Faculty Awarded ZIMAM Digital Health Educator of the Year Award 2026
Dr. Mecit Can Emre Simsekler Recognized for Contributions to Digital Health Education, AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation and the Development of Future Healthcare Leaders
Khalifa University faculty Dr. Mecit Can Emre Simsekler, Acting Chair, Department of Management Science and Engineering and Associate Professor has been named a joint winner of the ZIMAM Digital Health Educator of the Year Award 2026.The award was presented during the 9th ZIMAM Digital Health Forum in recognition of outstanding contributions to digital health education and efforts to advance healthcare transformation across the Middle East and North Africa.
The ZIMAM Digital Health Awards highlight contributions that strengthen healthcare systems and advance digital health capabilities through innovation, knowledge sharing and professional development. Dr. Simsekler’s recognition reflects his efforts to advancing interdisciplinary education at the intersection of healthcare management, artificial intelligence, systems engineering and digital transformation.
At Khalifa University, he is the Founding Director of the MSc in Health Systems Management program, which equips future healthcare professionals and leaders with the analytical, technological, and management capabilities needed to address increasingly complex healthcare challenges. His teaching spans undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral programs, covering healthcare analytics management, healthcare operations management, digital health technologies and innovation, and artificial intelligence in health systems, business, and society. Through these courses, he integrates systems thinking, data-driven decision-making, and emerging digital technologies to prepare students to design and manage safer, more efficient, resilient, and patient-centered healthcare systems.
Dr. Mecit Can Emre Simsekler said: “I am honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the collective efforts of colleagues, students, and partners working to advance digital health education and innovation. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, it is essential to prepare future leaders with the skills to harness emerging technologies and translate them into real-world impact. This award also underscores Khalifa University’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision for a more innovative, resilient, and technology-enabled healthcare sector.”
The ZIMAM Digital Health Educator of the Year Award 2026 highlights the increasing need to equip the next generation of healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills required to translate emerging technologies and data-driven innovations into meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
