Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) announced the appointment of Dame Ruth Carnall and Sir Murray Brennan as members of the board of governors yesterday.
Dame Ruth Carnall has more than 35 years’ experience in healthcare, including 20 years as a chief executive in acute hospitals, mental health, community services and health authorities.  She is credited for having established the National Health Service London - the strategic health authority for London. She was awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the National Health Service in London in 2004. In 2011, she received Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her achievements in healthcare.
Sir Murray Brennan is an international cancer surgeon and leader in cancer research. He is currently the Benno C. Schmidt Chair in Clinical Oncology, vice-president for International Programmes, and director of The Bobst International Centre at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York. Sir Murray was bestowed the title of Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to medicine in January 2015. The title is the highest honour given to New Zealand nationals by the Queen of England.
Lord Darzi of Denham, the vice chair of the board of governors and the chair of the executive committee at Sidra said, “We are honoured to welcome Dame Ruth Carnall and Sir Murray Brennan to the Sidra board. They are respected leaders and mentors in the healthcare industry and we look forward to benefiting from their judgment and counsel. Their combined expertise will add a valuable perspective in supporting Sidra’s mission to address the growing need for comprehensive patient-focused medical services for the women and children of Qatar. Together with the world-class team here, we are committed to establishing Sidra as a beacon of learning, discovery and exceptional care”.
In his capacity as vice chair of the board of governors and the chair of the executive committee, Lord Darzi oversees and supports Sidra’s delivery of excellence in clinical care underpinned by the latest research. He was appointed to the role in May 2015.
Lord Darzi has contributed to many healthcare reform and innovation initiatives in Qatar. He is a member of the Qatar Foundation advisory board and executive chair of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).  He has previously served as a member of the board of the Supreme Council of Health. In 2014, Lord Darzi was awarded the Qatari Sash of Independence, by HH the Emir, in recognition of his
contribution to Qatar’s health sector.