From proving presence to creating impact: Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi’s journey in medicine, education and leadership

Dubai: For Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi, success has never been defined by a title or a position. Instead, it is measured by the impact left on patients, students and future generations. Today, as Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director of Academic Affairs at Dubai Health, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Al Suwaidi stands at the intersection of healthcare, education, research and leadership. Yet her journey began in a family medicine clinic, where caring for patients shaped her understanding of what medicine truly means. Over the years, her responsibilities expanded from clinical practice to medical education, scientific research and institutional leadership. Rather than viewing that transition as a departure from medicine, she sees it as a natural extension of its mission. While a doctor can make a direct difference in the life of a single patient, she believes that educating future doctors multiplies that impact, enabling generations of healthcare professionals to improve the lives of thousands more. "It is not a position or a single achievement that I value most, but being part of the development journey of the health and academic sectors in the UAE," she says. Her career reflects the broader story of national talent development in the UAE, where opportunities in education, specialisation, research and innovation have enabled professionals to advance their expertise and contribute to society in increasingly influential roles. Medicine as the foundation Dr Al Suwaidi began her professional career in family medicine, a specialty that left a lasting impression on her approach to healthcare. The experience reinforced the importance of seeing patients as complete individuals rather than simply diagnoses or medical conditions. As her career progressed, she took on additional roles in medical education and scientific research before moving into academic and institutional leadership. For Dr Al Suwaidi, each stage brought new responsibilities but remained rooted in the same purpose: improving lives through healthcare. She believes that helping train doctors capable of delivering better care to thousands of patients creates a broader and more sustainable impact than any single clinical interaction. A historic chapter in space medicine Among the milestones she regards as especially significant was her selection as the first female astronaut doctor to support the UAE's first mission to the International Space Station. Dr Al Suwaidi describes the experience as an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a historic moment in the nation's development. Far from being separate from her medical career, the experience demonstrated how health sciences can extend beyond traditional clinical settings and contribute to new frontiers of knowledge. Building stronger links between healthcare and education Through her current roles at Dubai Health and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Al Suwaidi continues to focus on strengthening the connection between healthcare, learning, research and innovation. She views this integration as essential for building an academic health system capable of creating a lasting impact on individuals and communities. Her work reflects a belief that advances in healthcare require collaboration across disciplines, combining education, research and clinical practice to improve outcomes and drive innovation. The rise of Emirati women Reflecting on the role of Emirati women in healthcare, Dr Al Suwaidi says their achievements are a source of pride and reflect the UAE's long-standing commitment to investing in people. She notes that Emirati women today are no longer confined to clinical practice alone. They have become doctors, researchers, academics, leaders and decision-makers across the healthcare sector. Their presence spans a wide range of medical specialties, including highly specialised and advanced fields, as well as leadership positions where they contribute to shaping the future of healthcare, education and scientific research. For Dr Al Suwaidi, one of the clearest indicators of progress is that young Emirati women now view these opportunities as natural and attainable career paths. She summarises the transformation in a simple but powerful observation: Emirati women have moved from "proving their presence" to "creating impact". Balancing responsibility and compassion Like any medical professional, Dr Al Suwaidi's career has involved challenges. Medicine is a field in which learning never stops and where decisions carry significant responsibility for people's health and wellbeing. As her career evolved, new challenges emerged with each stage, from treating patients and conducting research to leading teams and managing initiatives with wider institutional impact. Despite her move into leadership and academic roles, her experiences with patients continue to shape her outlook. Rather than fo