Sami Almadi has carved a prominent niche in the global healthcare and nursing sector with a career that spans continents, specialties, and over two decades of transformative leadership. Born in Amman, Jordan, Sami’s journey into the nursing profession began with earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Jordan. His commitment to continual learning and development took him to the United States, where he not only finished his internship at Brigham Young University in Utah but also demonstrated his academic rigor by securing his Master of Science in Nursing Admin from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, being recognized on the Dean’s list. Sami’s academic accolades further glitter with a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where he also achieved two graduate certificates in Finance and Strategic Management, and displayed a knack for leadership by founding and presiding over a student club.

Sami’s professional trajectory in nursing and healthcare management is as impressive as his academic accomplishments, reflecting a blend of clinical and administrative excellence. Beginning his career as a Nurse in the ICU/CCU in Jordan, his early roles varied from Charge Nurse to Staff Development Coordinator in various facilities in Massachusetts. His pivotal career move came in 2002 when he became the Director of Nursing Services (DNS) in South Boston, MA, demonstrating his capabilities in supervising, planning, and controlling nursing services. Subsequent roles saw him flourish in leadership positions, transitioning from DNS to Executive Director and then Administrator in Massachusetts facilities, often engaged in ensuring compliance, strategic planning, and operational management of the centers.

An international assignment as the Chief Nursing Officer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he led operations at the 250-bed International Extended Care Center, is a testament to his global impact in healthcare. His career continued to ascend as he undertook various administrative roles upon returning to Boston, finally leading to his current position as the Chief Operating Officer at Best Care Services, overseeing eight facilities. Notably, Sami’s role often extended beyond regular administration and embraced consultancy projects, such as his noteworthy contribution to operational analysis and strategic planning at the International Extended Care Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Parallel to his mainstay career, Sami has embarked on several entrepreneurial ventures and business consulting through his practice, Kaif Consulting, LLC, which specializes in a myriad of business aspects from startups to operational analysis. His entrepreneurial spirit is further evidenced by the founding of several companies, including MST Select Staffing, National Services and Cleaning Corp, and Deep Sleep Inc. Speaking engagements and memberships in esteemed organizations, including the Harvard Alumni Association and the National Association of the Director of Nursing Services, further amplify his footprint in the healthcare and business sectors.

In the realm of awards and recognitions, Sami has been a consistent recipient of various accolades such as the Bronze Award from the American Healthcare Association in 2020, and several performance and excellence awards across different years and institutions, which not only validate his professional competency but also recognize his continuous contribution to quality care and operational excellence in healthcare facilities. Outside of his professional life, Sami engages in a myriad of activities, including trading, outdoor activities with his family, practicing martial arts, networking, fundraising, and mentoring Harvard students, adding depth to his persona. His life, illuminated by an undying zeal for knowledge and an unfettered commitment to healthcare, embodies a journey of continuous growth, leadership, and impactful contributions to healthcare across borders.

Q&A with Sami Almadi

Sami, your journey in healthcare and nursing across international borders is remarkable. Can you share with us what has kept you aiming for the best results, despite facing various obstacles along the way?

Sami Almadi: Despite facing many obstacles, such as language barriers with English not being my first language and being promoted in challenging environments that bring with them competition and scrutiny, I’ve always aimed to equip myself with the right tools to defy failure. Consistency, patience, hard work, strong people skills, and providing great customer service have been crucial elements that propelled me forward, enabling me to navigate through these challenges effectively.

COVID-19 has been a global crisis. How did you and your team in the healthcare sector manage through this unprecedented challenge?

Sami Almadi: COVID-19 was indeed a colossal challenge, but we stayed the course and triumphed by sticking to our values and protocols, adapting to new circumstances, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff. We collaborated, innovated in our practices, and made crucial decisions that ensured we navigated through the pandemic as effectively as possible.

You’ve held various leadership roles. Who have been your influences or mentors throughout your career, and how have they shaped your leadership style?

Sami Almadi: I’ve been fortunate to work with many leaders throughout my career who have significantly influenced my approach and style. I’ve gleaned insights into various leadership qualities and strategies, adapting them into my own repertoire to navigate through the myriad of situations and challenges that arise in healthcare management and administration.

In making decisions, especially in a sector as vital as healthcare, how do you balance immediate needs with long-term planning?

Sami Almadi: Striking a balance between addressing immediate needs and long-term planning involves a meticulous evaluation based on the severity and impact of current situations against the backdrop of our strategic objectives. It’s imperative to assess the long-term repercussions of any immediate action and ensure that it aligns with our larger organizational goals and values.

When faced with challenging situations or crucial decision-making moments, what is your go-to strategy to ensure the best outcomes?

Sami Almadi: My strategy involves taking a step back to think it over without emotion, ensuring that the decisions made are not reactive but strategically aligned with overall objectives. This approach allows me to contemplate various angles and implications of a situation, ensuring that the devised strategy is holistic and in the best interest of the organization.

In a fast-evolving field like healthcare, how do you ensure that you remain at the forefront of the industry?

Sami Almadi: Remaining at the forefront involves continuously chasing new skills and goals. The healthcare industry is always evolving, and thus, staying updated with the latest trends, technological advancements, and skill sets is imperative to ensure that my contributions and strategies are relevant and progressive.

Metrics are essential in evaluating performance. What is your philosophy on utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in assessing and driving success in your operations?

Sami Almadi: I firmly believe in the principle that numbers don’t lie. Key Performance Indicators, which vary per industry and practice, provide a tangible and quantifiable measure of performance and success. Utilizing KPIs allows for objective assessments and helps in identifying areas that require improvement, facilitating data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.

Lastly, considering your numerous professional achievements, how do you perceive the relationship between personal and professional success?

Sami Almadi: I believe that personal and professional success are intertwined and can’t be separated. Personal success forms the backbone of professional success. A solid support system through family and friends, personal development, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. Your personal life fuels your professional journey, providing the stability and support that are paramount for enduring the challenges and celebrating the achievements in the professional realm.

Key Takeaways

• Equipping for Success Amidst Challenges: Sami Almadi demonstrates a profound commitment to continuous self-improvement and strategic problem-solving despite confronting several obstacles, like language barriers and navigating through demanding promotions. Leveraging patience, hard work, consistency, and potent people skills has been pivotal in ensuring that his trajectory, even amidst difficulties, has been upward and impactful, particularly in the demanding field of healthcare.
• Balancing Immediate and Strategic Needs: Sami underscores the significance of a balanced approach to decision-making in healthcare, wherein immediate necessities are addressed without compromising long-term objectives. This involves a thorough, emotion-free evaluation of situations, ensuring actions taken align with overarching strategic goals, and cater to both the pressing needs and future requirements of the healthcare environment.
• Interconnection of Personal and Professional Success: Sami eloquently articulates the intimate connection between personal and professional success, emphasizing that one cannot be isolated from the other. He champions the notion that personal wellbeing and a robust support system create a foundation upon which professional success can be built and sustained, elucidating the importance of aligning personal development and professional growth for holistic success.