Ms. Mawahib Smater
General Director of Nursing Administration, Ministry of Defense Health Services Riyadh, KSA
Ms. Mawahib is a distinguished nurse executive recognized for her pioneering contributions that have helped shape the future of nursing in Saudi Arabia. Under her leadership, three hospitals in the Kingdom achieved Magnet® accreditation—the highest international testament to nursing excellence and quality outcomes. This milestone included the first Ministry of Health hospital ever to receive Magnet® designation, as well as the first two military hospitals in Saudi Arabia to achieve this prestigious recognition. These historic accomplishments positioned Saudi nursing on the global stage as a leader in advancing standards of care and professional nursing practice.
Another hallmark of her journey was chairing the national task force on Safe Staffing Ratios, where she led the development of evidence-based staffing standards. These ratios were officially endorsed by the Saudi Patient Safety Center, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, and the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), making them a cornerstone in strengthening patient safety and ensuring workforce sustainability. In addition, she established the first corps of military nurses in Saudi Arabia and contributed to numerous national projects that advanced nursing practice, professional development, and healthcare transformation aligned with Vision 2030.
Beyond her executive leadership, Samater is a well-known speaker on nursing excellence and health system transformation. She has represented Saudi nursing on multiple global platforms and most notably served as a keynote speaker at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress 2023), where she shared insights on building resilient nursing systems and empowering the next generation of nurse leaders. Through her visionary leadership and dedication, she continues to inspire and help shape the future of nursing both nationally and internationally
