Hala Alnahas

Moving countries, learning a new language, and starting again as a dentist isn’t easy – but it shaped the career I have today.

I’m Hala Alnahas, a general dentist who graduated from Damascus University in 2011. I’ve always been drawn to aesthetic and prosthetic dentistry, which led me to work and train in Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE.

In 2016, I moved to Sweden. I learned the language and earned my dental licence in 2019. Around that time, I knew I wanted to take the next step in my career and move towards leadership. That’s when I decided to pursue further study at RCSI.

The timing felt right. I was settled professionally and ready for a new challenge. Completing the degree has been a major milestone, and I’m now planning to move into a management role within the Swedish healthcare system.

The programme was a truly rewarding experience. I grew academically, personally, and as a leader. It gave me practical skills and the confidence to step into healthcare management. One of the best parts was working with classmates from around the world. We learned a lot from each other through group projects and discussions.

Being elected cohort representative in my second year was a highlight. It taught me valuable lessons about responsibility, communication, and leadership. I’m also very grateful to the professors, whose support made a real difference throughout the programme.

Balancing full-time work, study, and personal life wasn’t always easy. But it pushed me to improve my time management and build habits that still help me today.

For my final project, I focused on quality and safety in dentistry. The research led to clear, practical outcomes. I was able to present a strong business case at my workplace, showing how the project could improve patient safety and the quality of care in our clinic.

I would strongly recommend the Master’s in Healthcare Management at RCSI to anyone who wants to grow their career, whether that means making a bigger impact in healthcare or moving from clinical work into leadership.

Hala Alnahas is a dentist and graduate of the RCSI MSc in Healthcare Management.