Dr. Sumaya Al Blooshi, Director of Nursing Department at Emirates Health Services (EHS) and the Head of the National Committee for Nursing and Midwifery Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention, has been officially named within the 2022 Class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, becoming the first Emirati to achieve this prestigious status and one of approximately 2,900 fellows including nursing leaders in education, management, practice and research worldwide.
The accomplishment marks another milestone for the UAE, reflecting Emirates Health Services’ efforts to empower professionals across all its affiliated health facilities. Dr. Al Blooshi earned the title in recognition of her international, regional and national contributions and achievements in advancing the nursing profession and adopting the latest research-based strategies that aligns with the national health priorities and global strategic directions. Also, she has been recognized for implementing technology-enabled clinical and non-clinical programmes, and executing international best practices, in addition to her efforts in enhancing nursing profession in the UAE and empowering nursing youth.
“I am proud of this landmark achievement,” said Dr. Al Blooshi. “It demonstrates the advanced status and capabilities of our national talent in the health sector, and embodies the UAE’s commitment to supporting and empowering UAE nationals in every industry. This accomplishment compels us to make even more efforts and work harder to cement our leadership in the healthcare sector.” Dr. AlBlooshi added “Being named as fellow encompasses the responsibility to best represent UAE and engage actively with other health leaders in transforming health systems by enhancing the quality of health and nursing care, promoting efficient community health in support of healthy behaviours and healthy aging, reducing health disparities, integrating mental and physical health, and strengthening the nursing and health delivery system, nationally and internationally”.
“The nursing profession has gained tremendous importance in the UAE, and particularly within Emirates Health Services, which highly prioritises the development and empowerment of expert national nurses, in an effort to provide world-class healthcare and support national projects aimed at highlighting the critical role that nurses play in light of the health crises taking place around the world,” she added. “This, in turn, is consistent with the strategies and objectives of EHS, which has launched a series of training and educational programmes to encourage young men and women to join the profession and play a pivotal role in the healthcare system.”
The American Academy of Nursing Fellowship is the highest international fellowship in the nursing profession, awarded by the Academy to outstanding professionals who have made an unmistakeable impact on the nursing profession, or nursing professionals, ultimately benefitting the healthcare sector as a whole.
The American Academy of Nursing formed in 1973 is one of the top professional organization driving the development of the nursing profession around the world. The Academy serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. The Academy and its more than 2,900 members, known as Fellows, create and execute evidence-based and policy-related initiatives to advance health care.
Academy Fellows are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. Fellows include association executives; university presidents, chancellors, and deans; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; researchers; and entrepreneurs.
The Academy named total of 250 nursing leaders around the world in its 2022 Class of Fellows. Those fellows have been selected based on their contribution to health and health care. The new Fellows will be inducted at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 27-29, 2022 in Washington, DC.