For Dr. Özgün Güngör, leadership in healthcare is not merely about managing systems; it is about shaping the future with ethical values, a clear vision, and deep respect for human life.
The watershed moment in his career was when he made the leap from clinical practice to executive leadership. During his time at Turkey’s top-notch institutions and leading healthcare organizations, Dr. Özgün gathered a wealth of experience that helped him well down the road. The importance of quality and patient-centered care was the key takeaway. Later, under the umbrella of MLPCare, he held senior leadership positions across one of the largest healthcare networks, with nearly 40 hospitals.
Similarly, the opportunity to visit dozens of hospitals in many countries, engage with leadership teams, and observe different healthcare infrastructures broadened his vision. Which was once related to managing a single institution, now shifted to understanding how to lead an entire ecosystem.
Each of these hard-earned on-the-field proficiencies enables Dr. Özgün to establish a center that transforms healthcare services across the region.
Leadership Values Evolving Through Different Timelines
No other sector has a more direct impact on people, their health, and even their loved ones than the healthcare sector. Thus, even success has a different definition here. Numbers? Just one aspect of the measuring scale. “Success,” Dr. Özgün notes, “in healthcare is measured by the trust of patients and the commitment of employees.”
Every decision in healthcare has a direct impact on human life. As an experienced physician, he has witnessed this firsthand. As a general surgeon, Dr. Özgün had seen both highs and lows. Surgery demands decisiveness. There is no place to delay, and no unresolved problems. The learning from such action-first situations has led Dr. Özgün to an outcome-oriented mindset.
When he has to share good news with his patients, his heart is filled with joy. On the other hand, breaking the bad news weighs heavily on him. These incidents taught him that ethical responsibility, patient safety, and valuing people are indispensable elements of leadership.
With over 20 years of leadership experience, his leadership style is centered on people. Whether it’s building trust with patients, ensuring employee engagement, being solution-oriented, or driving sustainable growth, he never forgets his people.
Today, true success for Dr. Özgün means that patients feel safe and employees demonstrate a commitment. He considers it a mark of repute when society recognizes Liv Hospital as a trusted reference center.
Elevating The Bar of Excellence
Dr. Özgün belongs to an industry where operational excellence is cardinal. Besides patient safety and satisfaction, he prioritizes adherence to quality standards. It’s not a one-time process. He consistently reviews clinical and operational processes. Next, he invests in strengthening their technological infrastructure and prioritizes employee motivation.
Additionally, ensuring career development planning and opening clear feedback channels for staff are essential responsibilities. For him, “Every hospital is more than an institution. It is a center of trust and hope for the community.”
The Uneven Bumps
Nothing came easy. Dr. Özgün had to earn every step to carve his niche. The journey was uneven, necessitating his sustained attention to the route ahead while mounted. One of the roadblocks that became glaringly clear to him has been aligning international standards with local regulations and cultural differences. Dr. Özgün didn’t let his mind listen to the problem. Instead, he focused on the fix. Collectively with his teams, they used the situation to upskill and improve ways of working. But there was a catch! The solution was not just limited to implementing procedures. Complete ownership of the process by the teams needed to be ensured. The practices they instituted were training, transparent communication, and inclusive leadership.
Culture of Care and Creativity
Innovation and adaptability have positively impacted the work culture at Liv Hospital City Walk. CEO Dr. Özgün explains how he applies a dual approach to achieve desired results here. To support innovation, he integrates technology and digital solutions into daily operations.
Secondly, endorsing collective decision-making processes. He says that when a variety of thoughts, experiences, and cultures are brought to the table, it often engenders the best outcomes. “The essence of leadership,” Dr. Özgün highlights, “is uniting vision with technology, and human values with sustainability.” Such an environment always forms a sense of belongingness. It nurtures creativity, responsibility, and ownership.
Ultimately, it balances everything from the ground up. Innovative solutions are delivered. The best part is that everything is done without compromising high standards of care. Now it has become a hallmark of Liv Hospital City Walk. In a nutshell, Dr. Özgün’s adaptive approach has allowed the organization to refine its overall structure and systems.
The Most Accomplishing Achievement
One of his proudest achievements has been leading a newly established team to successfully complete JCI 8th Edition accreditation for Liv Hospital City Walk in a very short time. This milestone had a dual impact. Not only did it prove their compliance with international standards, but it also solidified their position in Dubai as a reliable, patient-centered, world-class healthcare institution.
CEO Dr. Özgün shares with a spark in his eyes that this is only the beginning. There is a lot on the cards! From implementing a new hospital information system to opening new departments, and so on. He adds, “Liv Hospital City Walk is a reference center shaping the future of healthcare across the MENA region.” They are and will continue to grow incrementally. The motivating force? The dedication of their employees.
Healthcare’s New Leadership Mandate
The healthcare sector is evolving at a blistering pace. The need of the hour is to attune healthcare leadership to that tempo. The leaders today need more than operational management. It demands vision along with interstitial skills like digital adaptability, sustainability, and rapid problem-solving. The definition of the next generation of leaders will be completely different from what it is today. They will be distinguished by their ability to combine technological insight with a people-centered approach.
Dr. Özgün is a people’s leader. Thereby, as he passes down the torch to the young professionals, he casts light on integrity. One can only ascend by being more compassionate. He advises them to adhere to ethical values. The reason is unequivocal. It is because every decision in healthcare directly affects lives.
What’s more? Aspirants must invest in technology, utilize data methodically, and closely scrutinize global fads to stay ahead. These are not add-ons. Dr. Özgün highlights them as crucial steps that will prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Motivation That Demands Action
In such a high-pressure and rapidly changing sector, his greatest source of inspiration comes from patients’ recovery stories. The achievements of their teams are equally stirring. Dr. Özgün also stays motivated by staying up-to-date with international healthcare trends. Be it engaging with global leaders or actively partaking in innovative projects, he is always in the thick of it. It not only makes him a better leader now, but it also helps shape the future of healthcare leadership.
Striking The Balance
Work-life balance for any healthcare professional is indispensable. The field is demanding and filled with unpredictable flux. Dr. Özgün comprehends that the only way to balance things is to master composure. The veteran firmly believes that in any organization, the leader’s equilibrium sets the tone for the institution’s success. His teams are competent, on which he can rely completely. Besides, he delegates effectively and keeps strategic priorities clear. Dr. Özgün firmly believes that in any organization, the leader’s balance sets the tone for the institution’s success.
Personally, regular exercise and dedicated family time help Dr. Özgün to maintain balance. Learning is an ongoing process to stay updated. So, he invests in it relentlessly. Since reading has always been a passion of his, Dr. Özgün recommends it to his young mentees.
Lastly, his cherished pastime is traveling. Exploring the spirit of each city, its culture, and its people is an elixir to him.
Liv Hospital Leading the Future of Care in MENA
As part of MLPCare’s strong vision, Liv Hospital plays a transformative role in shaping the regional healthcare ecosystem. The mission? It is more than treating patients. With a farsighted belief, the CEO shares that Liv Hospital is set to shake things up, bringing international standards to the MENA region. As expected, the top priority is on patient trust and safety.
A Legacy of Care
Legacy is determined by how skillfully one seizes the chance that positively impacts others. As a visionary leader, Dr. Özgün understood this before it became axiomatic. Today, his purpose is to encourage others to carry things forward with the same drive. That is the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
An aegis built on trust, excellence, and innovation. His definition of lasting impact has less to do with financial and operational success. It all narrows down to the same denominator: people-centric stewardship. He seeks to make his mark in the industry by prioritizing patient safety, employee well-being, and community benefits.
“The legacy I aspire to is a culture where people say,” Dr. Özgün concludes, “Thanks to Liv Hospital and MLPCare, healthcare has been taken one step further.”
