Three Generations of Emirati Women in Healthcare Unite Aboard Etihad Rail to Celebrate Leadership and Progress
Three generations of Emirati women working across the healthcare sector came together aboard Etihad Rail for a special leadership journey celebrating their achievements, professional experiences and contributions to the United Arab Emirates ahead of Emirati Women’s Day.
Organized by Burjeel Holdings in collaboration with Etihad Rail, the Emirati Women’s Day Leadership Journey brought together 30 Emirati women representing different generations, professional backgrounds and stages of their careers. The participants included senior physicians, doctors, nurses, clinicians, healthcare leaders and professionals working across administrative, operational and support functions.
The event created an opportunity for women from different areas of healthcare to step away from their usual professional environments and engage in conversations focused on leadership, career development, resilience, national contribution and the future of women in the UAE.
The journey also featured the participation of H.E. Dr. Farida Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for National Talent Empowerment at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). She shared perspectives from her own leadership experience and discussed themes including professional development, resilience, national contribution and the expanding role of Emirati women in shaping the country’s workforce and society.
Rather than being simply a commemorative gathering, the event provided a platform for intergenerational dialogue and knowledge exchange, highlighting how the experiences of earlier generations can help guide younger Emirati professionals as they build their careers and contribute to the country’s future.
Three generations connected through healthcare
One of the defining elements of the leadership journey was the participation of three generations of Emirati women.The group brought together professionals who entered the healthcare sector at different stages of the UAE’s development. Some began their careers at a time when professional pathways for Emirati women were still developing, while others have spent their careers helping establish and strengthen the country’s modern healthcare system.
Younger professionals joined experienced healthcare leaders, creating an environment where participants could exchange perspectives on career development, leadership and professional challenges.The intergenerational nature of the event allowed women to compare experiences and reflect on how the healthcare profession has changed over time. The conversations demonstrated that while working environments, technology and career opportunities may evolve, many of the fundamental qualities required for successful leadership remain consistent.
Resilience, commitment, adaptability and a willingness to support others emerged as important themes throughout the journey.For senior professionals, the event offered an opportunity to reflect on the progress they had witnessed during their careers. For younger participants, it created an opportunity to learn from women who had navigated different stages of the UAE’s healthcare development.
The interaction also reinforced the idea that professional progress is rarely achieved by one generation alone. Instead, it is often built through the knowledge, experience and opportunities passed from one generation to another.
Recognizing the breadth of women’s roles in healthcare
The event also highlighted the diverse roles Emirati women play within the healthcare sector.Healthcare is often associated primarily with physicians and nurses, but the sector relies on a much broader workforce. Administrative professionals, operations teams, patient service employees, clinical support personnel and other specialists all contribute to the functioning of healthcare organizations.
The leadership journey brought women from these different areas together, recognizing that every role can contribute to the quality and development of healthcare services.Participants were able to share perspectives on how their responsibilities fit into the wider healthcare ecosystem. Their experiences demonstrated that leadership can take many forms and does not necessarily depend on a specific professional title.
A physician may lead through clinical decision-making and patient care, while a nurse may provide leadership through coordination and patient advocacy. An administrative or operations professional can contribute by improving systems, processes and organizational performance.By bringing these perspectives together, the event emphasized the importance of recognizing the full range of contributions made by women across the healthcare workforce.
Leadership lessons from different career stages
Career development was a central theme of the journey.Women at different stages of their careers had the opportunity to discuss the decisions, opportunities and challenges that shaped their professional paths. Senior leaders could share lessons learned over decades of experience, while younger professionals could discuss their ambitions and expectations for the future.
Such conversations can provide valuable opportunities for informal mentoring.Rather than following a formal conference structure, the train journey created a more relaxed setting for participants to speak openly and build relationships. The shared experience encouraged conversations that extended beyond individual job roles and focused on broader professional journeys.
Participants discussed the importance of adapting to change, developing confidence, embracing new opportunities and supporting colleagues.For emerging professionals, interaction with established leaders can help provide a clearer understanding of the different pathways available within healthcare. At the same time, experienced professionals can gain insight into the expectations and perspectives of younger generations entering the workforce.
This two-way exchange can be particularly valuable in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
H.E. Dr. Farida Al Ali shares leadership perspectives
H.E. Dr. Farida Al Ali joined the participants during the journey and contributed insights from her leadership experience.As Assistant Undersecretary for National Talent Empowerment at MoHRE, her participation brought a broader workforce-development perspective to the event.
Her discussions focused on resilience, career development, national contribution and the growing role of Emirati women in the country’s workforce.These themes are closely connected to the development of the UAE’s national talent. As the country continues to expand and diversify its economy, developing skilled Emirati professionals and creating opportunities for women to participate in leadership roles remain important elements of workforce development.
Within healthcare, this emphasis has particular significance. The sector requires highly trained professionals across clinical, administrative, technological and operational disciplines.The participation of women from multiple healthcare professions demonstrated the growing range of opportunities available to Emirati professionals.
The leadership dialogue also encouraged participants to view their individual careers within the broader context of national development.
Etihad Rail provides a symbolic setting
The choice of Etihad Rail as the setting for the event added a broader dimension to the celebration.As the train traveled from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and back, the journey provided participants with a physical representation of connection and progress.
Etihad Rail has become part of the UAE’s broader infrastructure development, connecting different parts of the country through a national railway network. Holding an event focused on professional journeys and national contribution aboard the railway created a natural connection between individual progress and the UAE’s wider development story.
The train journey allowed participants to reflect on how their professional lives have evolved alongside the country.For older generations, the journey provided an opportunity to remember a period when the UAE’s institutions and industries were developing rapidly. For younger participants, it offered a chance to consider how they can contribute to the country’s next stage of growth.
The symbolism extended beyond infrastructure. Just as a railway connects destinations, the leadership journey connected professionals from different generations and disciplines.
A reflection on the UAE’s development
The conversations aboard the train also provided an opportunity for participants to consider the transformation of the UAE over the past several decades.Healthcare has undergone significant development as the country has invested in hospitals, medical education, specialized services, technology and a skilled workforce.
Emirati women have been part of that transformation, building careers across clinical and non-clinical areas and increasingly taking on leadership responsibilities.The three-generation gathering provided a way to recognize this progress through personal stories.
Women who entered healthcare during earlier stages of the country’s development could share what their professional environments were like, while mid-career leaders could discuss the changes they have experienced during their careers.Younger professionals could then offer their perspectives on emerging opportunities and the future direction of healthcare.The resulting dialogue illustrated how individual career journeys can mirror broader national development.
Creating opportunities for mentoring and networking
Beyond formal discussions, the leadership journey created opportunities for networking and informal mentoring.Bringing professionals from different organizations, disciplines and career stages into the same setting can help create relationships that continue beyond the event itself.
Networking is particularly important for emerging professionals who may benefit from connections with experienced colleagues. Senior professionals can also gain value from expanding their networks and learning about developments in other parts of the healthcare sector.
The informal environment aboard the train allowed conversations to develop naturally throughout the journey.Participants could discuss professional experiences, exchange ideas and learn about the career paths of colleagues they might not otherwise have encountered.Such interactions can contribute to a stronger professional community among Emirati women working in healthcare.
Resilience as a leadership quality
Resilience emerged as another important theme during the event.Healthcare professionals frequently work in demanding environments that require them to respond to changing patient needs, technological developments and organizational challenges.
For women building careers in the sector, resilience can also involve navigating changing expectations and balancing professional development with broader responsibilities.The experiences shared by different generations demonstrated that resilience can take many forms.
For some, it meant continuing to develop professionally during periods of significant change. For others, it involved accepting new responsibilities, entering leadership positions or adapting to emerging technologies.By sharing these experiences, participants could see common themes across different generations even when their individual career paths were very different.
The importance of national contribution
The event also placed individual professional achievements within the broader context of national contribution.For many participants, working in healthcare represents more than a career. It is also an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of communities and to the development of the UAE’s healthcare system.
The participation of women from clinical, administrative and support functions illustrated the many ways professionals can contribute.Doctors and nurses provide direct patient care, while administrators, operational teams and support professionals help ensure that healthcare institutions can function effectively.
Recognizing these contributions can encourage professionals across the sector to understand the wider impact of their work.The event therefore celebrated both individual achievement and collective contribution.
Looking toward the next generation
A key message from the leadership journey was the importance of creating opportunities for future generations.The presence of younger professionals alongside experienced healthcare leaders provided a visible example of how knowledge and experience can be shared.
Earlier generations have helped establish professional pathways and create opportunities. The next generation can build on that foundation by pursuing new areas of healthcare, adopting emerging technologies and taking on leadership responsibilities.This process of intergenerational development can help ensure that progress continues.
The participants’ conversations reinforced the idea that each generation has a role to play in shaping the future. Experienced professionals can provide guidance, while younger professionals can introduce new perspectives and approaches.
Celebrating Emirati Women’s Day
The leadership journey was organized ahead of Emirati Women’s Day, providing an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the UAE.Rather than focusing exclusively on individual accomplishments, the event highlighted the collective journey of Emirati women in healthcare.
The participation of 30 women from different generations and professional disciplines demonstrated the diversity of that journey.Their experiences reflected the expansion of opportunities available to Emirati women and their increasing presence across healthcare leadership and professional roles.
The event also reinforced the importance of recognizing women who contribute to the healthcare system in visible and less-visible ways.
A shared vision for the future
As the train returned to Abu Dhabi, the discussions throughout the journey pointed toward a common theme: progress is built from one generation to the next.Although the participants came from different professional backgrounds and had experienced different stages of the UAE’s development, they shared a commitment to healthcare and national contribution.
The event provided a platform for those generations to meet, exchange experiences and recognize the progress that has already been achieved.It also encouraged participants to think about what comes next.
For younger professionals, the future offers opportunities to build on the foundation established by previous generations. For established leaders, there is an opportunity to continue mentoring and supporting those who will eventually take their places.
That cycle of knowledge, opportunity and leadership can help strengthen both the healthcare sector and the wider workforce.
The Emirati Women’s Day Leadership Journey aboard Etihad Rail ultimately served as more than a celebration. It was a reflection on the professional journeys of Emirati women, the evolution of healthcare in the UAE and the importance of intergenerational connections.
By bringing physicians, nurses, clinicians, healthcare executives, administrators and support professionals together, Burjeel Holdings and Etihad Rail created a setting where diverse experiences could be recognized and shared.
The journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and back offered a fitting backdrop for those conversations. As the UAE continues to develop its healthcare capabilities and invest in its national workforce, the contributions of Emirati women will remain an important part of that progress.
The gathering demonstrated that while each generation has its own experiences and challenges, the path forward is connected. The achievements of one generation can create opportunities for the next, while emerging professionals can carry that progress into the future.
For the women who participated, the journey provided an opportunity to celebrate where they have come from, recognize the contributions of their peers and look ahead to the next chapter of Emirati women’s leadership in healthcare and beyond.
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