Accomplished women doctors are  trailblazers in the medical field, who have dedicated their lives to advancing the practice of medicine through their expertise, commitment, and innovation. Despite facing numerous challenges and biases along the way, these women have persevered and succeeded in their fields, shattering glass ceilings and paving the way for future generations of women in medicine.

Dr. Nesrin El-Khatib is the CEO of Elite Medical Center. She finished her undergraduate studies at the St. George’s Hospital Medical School in London and pursued post-graduation in Pediatrics at a leading teaching hospital under the Yorkshire Deanery, UK. As the CEO of Elite Medical Center, Dr. Nesrin institutes and manages continuing professional education, inservice training, and orientation of all clinical and medical staff to provide assured quality services. In an in-depth conversation with the women entrepreneur magazine, Dr. Nesrin shares with us her professional journey and the various lessons she has gathered on the way. Let’s hear it from her.

How has your prior industry experience enabled you to become a better healthcare leader today?

While one is pursuing medicine, they are not taught about finance, accounting, business, public relations, human resources, or management and this is one of the challenges that we medical professional have to face as leaders, I realized that I would have to look beyond the scope of medicine and develop these skill sets through various courses and degrees. So, in 2014, I joined a master’s degree in Business Administration to inculcate the skills of a healthcare manager.

What inspired you to establish Elite Medical Center? What are some of the responsibilities that you shoulder as the CEO of the organization?

While I was working in Kuwait as a Deputy Medical Director and Head of Pediatrics at Royal Hayat Hospital, I was commuting to Qatar to pursue MBA and noticed gaps in a medium-sized healthcare facility. The private health sector in Qatar lacked mediumsized institutions and that’s when the idea occurred to me. I decided to establish an institution that could provide services in daycare surgery, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, and clinics for various other specialties such as Assisted Conception Unit, Minimal Access Laparoscopic Gynecology Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, General Pediatric Clinic, General Practitioner Clinic, Dermatology, and Plastic surgery, Laboratory, Radiology, Dentistry, and Diet and Nutrition Clinic.

My role as the CEO encompasses various duties such as supervising the building, investigating the first private IVF unit, enabling IT systems, and selecting ERP and EMR systems. Accounting and finance, training the staff to provide superior customer services, and much more.

What are some of the most challenging aspects of being a healthcare leader in the current market scenario? What steps do you take to overcome these roadblocks?

The first challenge is to get out of the comfort zone. The idea of venturing into entrepreneurship is risky and requires a lot of courage and thinking out of the box for running the show and making it a success. Second, is the challenge one faces by working in a nation that isn’t theirs because one needs to understand the culture thoroughly. The third challenge is the struggle of being a female leader who needs to be taken seriously. We have come a long way as a society but the stark truth  is that it is ten times harder to achieve the same goals for a woman even today.

"Through highquality medical services we aim to improve the well-being of our patients in a caring, convenient, & accessible manner"

What are some of the milestones that you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What is your success mantra?

First biggest milestone is being able to pursue medicine and pediatrics and doing what I love. Second is moving to Kuwait, working as an independent physician, and building a successful career as a practitioner. Third is moving to Qatar and foraying into entrepreneurship. My success mantra is working hard and never giving up in the face of adversity. There are going to be many challenges along the way but one needs to be determined, assertive and reach the shore with patience and perseverance.

What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs and budding leaders in the healthcare industry?

I would advise them to choose something they love and are passionate about and then work hard towards achieving it. Through it all, be prepared to fail because life isn’t going to be all rosy but make sure the setbacks are temporary. Dust yourself up again and keep going. Also, remember that the most important person through this journey is you, so take good care of yourself. Be your own best friend, always make time for yourself, and do the things you love.

Dr. Nesrin El- Khatib, CEO, Elite Medical Center

Dr. Nesrin El-Khatib is a dynamic senior executive, consultant pediatrician, and neonatal intensivist. She has won numerous accolades for her contribution to the field of medicine including Young Clinician of the Year in 2012 by Cleveland Clinic, US and the Arab Health Award as the Young Clinician of the Year in the Middle East. Dr. Nesrin also contributes towards the community by aspiring young women and high school students to pursue medicine and supports the most vulnerable section of society that is, animals and children.