Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine speaks to Qatar Happening on her leadership position, relevant global healthcare trends for women’s and children’s health and the role played by technology in treatment.
QH: How has your leadership at Sidra Medicine evolved since transitioning from a board member to CEO?
Dr Tinubu-Karch: Stepping from the boardroom into the CEO role at Sidra Medicine has been an incredible journey. While my board role focused on strategic oversight and high-level decisions, my current position has immersed me in the daily operations of Sidra Medicine and playing a much more strategic and hands-on role in the direction we want to take our women’s and children’s healthcare services.
One of the biggest shifts for me has been getting to know our people on a deeper level. Witnessing their commitment firsthand is truly inspiring and reinforces my responsibility to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
As CEO, I need to ensure that as an institution, we are agile and adaptable. This means being committed to nurturing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By embracing change and fostering a growth mindset, we can ensure that Sidra Medicine remains at the forefront of women’s and children’s healthcare and constantly innovating and transforming lives.
QH: What role do you see technology playing in advancing clinical care at Sidra Medicine?
Dr Tinubu-Karch: Our commitment to embracing the latest technological advancements is essential for Sidra Medicine to remain a leader in patient care. Technology is the cornerstone of our ability to expand and enhance our clinical services, ensuring we provide exceptional care for women and children in Qatar and the region.
Our application of technology spans administrative, clinical care and research expertise.
One of the ways we have enhanced our expertise in precision medicine, is by implementing Whole Genome Sequencing, an advanced diagnostic tool for our patients. This allows us to analyse a person’s entire genome to identify disease-linked genetic variations, which enables the swift detection of most genetic issues that might otherwise go undiagnosed. Now we can eliminate the need to send samples abroad, reducing turnaround times for a diagnosis from months to weeks.
We have become a regional pioneer in gene therapy, harnessing the power of technology to revolutionise treatment options for genetic diseases. We made history as the first hospital in Qatar and the fifth hospital to administer Elevidys worldwide, a revolutionary gene therapy medication for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). We are also the sole provider of gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Qatar.
We have also established the first pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant programme in Qatar, in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This programme offers life-saving treatment options for children with specific conditions.
We continually redefine surgical excellence and champion minimally invasive procedures thanks to technology and the expertise of our surgeons who implement pioneering and ground-breaking techniques.
We are immensely proud of our genomics programme where we work in close collaboration with partners including Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Precision Health Institute and the Qatar Genome Program. We’ve made significant strides in this field, having analysed the genes of over 40,000 individuals.
QH: How has your background in geriatric medicine shaped your approach to healthcare leadership?
Dr Tinubu-Karch: My background in geriatric medicine has profoundly influenced my approach to healthcare leadership. In geriatrics, you learn to consider not only the immediate medical issues but also the broader context of a patient’s life – how their environment, family support, mental well-being, and social circumstances all influence their health.
Geriatric medicine emphasises long-term health and quality of life, not just treating immediate symptoms. This philosophy is central to Sidra Medicine’s approach. We’re not only focused on acute interventions but also on providing sustainable, comprehensive care that supports the overall well-being of our patients and their families. My background has instilled in me a deep respect for the continuity of care, which we strive to deliver at every stage of a patient’s journey here.
QH: What innovations in healthcare are you currently focused on implementing at Sidra Medicine?
Dr Tinubu-Karch: At Sidra Medicine, innovation is at the heart of our mission to provide exceptional care for children and women. We are constantly striving to achieve new milestones and push the boundaries of healthcare through several key initiatives.
One key area is our Clinical Trials Program, which focuses on trials directly benefiting children in the Arab region. The trials could offer children the chance to receive lifesaving treatment whether it is a new drug, therapy, device or procedure–before it becomes widely available.
We are strategically seeking to integrate Artificial Intelligence into our operations to empower our patients and optimise our workflow. AI’s analytical power accelerates and streamlines our ability to identify disease patterns from patient data. This translates to earlier diagnoses, more targeted treatments, and ultimately, a better quality of life for our patients.
Relevant global healthcare trends for women’s and children’s health:
Precision Medicine: The personalisation of healthcare is one of the most significant advancements in modern medicine. We are deeply committed to representing the unique needs of Middle Eastern populations. We recognise that many current treatment options lack effectiveness due to a historical underrepresentation of Arab, African-Arab, and Persian-Arab genetics in research.
Rise in Doctor Recommendations: A recent McKinsey & Company survey found that consumers are taking greater control over their health–and expect companies to provide effective, science-backed solutions. As people look to avoid deceptive marketing of products and services that are not backed by science or a credible clinical expert, healthcare provider recommendations have become important once again. The survey found that consumers said they are most influenced by doctors’ recommendations when seeking care related to mindfulness, sleep, and overall health.
Health Literacy and Patient Empowerment: The shift towards patient-centred care models is transforming the healthcare landscape. Our healthcare leaders are empowering patients to actively participate in their healthcare decisions by promoting health literacy. This trend is especially important for women, who often make healthcare decisions for their families.
Mental Health: There is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health, particularly among women and adolescents. Destigmatising mental health issues and integrating mental health services into our care are key steps in ensuring a holistic approach to health.
SHORT SHOTS:
Favourite travel destination: I love to travel but since moving to Qatar, this country tops the list.
Favourite book: Non-fiction particularly with disruptive strategy themes.
Project of pride: Empowering and challenging patients to take charge of their health and wellness.
Best advice received: Keep going until someone tells you to stop!
Unwinding after a long day: Golf
