In an exclusive interview, the healthcare industry’s rising star Alisha Moopen discusses the enduring pull of helping others, how Aster DM Healthcare is continually striving to make positive impact, and how she plans to use her new platform as a Young Global Leader.
FOR MOST PEOPLE living in the GCC, Aster DM Healthcare needs no introduction.
The healthcare empire with more than 320 establishments across nine countries and growing is one of the most renowned and successful in the region, as well as the Middle East, India and Far East.
Born out of the vision of Dr Azad Moopen more than 30 years ago, the company has grown from a single clinic in Dubai to a sprawling enterprise that employs nearly 20,000 people in its hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and retail pharmacies.
The company has been a major part of the growth of healthcare in the Gulf, and continues to be so. And while Dr Moopen is still firmly leading affairs as chairman and managing director, recent years have seen the company’s stature enhanced by another Moopen – Alisha, daughter of the founder who serves as executive director and CEO of hospitals and clinics in the GCC.
Bringing additional energy, passion and sharp business acumen to the ever-growing organisation, Moopen junior has certainly made her mark since joining in 2012; but while healthcare has always been part of her life, it was far from certain that she would follow her father’s footsteps into the industry.
“Dad used to work 16 to 18 hour days, and everything we would hear was about patients, the lives that have been impacted, and taking care of the people around you. So it’s always been a part of my life,” explains the former Ernst and Young audit executive.
“My son had an accident when he was a year and a half, and that was probably my closest encounter with healthcare in a vulnerable sense, and it shook my life to the core a bit. That’s when it sort of hit me that I want to be back in healthcare and that I belong in healthcare.
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Gulf Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Gulf Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Green lights
It hasn’t even been a full year that Stellantis, one of the world’s biggest auto companies, has been in existence. Still, its wheels are spinning furiously. Here’s what it has in store for the region
Purpose through corporate responsibility
Every organisation must deeply reflect about whether they are leaving behind a legacy or a liability, says Abdulaziz AlSowailim, EY MENA chairman and CEO
Analysing the layers of a coconut
When we have a sense of clarity as to our purpose in life, then we institute the correct practices and habits around us, and set realistic and achievable results
DUNES TO DOMINION
FOR A COUNTRY RICH IN TRADITION AND DRIVEN BY AMBITION, THE UAE’S JOURNEY DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT 50?
Building strong
International investors are boosting Dubai’s residential property market, which has rebounded strongly from the Covid crisis, writes Aarti Nagraj
CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM
FOR SHAI ZAMANIAN, THE US IS A LAND OF LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES, AN AVENUE HE AIMS TO OPEN FOR FAMILIES WORLDWIDE VIA IMMIGRATION. HERE’S HOW HE IS BRINGING HIS GOAL TO FRUITION
OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)
THE GRANDE DAME OF ABU DHABI – THE WIFE OF A FORMER DIPLOMAT – PASSED AWAY IN THE UAE CAPITAL AGED 100
THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS
IN THE COMING YEARS, THE GCC IS EXPECTED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SECTORS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, MANUFACTURING, EDUCATION AND RETAIL, WHICH WILL HELP BOOST THE GROWTH OF ITS NON-OIL ECONOMY
Signed, sealed, delivered
Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, partnered with one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, Ferrari, earlier this year. Here’s where the partnership, and the German company as well, is headed next
UP, UP AND AWAY
AS THE FIRST IN-PERSON AIRSHOW TO TAKE PLACE SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EVENT SAW SEVERAL DEALS ANNOUNCED
