Dr Jessica Schwarts Pumar is an ENT Specialist and Sleep Surgeon at American Hospital Dubai, specialising in obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. She is a Diplomate in Sleep Medicine and a board member of the Ibero-American Society of Sleep Surgery (SIBECS). She is one of only three physicians in the UAE performing hypoglossal nerve stimulation for sleep apnea, and the first female to do so.
The Journey That Almost Didn’t Happen
When one of the Allocation Assist team first reached out about her profile, Dr Schwarts wasn’t actively looking.
“I sent my CV even in Spanish because I wasn’t really considering it,” she laughs.
But something about the opportunity resonated: the promise of stability, the reputation of American Hospital Dubai, and the chance to grow without constantly moving and re-qualifying. What started as a casual conversation turned into a nearly two-year process of credentialing, interviews, and preparation.
Throughout, one thing stood out. She felt supported every step of the way.
“With Allocation Assist, every Monday I got email updates: this is what’s going on, this is what we’re going to need, this is how long it will take,” she explains. “That consistent communication and transparency made all the difference when making such a big decision.”
When she finally arrived in Dubai, she came with a contract in hand, ready to start at one of the region’s most respected institutions.
Beyond Expectations at American Hospital
The first day was transformative. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Dr Schwarts admits. “I’d seen pictures, but when you visit the place, you actually feel everything.”
Starting at the Mira Clinic branch of American Hospital, she found herself in a brand new ENT facility. Within six months, she was rotating to the main hospital. As patient demand grew, particularly from those requesting female specialists, her role expanded across the hospital’s network. Today, she works between the Science Park branch and the Dubai Media City branch.
Finding Respect and Professional Freedom
Coming from a male-dominated surgical field, Dr Schwarts expected challenges. What she found was the opposite.
“American Hospital provides each physician with their own dedicated consultation room and equipment,” she says. “That level of professional infrastructure and respect for your practice is invaluable.”
The respect extended beyond the hospital walls. “Here, if you’re in line with two kids and busy without help, men will give you their place. The safety of walking in the streets, the freedom to be yourself without judgment, that was another surprise.”
The Patient Experience: A Global Practice
“The people from the Middle East are extremely respectful, very familiar. Once you learn how to connect with them, they become funny, close. They joke with you,” she explains.
“I have patients who don’t even speak English. We use translators. I explain something, the translator puts it in Mandarin, and they get it. It’s the universal body language. Medicine is beyond languages, beyond cultures.”
The question “where are you from?” which might feel loaded elsewhere, here is pure curiosity. “Everybody has a different accent. Everybody is trying to understand each other. Everyone accepts everyone as they are. Differences are just normal here, they’re not judged.”
Academic Excellence and Measured Visibility
“I’ve participated in many conferences, taken courses. It makes you visible,” she reflects. “But you have to change your mindset. In this region, patients have access to information. They choose their doctors. They arrive knowing your CV, your work, your approach.”
For doctors used to systems where patients are simply assigned, this can feel overwhelming. But Dr Schwarts sees it differently. “If you’re confident in your work and just do your job properly, it’s actually a good thing.”
She has learned to manage visibility carefully. “It could be very easy here to lose track of your vision, to forget who you are. So I keep it sober. The visibility should be in the benefit of what you’re doing and your patients, not because you’re going to get famous or whatever.”
Pioneering New Treatment at American Hospital
Last year, Dr Schwarts began training in hypoglossal nerve stimulation, an innovative implant treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The procedure involves placing a chip near the base of the tongue that stimulates nerve contractions during sleep, preventing airway collapse.
“It’s for very specific patients who have collapse at the base of the tongue,” she explains. “We do comprehensive studies, sleep endoscopies where we actually watch what happens when the patient is sedating and snoring. Then we can offer personalized treatment.”
The technology is performed by only a handful of specialists in the Emirates. She recently completed her first implant at American Hospital Dubai, becoming the first female physician in the UAE to perform the procedure.
“Being at American Hospital makes innovations like this possible,” she says. “When you have equipment, technology, and opportunities to upgrade yourself all available, that’s priceless.”
Family Life: The Complete Picture
Perhaps the biggest surprise was how family-friendly Dubai turned out to be. Dr Schwarts and her husband arrived with two children, ages 4 and 9, who couldn’t speak a word of English.
“We didn’t have any idea that Dubai was so kid-friendly,” she admits. “Every person in the family finds somewhere they belong.”
After research, they chose an international school. “It’s a spectacular place. And they’re extremely happy, which is the most important thing. They’ve made many friends, and now they speak better English than us.”
Her older son dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver. They have season passes to Aquaventure and frequent the family-friendly parks in Dubai Hills. Planning ahead is key, she emphasises. “If you’re relocating with a family, it’s important to research your options and budget accordingly. There are solutions at different price points, so it’s about finding what works for your situation.”
The Personal Touch That Drives Everything
“I’m very close with my patients. I like to click with them,” she says. “If I don’t feel that connection, I work harder to build it. That relationship is essential to good care.”
“You have to be present and attentive with each patient. It takes energy and focus, but it’s what makes the work meaningful.”
Honest Advice for Physicians Considering the Move
Come prepared to be fully engaged. The opportunities are significant, and so is the professional commitment required to make the most of them.
It’s not for everybody. “You have to be ready to invest yourself in your practice and your patients. But when you do, the recognition and opportunities follow naturally.”
Plan your transition carefully. Research thoroughly, especially if relocating with family. “If you’re relocating with a family, it’s important to research your options and budget accordingly.”
Maintain professional standards. “When you approach things professionally, everything falls into place.”
“Is it for the whole life? I don’t know,” she admits honestly. “But for right now? Now it’s okay. For us it’s been good.”
“I have this opportunity here and it’s priceless. You have the freedom of doing it because you want to, not because of the need of growing up or being visible. You’re enjoying it, and it grows with the flow.”
How Allocation Assist Supports Doctors Relocating to the UAE
Relocating internationally as a medical professional involves navigating several stages, from licensing and job placement to integrating into a new healthcare system. Allocation Assist supports doctors through each of these steps.
Key Areas of Assistance
- Licensing and regulatory navigation, guiding physicians through credentialing requirements specific to the UAE.
- Role identification and placement, matching specialists with positions aligned to their clinical expertise and career goals.
- Relocation and family logistics, coordinating practical elements to ensure a smooth move for the whole family.
- Ongoing support, staying in touch with relocated doctors, following their progress and achievements in their new roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Jessica Schwarts Pumar?
Dr Jessica Schwarts Pumar is an ENT Specialist and Sleep Surgeon at American Hospital Dubai, trained in Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico. She is a Diplomate in Sleep Medicine and a board member of the Ibero-American Society of Sleep Surgery (SIBECS). She is one of only three physicians in the UAE performing hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea, and the first female to do so.
What is hypoglossal nerve stimulation?
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is an implant-based treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A small device placed near the base of the tongue stimulates nerve contractions during sleep to prevent airway collapse. It requires thorough sleep studies including sleep endoscopy, and is currently performed by only a handful of specialists in the UAE.
How did Dr Schwarts find working at American Hospital Dubai?
Dr Schwarts found American Hospital Dubai to be professionally exceptional. Each physician has a dedicated consultation room and equipment, and the hospital actively supports innovation and advanced training. She also found the culture inclusive and respectful, both within the hospital and in daily life in Dubai.
What is it like raising a family in Dubai as an expat doctor?
Dr Schwarts describes Dubai as far more family-friendly than she expected. Her two children, who arrived unable to speak English, are now thriving at an international school and speak better English than their parents. She highlights season passes to Aquaventure and family parks in Dubai Hills, while emphasising the importance of researching and budgeting.
What advice does Dr Schwarts give doctors considering the move?
Come prepared to be fully engaged, plan your transition carefully especially with family, and maintain professional standards. As she says: “When you approach things professionally, everything falls into place.” She is candid that it is not for everybody, but for those ready to invest, the recognition and opportunities follow.
How can Allocation Assist help me move to Dubai?
Allocation Assist has been placing Western-trained physicians in Gulf region hospitals for over 11 years, with relationships at 95+ hospitals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The team handles the entire relocation process, from licensing and credentialing to placement and family settling, so you can focus on your practice.
