education.
The university also marked a key milestone with the graduation of the first cohort from Dubai’s only Biomedical Sciences PhD programme, along with six graduates from the new Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education.
Enhancing healthcare capabilities
His Highness congratulated the graduates and their families, emphasising that the university continues to play a vital role in strengthening the healthcare sector by developing highly skilled professionals dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in the community. He praised the graduates’ contributions to advancing the healthcare system and expanding its meaningful impact.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: "Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate continues to establish itself as a global hub for excellence in medical education and research. Today, we take pride in the graduation of a new cohort of talented healthcare professionals who will support Dubai’s efforts to deliver an advanced model for healthcare."
His Highness, Chairman of Dubai Health and Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), urged the graduates to practice their noble profession with commitment and responsibility, stressing the importance of continuous learning, growth, and readiness to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape in order to have a tangible impact on the lives of individuals and communities they serve.
Pride and honour
Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Chairperson of MBRU Council, stated: "The graduation of a new class of talented students marks a moment of immense pride and is a testament to the University’s commitment to empowering young talents and nurturing tomorrow’s leaders in healthcare."
She added: "Since its establishment nine years ago, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, MBRU has progressed steadily in fostering a culture that champions excellence and innovation, preparing future generations to deliver innovative solutions that enhance quality of life, supporting the vision of the UAE and Dubai for a sustainable healthcare future."
His Excellency Professor Alawi Al-Sheikh Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and guest of honour, addressed the attendees during the ceremony, saying: "Our leadership’s commitment to human development and knowledge is not a recent endeavor, it is a deeply rooted legacy that has shaped the very identity of our nation. The late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, captured this vision when he said that building people must come before building factories, and that human development must precede infrastructure.
This wisdom dates back nearly a century, when the late Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum sent the first student from Dubai to study medicine abroad, fully aware that investing in minds is the most valuable investment of all. This vision was carried forward through institutional progress, including a pivotal moment in October 1970, when the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ordered the establishment of the Department of Health and Medical Services, with a strong focus on education and professional training."
In his address, Professor Dr. Alawi shared a series of inspiring messages with the graduates, reminding them that compassion lies at the heart of healthcare. He called on them to lead with humility, describing it as one of life’s greatest teachers, and to remain open to continuous learning and discovery. He encouraged them to uphold integrity, to trust in the moral compass rooted in their values, and reminded them that a person’s true worth is measured by their generosity and kindness to others.
Advancing discovery
His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, said: "We celebrate the graduation of a new cohort of physicians and healthcare professionals, nurtured within our integrated academic health system. These graduates embody Dubai Health’s vision to develop globally competent medical professionals, individuals who combine academic excellence, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care, in line with our ‘Patient First’ promise.
We are also proud to mark a significant milestone with the graduation of our first PhD students, whose research has enriched the scientific landscape and contributed to advancing discovery within our health system. We are deeply proud of this cohort and confident in their ability to make a meaningful impact on healthcare. We wish them continued success as they carry forward our shared mission to advance health for humanity."
On behalf of the graduating Class of 2025, Dr. Sarah Tahlak addressed the audience during the ceremony, saying: “This day marks a pivotal milestone as we transition into the next chapter, as qualified physicians and healthcare professionals carrying forward a profound humanitarian mission.
Our years at MBRU have been filled with growth and learning. We now embrace the responsibility of serving our community with integrity, advancing purposeful scientific research, and contributing to collective progress. On behalf of my fellow graduates, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to our leaders, faculty, and families, who have inspired and guided us throughout this journey. We are committed to living up to the trust you’ve placed in us and to carrying our responsibility with dedication."
Since its founding in 2016, MBRU has contributed more than 1,800 scholarly studies, with 84% published in leading Q1 and Q2 indexed journals. The University has also earned a Group 1 ranking within the Ministry of Education’s National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework.
It has also established five advanced research centres that drive healthcare innovation and scientific discovery: Center for Protein Engineering, Center for Innovation and Technology, Center for Microbial Sciences, Center for Applied and Translational Genomics, and Center for Space and Aviation Health.
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.
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.