In a gesture of appreciation and gratitude for their efforts in supporting the healthcare sector, the street opposite Kanad Hospital, which they founded in Al Ain in the early 1960s was named after Pat and Marian Kennedy.
The street is a tribute to their efforts, which President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recounted to US President Donald Trump during his recent visit to the country.
“We are proud today to share a historic moment with our community as the street on which the hospital is located has been officially renamed ‘Pat and Marian Kennedy Street’ in honour of the founders of Kanad Hospital and their legacy of compassionate care and service,” said a statement by Kanad Hospital.
The story of Kanad Hospital dated back to 1960, when the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan welcomed Dr Pat and Dr Marian Kennedy, who established the first hospital providing modern healthcare for women and children in Al Ain, at a time when healthcare was very limited.
The hospital administration extended its sincere thanks to the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Al Ain for the professional and successful completion of this project, expressing their pride and deep gratitude for this recognition, which reflects a spirit of gratitude and loyalty to a great humanitarian movement.
The story of the hospital once again gained attention when President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told US President Donald Trump the story of the construction of Kanad Hospital in 1960 during his recent historic visit to the country. The hospital, which was founded by Dr. Pat and Dr. Marian Kennedy, witnessed Sheikh Mohamed’s birth.
After receiving the US President at Qasr Al Watan, Sheikh Mohamed said there were two doctors who came as missionaries from the church in California and their names were etched in the memory of the UAE.
They were Dr Pat and Dr Marian Kennedy, who came to Al Ain in the late 1950s and worked under very difficult conditions.
“At that time, one in two children and one in four mothers died during childbirth. The two American doctors established at the time the Oasis Hospital, which played a pivotal role in the history of healthcare in the UAE. A few months after their arrival, I was born in this hospital,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
“In recognition of their efforts in the UAE community, Dr Pat and Dr Marian Kennedy were given the Abu Dhabi Awards in its first edition in 2005. In 2019, the name of the hospital was changed to Kanad Hospital in their honour. On this occasion, I received their families in Abu Dhabi in recognition of their services to the UAE people,” he added.
The residents of Al Ain are deeply attached to Kanad Hospital, the first healthcare centre of its kind in Abu Dhabi, now in its 65th year.
The hospital has been a testament to the city’s memories for six decades, witnessing the births of tens of thousands of its children and significant milestones in the development of its healthcare sector.
Thanks to the continued support of the wise leadership, the hospital now boasts world-class medical services across all healthcare sectors.
Dr Pat and Dr Marian Kennedy worked in Al Ain until 1975, followed by numerous other staff members who left a legacy of compassion and excellent care. Since its inception, the hospital has undergone several developmental phases with the support of the wise leadership, most notably in 2015 with the opening of a new building equipped with the latest medical equipment and facilities.
The hospital’s pediatricians see approximately 9,000 children per month during peak outpatient seasons.