Alumni of Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading private medical university in the Gulf region, got together at Ajman Saray Hotel to celebrate their achievements at the ‘GMU Annual Global Alumni Summit’ on 27^th November 2018. Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder, President Board of Trustees GMU was the chief guest of the function presided by Prof. Hossam Hamdy – Chancellor of GMU.

Thirteen outstanding achievers from among the alumni were honored by GMU, in recognition of their accomplishments. The awards were presented by Dr. Thumbay Moideen. The alumni members honored Dr. Thumbay Moideen with a special memento. A cake-cutting ceremony was also organized as part of the event, celebrating GMU’s successful completion of 20 years of excellence in medical education, healthcare and research.

Addressing the alumni, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “You are the role-models for our students and we at GMU are proud of what you have achieved in your careers. Your accomplishments inspire the students of GMU to dream big.” Further, he explained the University’s growth in recent times, with 6 colleges and 25 accredited programs currently under GMU.

Dr. Waleed, an alumnus working in the UK addressed the gathering on behalf of the alumni members and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for Gulf Medical University’s role in helping them build a successful career in healthcare. “We are proud to be the alumni of GMU, and are happy to see the University growing,” he said. He also moderated the panel discussion of alumni members.

Earlier, Prof. Manda Venkatramana – Vice Provost Academics, GMU, welcomed the gathering. The event was an occasion for GMU alumni members to network and share their experiences, at the same time, discuss the new trends in medical education and the healthcare industry. A few of them shared their success stories, challenges faced and their highest achievements before the audience comprising of GMU students, faculty and fellow alumni. The event also gave current students the opportunity to interact with the alumni from different parts of the world, gaining insights into different professional scenarios and information on career prospects round the globe.

The following alumni were honored at the event, for their achievements:

Healthcare: Government Service, UAE

1. Nisha Viji Varghese – Specialist Fellow NICU/Pediatrics at Tawam Hospital NNU, Al Ain, UAE
2. Amna Ahmed Alsari Almheiri – Clinical Pharmacist in Al Baraha Hospital, Dubai
3. Amal Ahmed Eissa Flaw Almatrooshi – Physiotherapist & Deputy Head of Physiotherapy Dept., Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah
4. Ahmed Arslan Murshed – Presently Cardiac Surgeon in Mila, Italy

Healthcare Delivery System –Private Sector / Leadership 

1. Julie Shah – Consultant Endocrinologist, Mubadala Healthcare, Imperial College Of London Diabetes Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Baljinder Singh – Head and General Practitioner, Emergency, Thumbay Hospital, Ajman

Healthcare Delivery System –Entrepreneurship / Leadership 

1. Hina Aljaz Ansari – Senior Physiotherapist, Salim Medical Center, Sharjah

Healthcare Delivery System – NGO / Humanitarian Service 

1. Najwa Y. Al-Dheeb – Health & Nutrition Manager and Health Sub-cluster Coordinator, UNICEF, Sana’a- Yemen

Healthcare: Research 

1. Maliha Ali – Researcher, The American Institutes for Research (AIR), Bethesda, MD

Healthcare: Academia 

1. Mahya Beheshti – Research-Scientist, Department of Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine, NY 

Healthcare: Leadership 

1. Danavanthi Bangera – Acting Medical Director, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Al Jurf, Ajman
2. Walid Adel Al Deeb – Radiology Registrar, North Wales School of Radiology, Wales, Deanery, UK

Healthcare: Government – International

1. Farah Jameel Yates – Chair Camden LMC at London wide and Trustee Medical Women’s Federation

About Gulf Medical University

Established in 1998, GMU was the first university in the region to accept students of both genders and of all nationalities in all its departments. The University focuses on three main fields: medical education, healthcare, and research. GMU is one of the most popular medical academic establishments in the Gulf region, with 6 colleges, 25 accredited courses and advanced infrastructure and facilities. GMU has been ranked among the ‘Top 50 Universities in the Middle East’ and is also listed among ‘10 Best Value Institutes in the UAE 2018’. It won the Gold Award at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. It has students from 80 nationalities and faculty/staff from over 25 countries. GMU organizes international and regional conferences and seminars in all medical fields.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council, UAE and Ruler of Ajman, Gulf Medical University (GMU) honored the achievements of 177 graduates at the 15^th Convocation Ceremony held on Monday, 26^th November 2018, at the Emirates Hospitality Centre, Al Jurf, Ajman.

Congratulating the graduates on their achievement, H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Member of the Supreme Council, UAE and Ruler of Ajman urged them to continue their specialized studies and excel in their careers, and advised them to utilize the knowledge to help the society and the nation. Addressing the Emirati graduates, His Highness said that they are a source of honor to the country.

H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi presented the graduation certificates to a total of 177 graduates of the University this year; 58 of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), 22 of Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), 27 of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), 33 of Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), 19 of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS), 5 of Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.Sc. MLS), 2 of Bachelor of Science – Medical Imaging Sciences (B.Sc. MIS), 4 of Bachelor of Health Science – Anesthesia and Surgical Technology (BHS-AST), 4 of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and 3 of Master in Toxicology (M.Tox). The outgoing students belong to 37 different nationalities: UAE (9), GCC (8), other Arab nations (41), Asia (58), Africa (42) and others (19 – including students from USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Dominica, Hungary, Ireland and Russia).

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder, President Board of Trustees, Gulf Medical University (GMU) said, “GMU is now into its 21st year of operation and we are now among the most in demand private medical university in the region besides being a well-known brand. Our network of THUMBAY Academic Hospital is one among the biggest healthcare providers in the country with the addition of new 350-bedded hospital in Jurf and the biggest Thumbay Dental Hospital & Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital. The Gulf Medical University now collaborates with over 70 institutions across the world and has taken steps to include innovative and path breaking educational initiatives under the leadership of our Chancellor.”

Dr. Thumbay Moideen also thanked H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi for the government’s continuous support to the institution and assured that GMU was on track to emerge as a leading full-fledged and research-based university in the region. Congratulating the graduates, he assured them of GMU’s support always.

The Chancellor of GMU, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that the number of colleges under GMU has reached 6 and the number of the undergraduate and the postgraduate programs has increased from 15 to 25. He added that GMU established for the first time in a private university an integrated system of healthcare and academia thus improving the level of health services, education and scientific research. “The Institute of Precision Medicine leads the scientific research.  We are proud that a research has been accepted in nature in collaboration with France. During this year, the University signed and activated more than ten international agreements with major international universities such as the University of Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth University, Wisconsin Medical University, St. Joseph University in the United States, German Heidelberg University, Tokyo University, research institutes in France such as the Gustave Rossi Cancer Research Institute and the University of Paris and its hospitals and research centers,” he added.

To the graduates, Prof. Hossam Hamdy stressed the importance of empathy, altruism, conscience, courage, teamwork and fear of God as the values that should guide them throughout their careers.

About Gulf Medical University

Established in 1998, GMU was the first university in the region to accept students of both genders and of all nationalities in all its departments. The University focuses on three main fields: medical education, healthcare, and research. GMU is one of the most popular medical academic establishments in the Gulf region, with advanced infrastructure and facilities. GMU has been ranked among the ‘Top 50 Universities in the Middle East’ and is also listed among ‘10 Best Value Institutes in the UAE 2018’. It won the Gold Award at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. It has students from 80 nationalities and faculty/staff from over 25 countries. GMU organizes international and regional conferences and seminars in all medical fields.

Thumbay Medicity  had  the  pleasure  of  hosting  Mrs.  Jayamala  Ramachandran,  Minister for Women  and  Child  Development  and  Empowerment  of  Differently  Abled  &  Senior  Citizens, Government  of  Karnataka,  India,  on  24th  November  2018.  The  minister  was  greeted  at Thumbay Medicity by Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group.

Mrs.   Jayamala   Ramachandran   toured   the   advanced   healthcare   and   medical   education facilities  at  Thumbay  Medicity  including  Gulf  Medical  University,  Thumbay  Dental  Hospital, Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital etc.

Touring the hospitals and the university, the minister commended Thumbay Medicity for the excellent  facilities  for  healthcare  and  medical  education,  as  she  observed  the  various services at Thumbay Dental Hospital – the first private dental hospital in the country and the largest  academic  dental  hospital  in  the  Middle  East  region’s  private  sector,  as  well  as Thumbay  Physical  Therapy  and  Rehabilitation  Hospital  –  the  biggest  and  most  advanced hospital for physical therapy and rehabilitation. The vision, mission and future directions of Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University – the region’s leading private medical university, as  well  as  the  University’s  advanced  training  and  teaching  facilities  were  also  presented before the guest. She appreciated Thumbay Group’s efforts in bringing the latest technology and innovation in healthcare and medical education to the region.

Dr.  Thumbay  Moideen  said  that  Thumbay  Medicity  is  envisioned  as  the  healthcare  and medical education hub of the region, to serve a floating population of 20,000 on completion. “The  soon-to-open  500-bed  academic  hospital  –  Thumbay  University  Hospital  –  the  largest private   academic   hospital   in   the   region,   combined   with   the   dental   and   rehabilitation hospitals  make  Thumbay  Medicity  a  unique  destination  for  specialized  care.  Thumbay Medicity is also a referral facility to which primary and secondary care hospitals and clinics refer serious cases,” he explained. Thumbay Medicity also houses Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, Thumbay Pharmacy etc. The  specialized  hospitals  of  Thumbay  Medicity  are  Academic  Health  Centers  of  the  Gulf Medical   University   Academic   Health   System   (GMUAHS),   which   give   them   the   unique advantage  of  having  the  expertise  of  doctors  who  are  also  academicians  and  researchers. GMUAHS has the distinction of being the first private academic health system in the region.

Thumbay  Medicity  is  an  important  landmark  in  Thumbay  Group’s  transformation  into  a leading healthcare provider in the region. “We are pursuing a massive global expansion plan at the moment, according to which the Thumbay academic hospital network will have a total of 1000 beds in the UAE, 1500 beds in India and 750 beds elsewhere in the Gulf and Africa by 2022,” said Dr. Thumbay Moideen.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah (JCI accredited & Winner of Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award), the leading academic hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division participated by offering medical support at the recent ‘Art of Living’ event held in Fujairah.

People from all over the Emirate participated in the event. The participants were addressed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Al Fujairah, UAE. The session was conducted by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation (AOL) and International Association for Human Values (IAHV).

The medical support team from Thumbay Hospital, Fujairah was led by Dr. Mohammad Faisal Parvez – Chief Operating Officer, who met and greeted Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and briefed him about the hospital, as well as about Thumbay Group’s hospitals and clinics in general.

Thumbay Hospital Day Care Rolla Sharjah, the leading multispecialty day care hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division conducted several diabetes awareness activities on the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th of November 2018. The activities, launched as part of the hospital’s World Diabetes Day program, were organized with the aim of spreading awareness on diabetes and emphasizing the importance of physical activity in safeguarding against the disease.

As part of the programs, Thumbay Hospital Day Care Rolla Sharjah participated as a medical support partner in the World Diabetes Day event at Khawla Bint Tha’laba School, Sharjah. The hospital offered free basic health check-up including free blood sugar tests to all the attendees of the event, promoting the message of diabetes awareness.

The hospital also launched a diabetes clinic to support family health across organizations in the Emirate, in line with World Diabetes Day’s official theme this year “The Family and Diabetes.”

A contest for the public by Thumbay Hospital Day Care – Rolla, Sharjah in association with Club FM 99.6 was also organized, with the winners getting glucometers and health checkup vouchers from the hospital.