Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
07/14/2010 - Issue 41
Reem Akhras
Still at 34, Reem Akhras manages to carry on her duties as Director of the Center For Strategic Health Studies, as a wife, and a mother of two lovely kids. Yet that hasn’t deterred her from pursuing her plans, where she is currently doing her PhD in Quality Management from Liverpool School for Tropical Medicine.
Photo by Carole al-Farah
What path led you to your current position?
You can call it mere coincidence. I studied Dentistry at Damascus University, and a year later I headed to the US for training. Upon returning I heard about a training course in Health Systems Management headed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, and I’ve decided to enroll since Syria was undergoing modernization and development. The need for management specialists was rising. Upon graduation, the Minister of Health offered me the honor of being Director of the School in which I had studied, which I readily accepted.
What enticed you to accept this position?
Before leaving to the US for training I worked for about a year in rural areas, and I saw all the inept and outdated management strategies there firsthand, so I desired a chance to change that; change the attitude and old management culture to yield better results for patients.
How did it feel being director of a challenging center at such a young age? Was the community ready for that?
I didn’t feel I was at an extremity because many young people were starting to get high positions in the country. But at the same time it was a change in the culture, which was a motivation for me to prove myself.
In your opinion, what might be the difference between the old and the young—work wise?
The main difference between the old and the young is technology; that’s the major gap, a great one though. We see technology as a necessity while they see it as a luxury.
Additionally, young people are more flexible; more inclined to teamwork; and more understanding of the necessity of being directly involved in the work done—micromanagement.
On the other hand, the young do need time to mature and develop, so the older generations should be consulted and conferred with; their wisdom should be sought.
What do you believe your greatest achievements to be?
Personally, I would say my family and kids. I am most proud of my children and my family. Also, as a woman, I never stopped working since graduation even during pregnancy.
Professionally, being in my current position is an achievement to me, it happened so suddenly. Building up the center from scratch, teaching a Master's degree through contracts with the Liverpool school. That makes me very proud, especially at graduation ceremonies.
What words of advice would you give young people in order for them to have a better future?
Don’t let small things stop you from doing what you believe in, such as the lack of time, discouragement, or hesitation; you create and live your own future.
Never fear facing people no matter how young or unaccomplished you are; you need to be convinced of yourself in order to convince others. Also don’t be afraid of taking decisions, change is good whenever it is possible.
Though in the work environment, the most important thing is to work as a group, not as an individual. Don’t develop any kind of low estimation of your team members, because everybody knows something that might add to your knowledge and experience. Listen to all and share thoughts and information with others; that opens up doors.
Any words in finishing?
Just thanks and gratitude for my family who supported my through everything.
Eng.Omar Mushref Radwan:
Very nice , go ahead Dr. Reem