(In 2019, Al Alsheikh published the book Qasd Al-Sabeel Na...)
In 2019, Al Alsheikh published the book Qasd Al-Sabeel Nahwa Al-Sumo (“The Path Toward Excellence”), a work reflecting on his personal and professional journey.
2019
academic administrator dermatologist medical educator
Omar AbdulAziz Al Alsheikh developed his medical career during a period of rapid expansion in higher medical education and specialist training in Saudi Arabia. His professional work combined clinical dermatology, academic leadership, postgraduate medical training, and regional cooperation among Arab medical institutions.
Al Alsheikh earned a Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of Vienna in December 1983. He completed his medical internship at King Khalid University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, from March 1984 to March 1985.
From March 1985 to August 1987, he served as a resident physician in the Department of Dermatology at King Khalid University Hospital. In September 1987 he was awarded a scholarship to continue advanced specialization training in dermatology at the University of Bonn, where he completed a fellowship in dermatology in December 1989.
He also pursued subspecialty training in allergy medicine at the University of Bonn between May 1989 and June 1990, completing advanced specialization in allergy studies in June 1990.
Following his return to Saudi Arabia, Al Alsheikh joined the Faculty of Medicine at King Saud University as an assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology in 1990. He was promoted to associate professor in 1996.
Between 1991 and 1996, he served as head of the Dermatology Unit within the Department of Internal Medicine at King Saud University. In 1996, in cooperation with colleagues at the medical faculty, he participated in transforming the dermatology unit into an independent academic department, an important institutional development for dermatological education and clinical specialization in Saudi Arabia.
From 1996 to 2003 he served as chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Faculty of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh. During this period he also directed the King Saud University Dermatology Fellowship training program from 1994 to 2003 and played a major role in postgraduate specialist education.
Al Alsheikh was a member of the executive council of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties from 1996 to 2002. He also served as rapporteur of the Committee for Classification, Training, and Accreditation at the Arab Board of Medical Specializations under the Council of Arab Health Ministers and the Arab League from 1993 to 2002.
His regional professional leadership included service as assistant secretary-general of the Arab Dermatologists Association from 1996 to 2002 and assistant secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dermatologists Association from 1993 to 2002. In November 2008 he was elected secretary-general of the Arab Dermatologists Association, serving until February 2013.
Al Alsheikh also chaired the Eleventh Conference of the Arab Dermatologists Association and the Twelfth Saudi Conference of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery held in Riyadh in November 2008. From January 1994 until April 2009, he served as chairman of the board of the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.
Al Alsheikh became one of the prominent figures in dermatology education and professional organization development in Saudi Arabia. His career combined clinical specialization, academic leadership, and institutional development during a formative period for modern medical specialization programs in the Gulf region.
He contributed significantly to the establishment of structured dermatology training and accreditation systems and helped strengthen cooperation among dermatologists across Arab countries through leadership roles in regional medical associations.
