Emirati Doctor’s Day: Meet Dr Fatheya Fardallah Al Awadi who has improved thousands of lives in UAE in 3 decades

Dubai: As the UAE marks Emirati Doctor’s Day today, March 11, Dr Fatheya Fardallah Al Awadi stands as a symbol of the transformative impact Emirati doctors are making in the healthcare sector.

A trailblazer in endocrinology and diabetes care whose contributions continue to shape healthcare in Dubai, Dr Al Awadi recently won the prestigious Medical Excellence Award from the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation in honour of her dedication to advancing healthcare.

As the Consultant and Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department at Dubai Hospital and the President of the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society, Dr Al Awadi has improved the lives of thousands of patients in three decades.

The journey of Dr Al Awadi, who is also the Director of Medical Divisions at Dubai Hospital, not only reflects her expertise in diabetes management but also highlights her leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving public health in the UAE.

Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Al Awadi revealed that her passion for medicine started at a young age. “I always loved the idea of wearing the white coat, and that led me to pursue medicine,” she said.

“I had tremendous support from my family, teachers, mentors and the government, who provided me with scholarships to study abroad,” she recalled.

This encouragement motivated her to pursue a specialisation in endocrinology, particularly focusing on diabetes—an illness that is prevalent in the UAE.

“Diabetes is a very common condition in our society, and I wanted to contribute to the prevention and reduction of its prevalence,” Dr Al Awadi said.

Her dedication to improving diabetes care has had a significant impact on the lives of her patients, and she believes in the power of prevention. “Throughout my career, we have always focused on prevention, but there is still more to be done.”

After completing her studies at King Edward Medical University, Dr Al Awadi advanced her training in the UK, gaining expertise at esteemed institutions like Glasgow and Hammersmith.

She then joined Dubai Hospital, where she made significant strides in the field of endocrinology.

Notably, she introduced specialised clinics and innovative services, such as telemedicine, to enhance patient care. Her leadership led to the expansion of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, creating the concept of “Combined Clinics.”

“These are specialised clinics to provide comprehensive care for patients, including diabetes with pregnancy, diabetes with nephrology, and specialised thyroid services,” she explained.

Dr Al Awadi is also credited with the development of a Diabetes Registry that leverages data to improve care outcomes and informed diabetes management strategies.

Her contributions to advancing healthcare extended to education as well. As a Clinical Professor at Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), she played a key role in the development of the UAE’s first adult endocrinology fellowship programme.

“Education is vital, not only to train the next generation of healthcare professionals but also to equip them with the tools to manage diabetes and other endocrine disorders effectively,” she noted.

She also pioneered community outreach programmes aimed at raising awareness about diabetes prevention and early diagnosis. This included her active participation in the Beat Diabetes Walk.

Her achievements extend beyond her medical practice to being the Editor-in-Chief of the Dubai Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal and publishing numerous studies in high-impact scientific journals.

“My career in endocrinology and diabetes management has always been driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to improve the lives of others,” she said.

Speaking about her recognition by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Dr Al Awadi said that such awards inspire healthcare professionals to constantly raise the bar in clinical excellence. “The Foundation’s recognition adds immense value by encouraging clinicians to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation. It motivates us to constantly innovate and strive for the highest standards of clinical care.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr Al Awadi balances her career with family life, as a proud wife and mother.