Dr Yaqoub Youssef Mohammed, a distinguished alumnus of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), has been awarded the highly regarded Fulbright Programme scholarship for 2024 to further his academic pursuits in Health Care Administration at the University of Kentucky, United States.

Established in 1946 and funded by the US State Department, the Fulbright Programme is renowned for being one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive exchange programmes. It aims to foster mutual understanding between cultures and promote cultural diplomacy through the exchange of knowledge and skills between the United States and over 150 countries. 

This year, more than 100 candidates from the Kingdom of Bahrain applied for the programme, and after successfully completing a rigorous selection process that included interviews and assessments measuring skills in scientific writing, research, critical thinking, analytical writing and medical problem-solving, graduates were granted admission to postgraduate studies.

Dr Yaqoub Youssef Mohammed is a general practitioner and academic instructor, having graduated from the Arbian Gulf University with a Bachelor’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences and a Doctor of Medicine degree. His professional experience encompasses roles as an academic instructor at AGU, a trainee doctor at Salmaniya Medical Complex and a medical assistant at the Ministry of Health.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr Yaqoub has been actively involved in various health awareness campaigns, community service initiatives and international medical programmes. He is a dedicated member of the Bahrain Medical Society and the Middle East and North Africa Stroke Organisation. He also played a key role in establishing the “Book Platform for Medical Research” and has previously taken part in the “My Project” competition organised by Tamkeen, winning the Bahrain Entrepreneurs Organisation award. Dr Yaqoub has also received numerous accolades, including the HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Medal for Medical Merit in 2022, and has participated in the Youth Leadership Programme under the United Nations Development Programme.

In conjunction with his studies at the University of Kentucky, Dr Yaqoub has recently joined the Centre of Excellence in Performance Analytics at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, as a Healthcare Business Intelligence Analyst. His role involves the analysis of big data and the implementation of decision support tools within the hospital to address challenges in decision-making that benefit patient care and enhance the overall quality of healthcare. 

Furthermore, he is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Throughout his participation in the Fulbright Programme, he has shared his clinical experiences and fervour for improving patient care, comparing the healthcare systems of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States while exploring how the experiences of both countries can help bridge gaps in global health.