Dr. John Carlo Brojan is the Medical Director of Canadian Specialist Hospital Clinics in Al Ghurair Centre. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

When Canadian Specialist Hospital Clinics opened its newest branch at Al Ghurair Centre—Dubai’s oldest mall—it was clear this was no ordinary clinic launch. It wasn’t just about making quality healthcare more accessible. It was also about leadership. And at the helm? Dr. John Carlo Brojan, an internal medicine specialist trained at none other than the prestigious St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Philippines and headhunted for a top role in one of Dubai’s leading healthcare groups. “I never thought I’d end up here,” Dr. Brojan tells Expat Media with a humble smile. “But everything somehow led to this moment.”

From Bicol to Baguio to St. Luke’s

Born to a family rooted in Bicol—with his mother from Sorsogon and father from Albay—Dr. John Brojan spent his formative years in Sorsogon before leaving home to chase a childhood dream. “I actually wanted to be an engineer,” he says. “But I had this conversation with my mother when I was young. Somehow, she convinced me medicine would be a better path. That conversation stayed with me.” He would go on to earn a degree in Biology at the University of the Philippines in Baguio, and eventually pursue medicine at St. Luke’s College of Medicine—a school renowned for producing top-tier doctors, many of whom go on to serve celebrities, politicians, and the Philippine elite. To be accepted into a residency at St. Luke’s Medical Center—one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country—is no small feat. It is a rite of passage that defines only the most dedicated and competent doctors. “It’s competitive. There are interviews, qualifications… It’s like going through another board exam. When you get in, they call you a resident for a reason. We practically lived in the hospital.” For three years, he trained intensively under some of the best minds in Philippine medicine, pulling 36-hour shifts, balancing patient rounds with research and study, and relying on little more than allowance pay and the fulfillment of seeing a patient recover. “There are no regrets,” he says. “I loved physics and maybe I would’ve made a good engineer—but I know now that I’m meant to be a doctor. I love what I do.”

Career and love story that led to Dubai

After earning his specialization in internal medicine, Dr. Brojan worked in several hospitals back home before following a different calling—this time, love. “My wife, who was then my girlfriend, was already working in Dubai. We reconnected on social media after years apart. I decided I wanted to move here and be with her.” In 2015, he arrived in the UAE with no illusions. “I was 30. I knew it would be different here. In the Philippines, doctors mostly run their own private clinics. Here, it’s more structured—you’re employed, you work fixed hours, and insurance systems are different.” Still, he adapted quickly and became one of the few Filipino specialists in a sea of general practitioners. “Many patients—even Filipinos—are surprised to see a Filipino doctor here. They don’t expect it,” he says. “But over the years, more of us have built solid reputations.” His own reputation quickly grew through word of mouth. “One comment that has always stayed with me was from a patient who said, ‘Doctor, thank you for listening.’ Many patients feel like no one really hears them. I try to give them that time. That connection.” Dr. Brojan’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. After years of service, he was headhunted to become Medical Director of Canadian Specialist Hospital Clinics in Al Ghurair Centre, a major expansion for the group into the heart of old Dubai. “Being entrusted with this role is both an honor and a big responsibility,” he shares. “The idea was to bring quality healthcare closer to the people—especially in a location like Al Ghurair, which is so central and accessible.” More than just a clinic, the newly launched facility offers services across 16 specialized medical fields with a multilingual team—all under one roof. From chronic disease management to preventive care, the clinic is focused on convenience, affordability, and comprehensive wellness. “It’s not just about treating sickness. It’s about health education, accessibility, and building trust,” he explains. Despite being trained in one of the most elite hospitals in the Philippines and now leading a significant medical facility in Dubai, Dr. Brojan remains remarkably grounded. “I think what stuck with me most,” he says thoughtfully, “was when someone once told me, ‘You’re a good doctor because you’re a good person.’ That really hit home. You can be the most skilled, but if you don’t treat people with compassion, what’s the point?” Outside of work, Dr. Brojan is a family man. “I’m not really outdoorsy,” he chuckles. “Watching movies at home with my wife and family is enough for me. Or traveling if we have the chance.” When asked what advice he would give to aspiring doctors or young professionals, he pauses. “Find what you love. Don’t chase a title—chase purpose. In the end, your job is just your platform to make a difference.” And with the launch of this new clinic and a leadership role he carries with pride and integrity, Dr. Brojan is clearly doing just that. CAM/Expat Media

Quick fire questions

What do you do to destress? Stay at home and relax. Favorite place in the UAE? Home. First thing you do at work? Check patient reports Favorite medical show. I don’t really watch medical shows. Favorite gadget. My stethoscope. Your superpower. Patience! Med school project you least liked. Pediatrics. Filipino word you use often at work. I mostly speak Filipino because most of my patients are Filipinos. Strangest myth about medicine that you’ve had to bust Patients are afraid to take maintenance medicine because they’re afraid it will destoy their organs Superfood you believe in I don’t believe in those. We need to have a balanced diet. One gadget you would invent. Haven’t thought about it… Health tip that no one really follows. Get enough sleep. This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Want to visit Dr. John Brojan or learn more about the new clinic? Visit Canadian Specialist Hospital Clinics at Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, Dubai.
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