The healthcare sector thrives on leaders who can merge visionary thinking with practical implementation. Prof. Awad Al Omari exemplifies this ethos. As the Chief Medical Officer of Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (HMG) and Chairman of the Saudi Critical Care Society, Prof. Awad has successfully led over 40 innovative programs that have redefined healthcare standards, transforming operations and outcomes on both national and global levels.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group Demonstrates Excellence
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (HMG) represents the pinnacle of healthcare innovation and service delivery in the region. Under Prof. Awad’s visionary leadership, the group has implemented programs that have achieved measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes. The organization’s capacity to align cutting-edge technology with patient-centered care reflects Prof. Awad’s transformative vision for modern healthcare.
Advancing Critical Care Standards
Prof. Awad’s leadership in critical care is exemplified by the Guinness World Record-holding Tele-ICU, established in 2015, which introduced centralized and seamless monitoring systems that improved patient outcomes significantly. This initiative demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to telehealth and innovative care delivery.
Additionally, the Tele-Stroke program integrates advanced artificial intelligence and telemedicine to enhance stroke care delivery. By reducing the time from symptom onset to treatment by 34%, this program has greatly improved patient recovery rates and set new benchmarks for regional neurological care. Prof. Awad’s efforts in critical care are a testament to his ability to combine technology with clinical expertise to achieve life-saving outcomes.
Empowering Teams Through Training
Recognizing the importance of workforce development, Prof. Awad established the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Academy in 2017. The academy has played a pivotal role in fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals. Through the launch of the largest private-sector scholarship program in Saudi Arabia, Prof. Awad has enabled healthcare professionals to receive world-class training at esteemed institutions in Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia. These efforts underscore his commitment to building a workforce equipped with global expertise.
The academy also introduced the country’s first private-sector peer-reviewed medical journal, now celebrating six volumes and 24 issues. This initiative has positioned HMG as a leader in academic contributions, bridging the gap between clinical practice and medical research. By mentoring teams and establishing accredited residency programs, Prof. Awad has cultivated a culture of excellence and continuous professional development.
Ensuring Effective Implementation
Prof. Awad’s strategic foresight is matched by his ability to implement programs that drive meaningful change. The ER-45 Emergency Program, launched in 2022, achieved a 32% reduction in patient waiting times by addressing bottlenecks in emergency services. This improvement significantly enhanced patient flow and satisfaction, establishing itself as a benchmark for excellence in urgent care delivery.
Under Prof. Awad’s guidance, the Tele-Cardiology program reduced door-to-balloon time by 15%, achieving a time below 90 minutes and consistently surpassing international benchmarks, reflecting his dedication to life-saving interventions. By ensuring faster treatment times, this initiative highlights his focus on integrating technology with clinical processes to save lives and improve outcomes.
The TAMKEEN program reflects Prof. Awad’s dedication to operational efficiency, focusing on empowering surgical teams with real-time data insights to enhance workflow and improve patient care delivery. By optimizing resource utilization and enhancing team collaboration, TAMKEEN has become a model for sustainable healthcare improvements.
Prioritizing Reflective Practices
Prof. Awad’s approach to leadership is rooted in reflective practices, ensuring that lessons learned from each initiative inform future strategies. By fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, he has inspired teams to innovate while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centric outcomes. This methodology has allowed HMG to consistently adapt to evolving healthcare challenges while exceeding expectations in service delivery.
Continuous Learning and Adaptability
Several habits, including continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic thinking, have maintained Prof. Awad’s critical thinking and leadership capabilities. Completing leadership programs at Harvard University and earning advanced qualifications such as an Executive MBA from Manchester Business School have honed his decision-making skills. Regularly engaging with multidisciplinary teams promotes diverse perspectives while maintaining a commitment to patient-centered care ensures focus and purpose.
In his pursuit of excellence, Prof. Awad emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. His ability to leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and telehealth, demonstrates his commitment to staying ahead of industry trends. By encouraging knowledge exchange among multidisciplinary teams, he ensures that HMG remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
Achieving National and Global Recognition
Prof. Awad’s contributions have garnered significant recognition on both national and international levels. He was nominated as the leader of the team for the prestigious EFQM Award for Excellence in Business Transformation, reflecting his ability to drive systemic change and achieve measurable outcomes. His leadership in programs such as the Tele-ICU and Tele–
Stroke has earned multiple National Patient Safety Awards and the esteemed Adaa Award, further highlighting his dedication to improving care quality and outcomes.
Under his guidance, HMG has also received accolades for operational excellence, demonstrating the impact of his transformative leadership on the organization’s success.
Innovative Visionary
As an innovative visionary, Prof. Awad has introduced groundbreaking programs that leverage technology to address complex healthcare challenges. Prof. Awad also led the introduction of artificial intelligence in radiology for the first time in the country, an initiative that has completed over 250,000 studies to date. This groundbreaking approach has enhanced diagnostic accuracy, streamlined workflows, and positioned HMG as a leader in leveraging AI for clinical excellence. Furthermore, the Tele-Radiology initiative has conducted over 4 million imaging studies, ensuring timely and accurate diagnoses for patients across the region. This program exemplifies Prof. Awad’s ability to harness technology to expand access to high-quality care.
The Tele-EEG program, the first of its kind in the Middle East, has brought expert neurology consultations to remote areas, addressing gaps in specialized care. By incorporating advanced technologies, this initiative has enabled clinicians to provide timely diagnoses and treatments, revolutionizing access to neurological expertise. By introducing such unique initiatives, Prof. Awad has consistently pushed the boundaries of what telemedicine can achieve.
Transformative Leadership
Prof. Awad’s leadership extends beyond the implementation of programs. He has redefined the organizational culture at HMG, emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and innovation. His establishment of multiple Centers of Excellence—in fields such as oncology, IVF, and neuroscience—has revolutionized patient care delivery. The oncology center, for instance, reduced the time from diagnosis to first chemotherapy by 30%, significantly improving efficiency and ensuring timely treatment. This achievement underscores his commitment to aligning operational improvements with patient outcomes.
Pioneer in Patient-Centric Care
Patient-centric care is at the core of Prof. Awad’s leadership philosophy. By embedding Patient- Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) into clinical workflows, he has ensured that care delivery is guided by patient needs and priorities. The Pain-Free Hospital initiative reflects this commitment, enhancing patient experiences by improving overall pain management strategies.
Prof. Awad emphasized the importance of a patient’s journey being free from unnecessary pain, which led to a 34% increase in patient satisfaction scores, reinforcing the transformative impact of this initiative. Such programs demonstrate his dedication to creating healthcare systems that prioritize patient well-being.
Strategic Innovator
Prof. Awad’s strategic innovations have optimized healthcare delivery across various domains. The TAMKEEN program exemplifies his ability to streamline operations while empowering clinical teams to deliver exceptional care. By integrating data-driven insights into everyday practices, he has created sustainable models for operational efficiency.
Programs like Pro-Active Care highlight his focus on leveraging analytics to proactively identify and address thousands of missed care opportunities. This initiative aims to detect gaps in interventions or follow-up care, allowing for timely action to prevent complications and improve overall patient outcomes. These initiatives reflect his ability to balance strategic vision with actionable solutions.
Thought Leader
As a thought leader, Prof. Awad has significantly influenced the healthcare sector through his contributions to media and academia. He has written over 400 articles in prestigious newspapers, addressing topics such as telemedicine, digital health transformation, and artificial intelligence in diagnostics. His regular appearances on prominent media outlets, including Al Arabiya and Rotana, have positioned him as a leading voice in healthcare innovation.
In addition to his media contributions, Prof. Awad is an accomplished author with publications that tackle pressing social issues and offer innovative solutions. His thought leadership extends beyond his organization, shaping healthcare policies and practices at the national level.
