Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare<\/em><\/p>\nHow Dr Sameera Al Obeidli, Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare is redefining healthcare leadership by putting people, purpose and possibility at the heart of innovation<\/p>\n
For Dr Obeidli, Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare, leadership has never been about occupying a position of authority. It has been about creating systems that leave no one behind.<\/p>\n
Over a career spanning more than 25 years, the Emirati physician has seamlessly moved from pathology and family medicine to becoming one of the UAE\u2019s pioneers in telemedicine, before stepping into strategic healthcare leadership at NMC Healthcare. Each transition, she says, has been guided by one principle: understanding people first.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a family physician, I could provide care for children, adults, older people and pregnant women. That gave me confidence to lead telemedicine although there is a challenge in that you don\u2019t see the patient physically. You have to understand regulations, cultures, insurance systems and, most importantly, the patient\u2019s mindset, and you need to do this virtually.\u201d Those early years in telemedicine proved transformative. After training in Switzerland as part of a UAE-Swiss collaboration, Dr. Sameera quickly realised that innovation could never simply be imported.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou couldn\u2019t copypaste the Swiss model into the UAE,\u201d she says. \u201cThe regulations, cultural sensitivities and even the way we respond to emergencies are different. We had to adapt everything to suit our environment.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThat ability to localise global best practices would later become one of her defining strengths.<\/p>\n
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead large-scale telemedicine operations, supporting initiatives that enabled thousands of patients to receive medical care remotely. Today, however, her focus has shifted to what she believes could become one of the country\u2019s most significant healthcare transformations.<\/p>\n
As Vice President overseeing People of Determination (POD) services at NMC Healthcare, she spearheaded Mowj \u2013 Arabic for \u201cwave\u201d \u2013 an ambitious multidisciplinary programme designed to identify developmental delays in children aged between zero and eight years and intervene early, under the guidance of Zayed Authority for people of determination and National academy of childhood development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we do is detect delays as early as possible,\u201d she explains. \u201cHealthcare, education and social care work together instead of in silos. If we can identify children between zero and four years, we can prepare many of them to enter mainstream schools and become more independent.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project is also deeply personal. Dr. Sameera is the mother of four children, one of whom has Down Syndrome. \u201cBecause of my child\u2019s experience, I wish that all neurodiverse children can also be enabled to reach their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her leadership philosophy reflects the same human-centred approach. \u201cTwo things are very important if you want people to be motivated \u2013 trust, and a sense of belonging,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople also need to feel valued. As a leader, you must be ethical, deliver on your promises and connect individual goals with organisational goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Education has equally shaped her worldview. Raised in an Emirati family that encouraged curiosity, she studied first at a convent school, then in an Indian CBSE school before pursuing medicine in Romania. Today, she speaks six languages and credits her parents\u2019 unwavering emphasis on learning for her success.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother always told me, \u2018Just have a book with you wherever you go. Whatever book, it doesn\u2019t matter. Just read.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Inspirational Message to other UAE women<\/strong><\/p>\nAs the UAE celebrates Emirati Women\u2019s Day, Dr. Al Obeidli believes the next generation of women leaders must embrace mentorship as intentionally as they pursue ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have to choose the right mentor, and trust that mentor. Mentorship provides concentrated experience. It helps people grow faster.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds, \u201cWomen need to support women more. That\u2019s where we are still lagging behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span>In the UAE, women are trusted to lead<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/healthmagazine.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgz-18-08-03.jpg\")
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Dr. Leila Kazim<\/strong>
Workforce Wellbeing Leader and Preventive<\/em>
& Lifestyle Medicine Strategist<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThe journey of Emirati women is one of the UAE\u2019s greatest success stories. In just a few decades, we\u2019ve gone from opening doors to helping shape the nation\u2019s future without compromising our identity, culture or values.<\/p>\n
As both a physician and wellbeing strategist, I\u2019ve experienced that transformation firsthand. The UAE gave me the opportunity to move beyond clinical medicine and influence organisational culture, leadership and workforce wellbeing on a strategic level.<\/p>\n
What resonates with me most is that women here aren\u2019t simply encouraged to succeed; we\u2019re trusted to lead. That trust inspires me every day to contribute to building healthier, happier and more resilient communities.<\/p>\n
Being a Caregiver, Leader & Mother<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019ve learned that balance isn\u2019t about doing everything perfectly. It\u2019s about knowing where you\u2019re needed most in each moment.<\/p>\n
As a mother of seven children, a physician and a wellbeing leader, people often ask how I manage it all. The truth is: I don\u2019t do it alone. My husband, parents, siblings, extended family and friends have been my greatest support system. Their encouragement has allowed me to pursue my purpose while staying grounded in what matters most.<\/p>\n
Working in wellbeing has also taught me that those who care for others often forget to care for themselves. Self-care isn\u2019t a luxury; it\u2019s a responsibility. We cannot pour from an empty cup.<\/p>\n
As we celebrate the importance of family this year, it\u2019s a reminder that strong families don\u2019t just build resilient people \u2013 they build resilient communities.<\/p>\n
On Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\nI believe Emirati women are helping redefine leadership by showing that strength and compassion belong together.<\/p>\n
The best leaders create environments where people feel psychologically safe to speak up, contribute and thrive.<\/p>\n
Through my work, I\u2019ve seen thatwhen people feel heard and valued, they become more resilient, innovative and engaged. That\u2019s why I believe empathy isn\u2019t a soft skill but one of the most important leadership skills of the future.<\/p>\n
My Mentors<\/strong><\/p>\nMy greatest mTo entors have been my family. My father\u2019s unwavering belief in me and my mother\u2019s constant support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might never have imagined.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve also learned that the best mentors help you discover your own answers. Some challenged me, questioned me and pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I\u2019m grateful they did.<\/p>\n
Lessons from Wellbeing<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019ve learned that prevention will always outperform intervention. Investing in people\u2019s wellbeing early creates healthier employees, stronger teams and better business outcomes.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, leadership is about service. Titles may create authority, but trust is what creates lasting influence.<\/p>\n
Inspirational message to Other UAE women<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat makes the Emirati experience unique is that women\u2019s advancement has never been accidental; it has been a national priority driven by visionary leadership.<\/p>\n
The UAE has shown the world that women can lead while remaining true to their culture, values and families.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, I believe our greatest investment should be in mentoring and creating opportunities for the next generation to lead early, confidently and authentically.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Emirati](\"https:\/\/healthmagazine.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgz-18-08-04.jpg\")
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<\/span>Women help build stronger communities<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"Hassa](\"https:\/\/healthmagazine.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgz-18-08-05.jpg\")
Hassa Alsuwaidi<\/strong>
Community Manager at TECOM Group<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI feel very fortunate to be an Emirati woman. We have visionary leaders who believed in women\u2019s potential from the beginning and created opportunities for us to grow, contribute, and lead. What inspires me most is seeing Emirati women confidently embracing change while staying true to our values. We work hard to develop ourselves, support our families, and ontribute alongside people from different cultures and alongside men, all with one shared goal to serve and elevate our country together.<\/p>\n
Defining Moments<\/strong><\/p>\nAt every stage of my career, I chose someone to learn from. I always had one main role model and another with a different leadership style. This helped me stay open minded and reminded me that there is never only one way to succeed. Every new journey became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.<\/p>\n
Overcoming challenges<\/strong><\/p>\nOne of my biggest challenges was my own self confidence. There was a time when I doubted myself, and moving forward felt very difficult. I eventually realized that before changing my actions, I had to let go of the fear holding me back. Every person faces struggles, and sometimes the biggest obstacle is within us. Growth begins when we accept those feelings, then choose to move forward one step at a time.<\/p>\n
On Leadership and mentors<\/strong><\/p>\nTechnology can help us work faster and smarter, but it cannot replace genuine human connection. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are what build trust, strengthen relationships, and inspire people. For me, technology is a tool, but people will always be at the heart of great leadership.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been fortunate to learn from many managers, colleagues, and people I\u2019ve met throughout my career. Each of them taught me something different. In return, I try to support others by sharing what I\u2019ve learned, encouraging them, and always making time to listen. Sometimes, even a simple conversation can make a real difference.<\/p>\n
Inspirational message to other UAE women<\/strong><\/p>\nTo young women, I say, stay open minded and keep learning because the world is always changing. At the same time, stay grounded in your values and never lose sight of who you are. The better you understand yourself, the more confidently you can grow, adapt, and make a positive impact on the people around you.<\/p>\n
What makes the UAE special is that women are encouraged to contribute based on their abilities. We are given opportunities, trusted with responsibility, and supported to grow across many sectors. I believe the biggest lesson is that when women are empowered with trust and equal opportunities, they don\u2019t just succeed individually they help build stronger communities and a stronger nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span>Contemporary design and cultural identity can beautifully co-exist together<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"Noor](\"https:\/\/healthmagazine.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgz-18-08-06.jpg\")
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Noor Al Muhaideb<\/strong>
Founding Partner \u2013 Opaal Interiors<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cMy career journey began with a genuine fascination for how spaces shape the way people live. Studying Interior Design at the American University of Sharjah gave me a strong foundation, and my years at Emaar taught me that design is never only about aesthetics. The spaces we create influence how people feel, connect, and experience everyday life. When I founded Opaal Interiors, my goal wasn\u2019t simply to build a business. I wanted to create thoughtful spaces that reflect the UAE\u2019s ambition while preserving the warmth, hospitality, and cultural values that define our country. Every project starts with understanding the people we\u2019re designing because I believe great design should always improve the way people live.<\/p>\n
The UAE has given me education, opportunities, and confidence to build my career, and I feel incredibly grateful for that. If, through my work, I\u2019ve helped create homes, workplaces, and hospitality spaces that positively impact people\u2019s lives and reflect the quality and vision of this country, then I feel I\u2019ve contributed, in my own small way, to the UAE\u2019s story.<\/p>\n
Working in the UAE has shown me that contemporary design and cultural identity can exist beautifully together. The goal is never to make tradition a feature; it\u2019s to let it naturally shape spaces that feel timeless, meaningful, and personal.<\/p>\n
![\"Vector](\"https:\/\/healthmagazine.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgz-18-08-07.jpg\")
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On changes in design<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019ve been fortunate to witness an incredible transformation. When I began my career, there were fewer Emirati women leading design firms or creative businesses. Today, we see women confidently building companies, leading projects, and helping shape the future of many industries. This progress reflects the UAE\u2019s longterm investment in education, entrepreneurship, and female leadership. Young Emirati women today are ambitious, globally aware, and confident in their abilities while remaining connected to their identity and values. It is inspiring to see them creating opportunities not only for themselves, but also for those who will follow.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve always believed that success means more when you help others grow alongside you. At Opaal, we encourage young designers to contribute ideas, take ownership of projects, and continue learning with confidence. I still remember the value of the mentors who guided me early in my career, and I hope to offer that same encouragement to others. If we can create opportunities for young talent to grow and believe in themselves, then we\u2019ve contributed something meaningful beyond our projects.<\/p>\n
Inspirational message to other UAE women<\/strong><\/p>\nBe patient with yourself. Confidence doesn\u2019t appear overnight. It grows through learning, working hard, making mistakes, and continuing despite them.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t compare your beginning to someone else\u2019s success. Focus on building your skills, stay curious, work with integrity, and trust the process. Every challenge teaches you something, and every experience helps shape the person and leader you become.<\/p>\n
Thoughts on Emirati Women\u2019s Day<\/strong><\/p>\nI hope every young Emirati girl knows that she doesn\u2019t have to have everything figured out before she begins. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country that believes in empowering women and creating opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Those opportunities came through the vision of our leadership and the efforts of those who came before us, and we should value them by making the most of them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n