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• Sora Al Rows exemplifies how hybrid programmers like Harvard Chan's MHCM allow professionals to advance their education without pausing their careers.

• Through strategic time management and a passion for healthcare improvement, she turns classroom insights into real-world impact.

• Building networks with diverse peers enriches her perspective, fostering lifelong mentorships and collaborations.

• Her path illustrates how resilience, rooted in personal experience, can drive meaningful professional growth. 

• Practical tips from her story can help others juggle work, study, and life effectively.

• Have you ever wondered if it's possible to climb the career ladder while scaling the heights of higher education? In a world where demands on our time seem endless, stories like that of Sora Al Rawas offer a beacon of inspiration. As a co-founder and consultant at Al Surat Consulting, Sora jets between Bangkok and Oman, tackling complex healthcare challenges. Alongside her career, she is working toward a master's in health care management (MHCM) at Harvard T.H. Chan. Chan School of Public Health, class of 2027. Her ability to keep pace with both worlds isn't just impressive—it's a masterclass in balance, resilience, and strategic growth. In this post, we'll dive into her story, explore the MHCM program, and share actionable insights for anyone considering a similar path.

• Who Is Sora Al Rowes? A Trailblazer in Healthcare

• Sora Al Rawas isn't your average consultant. With a career spanning continents and disciplines, she's a force in healthcare innovation. Born with a global perspective, Sora's journey has taken her from Lebanon to Canada, the USA, and back to the Gulf region. Her work focuses on optimizing healthcare systems, promoting evidence-based practices, and ensuring quality care reaches those who need it most.

• Early Education and Career Foundations

• Sora's foundation in medicine began at the American University of Beirut, where she earned her Bachelor's in Biology and her medical degree in 2007. She completed her internship in Oman, working as a general practitioner for a year before pursuing advanced studies. At McGill University in Canada, she obtained a Master's in Research, honing her skills in scientific inquiry and data-driven decision-making. This period was pivotal, as it blended her clinical passion with research acumen.

• Moving to the United States, Sora specialized in internal medicine through a residency in Western Massachusetts. Her excellence shone through when she was appointed Chief Resident, gaining early insights into hospital administration and educational systems. As a newly appointed attending physician at Tufts University in Boston, she led her own teaching team—a rare opportunity for someone at that stage. She further enhanced her expertise by attending the 'Train the Trainer' course in faculty development at Stanford University, learning from world-renowned mentors.

• Returning to the Gulf, Sora took on leadership roles that solidified her reputation. At the American Hospital Dubai and later at Oman's Royal Hospital, she served as Head of Risk Management and Head of the Acute Medicine Unit. These positions involved overseeing clinical teams, managing risks, and driving process improvements in high-stakes environments. Her approach always emphasized collaboration, aligning with stakeholders' values to achieve sustainable results.

• Founding Al Soorat Consulting: A Vision for Excellence

• In 2021, Sora co-founded Al Surat Consulting with her sister, Dr. Meda Al Rows. The firm specializes in healthcare consulting, focusing on process optimization, service expansion, and quality assurance. Sora's vision is clear: to promote excellence in healthcare through evidence-based decision-making and collaboration with a network of affiliates. As CEO, she brings her extensive experience to bear, helping organizations navigate complex challenges.
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• Al Soorat goes beyond business, embedding social responsibility at its core. Sora, a strong advocate of corporate responsibility, has collaborated on international philanthropic projects. She's an affiliate of the Lebanese mutual aid organization People's Solidarity and has led initiatives like aid drives to Lebanon post-Beirut bombing, delivering essential supplies such as stationery, diapers, and formula milk. During Hurricane Shaheen, she coordinated relief efforts, providing over 2,000 hot meals with a team of 50 volunteers.
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• Her holistic approach extends beyond medicine. A certified yoga teacher and PADI rescue diver, Sora has trekked to Everest Base Camp, embodying resilience in all aspects of life. These pursuits inform her consulting work, where she integrates well-being practices to combat issues like physician burnout.

• Achievements and Awards: Recognition of Impact

• Sora's contributions haven't gone unnoticed. She's a recipient of the Schwartz Award for compassionate care, nominated by patients who praised her empathy during tough times. Since entering business leadership, she's garnered multiple awards, including an Outstanding Leadership Award in 2023. As a member of the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA), she was elected class representative for the MELA Board, focusing on economic empowerment.

• In academia and research, Sora has served as a peer reviewer for journals like the American Journal of Managed Care and Journal of Tissue Engineering. Her volunteer work includes roles at the World Health Organization, where she assisted with national health projects in Oman, and as a supervising physician at free clinics like Shorewood in Massachusetts. She's also mentored students through programs like Let's Talk Science at the University of British Columbia, with one mentee winning a national award.
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• Sora's TEDx talk, "Alchemy of Loss," delivered at TEDx Al Qu rum in 2025, shares her personal journey through grief and a cancer diagnosis, transforming loss into growth. This vulnerability has resonated widely, earning her acclaim for blending personal resilience with professional insights.

• The Harvard Chan MHCM Program: A Gateway for Mid-Career Leaders

• The master's in health care management (MHCM) at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is tailored for professionals like Sora—mid-career physicians and dentists in leadership roles. This 42.5-credit program equips students with executive skills to drive healthcare innovation.

Who Is Sora Al Rowes? A Trailblazer in Healthcare

Sora Al Rawas isn't your average consultant. With a career spanning continents and disciplines, she's a force in healthcare innovation. Born with a global perspective, Sora's journey has taken her from Lebanon to Canada, the USA, and back to the Gulf region. Her work focuses on optimizing healthcare systems, promoting evidence-based practices, and ensuring quality care reaches those who need it most.

Early Education and Career Foundations

Sora's foundation in medicine began at the American University of Beirut, where she earned her Bachelor's in Biology and her medical degree in 2007. She completed her internship in Oman, working as a general practitioner for a year before pursuing advanced studies. At McGill University in Canada, she obtained a Master's in Research, honing her skills in scientific inquiry and data-driven decision-making. This period was pivotal, as it blended her clinical passion with research acumen.
Moving to the United States, Sora specialized in internal medicine through a residency in Western Massachusetts. Her excellence shone through when she was appointed Chief Resident, gaining early insights into hospital administration and educational systems. As a newly appointed attending physician at Tufts University in Boston, she led her own teaching team—a rare opportunity for someone at that stage. She further enhanced her expertise by attending the 'Train the Trainer' course in faculty development at Stanford University, learning from world-renowned mentors.
Returning to the Gulf, Sora took on leadership roles that solidified her reputation. At the American Hospital Dubai and later at Oman's Royal Hospital, she served as Head of Risk Management and Head of the Acute Medicine Unit. These positions involved overseeing clinical teams, managing risks, and driving process improvements in high-stakes environments. Her approach always emphasized collaboration, aligning with stakeholders' values to achieve sustainable results.

Founding Al Soorat Consulting: A Vision for Excellence

In 2021, Sora co-founded Al Surat Consulting with her sister, Dr. Meda Al Rows. The firm specializes in healthcare consulting, focusing on process optimization, service expansion, and quality assurance. Sora's vision is clear: to promote excellence in healthcare through evidence-based decision-making and collaboration with a network of affiliates. As CEO, she brings her extensive experience to bear, helping organizations navigate complex challenges.

Al Soorat goes beyond business, embedding social responsibility at its core. Sora, a strong advocate of corporate responsibility, has collaborated on international philanthropic projects. She's an affiliate of the Lebanese mutual aid organization People's Solidarity and has led initiatives like aid drives to Lebanon post-Beirut bombing, delivering essential supplies such as stationery, diapers, and formula milk. During Hurricane Shaheen, she coordinated relief efforts, providing over 2,000 hot meals with a team of 50 volunteers.

Her holistic approach extends beyond medicine. A certified yoga teacher and PADI rescue diver, Sora has trekked to Everest Base Camp, embodying resilience in all aspects of life. These pursuits inform her consulting work, where she integrates well-being practices to combat issues like physician burnout.

Achievements and Awards: Recognition of Impact

Sora's contributions haven't gone unnoticed. She's a recipient of the Schwartz Award for compassionate care, nominated by patients who praised her empathy during tough times. Since entering business leadership, she's garnered multiple awards, including an Outstanding Leadership Award in 2023. As a member of the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA), she was elected class representative for the MELA Board, focusing on economic empowerment.

In academia and research, Sora has served as a peer reviewer for journals like the American Journal of Managed Care and Journal of Tissue Engineering. Her volunteer work includes roles at the World Health Organization, where she assisted with national health projects in Oman, and as a supervising physician at free clinics like Shorewood in Massachusetts. She's also mentored students through programs like Let's Talk Science at the University of British Columbia, with one mentee winning a national award.

Sora's TEDx talk, "Alchemy of Loss," delivered at TEDx Al Qu rum in 2025, shares her personal journey through grief and a cancer diagnosis, transforming loss into growth. This vulnerability has resonated widely, earning her acclaim for blending personal resilience with professional insights.

The Harvard Chan MHCM Program: A Gateway for Mid-Career Leaders

The master's in health care management (MHCM) at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is tailored for professionals like Sora—mid-career physicians and dentists in leadership roles. This 42.5-credit program equips students with executive skills to drive healthcare innovation.