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UMass Chan Medical School Visit Fosters Collaboration with Dubai Health
  26 Apr 2024
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A delegation from UMass Chan Medical School, Massachusetts’s first and only public academic health sciences center, recently visited Dubai Health, solidifying a new chapter in healthcare collaboration between the two organizations. The visit, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), granted the delegation the opportunity to gain insight into Dubai’s first integrated academic health system, laying the groundwork for a productive partnership.

Inspired by UMass Chan’s reputation for impact through collaborative endeavour and aspiration to change the course of the history of disease, the partnership reflects a shared vision between the two academic health systems to advance health. Under the agreement, UMass Chan and Dubai Health will establish mutually beneficial research projects to improve patient care, create an exchange framework for learners between the two academic institutions, and drive transformative advancements for public health, both locally and globally.

Led by Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor at UMass Chan, the visit also included an opportunity for Dubai Health learners to gain insight into elective and residency program opportunities at UMass Chan.

Commenting on the partnership, Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health, and Provost of MBRU, stated, “This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to combine the strengths of two academic health organizations. By pooling our resources, capabilities, and expertise, we are well-positioned to advance the frontier of medical knowledge that better serves our communities. The visit has been incredibly productive, laying the foundation for meaningful collaboration anchored in our shared purpose of advancing health for humanity.”

Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor of UMass Chan commented “It is a privilege, along with a group of senior colleagues, to learn more about the breadth and depth of activity taking place at Dubai Health and to forge closer relationships with its leadership. The signing of an MOU between our respective institutions is an exciting development and provides UMass Chan and Dubai Health with a framework from which to pursue meaningful collaborations and exchanges, by partnering, we do hope to advance together on behalf of the communities that we serve.”

The UMass Chan delegation included Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor; Terence R. Flotte, MD, Provost, Dean, and Executive Deputy Chancellor; David D. McManus, MD, Chair, Department of Medicine; Anne Larkin, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Vice Provost, and Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs; Lisa Colombo, DNP, MHA, RN, Executive Vice Chancellor and CEO, ForHealth Consulting; Rebekah Diamond, JD, Executive Director, Business Strategy & Operational Excellence, ForHealth Consulting; Brendan Chisholm, Vice Chancellor of Management, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor.

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Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between both organizations, focusing on an integrated information system, as well as medical, academic and research initiatives. The partnership specifically aims to develop an advanced model of care for patients with substance abuse disorders.

The agreement creates the framework for cooperation in a wide range of areas including patient transfer for additional medical requirements, logistical support, information exchange, training, and development. In addition, Erada will collaborate with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences to develop educational programs related to substance abuse treatment, residency, and research.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, stated: “The strategic partnership with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab in Dubai is part of Dubai Health’s constant efforts to further develop the healthcare system in Dubai. It reflects our commitment to enhancing medical care and rehabilitation services, guided by our four missions: Care, Learning, Discovery and Giving. Through these missions, we aim to deliver world-class healthcare services and implement international best practices, positioning Dubai as a leading global model for advancing health for humanity.”

“Apart from offering effective treatment and rehabilitation services, the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab in Dubai actively contributes to framing policies, strategies, and plans. It also plays a vital role in raising awareness about preventive measures, significantly contributing to the overall development of Dubai’s healthcare system. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to leverage the centre’s expertise and high-quality services to enhance the capabilities of our healthcare system, in line with our Patient First promise.”

His Excellency Abdulrazaq Amiri, CEO of the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab in Dubai, emphasized the Centre’s commitment to reinforcing cooperation with Dubai’s government departments to promote exchange of experiences and enhance the quality of services for both citizens and residents, particularly in the field of addiction treatment and rehabilitation. Amiri praised Dubai Health for its role as a leading health institution in the emirate, noting that its goals and vision are in line with those of the Erada Centre.

Amiri commended Dubai Health for its support in meeting the Centre’s needs for medical services that complement its addiction treatments. These include dental care, emergency case management referred by the Centre, as well as medical, pharmaceutical and laboratory services.

Furthermore, Dubai Health supports the Erada Centre’s initiatives to establish a comprehensive framework to enhance the effectiveness of treating patients with substance abuse disorder in Dubai and the rest of the country.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening the collaboration between Dubai Health and the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing healthcare services and rehabilitation in Dubai.

07 Jun 2024 News
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Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, is embracing virtual reality (VR) technology to improve patient care across its hospitals and healthcare centers. This initiative kicks off with a study and implementation program at the Thalassemia Center, exploring the use of VR technology to reduce anxiety and pain during cannulation (needle insertion) procedures for thalassemia patients. This study, the first of its kind for this specific patient group in Dubai, holds promise for a more comfortable and positive healthcare experience.

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), which leads the Learning and Discovery missions of Dubai Health, will conduct and document the study. Unlike prior studies that primarily relied on subjective experiences, this novel approach will incorporate objective measurements such as eye movement tracking and heart rate to assess the effectiveness of VR technology, marking a significant advancement in medical discovery.

Dr. Fatheya Abbas Al Khaja, Director of the Thalassemia Center, expressed her profound optimism for the initiative, stating, “The application of VR technology at the Thalassemia Center has the potential to transform the experience for patients undergoing cannulation procedures. Throughout my years at the Thalassemia Center, we have explored numerous modalities to alleviate the pain of our patients. This program epitomizes our Patient First promise to provide a more comfortable and anxiety-free experience, not just for the patients, but also for their families who witness this process. We are eagerly anticipating the results of this study.”

Separate from the MBRU study, the selected VR technology had been tested extensively. It demonstrated clinically effective results in 14 published and 30 ongoing studies, providing a solid foundation for its use in improving patient experiences.

This program marks the first phase of integrating VR technology across Dubai Health hospitals and healthcare centers, with plans to extend its application into medical procedures at Al Jalila Children's Hospital and Latifa Hospital. Beyond immediate application at the Thalassemia Center, the program also focuses on developing novel VR environments and experiences tailored to the local needs of patients in Dubai. The long-term vision is to develop future iterations of AI-powered VR technology to further personalize the patient experience, a collaborative effort engaging both MBRU students and our clinical staff.

“This program is the first of many to showcase how digital solutions can improve patient care within Dubai Health,” remarked Dr. Yacine Hadijat, Associate Professor of Innovation in Health Science and Digital Health at MBRU’s College of Medicine. “One of the inherent advantages of our integrated academic health system is the ability to cultivate a continuous cycle of improvement within our care, learning and discovery missions. By exploring digital innovations, such as VR technology, we are simultaneously training future healthcare professionals to champion patient-centered care and contribute toward the medical discovery of tech-enabled healthcare solutions. This multifaceted approach holds immense promise to transform the patient journey for countless individuals.”

By spearheading such initiatives, Dubai Health remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, reaffirming its commitment to delivering patient-centered care and advancing the standard of medical excellence in the region.

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