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In Saudi Arabia, academic excellence often paves the way to a career in medicine. However, for Raheeq Al-Harbi, her path diverged from traditional expectations. With nearly perfect grades in her secondary school exams, a future in medicine seemed inevitable. Nonetheless, her journey, spanning nearly a decade in the digital healthcare industry, took a different, unconventional route, one that didn’t require her to attend medical school.In her formative years, Al-Harbi harbored excitement about pursuing a career in medicine. However, she was steered away from this path by her family’s concerns. They feared the demanding hours and the potential sacrifice of her personal life that a medical career might entail. Faced with this dilemma, Al-Harbi decided to follow in her older sister’s footsteps and venture into the realm of software engineering instead.Al-Harbi’s journey into the world of information technology (IT) began when she enrolled at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in IT. It was during her first lecture that she fell in love with analytics and software engineering, setting the stage for her future endeavors.
Following her graduation, Al-Harbi embarked on her professional career, initially working at a local bank where she provided IT treasury back-office support. While the experience was challenging, it allowed her to prove her capabilities. However, she soon realized that a conventional finance job, characterized by long hours in a cubicle, did not align with her aspirations. She yearned for a career that would enable her to interact with people directly, collaboratively solve problems, and, most importantly, leverage her skills to enhance the quality of life for those in need.With these aspirations in mind, Al-Harbi made a pivotal decision—to bring her IT expertise into the healthcare sector. She joined King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), one of Saudi Arabia’s largest medical and research centers. This career move resonated with her deeply, and she felt an immediate sense of belonging. Ironically, her family’s concerns about spending excessive time at a hospital became a reality. Al-Harbi dedicated herself to her work, often working late into the night, and even sleeping in the Emergency Room (ER) as she worked on a critical project to set up the ER system.Despite the sleepless nights, Al-Harbi’s dedication paid off.
She received several awards, including the Saudi Healthcare Innovation Award at KFMC for her work on designing patient pathways to alleviate crowding in various departments. Notably, she was not only the youngest nominee for such an award but also the sole woman to receive it.As her career continued to flourish, Al-Harbi faced another important decision point. Her exceptional work earned her a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. However, her love for her job made her reluctant to leave it behind. Instead, she chose to pursue her MBA from Prince Sultan University while continuing to work part-time, demonstrating her adeptness at multitasking.Subsequently, she was presented with an opportunity that would further shape her career. General Electric Healthcare (GE Healthcare) offered her a role, and she eagerly embraced it.
Al-Harbi considers joining GE Healthcare as one of the best decisions she ever made, describing the experience as giving her “wings to fly.”In her role as a senior solution architect with GE Digital, Al-Harbi focuses on the business aspects of customer solutions. Her responsibilities include understanding customers’ needs and pain points and designing solutions that deliver optimal business outcomes. She thrives on the constant quest for innovative ideas and problem-solving, with each project presenting a unique puzzle to solve.During her tenure at GE Digital, Al-Harbi contributed significantly to the Saudi Health Ministry’s major digital transformation project for electronic medical records and the highly regarded Mawid patient appointments app. She also introduced the “Golden Package,” a patient journey blueprint adopted as the standard in ministry hospitals throughout Saudi Arabia.
Throughout her career, Al-Harbi has actively participated in international conferences and panel discussions, advocating for women’s empowerment, especially in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Saudi women, and her advice emphasizes investing in oneself, authenticity, and unwavering determination.Raheeq Al-Harbi’s remarkable journey from the pursuit of medicine to a thriving career in digital healthcare exemplifies the power of following one’s passion, embracing opportunities, and making a meaningful impact on society. Her story is a testament to the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and work tirelessly to achieve their goals.
