Chief Nursing officers are like architects of care in the complex landscape of healthcare, steering organizations towards operational success and patient-centric excellence. Leading in this distinguished leadership role is Hani Ayyad, the Chief Nursing Officer at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH).
With more than 25 years in nursing care and healthcare management, Hani stands as a symbol of transformative leadership. His journey began as a critical care nurse, and that provided a solid foundation from which he ascended through various leadership roles. From unit manager in an intensive care unit to director positions in critical care departments across North Dakota and California, Hani’s rise showcased not just ambition but a relentless pursuit of excellence.
His role evolved into that of Chief Clinical Officer in healthcare organizations in Michigan and Oregon where he contributed to the strategic direction of healthcare delivery. His journey continued with a significant chapter in Saudi Arabia, where Hani assumed the role of Chief Nursing Officer for the largest private healthcare organization in the Western region of the country. Subsequently, he became Group Chief Nursing Officer for a three-hospital government system in the United Arab Emirates. During the global pandemic, Hani returned to Saudi Arabia, where he assumed the pivotal role of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare.
Advancing Health in the East
JHAH stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Established through a partnership between Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest energy company, and Johns Hopkins Medicine International, a renowned U.S. healthcare institution, JHAH has firmly established itself as a leading healthcare provider in the region.
The inception of JHAH dates back to 1936 when Saudi Aramco began providing medical care to its employees. That laid the foundation for a legacy that has evolved into a comprehensive, fully integrated healthcare system. Assuming this responsibility in 2014, JHAH continues building on that legacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic put JHAH’s resilience on full display as it worked to ensure the health of Aramco’s workforce so they could continue to provide vital energy supplies to the world. “This trying period is a testament to the advanced healthcare operation that we offer in our organization,” says Hani. “While many throughout the world struggled to maintain their operations and to serve their communities, Aramco’s operations went uninterrupted.”
Hani’s Leadership Philosophy
Hani has a profound perspective on healthcare leadership. He firmly believes in the varying levels of influence at different roles within the hierarchy. As a bedside nurse, one impacts the immediate environment surrounding patients. As a manager, the scope extends to the entire unit, while a CNO influencess the entire organization as nursing comprises the largest workforce in any healthcare organization.
Expressing his leadership philosophy, Hani says, “I’ve always believed that leadership is about two things: First is to provide the people you work with the tools to get the job done; the second is to get out of their way so that they can do their job.” These principles have been instrumental in unlocking previously unrealized potential throughout his career. Hani emphasizes the significance of nurturing future leaders through succession planning, recognizing its pivotal role in his journey.
Hani’s belief in synergy and the collective potential of teams is evident in his approach. “I have always believed in synergy and the ability of teams to achieve more than the sum of the individual.” This underlines his belief in the power of collaboration in achieving organizational goals.
Choosing to steer away from micromanagement, Hani places trust in the abilities of his team. Providing them with space and the freedom to take actions, even if it means making mistakes, has been a key factor in achieving higher outcomes. This approach not only fosters growth but also develops leaders, preparing them for higher roles and responsibilities.
Hani’s leadership philosophy not only shapes the direction of nursing but contributes positively to the entire healthcare organization by creating an environment where potential is realized, synergy is embraced and leaders are developed.
Patient and Staff Well-being at the Core of JHAH Success
JHAH gives utmost importance to the well-being of patients and staff. Setting itself apart from conventional healthcare organizations, JHAH has embraced a distinctive mindset where employees take precedence, creating a reciprocal dynamic where employees provide optimal care to patients.
This unique approach, placing employees at the forefront, has yielded remarkable results. Tested during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not only enhanced employee loyalty and resilience but has also translated into significant improvements in staff engagement, patient satisfaction and overall quality outcomes. These achievements are benchmarked on an international basis, positioning JHAH as a standout healthcare institution in the region.
Introducing an innovative peer review system known as “AP,” all upper staff at JHAH now have the opportunity to provide feedback to their colleagues. Hani believes in the power of peer accountability, promoting a culture where frontline staff are deeply invested in the success of their colleagues. This has led to notable improvements in team care, spirit and accountability at the bedside.
“Moreover, we unified our strategic objectives in nursing by simplifying them to a point where all of our staff are fully aware of our mission, vision and values, and all are working towards achieving those,” says Hani. This approach has cultivated a sense of support, clear direction, collaboration and, most importantly, a sense of belonging within the organization. As a result, JHAH has successfully retained top talent, boasting a retention rate of above 95% for the last three years.
A Reflection on Nursing Leadership
Challenges, conflicts and change are constants that shape the entirety of one’s career in healthcare. For nursing leaders like Hani, one of the toughest challenges is the global shortage of highly skilled and competent nursing staff—a persistent issue that has intensified with time.
The COVID-19 pandemic cast a spotlight on this challenge, pushing healthcare systems worldwide to unprecedented levels of patient influx. Hani, like many nursing leaders globally, faced the immense task of simultaneously managing patient loads, expanding capacity and prioritizing the health of his staff.
Despite the difficulties encountered, Hani emphasizes the valuable lessons learned during the pandemic. The experience has equipped nursing leaders with insights that will better prepare them for future challenges. The dedication to managing patient care while ensuring the well-being of staff demonstrates the resilience of healthcare professionals worldwide.
Elevating Nursing Excellence
Hani shares the organization’s refined nursing vision and mission. The vision is set to position JHAH as the regional leader in advancing nursing care and practice, aligning with the broader mission to provide evidence-based, person-centered nursing care.
Underlining their commitment, Hani emphasizes the core values encapsulated in the nursing CREDO: compassion, respect, excellence, diversity and ownership. These values serve as guiding principles, reflecting the organization’s dedication to nurturing a culture of empathy, quality and accountability.
A transformative shift is further embodied in JHAH’s new nursing professional practice model, which is anchored in an improved work culture, a shared governance model and evidence-based professional practice. This carefully designed model has led to remarkable enhancements in all three strategic priorities: staff engagement, patient experience and quality outcomes. Hani underscores that these achievements are not just aspirations but are substantiated by international benchmarks and a proven track record of significant improvement over the past two years.
Anecdotes of Care
Throughout his international career, Hani has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing in numerous organizations, instilling a shared sense of purpose and unity through a common vision — the journey of continuing excellence. His influence extends to creating operational excellence structures and systems, implementing initiatives for quality outcomes and directing organizations on the path toward Magnet designation.
In contemplating the pivotal moments of his career, Hani emphasizes, “Rebuilding dysfunctional teams into highly reliable and productive teams is one of the hallmarks of my career.”
Hani’s commitment extends beyond individual contributions; he has been instrumental in establishing and building systems that promote functionality and productivity, regardless of individual differences. This approach reflects his dedication to establishing environments that thrive on collaboration and shared goals.
Balancing Clinical and Operational Excellence
In the role of CNO, the fusion of clinical and operational aspects is undeniable, with each exerting a substantial influence on the other. Hani acknowledges this complex connection and emphasizes the inseparability of clinical and operational considerations, recognizing the profound impact each has on the other.
Despite his shift away from direct clinical practice, Hani remains deeply committed to maintaining a connection with frontline staff and those at the bedside. His belief is that the most effective solutions to challenges originate from those directly engaged in patient care. This commitment to staying connected allows him to strike a delicate balance between clinical and operational realms.
Hani’s approach ensures that operational decisions are not made in isolation but are informed by their direct impact on clinical practices at the ground level. By valuing the insights of frontline staff, he creates a synergistic relationship where operational excellence aligns seamlessly with the realities of clinical care, facilitating a holistic and integrated approach to healthcare leadership.
The Future of Nursing
Hani envisions a future for nursing that embraces both the enduring fundamentals of human connection and the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies. Recognizing nursing as a profession that is both high-touch and high-tech, he underscores the perpetual need to establish a human connection between patients and healthcare providers.
In navigating the future, Hani foresees nursing continuing to anchor itself in the basics of compassionate care, ensuring that the human touch remains an integral part of the patient-provider relationship. Simultaneously, he acknowledges the evolving landscape of healthcare and the necessity of leveraging new technologies to address current challenges in nursing resource availability.
Hani points to the promising avenues of virtual nursing, telehealth and the automation of certain tasks as transformative tools that can enhance efficiency and accessibility in healthcare delivery. Moreover, he sees the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence as technologies that can be harnessed to benefit not just nursing but the broader healthcare landscape.
The forward-looking perspective Hani brings to the future of nursing entails a harmonious integration of time-honored principles with innovative technologies. In doing so, nursing can not only preserve its core values of patient-centered care but also adapt to the increasing demands of healthcare in an era of unprecedented technological advancement.
Navigating a Fulfilling Healthcare Career
Drawing from a wealth of experience, Hani impartsvaluable wisdom with a advice that resonates with timeless principles for a fulfilling healthcare career:
- Remain Grounded in Reality: Stay rooted in the practicalities of healthcare, acknowledging the challenges and realities of the field.
- Remain Humble: Approach each day with humility, recognizing that continuous learning is a journey without a final destination.
- Remain Thirsty for New Knowledge & Inquisitive: Cultivate a perpetual thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive mindset.
- Remain Connected to the Entire Team: Develop strong connections with every member of the healthcare team.
- Remain Genuine and Passionate about Healthcare: Preserve authenticity and passion for healthcare.
- Remain Informed about the Healthcare Landscape and Environment: Stay well-informed about the healthcare landscape and the external factors shaping it.
- Remain Connected to the Purpose: Stay connected with the initial purpose that led you to choosing healthcare as a profession.
Milestones of Excellence
JHAH has garnered numerous accolades, accreditations and innovations, solidifying its position as an example of excellence in the healthcare sector. Among its notable achievements are:
- Accountable Care Organization Model: JHAH has successfully implemented a healthcare delivery model grounded in the principles of an accountable care organization, emphasizing efficiency and patient-centered care.
- Embedded Primary Care Model: JHAH boasts an embedded primary care model that aligns with the evolving landscape of healthcare services.
- Advanced Robotic Surgery: JHAH leads the way as the first institution in the Kingdom to introduce advanced robotic surgery technology, enhancing patient outcomes and setting a precedent for medical innovation.
- Mature Nursing Organizational Structure: JHAH has developed a mature nursing organizational structure, processes and outcomes that not only surpass operational and quality goals but also serve as international benchmarks.
- Highly Trained Specialists and Consultants: With the highest concentration of western-trained specialists and consultants in the region within a single organization, JHAH brings a wealth of expertise to its patient-centered care.
- Advanced Emergency Preparedness and Response: JHAH has established the most advanced emergency preparedness and response system in the region, encompassing on-shore and off-shore rescue operations.
- Quality and Patient Safety: JHAH boasts an impressive track record of quality and patient safety that is validated by multiple local and international accreditation bodies.
- Superior Nursing Organizational Structure: Grounded in evidence-based practice and person-centered care, JHAH’s nursing structure is supported by robust education, research and centralized quality support services.
- Pursuit of Magnet Designation: JHAH is on a trajectory towards excellence, actively working towards achieving the prestigious Magnet designation.
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