Osama Nazik Zamel
September 2024
Osama Nazik
Zamel
,
MSN, NE-BC, PMP, CPPS, PMI-ACP, LSSGB
Oncology
King Saud University Medical City - King Khalid University Hospital
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

 

 

 

One of Mr. Osama's greatest strengths lies in his ability to motivate his team with a shared vision and enthusiasm. He instills a sense of purpose and pride in their work, encouraging them to achieve better outcomes for themselves and, most importantly, for their patients.
A leader is born not made that is according to Trait theory. Some say that for you to become a leader, you should set a good example. One of the best ways to lead by example is by building trust. I can still remember when I first came here to KKUH. I was culturally shocked. I was dumbfounded by how staff nurses worked with so much pressure. I wanted to go back home or maybe just finish my one-year contract because seeing those scenarios made me feel I could not overcome them. After all those frustrations and challenges, can you imagine I am going to have my 10 years in service here in KKUH? It is because I was surrounded by beautiful people, WITH A HEART. One of them is my former educator, Mr. Osama Zamel, who undeniably deserves to be where he is right now, our Oncology Center Service Manager. I have so many angst and difficulties back then. I am afraid to see him while on duty because he will never run out of questions whenever he sees us newbies. Sometimes I question myself, why those things are happening to me? Why I need to be asked with those that I do not know? Honestly, I get angry and protest in silence about his decisions, but at the end of the day, he is right. Just like questioning God, why do we have to struggle? Why my life is so miserable? It is because God loves us. Same as questioning, Why does Mr. Osama exist? Why do we need someone like him in our unit? In our lives? It is because he wants us to learn not just the basic but the extensive ones. It is because he is directing or redirecting us to the path that is right and just. For us to become stronger, more confident, and fiercer. To deliver Excellent Quality Nursing Care. He led us to be one of those trusted and efficient nurses, so do not ever question this young man’s capabilities. His quick-witted mind made him who he is today. Every now and then, he challenges us to create new things, not just be stagnant with what we know or what we have. He encourages us to excel and develop our critical thinking. Like a toddler always asking the word, WHY? Because that is what we ought to do while dealing with patients' lives: do our profession with compassion and conscience. No wonder I became one of the DAISY Nurses. He was there and proud to be my mentor/Service Manager. I know that he does not know that I am so proud to have him as my mentor, Service Manager. I am looking up to him because of his stubborn, persistent and brilliant mind. Everything that comes to his mind is perfectly awesome. Yes, he is straightforward and do not miss any opportunities or ideas as long as it is for the safety of patient, family and colleagues.

Mr. Osama Zamel stands as a shining example of compassionate leadership and exemplary practice. His influence extends far beyond his managerial role, touching the lives of both his staff and patients with his extraordinary behavior.

Mr. Osama's commitment to his staff goes beyond the day-to-day operations of the ward. He is always the first to stand up and support us during social occasions or challenges they face. His dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment led him to personally approach me with the idea of establishing a social club for staff. Recognizing the importance of addressing staff social occasions promptly, he ensured its immediate implementation.

To facilitate open communication and quick problem-solving, Mr. Osama created a WhatsApp group for all oncology center staff. This platform allows staff members to share any challenges they encounter directly with him, ensuring timely responses and solutions. His accessibility and responsiveness are further highlighted by his decision to share his private number with all staff. Mr. Osama doesn't just have an open-door policy; he encourages staff to call or approach him at any time, reinforcing a culture of accessibility and support.

Mr. Osama’s dedication to patient-centered care is equally commendable. He was the first to establish a Family Advisory Council, providing patients and their families with a voice in the care process. This initiative underscores his commitment to involving patients and their families in decision-making and continuously improving the quality of care.

In addition to the Family Advisory Council, Mr. Osama introduced the "I am Aware" initiative across all oncology center settings. This program aims to orient patients and staff to patient rights and the importance of quality care, reflecting his role as a role model and content expert in the field.

Mr. Osama's expertise is further evidenced by his acquisition of six international certificates, which he applies to his unique management style. These certifications not only enhance his leadership skills but also enable him to effectively mentor and guide his staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and excellence.

Creating an environment that fosters care and compassion is second nature to Mr. Osama. He goes above and beyond to ensure that attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development, and ethical behavior are not just words on a wall but principles that are actively modeled and supported. His leadership style encourages open communication, collaboration, and a sense of community among staff members.

This is evident by the fact that Mr. Zamel noticed that some staff members were experiencing stress and burnout due to the demanding nature of their work. Instead of overlooking the issue, he took proactive steps to address it. He organized regular team meetings where staff could openly discuss their challenges, share their experiences, and support one another. Mr. Osama also encouraged the staff to register in the stress buster workshop, rotate staff areas of assignment, and grant flexible leave planners.

Additionally, recognizing the importance of continued professional development, Mr. Osama arranged for training sessions and workshops focused on resilience building through our UBC/SBC. He encouraged staff to participate in these opportunities, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their well-being to deliver the best possible care to patients.

By actively addressing the well-being and professional growth of his staff, Mr. Osama demonstrated that trust, compassion, mutual respect, and ethical behavior are more than just words to him—they are guiding principles that he actively models and supports in his leadership approach. His efforts fostered a supportive and collaborative environment where staff felt valued, heard, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.

One of Mr. Osama's greatest strengths lies in his ability to motivate his team with a shared vision and enthusiasm. He instills a sense of purpose and pride in their work, encouraging them to achieve better outcomes for themselves and, most importantly, for their patients. His passion for nursing and patient care is contagious, inspiring others to embrace their roles with renewed energy and commitment.

To instill a sense of purpose and pride in their work, Mr. Osama celebrates achievements, both big and small, he says, “WE NEED TO CELEBRATE SMALL SUCCESSES TILL WE REACH THE BIG ONE,” recognizing individual and team contributions. And that not limited to the employee of the month, or oncology excellence award, he created different lines of recognition that we lived and experienced, like best patient friendly nurses, best team leader, family friendly staff, outperforming mentee to encourage new staff, to make recognition as the place culture.

Mr. Osama's passion for nursing and patient care is truly contagious. He leads by example, demonstrating empathy, dedication, and commitment in his interactions with patients and staff alike. He might spend time on the ward, engaging with patients and listening to their concerns, or he might collaborate with staff on developing innovative solutions to improve patient care and outcomes. And that is evident by the development of I am aware card, chemotherapy safety checklist, neutropenia bundle of care, and other initiatives which been developed based on his hands on with front liner. 

As a mentor, Mr. Osama plays a pivotal role in the professional development of his staff. He invests time and effort in nurturing their skills, knowledge, and confidence, empowering them to reach their full potential. His guidance and support are invaluable, helping individuals and teams overcome challenges, develop critical thinking skills, and find innovative solutions to complex problems. We have noticed this whenever he had a master student attached to him or whenever we acted as acting head nurse with him. He will not only direct or demand or order, but he will also advise, he will mentor, and teach as the whole experience.

Accessibility and responsiveness are key traits that set Mr. Osama apart as a leader. He is always available to listen to the needs of others, offering encouragement, guidance, and support when needed. His approachable demeanor and willingness to engage with staff at all levels foster a culture of openness, trust, and collaboration. His private number with us, he is never confined to his open door. He always makes sure that our voices reach. He arranged different open meetings with the unit head and head nurses to empower us and solve our challenges immediately.

Mr. Osama's leadership is characterized by his remarkable ability to motivate his staff through a shared vision and infectious enthusiasm. He consistently communicates a clear and inspiring vision of the DAISY Award, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and excellence in patient care. By painting a compelling picture of the impact, they can make on patients' lives. He ignites a sense of purpose and passion among his team members.

Mr. Osama's enthusiasm for nursing and patient care is palpable and contagious. He leads by example, demonstrating a genuine commitment to his work and a deep empathy for patients. His hands-on approach, positive attitude, and unwavering dedication inspire others to embrace their roles with renewed energy and motivation.

Moreover, Mr. Osama encourages professional growth and development by providing opportunities for staff to expand their skills, knowledge, and expertise. He supports them in pursuing further education, certifications, and training, recognizing that investing in their continuous learning not only enhances their professional growth but also motivates them to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their patients.

Oncology center clinical KPI are the best supporting evidence of service quality of care; having zero CLABSI, zero CAUTI, zero FALL, below benchmark HAPI is enough to proof excellence in practice. 

Mr. Osama places a strong emphasis on encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills among his staff, both as individuals and within the context of teams. Recognizing the complex and dynamic nature of our oncology patient care needs, our team as frontliners are having 8 taskforces concerned about nursing care and patient outcomes, 10 clinical projects, and 5 quality improvement plans. Those numbers can form clear insight into the level of engagement, empowerment, and support, noting that all of them have been derived from corporate nursing affairs strategic objectives.

Apart from all of the achievements he had. We shall never forget that this leader brought pride and joy to KKUH community by exquisitely facilitating the winning NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY AWARD AND ADA’A AWARD.

This also serves as an opportunity to thank him for being an amazing leader. Mr. Osama, you lead us with humility and are a true inspiration. We value working under your direction, and we’ve seen our leadership skills grow thanks to your guidance and commitment. You are knowledgeable, decisive, and resilient, and I could not imagine someone else leading this department. A BIG SALUTE TO OUR TRUE LEADER, MR. OSAMA ZAMEL.