Imam Abdulrahman University launches the first leadership track for family physicians

In a strategic move that is the first of its kind to enhance the primary healthcare system, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University , represented by the Center for Family and Community Medicine and in partnership with the Leadership Center, launched the “Leadership in Healthcare” program. This unique initiative targets trainees in the Family Medicine Fellowship and the Saudi Board, aiming to integrate advanced clinical skills with modern institutional leadership thinking.

A qualitative leap in medical rehabilitation

The launch of this program comes at a time when the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing radical transformations, where the role of the physician is no longer limited to diagnosis and treatment, but has expanded to include managing healthcare systems and leading medical teams. Family medicine is considered the cornerstone of the modern healthcare system, serving as the first line of defense and a fundamental pillar in the new healthcare model adopted by the Ministry of Health.

The program was inaugurated by Dr. Asim Al-Ansari, Vice President for Development and Community Partnership, in the presence of a distinguished group of health and academic leaders, reflecting the university's strong commitment to graduating professionals capable of making a real difference. Also in attendance were Professor Dr. Mahdi Abu Madini, Executive Director of the Center for Family and Community Medicine; Major General Dr. Khalid Al-Faraidi; and Dr. Saad Al-Omari, Executive Director of the University Medical City.

A comprehensive 3-year training program

Dr. Al-Ansari explained that the program is not merely a series of short courses, but a structured training path spanning three full years. This path is designed to employ a progressive approach to capacity building, starting with the fundamental principles of leadership and progressing to advanced management strategies, to ensure high-quality and sustainable outcomes that will serve the healthcare sector for years to come.

The program covers specific and vital topics through interactive workshops, including:

• Medical and administrative decision-making.
• Effectively managing multidisciplinary teams.
• The art of leadership communication and influence.
• Change management skills in healthcare organizations.
• Applying international quality and safety standards.

Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

For his part, Dr. Adam Al-Dwayan, the program supervisor, confirmed that this project represents a practical response to the evolving requirements of the health sector, and a strategic initiative that directly aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 , specifically with regard to the Human Capacity Development Program and the Health Sector Transformation Program.

The program aims to bridge the gap between academic practice and practical reality, ensuring the graduation of physicians with clinical competence and leadership skills. This will contribute to improving the patient experience, raising the quality of services, and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare spending. This approach embodies the university's unwavering commitment to empowering young national talent to take the lead in the future of healthcare in the Kingdom.