From Dreams to Reality: The Transformative Power of My Fulbright Journey on My Career in Healthcare

If I were to choose one word to describe how my Fulbright journey has been, it would be “transformative”.

Fulbright has provided me with the self-confidence that dreams do come true and that one should always aim for the best so that our subconscious encourages and guides us to achieve our goals. The best thing about being a Fulbrighter is that once the journey to excellence begins, it never stops; an accurate example is the Alumni Development Grant (ADG). I heard about the ADG through an email from the Oman Fulbright Alumni association.

I am always consistent with keeping up to date in my field of work, that is healthcare, and I utilize every opportunity that teaches me new skills. The ADG led me to a conference that expanded my career: the 14th International Healthcare, Hospital Management, Nursing, and Patient Safety Conference.

The 14th International Healthcare, Hospital Management, Nursing, and Patient Safety Conference that took place from July 25–28, 2024 in the Holiday Inn Dubai — Al Barsha, UAE, aimed to gather healthcare professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advances, research studies, challenges, and innovations in the field of healthcare, including nursing care delivery in healthcare institutions. This conference covered a wide range of topics including healthcare and hospital management, nursing care, patient safety, digital healthcare, infection control, evidence-based practice, the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and many more.

The conference sessions were delivered in person for the first two days and then online for the rest of the conference. Each session included several carefully selected research studies that focused on a particular theme. Following each session, the floor was dedicated to discussing questions, comments, and suggestions, and sharing experiences among speakers, participants, and other stakeholders present at the conference.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for networking, teaching, and learning. My major takeaways and lessons from this conference were as follows: the integration of the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, into daily healthcare practices and services; the dire need for delivering evidence-based* healthcare services; the value of global networking and collaboration among healthcare providers; and the focus on improving patient safety and delivering patient-centered care.

At the conference, I met various healthcare professionals from around the world, mainly from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Sweden, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Since the conference, I have attended casual meetings with several speakers and organizers to share experiences and discuss potential ways of collaboration.

The conference and all these engaging intellectual discussions enabled me to increase my confidence and leadership skills, further my career horizons, and deepen my understanding of revolutionized healthcare in the era of digital health and artificial intelligence.

On a personal level, this ADG-supported conference has opened a door for global collaborations, mentorships opportunities, and access to invaluable career development resources. I plan on submitting my research study to a journal for publication. And if published, that will disseminate the research findings on a global platform hence enhancing my professional reputation.

Attending this conference was similar to attending conferences and workshops during my Fulbright Foreign Student Program in terms of networking opportunities, enriched diverse cultural experiences, and building on knowledge and skills in healthcare.

During my Program, as the president of the Health Administration Student Association at the University of Southern Mississippi’sCollege of Health, I organized monthly health talks where I invited pioneers in healthcare in the United States to speak to groups of students on campus. I was the first non-American student elected to the position.

I would advise every Fulbrighter and ADG applicant to always dream big, along with careful and thoughtful future planning. Setting short- and long-term goals would be a great start along with seeking mentorship and guidance at different stages of one’s career. Building a strong network and investing in skill development would expedite career growth and make one resilient.

Najeem is a 2013 Fulbright Student Alum** and 2024 ADG recipient from Oman. He graduated with a Master of Public Health from the University of Southern Mississippi.

*Quality care is based on the most up-to-date research and knowledge rather than traditional healthcare methods.

**The Fulbright Foreign Student Program in Oman was previously administered by Amideast.

Photo Credit: Utilitarian Conferences Gathering. nursing-healthcare.utilitarianconferences.com.