As part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of clinical leaders, three senior Qatari clinicians under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently completed the prestigious New and Emerging Academic Leaders (NEAL) programme at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Faculty Development. They were the second group of Qatari leaders identified to take part in the programme.
The three senior Qataris, supported by HMC’s Academic Health System Office, graduated from the highly competitive year-long programme earlier this year. They include Professor Ibrahim Janahi, Executive Director of Research and Senior Consultant and Division Chief of HMC’s Paediatric Pulmonology. He is also a professor of Clinical Paediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCM-Q); Dr Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, Chairman of HMC’s Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Dr Abdulaziz Al Hashemi, Director of Respiratory Therapy and Sleep Laboratory and also a Senior Consultant at HMC. Dr Al Hashemi also works as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at WCM-Q.
Professor Bill McKenna, Institutional Officer for Research at HMC said that the highly competitive programme attracts some of the best and brightest clinicians from around the globe.
This course is an opportunity to share best practices and experiences that will ultimately bring real results for our patients and the community. A pillar of the HMC’s unique Academic Health System is to develop the next generation of clinical, academic and research leaders. This means developing a cadre of current and emerging leaders and providing them with opportunities to grow and develop.’
Professor McKenna said the programme involved not only intensive leadership coaching but also a focus on academia-specific leadership. He added that one of the most important facets of the programme involves giving participants the tools to become ‘ambassadors of change’ in the health system.
They will also play a role in supporting the development of their new colleagues, who will assume these leadership roles in the future.’
The NEAL programme focuses on building skills and expertise in important domains that underpin academic leadership: intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational and system. Equipping clinical leaders with these skills will allow them to think more broadly, and help them successfully lead clinical areas, research and academic programmes, as well as assist in the success of their colleagues.
One of the Qatari participants, Professor Ibrahim Janahi, said the course is a unique opportunity to work with colleagues from around the globe
The programme brings together a diverse group with different experiences, but share a commitment to deliver the best care possible to patients and the community. This programme focuses specifically on building leadership capabilities within a clinical and academic health context and help us translate that learning and experience to help our patients in very real and tangible ways.’
Visit the HMC website for more information about their various programmes and services.
