Prominent American Healthcare Leader Appointed Chief Executive Officer of New Medical, Research and Education Institution in Doha, Qatar

DOHA, Qatar, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

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Renowned thought leader and experienced executive, Dr. William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sidra Medical and Research Center, a groundbreaking medical, research and education institution that focuses on the health and wellbeing of women and children in Doha, Qatar. Dr. Owen's most recent executive role was President of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), America's largest, publicly funded academic health system with a budget of $1.7 billion, 16,000 staff members, 2,600 faculty and 6,000 students.  

Dr. Owen's appointment as CEO at Sidra will be effective August 5, 2012. As the most senior executive at Sidra, he will be responsible for the strategic direction of all clinical and operational services of the Sidra Medical and Research Center and lead Sidra to deliver the highest standard of patient care. In line with Sidra's values, Dr. Owen will promote a culture of inclusiveness and empowerment that enables innovation and excellence in the three pillars of Sidra's mission: integrated patient care, biomedical research and education. He will develop strategic alliances with key internal and external partners and promote the reputation and standing of Sidra locally, regionally and internationally.  

Reporting directly to the Board of Governors at Sidra, Dr. Owen's first responsibility will be planning, commissioning and launching the state-of-the-art Sidra facility in line with its vision and targets. Sidra also announced the appointment of the Chief Medical Officer recently and Dr. Owen will be responsible for further recruitment and leadership of the Executive Team at Sidra.

"William F. Owen, Jr. is an outstanding choice to launch and lead Sidra Medial and Research Center at this exciting and transformative time," said Dr. Mohamad Fathy Saoud, Vice Chairman of the Sidra Medical and Research Center and President of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. "His knowledge of academic medical centers, record of success in developing patient-centered clinical environments and commitment to innovation in all aspects of healthcare will be a tremendous asset as we launch Sidra. Dr. Owen is a distinguished leader who recognizes Sidra's tremendous potential to benefit patients in the Gulf region and around the world.  We are thrilled that Dr. Owen will lead the Sidra Medical and Research Center team."

As a seasoned academic health system leader, Dr. Owen has substantive experience building and managing international health and educational services in several of America's elite universities. He has a strong reputation and exhaustive record of innovation in governance, leadership, development and operations in tertiary care teaching hospitals, including specialized centers for women and children. Under his leadership, UMDNJ experienced a successful turnaround, opened a new Cancer Center and was ranked among the top university hospitals in America. Dr. Owen has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Director's Citation from the Health Care Financing Administration, a Tribute by the U.S. House of Representatives and Outstanding Medical Executive by the Edward III Foundation.  

In addition to a wealth of experience in executive leadership, Dr. Owen is a national figure in clinical leadership, education, service and research. He is a senior physician with post graduate training in internal medicine, nephrology and immunology. He has been the recipient of several million dollars in funding for his biomedical research programs and authored more than 180 publications.  

"With unparalleled facilities, researchers, healthcare providers, educators and support staff, Sidra is positioned to set new standards in patient care for women and children, changing the face of healthcare in the Gulf Region and beyond," commented Dr. William F. Owen, Jr.  "Sidra's ethos of collaboration, compassion, respect and trust is truly inspirational and I look forward to building and leading one of the best interprofessional teams in the world. The opportunity to be a part of this world class academic medical and research center is a privilege and an honor."

Sidra Medical and Research Center will set new standards in patient care for women and children in Qatar and offer unique and unprecedented opportunities for world-leading health professionals to be pioneers in the discovery and advancement of patient care. The new facility will be all-digital, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in all clinical, research and business functions.

About Sidra Medical and Research Center

Sidra Medical and Research Center is a groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution, based in Doha, Qatar, that will focus on the health and wellbeing of women and children regionally and globally. Sidra will be a fully digital facility, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in clinical, research and business functions. Sidra will initially have around 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase.

Sidra will have a unique working structure with inter-professional collaboration at the heart, providing the best holistic care for patients and an unparalleled learning environment for its medical professionals. Sidra will combine the best in design, technology, operations and practices from medical centers around the world - to offer its employees an environment that is at once familiar and extraordinary.

Sidra is part of a dynamic research and education environment in Qatar that includes leading international institutions, such as: Sidra's academic partner Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and Qatar Science and Technology Park. Through strong partnerships with leading institutions around the world, Sidra is creating an intellectual ecosystem to help advance scientific discovery through investment in medical research.

Sidra represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who serves as its Chairperson. The high-tech facility will not only provide world-class patient care but will also help build Qatar's scientific expertise and resources. Sidra will be funded by a US$7.9 billion endowment from Qatar Foundation, the largest endowment of its kind in the world.

At present, Sidra is working with its partners to finalize exactly when the Medical and Research Center will be fully operational. Patient and staff safety is the highest priority and a rigorous facility and operational commissioning process will be undertaken to ensure that the Center operates at the highest standards.

SOURCE Sidra Medical and Research Center