Dr Laila AbdelWareth says opportunities depend on timely decision-making

Tell us about your career path.
With both my parents being pharmacists, I was naturally drawn to the medical field from a young age. My husband and I both applied to the University of British Columbia. Before I was offered a residency in paediatrics, I was accepted into clinical pathology. This was a subject that had always fascinated me. During my time in British Columbia, I received both Canadian and American board certifications in medical biochemistry and clinical pathology.

I arrived in the UAE as a young pathologist in the 1990s. My husband and I settled down here to build a life for ourselves and pursue our careers. Back then, especially in the region, pathology was not well known. While my title raised eyebrows during introductions, I realised that this only meant that there was great potential for clinical pathology in the UAE.

For me, the 1990s and early 2000s were a golden era for the country. I witnessed exponential change and rapid growth. Using my training and perspective gained in Canada, I was able to help hospitals and clinics see the potential use of pathology in conjunction with other medical practices. Through this initiative, medical institutions introduced critical infrastructure and pathology programs into the healthcare industry.

My career has grown through several life-changing opportunities in the UAE. This included roles with the UAE Ministry of Health at Mafraq Hospital in 1997, SEHA at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in 2006, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2014, and my current role at the National Reference Library.

Any advice on how Emirati women can forge ahead in their careers?
It is important to have faith in yourself. By this, I don’t mean blind arrogance. If you have faith, you can challenge yourself and endure uncomfortable situations that will push you beyond your usual limits. If you are doing the same thing every day, you are unlikely to progress.

Do not shy away from opportunities. Women tend to doubt themselves, and this can be a difficult mindset to overcome. Rather than being overwhelmed by an opportunity, think about how you can take advantage of it. Opportunities depend on timely decision-making. Sometimes, the emotions of excitement and anticipation can manifest as fear and anxiety. It is the fear of failure that inhibits us from taking the leap of faith. Challenge your fears and take that chance. Nine out of 10 times, you are likely to not regret it.

Women are looked to as sources of inspiration and carry significant respect in our society. This stems from the way Emirati women take charge of the household, often managing the financials and other key decisions related to the family. We see an extension of this in society as women continue to play pivotal roles in large-scale changes, helping to shape the nation as it is today, with unwavering support from the UAE leadership.

Who is your role model?
It would have to be Sheikha Fatima bit Mubarak, the spouse of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; and the chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. There is a very personal story involving Sheikha Fatima, which helped shape the trajectory of my career.

When I first arrived in the UAE, hospitals and clinics did not know what to do with me; they had not heard of an American board-certified pathologist. As a result, I was bounced back and forth across various institutions.

Eager to help and frustrated by not being able to find the right avenue to begin my career, I wrote to Sheikha Fatima, explaining my concerns and dilemma. Back in the day, we had the Emirati Women’s League, which was a social circle that supported the development of Emirati women across the country. When I met the director of one of the Emirati Women’s League centres, I urged her to deliver my letter to Sheikha Fatima.

The next day, I received a phone call from the Ministry of Health. This phone call opened doors that I never imagined possible, allowing me to pursue my work in collaboration with the government, working on several landmark projects. These included the first National Newborn Screening Programme in 1998, the reactivation of the National Tissue Typing Laboratory to support organ and bone marrow transplantation, the introduction of total laboratory automation,
and the introduction of laboratory accreditation by the College of American Pathologists, as well as the accreditation of the American Association of Blood Banks in Abu Dhabi.

So, Sheikha Fatima is most certainly my hero and an inspiration to countless other women.