Dr. Amal Manna

For Dr. Amal Manna, Fort McMurray is more than the place she calls home. It is where she has built a life grounded in compassion, resilience, and service to others. For 15 years, she has cared for the people of this community both inside and outside the emergency room, offering not just medical expertise but also empathy and hope.

Originally from Kuwait, Dr. Manna moved to Fort McMurray after marrying her husband, who had already made his home here. With a Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery, followed by specialization in Emergency Medicine, she now serves as an ALS provider at the Suncor Health Center. Her work places her on the front lines of healthcare, where she sees humanity at its most vulnerable.

“The most rewarding part of my career in emergency medicine is being there for people at their most vulnerable moments,” she says. “Offering not only medical care but also comfort, reassurance, and hope. Knowing that I can make a difference, even in small ways, is what keeps me going.”

That same compassion drives her community work. In the wake of increasing hate crimes and Islamophobia in North America, Dr. Manna made a promise to herself to counter hate with kindness and to show what true Islam stands for through action. “My goal has always been to build bridges, not walls,” she says. “To spread understanding and show that Islam is best represented through acts of kindness and service.”

She has supported countless initiatives over the years, often quietly and without recognition. Her volunteerism has included helping seniors at Rotary House, fundraising for families in need, organizing toy drives and school supply collections, and teaching children the Quran at Markaz Ul Islam’s weekend school and summer camp. She has also volunteered with McMan Youth, Family and Community Services, worked volunteer shifts on the crisis line with Some Other Solutions, and cooked for firefighters after the 2016 wildfire.

She provided essential support to individuals affected by COVID-19 by delivering groceries and over-the-counter medications to those in home isolation. She also volunteered extensively with newly arrived families from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Fort McMurray, assisting them with home setup, translation of documents, and completion of applications. Over time, she became a trusted community resource and was often perceived as part of newcomer support organizations due to her consistent involvement and commitment.

In addition, she has contributed to various initiatives at the local mosque, including event decorating, and she is currently leading fundraising food sales to support major humanitarian causes. She has also participated in community outreach efforts aimed at increasing awareness among youth about drug overdose prevention and the harmful effects of street drugs. “What matters is the dignity of those we help, not recognition,” she says.

Dr. Manna’s strong sense of community is rooted in her upbringing. Her parents, both from Palestine, built a life in Kuwait City far from their families. “My parents found hope in education and kindness,” she explains. “They taught me that through compassion and learning, we can reach the hearts of people. That lesson continues to shape how she lives and serves today.”

Her family remains her greatest motivation. “My children inspire me daily to build a community rooted in respect, generosity, and hope,” she says. “Every contribution I make reflects the love and values I carry from my family.”

In recent years, Dr. Manna has also focused on finding balance and peace in her own life. “I realized that many things I gave time and energy to weren’t worth it,” she says. “I want to dedicate more time to my family, be a positive role model for my children, to raise kind and caring people who believe they are strong and capable of achieving their goals.”

Her perspective on community involvement is deeply shaped by her professional and personal experiences. “In emergency medicine, I witness people at their most scared moments, and it reminds me how much we all depend on one another,” she says. “Seeing the impact of hardship on people close to me in Palestine strengthened my belief that kindness and helping others are powerful tools for change.”

Dr. Manna believes one of the greatest challenges Fort McMurray faces today is division and misunderstanding between cultural and religious groups. “This creates fear, isolation, and a lack of trust,” she says. “The best way to address it is through education, dialogue, and active engagement. When people learn about each other, share experiences, and work together, they build empathy, develop respect for one another and a stronger sense of unity.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue investing her time and energy in people, especially the next generation. “Through my work and volunteer efforts, I strive to lead by example, showing that caring for one another strengthens the social fabric of Fort McMurray,” she says.

“Everything I do comes from a place of gratitude and love for this community,” she adds. “Fort McMurray is my home, and I feel blessed to serve the people here.”