Doha, 2 March, 2015: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) today announced the appointment of Professor Stephen Thomas to the role of Chair of Emergency Medicine.

Prof. Thomas joins HMC from The University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, where he held the positions of George Kaiser Family Foundation Professor and Chair for the Department of Emergency Medicine since 2009, as well as other academic positions.

Previously, Prof. Thomas held several senior positions with Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the world's most respected medical institutions.

Professor Thomas brings with him significant experience of operational leadership, as well as being an accomplished scholar, educator and researcher. He will build on the strong progress that has taken place in emergency medical care across HMC's hospitals under his eminent predecessor's leadership.

Emergency Medicine is a vital element of any healthcare service and HMC is clear that it is a top priority. It is essential to have strong and experienced leadership in this area and Professor Thomas's vast experience will enable the organization to deliver the best possible emergency medical care to the people of Qatar. 

Professor Thomas said that he was very much looking forward to starting his new role as the Chair of Emergency Medicine for HMC. "It is an exciting time to be joining Hamad; the unprecedented growth in Qatar's population will result in ever increasing pressures on emergency care," said Prof Thomas.

"In addition, it is a time of growth and expansion for HMC, as the organization looks to the future, and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities this presents as well as being part of the development of the academic health system for Qatar. There are already really strong foundations in place at Hamad, so I am aiming to build on these to ensure we are able to provide the best possible emergency medical care to every patient who needs us," he added.

As Chair of Emergency Medicine, Prof. Thomas's role will be to oversee and provide strategy and direction for all emergency departments across HMC. The largest Emergency Department is at Hamad General Hospital, which is one of the busiest in the world, seeing around 1,500 patients a day. In order to support local communities outside of Doha, there are also Emergency Departments at Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and The Cuban Hospital, which have recently undergone rapid growth in the number of patients they see.      

About HMC
HMC has been the principal public healthcare provider in the state of Qatar for over three decades and is dedicated to delivering the safest, most effective and compassionate care to all patients.

HMC manages eight hospitals, incorporating five specialist hospitals and three community hospitals. HMC also manages the National Ambulance Service as well as home and residential care, all accredited by Joint Commission International. While HMC continues to upgrade its facilities and services, it has also embarked on an ambitious expansion program, targeting the areas of need in our community.

HMC is leading the development of the region's first academic health system and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar. We collaborate with partners who are key experts in Qatar and beyond, including Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Partners Healthcare, Boston.

We are also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.

For more information please visit: www.hamad.qa or contact Noimot Olayiwola, Media Project Manager Tel: (00974) 44390945; Mobile: (00974) 55568709; Email: nolayiwola@hamad.qa

© Press Release 2015