Dubai Designated as Regional Hub of Academic Health by US Academic Health Association International

The Alliance of Academic Health Centers International (AAHCI) announced designating Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) as the AAHCI Regional Office for The Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) for a two-year period beginning July 1, 2023. The American University of Beirut Medical Center will remain the AAHCI MENA Regional Office host until June 2023.

AAHCI MENA Regional Ambassador and Chief Academic Officer of the Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC), Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, commented, “Academic health centers are grounded in evidence that the integration of clinical practice, research, and education can accelerate the adoption of best practices in patient care. MBRU’s designation as the regional center for academic health is a key milestone in our journey as Dubai’s First Academic Health System with a mission to impact lives and shape the future of health through the integration of care, learning, and discovery.”

MBRU has been a member of AAHCI since 2021 and hosted its latest regional meeting in October 2022 under the theme, Transforming Academic Health Centers: Innovation and Resilience. As the new AAHCI Regional Office, MBRU plans to forge a coordinated approach aimed at fostering effective solutions in five areas: Evolving Clinical Care: transforming the patient experience, Investment in Biomedical Research, Resilience of Academic Health Centers, Adaptations in Health Professions and Medical Education, and Partnerships and Community Outreach.

“Improvements in healthcare rarely occur in isolation. The challenges patients are facing in the region are being tackled by healthcare organizations across the globe. Every member of MENA AAHCI brings something valuable to the table. As the AAHCI Regional Office, we intend to leverage the strengths and expertise of each AAHCI member to expand knowledge and rapidly integrate medical advances into clinical practice and community outreach programs,” Professor Alawi added. “As Regional Ambassador, I’d like to officially invite healthcare organizations in the MENA region to join AAHCI. A well-coordinated, collaborative approach to solving today's pressing challenges is essential to improve the health and vitality of the communities we serve.”

About AAHCI

The Alliance of Academic Health Centers International (AAHCI) enables leaders of academic health centers and systems around the world to work collectively to advance health and well-being.