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Global Scholars Projects: Rawad Rihani, MD, MSc
Other Global Scholars :
Location
Amman, Jordan
Implementation Period
2023-2025 (2023 Wave)
Scholars Project
Strengthening the Local Health System to Streamline Patient Flow and Reduce the Need for Inpatient Care in Jordan
Current Role
Senior Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Chairperson, Department of Pediatrics, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
About the Global Scholars Project
This initiative addresses a critical systems challenge in pediatric oncology: persistent inpatient overcrowding, delayed admissions and limited access to timely cancer care for children. The core objectives include optimizing bed utilization through real-time dashboards, discharge bundles and fast-track chemotherapy pathways; streamlining patient flow across the continuum of care; reducing avoidable admissions and length of stay; and embedding sustainability through systemwide process mapping, staff empowerment and data-informed decision-making.
The project has improved the timeliness and efficiency of pediatric oncology care by addressing barriers that previously delayed admissions and prolonged hospital stays. These improvements expanded inpatient capacity, allowing more children to begin treatment on time and reducing avoidable waiting periods for critical chemotherapy.
The initiative also positively influenced the experience of families and health care providers. And at a systems level, the project laid the foundation for sustainable quality improvement within King Hussein Cancer Center’s pediatric oncology service.
Publications
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Enhancing the pediatric oncology continuum: From early detection to advanced therapy education with post-PROFILE at KHCC
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Enhancing data accuracy and follow-up in pediatric oncology: Implementing a post-PROFILE quality improvement initiative at KHCC
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Breaking barriers to timely care: Enhancing pediatric oncology patient throughput using the post-PROFILE framework at KHCC
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Fast-tracking chemotherapy: Optimizing patient flow and communication to eliminate delays using post-PROFILE quality improvement approach
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Driving excellence: Enhancing pediatric cancer unit efficiency through post-pediatric oncology facility integrated local evaluation — PROFILE — phase quality improvement methodology
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Streamlining pediatric oncology bed management: Insights from stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies at a cancer center in Jordan
Project Assets
About the Scholar
Rawad Rihani is a senior pediatric hematologist-oncologist and expert in pediatric leukemia, blood and marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. She earned her MD and master’s degree in pediatrics from the University of Jordan and completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Australia, with an academic appointment at the University of New South Wales.
Since joining the King Hussein Cancer Center in 2005, she has played a pivotal role in advancing pediatric cancer care in Jordan and the Eastern Mediterranean region. She previously served several terms as president of the Jordanian Society of Pediatric Oncology. Rihani’s work focuses on cellular therapy, pediatric leukemia, survivorship, implementation science and health systems strengthening. She is currently leading the development of the pediatric CAR-T cell therapy program at KHCC.
“What the project will do is, prospectively, is to look at what we’re doing — in terms of admission, discharges — and add interventions. Those interventions can show how with small changes … you can optimize the care of patients. You can serve more patients with the same resources, and in more efficient ways.”