Professor Samia Al-Amoudi is a distinguished Saudi physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

 

A two-time breast cancer survivor, she is a leading local and global advocate for women’s health empowerment, particularly in breast cancer awareness and health rights.

 

In April 2006, Professor Al-Amoudi diagnosed herself with breast cancer, becoming the first Saudi woman to share her experience with the disease publicly.

 

Her courageous advocacy shifted breast cancer from a stigmatized topic to a top-priority health agenda in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

 

Recognition and Awards:

• The First International Women of Courage Award for her great efforts in raising Breast Cancer Awareness (U.S. Department of State, 2007)
• Recognition by Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Washington, D.C., 2008)
• The Prince Nayef Award for Distinguished Women in the Health Sector (2017)
• Election as the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) woman to serve on the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Board of Directors (2012)
• Inclusion in Arabian Business magazine’s list of Most Powerful Arabs (2012–2018)
• An invitation by UNESCO (2015, Paris) to speak on the role of Arab women in medicine and science

Academic and Professional Leadership:

 

A graduate of King Abdulaziz University (MBChB, 1981), Professor Al-Amoudi was among the institution’s first female medical graduates. Over the past four decades, she has held several senior academic & clinical roles, including:

• Vice President for the Female Section, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU)
• Founder and CEO, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi Center of Excellence in Breast Cancer (2010-2020)
• Founder of Health Empowerment Initiative and Health Right Unit, KAU Faculty of Medicine (2016)
• Former Consultant for Health Empowerment, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties

Authorship:

 

As a prolific author and thought leader, Prof. Samia has contributed extensively to academic and public discourse on Women's Health. Her notable publications include:

• Break the Silence (Arabic, 2007) – A groundbreaking memoir recounting her breast cancer experience
• Memoirs of a Saudi Woman (Arabic and English, French and Chinese editions will be published soon)
• The region’s first breast cancer awareness guide in sign language, and educational resources on health rights for cancer patients and women with disabilities

Her writings have appeared in regional and international medical journals, and she remains a highly sought-after speaker at global health forums.

 

Current Endeavors:

 

Following her retirement from King Abdulaziz University, Professor Al-Amoudi has continued her lifelong mission to advance women’s health through pioneering efforts in the private sector.

In January 2025, she launched the region’s first Breast Health and Cancer Survivorship Clinic—a groundbreaking facility designed to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for women diagnosed with breast cancer and gynecological tumors. The clinic offers an integrated approach that combines medical expertise, psychological support, wellness programs, and education on patients' rights and long-term survivorship planning.

Through this initiative, Professor Al-Amoudi aims to redefine post-treatment care in the Arab world, addressing not only the physical health of patients but also their emotional, social, and legal empowerment, ensuring that survivorship is met with dignity, resilience, and informed advocacy.

 

Personal Life:

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Professor Al-Amoudi is a devoted mother to two medical doctors:

• Dr. Abdullah Abdulkarim Al-Harbi, KAU Faculty of Medicine (Specialized in Orthopedic and Hand Surgery, Canada, Class of 2017)
• Dr. Esraa Abdulkarim Al-Harbi, KAU Faculty of Medicine (Specialized in Internal Medicine, Class of 2020)

 

 

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