Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi is the chief executive officer (CEO) at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC). With over 17 years of hands-on experience in successfully performing complex operations and leading large teams, Dr. Al Kaabi has earned a reputation as an expert in driving operational efficiency, improving customer care and enterprise risk management.
Prior to joining SSMC, Dr. Al Kaabi played a pivotal role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and functions as PureHealth’s chief of critical infrastructure management and response. His role extended to developing and implementing incident and crisis management plans and establishing stringent security protocols and health and safety standards.__SPLIT__
Dr. Al Kaabi served as the chief operations officer (COO) at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), where his visionary leadership steered the organisation through multiple strategic initiatives. Driven by a commitment to advancing healthcare delivery, Dr. Al Kaabi brings a wealth of experience, expertise and a proven track record of success to SSMC. Additionally, he is a member of the Advisory Board of the United Arab Emirates University.
Dr. Al Kaabi is a Medical Doctor (M.D.) and holds a Master’s degree in Health Emergency Management from Boston University, United States, and executive certificate in managing healthcare delivery from Harvard Business School. His academic pursuits have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of medical practice and healthcare management.
Dr. Ram Kumar Narain, Chief Administrative Officer
Dr. Ram Kumar Narain, chief administrative officer, brings a wealth of expertise to his role at SSMC, both in terms of his medical expertise and in his primary role of strategic planning and administrative operations. Dr. Narain oversees the operational and clinical support services at the facility alongside the development and activation of the annual operating plan with SSMC’s long-term strategy in mind.__SPLIT__
Dr. Narain’s academic journey includes cardiac surgery training at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK, and Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada. Complementing his clinical acumen, he pursued management training at the Indian Institute of Management and Singapore Management University. He also has affiliations with the Indian Institute of Healthcare Management & Research University as vice chairman of the Academic Advisory Council and visiting faculty member.
After eight years abroad, Dr. Narain returned to India in 1999 as the CEO and medical director of a 110-bed heart institute. Subsequently, he joined the Reliance Group in 2006 to lead a team establishing the Kokilaben Hospital, an 875-bed quaternary facility in Mumbai. Holding the position of executive director for more than 14 years, he played a pivotal role in design, planning, project management, commissioning, operations, clinical governance and strategic planning for the hospital.
Dr. Narain went on to take up the position of chief operating officer at the Emirates Hospitals Group, Dubai, from 2019 to 2023, overseeing a vast network of hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies across multiple emirates, in the UAE.
Prior to joining SSMC, he served as the chief medical officer at The Medical Office, PureHealth.
Dr. Abdulqader Almessabi, Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Dr. Abdulqader Almessabi is the acting chief medical officer (CMO), consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at SSMC. Dr. Almessabi brings a wealth of expertise to his role with a distinguished 20-year career. Graduating from the esteemed Medical School of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, in 2001, Dr. Almessabi specialised in gastroenterology and went on to obtain a dual certification from both the Canadian and American Boards in gastroenterology in 2010 after completing his training in gastroenterology at McGill University, Canada.__SPLIT__
Driven by a commitment to excellence, Dr. Almessabi pursued further specialisation through a fellowship in advanced endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound at the Trocadero Clinic, Paris, and completed an Executive Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at Zayed University, displaying his dedication to holistic healthcare leadership.
Beyond his clinical pursuits, Dr. Almessabi has held pivotal leadership roles throughout his career. Since 2019, he has served as the deputy chief medical officer (CMO) at SSMC, where he has been a beacon of leadership and forward-thinking. His outstanding contributions in this capacity were acknowledged with the Distinguished Leader Award in 2023, a testament to his exceptional leadership skills.
Before his role at SSMC, Dr. Almessabi held key leadership positions, including deputy CMO at Mafraq Hospital, chair of SEHA medical council, and chair of the Department of Gastroenterology at Mafraq Hospital. These roles have allowed him to shape healthcare policies, lead medical teams, and contribute significantly to advancing gastroenterology services.
Arvind Kakar, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
As the chief financial officer (CFO) at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Arvind Kakar brings over 30 years of comprehensive financial experience to the role, including business planning, budgetary control, corporate finance, corporate fundraising and investor relations.
As a seasoned finance professional, Arvind’s skill set integrates strategic finance and controllership, along with a profound understanding of the global corporate landscape.__SPLIT__
Before joining SSMC, Arvind served as the group CFO at WAHA Health in Dubai, where he led the finance and procurement functions, contributing to the organisation’s financial stability and operational efficiency. His key responsibilities included clinician engagement, restructuring, business planning and financial performance management.
Prior to that, he was the global CFO, at ART Fertility Clinics in the UAE, where he spearheaded expansion efforts in India, while also playing a crucial role in financial planning, analysis and reporting. Arvind also held the position of CFO at the American Hospital in Dubai, where he oversaw the entire finance function, focusing on business planning, financial analysis, revenue enhancements and cost rationalisation. As Director of Finance at VPS Healthcare, he was responsible for the MIS, business planning, accounting, and overseeing operational KPIs to align with the business performance of the group.
In his current role, at SSMC, Arvind oversees all financial and accounting activities, including financial analysis and reporting, business planning, and pro forma development. He also supports operational and strategic planning, budgeting and auditing across all hospital-related functions. As a C-suite-level executive, Arvind leads a finance team committed to establishing and monitoring financial metrics and accountability, ensuring alignment with SSMC’s short and long-term goals and objectives.
Zulaikha Al Hosani, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Zulaikha Al Hosani, BSc, MHA, is the chief nursing officer at SSMC, Abu Dhabi. She has 10 years of experience in clinical leadership roles, supporting excellence in patient care and safety.
Since joining SSMC in 2020, Zulaikha has managed the nursing team ensuring consistency in the standard of nursing practices across all settings. In addition to providing leadership for the development of strategies of recruitment, retention and recognition of excellence for nursing employees.__SPLIT__
Prior to joining SSMC, Zulaikha was deputy chief nursing officer at Mafraq Hospital and held similar roles at Al Rahba Hospital and SEHA Corporate. Throughout her career, she has led a variety of quality improvement projects and initiatives.
Zulaikha received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fatima College of Health Sciences, UAE, and her Executive Master’s in Healthcare Management from the Zayed University, UAE.
Dr. Abdulkarim Saleh, Dean of Education
Dr. Abdulkarim Saleh is the dean of education and a consultant nephrologist. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and his Medical Doctor’s degree at the American University of Beirut. He trained in internal medicine at the McGaw Medical Centre, Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, and completed a nephrology fellowship at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.__SPLIT__
He served on the faculty of Northwestern University for two years and was later appointed head of the Clinical Services Division at the National Kidney Foundation of Singapore, in medical partnership with the Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University.
He joined Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in 2002, where he served in several leadership roles including founding chair of the Education Institute (2003-2014), founding chair of the Medical Ethics Board (2006-2008), chair of Medicine (2014-2019), and deputy chief medical officer (2013-2019). He joined Mafraq/SSMC in July 2019.
In his new role as the acting dean of education, Dr. Saleh will be working closely with the associate deans and colleagues to ensure that all SSMC learners receive superb clinical training. Dr. Saleh will also retain his current role as graduate medical education centre associate dean.
Celine Assaf Khabbaz, General Counsel
Céline Assaf Khabbaz serves as the general counsel and company secretary at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a leading healthcare institution managing one of the largest complex care hospitals in the region. She has been part of the organisation since the establishment of SSMC in 2020 and currently heads the Legal, Risk, Compliance & ESG Division, contributing significantly to the organisation’s foundational growth.__SPLIT__
Before her tenure at SSMC, Ms. Khabbaz practiced law at top-tier Magic Circle Firms in Paris and Abu Dhabi. She has been an active member of the Paris Bar since 2005. In 2023, she earned her certification as a board secretary, alongside holding several certifications in key areas such as corporate governance, risk management, compliance, ESG, sustainability and integrated data privacy.
Ms. Khabbaz holds a Postgraduate Degree (DEA) in European law from Université Paris II – Panthéon-Assas, a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Université Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with honours in French and English law from King’s College London. These academic achievements have equipped her with a broad and deep understanding of legal principles and practices.
In her role as general counsel, she is responsible for mitigating legal risks, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, developing and overseeing the organisation’s ESG strategies, and managing both the internal team and external legal counsel. As Company Secretary, Ms. Khabbaz oversees corporate governance, communication with the Board of Directors, and ensures compliance with legal and statutory requirements.
Sultan Saeed Al Nuaimi, Senior Human Resources Director (SHRD)
Sultan Saeed Al Nuaimi is the senior human resources director at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC). As part of the leadership team at SSMC, Sultan holds the overall accountability for all strategic and operational aspects of the human capital functions.
Before joining SSMC, he served as the human resources director at Mafraq Hospital and has held similar roles at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Al Ain Hospital, part of SEHA.__SPLIT__
With more than 18 years of work experience, his primary responsibilities at SSMC include developing and executing the human resources strategy in support of SSMC’s vision and operational goals. As a mentor, he continuously encourages his team to adopt a strong sense of ownership and build partnerships, cascading his vast experience and skills to his direct reports.
Sultan leads the Emiratisation plans for SSMC and has established a network of support and development programmes to attract, develop and retain Emirati talent.
With specialist skills and knowledge in integrating the principles of sustainable development into human resources and business practices and strategies, Sultan earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado, USA. He also received his Chartered Institute of Personnel Development Diploma (CIPD) from London, UK and has most recently completed the SEHA Leadership Programme; facilitated by Harvard Business School.
