Emirati nurse finds success in health care leadership

TI became a nurse at a time when Emirati talents were gradually entering the profession, and the immense support and encouragement I received from the community played a significant role in my journey.”

Aysha Ali Ahmad Al Mahri | Deputy CEO at Burjeel Medical City

here was a time when Aysha Ali Ahmad Al Mahri would dabble between a full-time university degree and a regular nursing job — finishing shifts and then running to attend lectures.

Aysha’s relentless pursuit of excellence over the years has culminated in her current role as Deputy CEO at BMC — Burjeel

Medical City, the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings.

Aysha began her career as a nurse in 1997 after completing her diploma in nursing. She eventually earned a bachelor’s degree from the

University of Sharjah, ranking among the top 10 graduates. She followed this up with a leadership certificate from McMaster University,

Canada. “I became a nurse at a time when Emirati talents were gradually entering the profession, and the immense support and encouragement I received from the community played a significant role in my journey,” Aysha said.

After working for almost 12 years, Aysha aimed to broaden her focus beyond the clinical aspects of health care, beginning to engage with the overall operations, regulations, and guidelines that constitute the foundation of the health care ecosystem.

She worked at several places before joining the commissioning team of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital in Abu Dhabi as the chief nursing officer (CNO). After around four years, she joined Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) as the Group CNO.

She also obtained two master’s degrees — in health care management from the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and in health economics from Sorbonne University, France.

Aysha is the first Emirati woman to be conferred with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Change Maker Leadership Agent Award in 2020.

“The life experiences I’ve gained from this profession have shaped me into the person I am today,” said the mother of two.