- The nurses from across Burjeel Holdings were surprised with brand-new Toyota RAV4 vehicles
- Driving Force Award celebrates nursing excellence and acknowledges the dedication of working professionals
Abu Dhabi, May 5, 2025 – In a heartfelt celebration and a unique gesture of gratitude, ten frontline healthcare professionals were honored with a life-changing surprise. In a special event organized by Burjeel Holdings, kickstarting the International Nurses Day celebrations, these healthcare heroes from across the Group’s hospitals and medical centers were presented with a brand-new Toyota RAV4, a gesture of gratitude that left recipients and onlookers deeply moved.
The Driving Force Award, an initiative celebrating nursing excellence, acknowledged the compassion, perseverance, and emotional labor that define the nursing profession. With senior leadership, colleagues, and families present, the moment captured the spirit of appreciation for those who work quietly, tirelessly, and with heart. The car keys were handed over by Mr. John Sunil, Group CEO, and Mr. Safeer Ahamed, Group Co-CEO of Burjeel Holdings. In the runup to International Nurses Day, the Group will go on to honor 100 more exemplary nurses from across its hospitals and medical centers with cash prizes.
“We often talk about excellence in numbers, metrics, and outcomes. But true nursing excellence lives in the quiet hands that comfort, the voices that reassure, and the hearts that keep hope alive. The Driving Force Award is our way of saying: we see you; we value you. And we’re deeply grateful,” said John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings.
Surprises All Around
For Mei Alegre, a Filipino Nurse Manager at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, the moment was surreal. A nurse with nine years of service at Burjeel, she arrived believing she was simply participating in an International Nurses Day event.
“I thought I was just coming to speak about my experience,” she said through tears. “Never in my life did I imagine this. I’ve always loved my job, but to be appreciated like this — it’s overwhelming.”
Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Even though I’ve transitioned into a managerial position, many of my former patients still recognize me. In those moments, I feel a deep sense of pride knowing that the care I provided made a lasting difference.”
For Soher Mohammed Ahmed Ali, an Egyptian Nursing Educator at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, the recognition carried deep personal meaning. Having lost her father to cancer, she dedicated her life to supporting others. “I couldn’t help my father, but maybe I can help others through what I do,” she said, adding, “When patients or their families pray for me, when they say a quiet dua. That’s more than enough. That’s everything.”
The recognition, she says, felt deeply personal. “Being a nurse is part of who I am. This award reminds me that our presence and our care truly matter.”
Nabil Mohamed Ikbal, a registered nurse at Lifecare Hospital, Baniyas, described the moment as “unreal.” With four years in the system, the Indian nurse saw the moment as a meaningful symbol of validation.
He recalled one of his proudest moments — leading the resuscitation of a patient who had been without pulse or breath for over 20 minutes. “We continued CPR for 50 minutes. Everyone thought there was no hope. But the patient came back. That’s the kind of team I have. That’s the kind of profession nursing is.”
Recognizing the Quiet Heroes of Healthcare
The other winners included Mohammed Hamid Taher from Jordan and Mark Darrel Manalo De La Cruz from the Philippines, and Ani M. Jose, Archanakumari Viswanatha Panicker, Priyanka Devi Kaleeswaran, Sibi Mathew, and Vishnuprasad Sasthamkovil from India.
Senior leaders, family members, colleagues, and patients came together to celebrate stories that often go unnoticed. The evening was a tribute to those who go above and beyond, shift after shift.
Winners were selected after months of assessments across Burjeel units. The unit-level committees reviewed the nurses’ performance, community service, and patient impact, before forwarding final nominations to a central jury. The outcome was kept completely confidential, making the final reveal a true surprise.
