In a pioneering step reflecting the commitment of academic institutions to supporting the healthcare transformation in the Kingdom, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University , represented by the Center for Family and Community Medicine and in strategic partnership with the Leadership Center, launched the “Leadership in Healthcare” program. This unique initiative, the first of its kind, targets trainees in the Family Medicine Fellowship and the Saudi Board, aiming to integrate advanced clinical skills with modern institutional leadership thinking.
Program launch and high-level attendance
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Asim Al-Ansari, Vice President for Development and Community Partnership, amidst a notable attendance of leading health and academic figures in the region. The launch ceremony was graced by the presence of prominent medical figures, including Professor Dr. Mahdi Abu Madini, Executive Director of the Center for Family and Community Medicine; Major General Dr. Khalid Al-Faraidi; and Dr. Saad Al-Omari, Executive Director of the University Medical City, reflecting the strong administrative support for this strategic direction adopted by the university.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
This step is perfectly aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, which focuses primarily on strengthening primary care and making family medicine the cornerstone of the new healthcare system. With the move towards a modern care model and the establishment of health clusters, the urgent need has emerged to train medical professionals who not only possess clinical excellence but also the management and leadership skills to ensure operational efficiency and the quality of services provided to beneficiaries.
Program structure and training pathways
In his address, Dr. Al-Ansari emphasized that the program is designed as a comprehensive three-year training program, employing a progressive methodology of knowledge and skills development. This long-term design aims to instill leadership qualities in physicians and empower them to perform vital roles that extend beyond traditional clinical practice, encompassing active participation in healthcare decision-making and team leadership.
The training program, through intensive interactive workshops, covers specific and vital topics including:
- Mechanisms for strategic decision-making in healthcare institutions.
- Managing multidisciplinary medical teams efficiently.
- The art of leadership communication and managing organizational change.
- Applying the highest standards of quality and patient safety.
Expected impact and future of healthcare
For his part, Dr. Adam Al-Dwayan, the program supervisor, explained that this project represents a practical response to the demands of the competitive and evolving healthcare job market. He noted that the program embodies a model of integration between academic and training pathways, ensuring the graduation of a generation of leading physicians capable of making a tangible, positive impact on society and hospitals.
Graduates of this program are expected to contribute to raising the efficiency of the primary care system, improving the patient treatment experience, and leading public health initiatives, thus enhancing the position of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University as a beacon of science and professional development in the health sector in the Kingdom.
