SSMC’s RenAIssance research lab leads the way in medical innovation and pioneering personalized patient care

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 18 July 2024: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a member of the PureHealth network, has recently established “RenAIssance”, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) research lab, poised to set new benchmarks in AI research and redefine the future of healthcare technology and innovation.

Equipped with state-of-the-art, high performance computing devices and in collaboration with researchers from Khalifa University and Mohamad Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the lab enables SSMC to closely engage with academic institutions and industries, both in the UAE and globally. This industry-academia collaboration aims to create tailored AI tools to better personalize patient care and innovate solutions that directly address healthcare challenges in the UAE.

Dr. Siddiq Anwar, consultant nephrologist and project lead at SSMC, said: “Through multidisciplinary and multi-faculty collaborations, the “RenAIssance” AI research lab will play a crucial role in developing next generation solutions for complex medical challenges presented at the hospital. I eagerly look forward collaborating with fellow healthcare and academic professionals to leverage AI technologies to enhance patient care and outcomes.” Wish to acknowledge the academic collaboration of  Dr Mecit Can Emre Simsekler from Khalifa University and Dr Mohammad Yaqub of Mohamad Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence that has been pivotal in setting up this lab.

Underlining the importance of this facility, Dr. Ravi Trehan, acting director of medical research, added: “Embracing a digital-first, tech-enabled approach with validated and tailored AI solutions is imperative to alleviate modern medical challenges. At SSMC, our research  team is dedicated to conducting research that will offer meaningful contributions to this transformative journey.”

Implementing high-performance computing will enable the analysis of complex Big Data beyond traditional software limits, driving customized AI solution development. By undergoing continuous and rigorous validation and peer-review, these AI solutions will enhance healthcare and elevate personalized patient care by accelerating information processing, improving access to medical knowledge and aiding faster clinical diagnostics and decision-making.

Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, acting chief executive officer, further noted: “As a leading provider of world-class healthcare, SSMC is enthusiastic about collaborating with international academic consortia to develop and validate AI tools to address global healthcare challenges. Ultimately, this contributes to Abu Dhabi’s journey towards becoming one of the world’s premier healthcare destinations.”

Committed to advancing healthcare delivery, SSMC continually integrates innovative technologies to enhance the patient experience. The establishment of “RenAIssance” research lab signifies yet another significant advancement in SSMC’s mission to deliver comprehensive patient care in Abu Dhabi, ensuring patient needs remain at the forefront of all initiatives.