Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Achieves Prestigious Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence

The hospital has become the second in the UAE to receive the globally respected designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, joining an elite cohort of 30 organisations outside the United States recognised for exceptional standards of patient care and nursing leadership.

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), part of PureHealth, has earned Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a distinction that places it among an exclusive international group of healthcare organisations celebrated for nursing excellence and clinical achievement. As the second hospital in the UAE to attain this prestigious accreditation, SSMC joins merely 30 healthcare organisations beyond the United States to have received the designation, underscoring the rarity and significance of the accomplishment.

Magnet Recognition stands as the globally acknowledged standard for nursing excellence, awarded exclusively to healthcare organisations demonstrating exceptional standards of patient care, nursing leadership, professional practice and innovation. The certification reflects SSMC’s steadfast commitment to delivering superior, patient-centred care whilst cultivating an environment where nurses are empowered to exercise leadership, drive innovation and meaningfully shape clinical practice across the institution.

Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s Healthcare Reputation

The recognition reinforces SSMC’s standing as one of the UAE’s most accomplished providers of serious and complex care whilst demonstrating the organisation’s continued investment in quality, workforce development and patient outcomes. Beyond institutional achievement, the designation substantiates Abu Dhabi’s broader ambition to establish itself as a global healthcare destination, advancing internationally recognised standards of care alongside workforce excellence.

Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at SSMC, observed: “Achieving Magnet Recognition is a significant milestone that reflects SSMC’s sustained commitment to building a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability across the organisation. It reinforces our position as a provider of world-class healthcare while strengthening our contribution to Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global medical hub.”

A Nursing Workforce of Distinction

The hospital’s nursing workforce comprises more than 1,500 registered nurses representing over 30 nationalities, with 97 per cent holding a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. Within SSMC’s multidisciplinary model of care, nurses work alongside physicians and allied health professionals, providing comprehensive support to patients presenting with complex and serious conditions.

The nursing complement demonstrates remarkable professional advancement, with many holding specialty certifications and master’s degrees. This collective expertise underpins a commitment to evidence-based practice, with SSMC nurses contributing to more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications whilst fostering a culture of clinical innovation.

Commitment to Continuous Excellence

Zulaikha Al Hosani, Chief Nursing Officer at SSMC, noted: “This achievement belongs to every nurse and every team member who contributed to our Magnet journey. Our nurses have demonstrated remarkable resilience, professionalism, and compassion while continuously striving to improve patient outcomes and advance nursing practice.”

The Magnet designation represents recognition not merely of achievements accomplished, but equally of the institutional culture of excellence established through sustained engagement and unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care. This latest accomplishment builds upon SSMC’s continued focus on clinical excellence, education, research and innovation, further establishing its role as a trusted provider of world-class healthcare serving patients across Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the broader regional landscape.

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office