Sidra Medical and Research Center appoints American legal expert

In this senior leadership role, Dr. Aron will provide strategic counsel to the CEO and executive management team on matters of organizational governance, and lead the development of best in class operational performance at Sidra through its bylaws, policies and procedures, and operational controls.

A high performing United States attorney with a stellar reputation in healthcare, health education, and biomedical research, Dr. Aron brings more than 30 years of experience in the governance and operational performance of not for profit institutions.

Dr. Aron joins Sidra from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA (UMDNJ) where he held the positions of Senior Vice President & General Counsel and Chief Governance Officer.

UMDNJ is America's largest, publicly funded academic health system with a budget of $1.7bn, 16,000 staff members, 2,600 faculty and 6,000 students. Before assuming his position at UMDNJ in 2007, Dr. Aron was a member of the prestigious law firm, Sills, Cummis, and Gross where he served as co-chair of the firm's Employment and Labor Practice Group.

He has extensive experience working with Presidents, CEO's, and Boards of companies, non-profit organizations, and public entities like universities and hospitals. Dr. Aron, a graduate of Cornell University and Georgetown Law School is a member of the Bar in New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia, USA.

"I am honored to assume my new role as Chief of Staff at Sidra, and to have the opportunity through this extraordinary initiative to contribute towards advances in medical care for women and children," said Dr. Aron.

"Sidra is clearly a one-of-a-kind institution and is poised to reach great heights in clinical care, research and medical education. I am excited to join Sidra at a vital stage in its development. I look forward to building the operational framework that allows Sidra to achieve its world-class aspirations."

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Aron to Sidra as Chief of Staff," commented William F. Owen Jr., MD, FACP, Chief Executive Officer of Sidra.

"Dr. Aron's expertise complements our organization's aims and priorities perfectly. I am confident that we have recruited the ideal person to fill this critical and unique senior leadership role. Sidra is fully committed to operational excellence to ensure the best outcomes, safety, and comfort of our patients and their families -- as much as we are committed to ensuring our physicians practice world-class medicine that respects the needs of the region. Dr. Aron's appointment is another step forward in our steady progress towards commissioning and opening Sidra to benefit the people of Qatar and beyond."

Sidra is working closely with its partners to finalize exactly when the Medical and Research Center will be fully operational. Patients' outcomes are the highest priority, and rigorous processes are underway to ensure that Sidra operates to the highest standards.