Dubai: As the UAE marks Emirati Doctor’s Day today, March 11, Dr Fatheya Fardallah Al Awadi stands as a symbol of the transformative impact Emirati doctors are making in the healthcare sector.
A trailblazer in endocrinology and diabetes care whose contributions continue to shape healthcare in Dubai, Dr Al Awadi recently won the prestigious Medical Excellence Award from the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation in honour of her dedication to advancing healthcare.
As the Consultant and Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department at Dubai Hospital and the President of the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society, Dr Al Awadi has improved the lives of thousands of patients in three decades.
The journey of Dr Al Awadi, who is also the Director of Medical Divisions at Dubai Hospital, not only reflects her expertise in diabetes management but also highlights her leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving public health in the UAE.
Medical journey
Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Al Awadi revealed that her passion for medicine started at a young age. “I always loved the idea of wearing the white coat, and that led me to pursue medicine,” she said.
“I had tremendous support from my family, teachers, mentors and the government, who provided me with scholarships to study abroad,” she recalled.
This encouragement motivated her to pursue a specialisation in endocrinology, particularly focusing on diabetes—an illness that is prevalent in the UAE.
“Diabetes is a very common condition in our society, and I wanted to contribute to the prevention and reduction of its prevalence,” Dr Al Awadi said.
Her dedication to improving diabetes care has had a significant impact on the lives of her patients, and she believes in the power of prevention. “Throughout my career, we have always focused on prevention, but there is still more to be done.”
After completing her studies at King Edward Medical University, Dr Al Awadi advanced her training in the UK, gaining expertise at esteemed institutions like Glasgow and Hammersmith.
Transforming diabetes care
She then joined Dubai Hospital, where she made significant strides in the field of endocrinology.
Notably, she introduced specialised clinics and innovative services, such as telemedicine, to enhance patient care. Her leadership led to the expansion of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, creating the concept of “Combined Clinics.”
