A look at the leading women in Saudi Arabia and Dr. Reem Al Bunyan is a name that is often mentioned. A consultant neurologist with years of experience in leadership, she currently works for renowned King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and is a key member of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.
Dr. Al Bunyan’s rise as a trailblazer in the Kingdom was based on an impressive academic foundation. Having attended various institutions, Al Bunyan graduated with a handful of degrees in neurology, science in health administration, and clinical and translational science. In addition, she also earned the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad award for academic excellence. The institutions she has attended include the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo School of Medical Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, King Faisal University, and University of Louisville.
Prior to her further studies, Al Bunyan worked for UofL Physicians in 2001 before working as consultant neurologist for the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in 2007. KFMC is regarded as one of the kingdom's top medical cities currently managed by the Ministry of Health, with Al Bunyan offering much needed expertise on her field. In fact, she is credited with the establishment of the city's first clinical neuroimmunology program.
By 2011, she would go on to work for KFSH as consultant neurologist while taking on three additional roles throughout her career. She also has experience in leadership, giving her the opportunity to take the role of director at the Ministry of Health in 2015. She is currently CEO of the ministry's Center for Improving Value in Health (CiV).
If value is defined as "the contribution of the health system to societal wellbeing", can the actions of health system actors be aligned to create a value-based health system?
— European Observatory (@OBShealth) November 5, 2020
Peter Smith & Josep Figueras introducing our new policy brief on #VBHC.
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Al Bunyan is also currently co-chair of the G20 Health Working Group since 2020. Discussions on improving values in health system are key to the group, one of which was titled "Policy Recommendations for a Post-COVID-19 World." In May 2021, Al Bunyan was awarded the King Abdulaziz Order of Merit (second class) for her work.
"Strong and resilient health systems that focus on outcomes, efficiency, user-responsiveness, and equity are critical for preparedness and response to pandemics," Al Bunyan was quoted in an article last year by Arab News.
