On Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the College of Nursing at Hawler Medical University, located in Erbil, hosted the formal doctoral dissertation defense for PhD candidate Nashwan Nadhim Hasan Shwan within the Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
Conducted under the academic supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Abdulqadir Hamad Hussein, the candidate successfully defended his doctoral research titled:
"Effectiveness of an Education Program for Destigmatization among Primary Health Care Providers"
The study addresses a critical challenge in public health and clinical psychiatry: the social and institutional stigma associated with mental health conditions among frontline health workers. By implementing a structured, evidence-based educational intervention, the research evaluates shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and practical approaches among primary healthcare providers in order to cultivate a more inclusive, empathetic, and effective healthcare environment for psychiatric patients.
The academic examination took place in the main conference hall at the College of Nursing before an expert panel of senior scholars and psychiatric nursing specialists:
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Professor Dr. Salwa Shakir Muhsin – Chairwoman | Retired (Psychiatric Nursing)
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Assistant Professor Dr. Karwan Kakebara Kake-Ahmed – Member | Soran University – Department of Psychology (Psychiatry)
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Assistant Professor Dr. Abbas Latif Muhi-Aldeen – Member | University of Kirkuk – College of Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing)
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Assistant Professor Dr. Rasul Sabri Pirou – Member | University of Duhok – College of Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing)
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Assistant Professor Dr. Mosleh Saber Karim – Member | Hawler Medical University – College of Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing)
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Assistant Professor Dr. Abdulqadir Hamad Hussein – Member & Academic Supervisor | Retired (Psychiatric Nursing)
Following a comprehensive oral defense, rigorous scientific critique, and evaluation of the methodology and clinical outcomes, the examining committee officially approved the dissertation, commending the candidate’s significant contribution to mental health nursing and community healthcare reform.
The Deanship of the College of Nursing expresses its deepest gratitude and academic appreciation to the esteemed members of the examination committee for their rigorous oversight and scholarly dedication. Furthermore, the college extends its heartiest congratulations to the graduate, Dr. Nashwan Nadhim Hasan Shwan, on achieving this prestigious academic milestone, wishing him continued scholarly distinction, clinical excellence, and leadership in his future academic and professional career.