Igniting Transformation: The Power of Mindset
I have been in the nursing profession for over 14 years. For the last six years, I have been in a critical position where my roles and responsibilities have been to actively participate in nationwide efforts to ensure the smooth operation of nursing services in both specialized hospitals and primary healthcare centers that belong to the Ministry of Health. The services in primary healthcare are the cornerstone of the healthcare system in Oman. The research areas that I focus on are mostly in improving healthcare access for all segments of the population with a special focus on chronic non-communicable disease prevention and management through reviewing, updating, and advising on health policy. Evidence-informed healthcare policies can better the distribution of healthcare services and enhance quality of care provided to different parts of the population. My initiatives are mostly focused on providing adequate screening services for non-communicable diseases and proper follow-up for any advised treatment modalities.
During my BSN, I volunteered at the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Association of America to educate the population affected by SCD on non-pharmacological methods of pain management, helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle and prevent infections. I had the honor to serve the local community of Philadelphia through student service groups, where my fellow students and I were engaged in cleaning and painting homes of those who could not afford to pay for such services, as well as helping local restaurants serve meals to the homeless. It was a spectacular experience that cemented the desire for volunteering into my life. Toward the end of that experience, I was inducted as a community leader into Sigma Theta Tau International, an honor society of nursing, in 2011.
I recently conducted health awareness and education sessions on hypertension and diabetes mellitus and other non-communicable diseases for a group of Arab immigrants in Philadelphia after each Friday prayer for about three months. I participated in many health campaigns as a nurse, checking blood pressure, blood glucose, and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as administering seasonal flu vaccinations to Arab immigrants.
I also joined the Oman Cancer Association (OCA), a non-government and non-profit organization in Oman that supports cancer patients, survivors, and their families. I started as a volunteer in this organization and then became a board member from March 2018 to March 2021. I continue to serve as a volunteer at OCA, engaging in various activities including involvement in patient and survivor support groups through advocacy and counseling, organizing and conducting one-to-one and public talks, and organizing leadership programs for healthcare providers and patient advocates. I have also had the opportunity to help run a special home for children with cancer and their parents who come from far away to the treatment center and cannot afford accommodation during their children’s’ hospital stay.
I aspire to see a community that has complete access to healthcare no matter their gender, ethnic background, or religion. My research interests have always been directly related to introducing reforms into healthcare policies to better address the gaps that exist in providing healthcare services. Distance, disability, or educational levels should never be constraints in seeking medical help when needed. My Fulbright experience allowed me to focus on community health initiatives to empower my research interests and improve my ability to tackle such concerns and challenges in Oman.
