1990
American University of Beirut — Faculty of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Beirut, Lebanon
Omer completed his medical education at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1990.
Anesthesiologist · International Health & Emergency Response
Dr. Omer Mark Saliba
Manhattan, New York, United States
An anesthesiologist with an international background and a career spanning clinical medicine, international health, emergency response, and healthcare work across different cultural and professional environments.
Profile
Dr. Omer Saliba
Dr. Omer Saliba is an anesthesiologist with an international background and a career spanning clinical medicine, international health, emergency response, and healthcare work across different cultural and professional environments.
His professional career has taken him from clinical anesthesiology at major medical institutions in Lebanon, the United Kingdom, and the United States into international health work with the World Health Organization and, since 2018, the United Nations.
His clinical foundation in anesthesiology continues to inform his approach to healthcare, particularly in demanding environments where sound judgment, teamwork, adaptability, and patient safety are essential.
Based in Manhattan, New York.
Biography
Executive Biography
Dr. Omer Saliba was born in Zurich to a Lebanese father and South African mother. Growing up with an international family background gave him an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives from an early age.
He completed his medical education at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 1990.
Immediately following medical school, he continued his postgraduate medical education at American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), completing Graduate Medical Education in anesthesiology in 1994.
Following his training at AUBMC, Omer continued his clinical career internationally. From 1994 to 1998, he worked in anesthesiology at The London Hospital in London, United Kingdom.
In 1998, he moved to the United States and continued his anesthesiology career at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where he worked from 1998 to 2005.
From 2005 to 2012, he continued his clinical career with Columbia University Medical Center in New York, further developing his experience in anesthesiology and complex clinical care.
His career subsequently expanded beyond conventional clinical practice into international health. From 2012 to 2018, he worked with the World Health Organization, gaining extensive experience in international and field-based healthcare environments.
In 2018, Omer joined the United Nations, where he continues to work in international health and field assignments, with most of his field assignments carried out through the World Health Organization.
His professional schedule follows an unusual rhythm. He typically spends approximately two to three months on field assignment, followed by approximately one month of leave.
During periods between international assignments, Omer occasionally undertakes locum anesthesiology work in the United States, allowing him to remain clinically active while away from field deployment.
Today, Omer is based in Manhattan’s Financial District, having previously called Southampton, Long Island home.
Education & Clinical Practice
Training and clinical career
From medical school in Beirut through major teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom and the United States.
1990–1994
American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
Graduate Medical Education — Anesthesiology
Beirut, Lebanon
Immediately following medical school, Omer continued his postgraduate medical education at AUBMC, completing his anesthesiology training in 1994.
1994–1998
The London Hospital
Anesthesiology
London, United Kingdom
Following completion of his anesthesiology training at AUBMC, Omer continued his clinical career in the United Kingdom, gaining further experience in anesthesiology within a major teaching-hospital environment.
1998–2005
Mount Sinai Hospital
Anesthesiology
New York, United States
Omer subsequently continued his anesthesiology career in New York at Mount Sinai Hospital, further developing his clinical experience in a major academic medical environment.
2005–2012
Columbia University Medical Center
Anesthesiology
New York, United States
Omer continued his clinical practice with Columbia University Medical Center, expanding his experience in complex clinical care and multidisciplinary medical environments.
International Health
Field work and global health
A career that expanded beyond conventional clinical practice into international and field-based healthcare.
2012–2018
World Health Organization
International Health & Field Work
Omer’s career subsequently expanded into international health through his work with the World Health Organization.
His international work provided experience across different healthcare environments and cultures and involved working in settings where adaptability, collaboration, clinical judgment, and effective coordination were essential.
2018–Present
United Nations
International Health & Field Assignments
Omer joined the United Nations in 2018.
His work involves international field assignments, with most of his field assignments carried out through the World Health Organization.
His professional schedule generally consists of approximately two to three months on field assignment followed by approximately one month of leave.
Between assignments, he occasionally undertakes locum anesthesiology work in the United States to maintain his clinical involvement.
Areas of Expertise
Where experience meets practice
Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Clinical anesthesiology, perioperative care, and patient safety across complex surgical environments.
International Health
Healthcare work across international and multicultural environments, with experience spanning clinical medicine and international health operations.
Emergency Health Response
Experience working in demanding healthcare environments where rapid assessment, adaptability, teamwork, and clinical judgment are essential.
Health Systems & Clinical Operations
Understanding of healthcare delivery across different healthcare systems and resource environments.
Multi-Agency Coordination
Working with multidisciplinary and international teams across different professional and organizational environments.
Patient Safety
A continuing clinical focus on careful decision-making, communication, teamwork, and safe patient care.
Career
Clinical practice & professional approach
Clinical Practice & Locum Work
Between international field assignments, Omer occasionally undertakes locum anesthesiology assignments in the United States.
For him, locum practice provides an opportunity to remain clinically active and professionally engaged during periods away from international field deployment.
Professional Approach
The operating theatre teaches physicians to make careful decisions with incomplete information and limited time. That discipline continues to influence Omer’s approach to healthcare beyond the operating room.
His clinical background in anesthesiology has provided a foundation for working in environments where patient safety, communication, adaptability, teamwork, and sound judgment are essential.
His international experience has further strengthened his ability to work across cultures, healthcare systems, and professional environments.
Professional Qualifications
Certifications & licensure
Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
United States Medical Licensing Examination
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
American Board of Anesthesiology
New York State
Speaker Introduction
For introductions and events
Dr. Omer Saliba is an anesthesiologist with an international career spanning clinical medicine and international health. He trained at the American University of Beirut and subsequently practiced anesthesiology in Lebanon, the United Kingdom, and the United States before moving into international health work with the World Health Organization.
Since 2018, he has worked with the United Nations, with most field assignments carried out through WHO.
His professional interests include anesthesiology, international health, emergency health response, patient safety, and healthcare delivery in demanding environments.
Contact
Professional Enquiries
Dr. Saliba welcomes professional enquiries regarding speaking engagements, advisory work, institutional partnerships, and collaboration relating to healthcare, international health, anesthesiology, and emergency response.
For speaking requests, please include the proposed date, location, audience, and subject matter.
For partnership enquiries, a brief description of the programme and organizations involved is helpful.
- Emailinfo@omersaliba.com
- Based inManhattan, New York, United States