ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) has earned another recognition for its nursing excellence, with its Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialling Center (ANCC) making it the second hospital in the UAE to achieve the designation.

The PureHealth facility is now among 30 healthcare organisations outside the US recognised for its nursing standards.

Regarded as the global gold standard for nursing excellence, Magnet Recognition is awarded to healthcare organisations that demonstrate exceptional standards of patient care, nursing leadership, professional practice and innovation. The achievement reflects SSMC's focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centred care while creating an environment where nurses are empowered to lead, innovate and help shape clinical practice.

The recognition further strengthens SSMC's position as one of the UAE's leading providers of serious and complex care and reflects the organisation's continued investment in quality, workforce development and patient outcomes. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a global destination for healthcare by advancing quality, workforce excellence, and internationally recognised standards of care.

Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at SSMC, said: “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. As we look ahead, we remain focused on advancing outcomes, enhancing patient experience, and creating sustainable impact for the communities we serve.”

At SSMC, nurses play an integral role in the hospital’s multidisciplinary model of care, working alongside physicians and allied health professionals to support patients with some of the most serious and complex conditions. The hospital’s nursing workforce comprises more than 1,500 registered nurses representing over 30 nationalities, with 97 per cent of whom hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Zulaikha Al Hosani, Chief Nursing Officer at SSMC, said: “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. Magnet designation recognises not only what we have achieved, but also the culture of excellence we have built together.”

The SSMC Magnet designation highlights the excellence and professionalism of its nursing workforce, demonstrated through strong performance in clinical practice, education, and research. Many nurses hold specialty certifications and master’s degrees, with ongoing efforts to expand advanced expertise across all units.

SSMC nurses continue to advance evidence-based practice, contributing to more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications, while fostering a culture of innovation supported by sustained engagement and unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.

This latest achievement builds on SSMC’s continued focus on clinical excellence, education, research and innovation, while further strengthening its role in delivering trusted, world-class healthcare to patients across Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region.