100 Nurses Surprised with SUVs at Burjeel Hospitals Ceremony

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — In a heartwarming surprise, 100 exemplary nurses from Burjeel hospitals and medical centers were honored during the Driving Force Award ceremony ahead of International Nurses Day on May 12. Each nurse received a brand-new Toyota RAV4, recognizing their outstanding service and dedication.

The event took place as part of a surprise planned by the Abu Dhabi-headquartered healthcare group. Nurses, including six from India, two from the Philippines, and one each from Jordan and Egypt, were initially invited under the pretense of sharing their stories for a video shoot.

When the keys to the SUVs were revealed, emotions ran high. Mei Alegre, a Nurse Manager at Burjeel Hospital, felt overwhelmed. “Never in my life did I imagine something like this. I’ve always loved my job, but to be appreciated like this is overwhelming,” she said. Alegre, a Filipino nurse, reflected on her nine years of service and the lasting impact she has had on her patients.

Another recipient, Nabil Mohamed Ikbal, a registered nurse at Lifecare Hospital, described the moment as “unreal.” He highlighted a particular case where he led the resuscitation of a patient who had been without a pulse for over 20 minutes. “We continued CPR for 50 minutes. Everyone thought there was no hope. But the patient came back. That’s the kind of team I have,” he stated.

Soher Mohammed Ahmed Ali, an Egyptian Nursing Educator at Medeor Hospital, shared that the recognition carried deep personal significance for her. She dedicated her life to nursing after losing her father to cancer. “When patients or their families pray for me, when they say a quiet dua — that’s more than enough. That’s everything,” she expressed.

As the ceremony continued, John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings, emphasized that these awards celebrate the unrecognized efforts of nurses. “These awards are our way of saying: we see you, we value you, and we’re deeply grateful,” he said.

This week, as part of the lead-up to International Nurses Day, an additional 100 exemplary nurses will each receive cash prizes for their dedication and service.