Burjeel & Roswell Park Launch Academic Thoracic Cancer Program in UAE

Burjeel Medical City (BMC), the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, has announced a significant clinical and academic collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the United States’ leading National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The partnership aims to establish a dedicated thoracic surgery program in Abu Dhabi, significantly enhancing access to advanced, multidisciplinary care for thoracic cancers across the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The agreement was formally signed in New York by Dr. Candace S. Johnson, President and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Mujtaba Ali Khan, CEO of Burjeel Medical City. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings, and Dr. Sai Yendamuri, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chair of Thoracic Surgery at Roswell Park. An official image capturing the momentous occasion was released by Burjeel Medical City.

The collaboration will introduce a specialized thoracic surgery service at Burjeel Medical City, focusing on cancers affecting the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, and chest wall. Patients will benefit from a full spectrum of surgical options, including robot-assisted procedures, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and traditional open surgeries, tailored to individual clinical needs.

By localizing this high-level expertise, the program seeks to reduce the need for patients from the UAE and neighboring countries to travel abroad for complex thoracic cancer treatment. This development aligns with Burjeel Holdings’ broader vision of delivering comprehensive, patient-centric cancer care within the region.

The new thoracic surgery program will be seamlessly integrated into the multidisciplinary framework of the Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI). This integration brings together specialists from thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, pathology, and radiology to provide coordinated care from initial diagnosis through surgery, recovery, and long-term follow-up.

Regular thoracic tumor board meetings will enable BMC physicians to consult with Roswell Park experts on complex cases. Additionally, clinicians at Burjeel Medical City will have access to second opinions and selected case reviews from Roswell Park faculty. All clinical pathways will adhere to international standards, including those set by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings, emphasized the regional impact of the collaboration: “This partnership creates a sustainable pathway for patients in the UAE and across the region to access highly specialized thoracic cancer care closer to home. By combining Roswell Park’s expertise with BMC’s capabilities and regional reach, we aim to strengthen outcomes, build local expertise, and reduce the burden of traveling overseas for complex treatment".

Dr. Candace S. Johnson, President and CEO of Roswell Park, highlighted the institution’s commitment to global collaboration: “Roswell Park has a long-standing commitment to advancing cancer care through collaboration, research, and education".

Dr. Sai Yendamuri added: “By working with Burjeel Medical City, we can extend specialized thoracic cancer care expertise, support multidisciplinary decision-making, and help build a world-class program serving patients across the UAE and region".

Beyond clinical services, the agreement establishes a foundation for long-term academic partnership. The lead thoracic surgeon at BMC will hold an academic designation with Roswell Park. Both institutions will jointly develop clinical protocols, scientific programs, educational initiatives, faculty exchanges, and professional development opportunities.

This academic dimension is expected to foster knowledge transfer, enhance local capabilities, and contribute to research in thoracic oncology. Roswell Park, founded in 1898 in Buffalo, New York, was the first institution in the world dedicated exclusively to cancer research and treatment and remains a member of the NCCN.

The thoracic surgery program will strengthen and complement the comprehensive oncology services already offered by Burjeel Cancer Institute. These include medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, advanced imaging, precision diagnostics, and supportive care services.

With rising cancer incidence in the region, such specialized programs play a critical role in improving survival rates and quality of life. Thoracic cancers, particularly lung cancer, require highly skilled multidisciplinary management, and this collaboration positions Burjeel Medical City as a regional hub for advanced thoracic oncology.

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Industry analysts view this partnership as a strategic move that combines Roswell Park’s century-plus legacy in cancer innovation with Burjeel’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and deep understanding of regional healthcare needs. It reflects the growing trend of international healthcare collaborations aimed at elevating standards of care in emerging markets.

Patients in the UAE and MENA region stand to benefit immensely from reduced travel, faster treatment initiation, and access to cutting-edge surgical techniques and clinical trials. The program is expected to become operational in phases, with initial focus on building a robust clinical team and implementing aligned protocols.

As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the increasing burden of cancer, initiatives like the Burjeel-Roswell Park collaboration demonstrate the power of strategic partnerships in bridging gaps in specialized care. This development not only advances thoracic cancer management in the UAE but also sets a benchmark for academic-clinical collaborations in the region.