Abdullah Shehab, MD, MMEd, PhD, FACC
Professor of Cardiology, Vice President Gulf Intervention Society, Vice President and Head of Hypertension Working Group, Emirates Cardiac Society, Editor in Chief NEMJ, Mediclinic & Burjeel Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Abdullah Shehab, MD, MMEd, PhD, FACC
25 years of experience in Internal medicine, cardiology and interventional cardiology, and medical education. Awards from UAEU: Best Service, Best Teaching, and Best clinical research. Professional Affiliations: Chairman of Scientific Committee in Emirates Medical Association, Past President of Emirates Society of Cardiology, currently Vice President of Emirates Cardiac Society, and Vice President of Gulf Intervention Society. Fellow of the royal college of Physicians UK, fellow American college of Physicians, fellow European Society of Cardiology, fellow of the American College of cardiology, fellow American Society of cardiac intervention, and a fellow of the American heart association. Areas of Special Interest: Heart failure, Coronary artery disease, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Arrhythmias, Cardiac intervention, Cardiac imaging, Screening for cardiac disease in sports players, cardiovascular disease in pregnancy
Professor Shehab is a Chief Editor of the Emirates Medical Journal and also serves as an editor in many other regional and international journals. Professor has published 152 papers in Medline
Aftab Ahmad
Consultant Diabetologist & Endocrinologist, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Aftab Ahmad
Dr. Aftab Ahmed is one of the top certified Cardiologist in Karachi, having a degree of MBBS and FCPS. Currently, he is practicing at Tabba Heart Hospital. Dr. Khawar Abbas Kazmi has advanced medical expertise in cardiology."
Ahmad Bafadel, MD
Consultant Cardiologist and Multimodality Imaging, Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ahmad Bafadel, MD
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Bafadel has worked as an advanced cardiovascular imaging fellow in Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA.
Dr. Bafadel was trained in internal medicine at Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He completed his cardiology fellowship at Libin Cardiovascular Institute in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After, Dr. Bafadel worked as a teaching faculty and a cardiologist at King Saud Medical School, in Saudi Arabia, where he was involved in cardiology fellowship program for training cardiology specialists. He moved after to the United State to get the experience of advanced cardiovascular imaging at the Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA where he was trained in structural 3D Echocardiography guidance of percutaneous valve implantation, Nuclear Cardiac Imaging and Cardiovascular CT. His research on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and nuclear cardiology has been presented in international cardiac conferences.
Dr. Bafadel is board certified by both the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in cardiovascular disease, as well in internal medicine. He also holds board certifications for cardiac multimodality imaging including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiac CT.
Ahmad Mesmar
Cardiology Fellow, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ahmad Mesmar
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Ahmed Agabroun
Consultant Cardiologist, Associate Professor, Mohamed bin Rashid University, Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Agabroun
Dr. Gabroun is a Consultant Cardiologist. Following his 1994 graduation from the Medical University of Tripoli, Libya, he began his medical career. He was granted membership in the United Kingdom and Scotland of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he completed an Executive Master’s program in Business Administration and earned a Certificate and Diploma in Health Care Management. Now, he is a founding partner, medical director, and head of the Cardiology Department at United Medical Day Care, Surgery, and Polyclinic. From 2010 until 2014, he oversaw the cardiology division of a hospital in Canada. He joined the American Heart Association in 2003 and has been a fellow and professional associate since 2010. He is a Middle East regional faculty member. In addition, he works as an associate professor at Mohamed bin Rashid University and teaches cardiology to final-year students at Dubai Medical College. Among departmental quality improvement projects at Rashid Hospital in DHA, he has initiated cardiac rehabilitation programs and echo-on-line projects. His areas of expertise include ischemic heart disease, hypertension management, non-invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures, and preventive cardiology. Dr. Gabroun is an active educator and researcher with numerous publications to his credit. Has given several presentations at national and international meetings and has published research articles in peer-reviewed journals. His interests also extend to quality management and healthcare accreditation.
Ahmed Aljizeeri, MD, FACC
Consultant Cardiologist and Advanced Cardiac Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Aljizeeri, MD, FACC
Ahmed Aljizeeri is an assistant professor of cardiology at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and consultant cardiologist and cardiac imager at King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is also the chairman of the Cardiac Imaging Working Group of the Saudi Heart Association. He has numerous peer reviewed publications and many invited lectures at local, regional and international meetings
Ahmed Khashaba, MD
Professor of Cardiology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Ahmed Khashaba, MD
Prof Ahmed Khashaba, qualified in medicine, specialized in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Egypt’s Ain Shams University Hospitals, and he gained the title of Professor of Cardiology at the same university. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and a member of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Having the interest to introduce and employ new technologies, he established the first TAVI program in Egypt in 2011. TAVI was not an exception as he was also the first to introduce and perform the following techniques to Egypt: IVUS-VH, OCT, NIRS total radial interventions, iFR, pudendal artery stenting, MDCT as well as 3D echocardiography. Recently, he performed the first orbital atherectomy in a private hospital in the middle east in UAE. He is also a proctor and trainer for consultants in all of these procedures. Prof Khashaba shared as a principal investigator in many of the international multicenter studies in interventional cardiology, with the latest being the landmark DEFINE-FLAIR study. He was also the only cardiologist from the Middle East to share in establishing the European consensus document for Rotablator usage. He has over 40 publications and over 110 oral presentations as a faculty member and live demonstrator at several prestigious national, regional and international cardiology meetings.
Aiman Smer
Associate Professor of Medicine, Program Director, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Aiman Smer
Dr. Aiman Smer is a Consultant Staff Cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in September 2023. Before joining Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Smer spent 10 years in the United States as academic Cardiologist and held the role of Associate Program Director for the Cardiovascular Fellowship Training Program at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Born and raised in Libya, he earned his medical degree from the University of Tripoli in 2005. Dr. Smer completed his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in the United States. Dr. Smer holds multiple certifications from the American Board, including Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography, and Nuclear Cardiology. His research interests encompass Quality Improvement and Cardiovascular diseases, and 3D echocardiography. He has actively participated in numerous international multicenter trials and boasts a portfolio of over 100 publications and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Smer is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography. His expertise has led him to be an invited speaker at various national and international conferences. Currently residing in Abu Dhabi with his wife and four children, Dr. Smer's interests extend beyond medicine. When not at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he enjoys quality time with his family and friends, volunteers to support his community, engages in sports, including e-sports, and loves traveling with his family to explore the fantastic places and activities that Abu Dhabi has to offer.
Amanda Vest, MBBS, MPH, FACC
Section Head, Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, George M. & Linda H. Kaufman Endowed Chair, Cleveland Clinic | Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
Amanda Vest, MBBS, MPH, FACC
Amanda Vest MBBS MPH is the Section Head of Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, and holder of the George M. & Linda H. Kaufman Endowed Chair. She completed medical school at Imperial College, London, UK, followed by internal medicine and chief residencies at Boston University Medical Center, and cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology fellowships at Cleveland Clinic. She spent a decade on staff at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, including leadership of the Heart Transplant Program and latterly the Advanced Heart Failure Program, and developed a Nutrition-Heart Failure research team. Her research interests are based around the interactions between nutrition, metabolism and body composition for patients with heart failure. Her prior research work was focused on the relationship between obesity and heart disease, including the impact of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular health. Her current work, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, investigates whether dietary protein supplementation can reverse skeletal muscle wasting, as well as exploring the biological mechanisms that may contribute to cachexia development and ultrasound as a technique to assess and monitor muscle wasting in the arms and legs. Her clinical work focuses on patients with heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplantation, as well as patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and other cardiomyopathies. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and medically treats obesity in patients with heart failure. She returned to Cleveland Clinic in March 2024.
Amrish Agrawal, FRCP, MRCP, FCSI, MD, DM
Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Fujairah Hospital, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Amrish Agrawal, FRCP, MRCP, FCSI, MD, DM
Dr. Amrish Agrawal is Senior Consultant in Cardiology at Fujairah Hospital, United Arab Emirates and Associate Professor of Medicine at RAK University of Health Sciences. He is board certified in cardiology India and UK and Australia and is an Elevated Fellow of Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow, Edinburgh as well as of American College of Cardiology. He has long experience as Consultant in India, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Invited Faculty and Speaker in numerous international meetings such as EuroEcho, World Congresses across the globe and ACC and ESC meetings. More than 20 publications in peer reviewed journals, author of chapters in many books and International member of Editorial boards. He is Principal investigator for many international registries at the Middle East and Global levels including PACT MEA, FLOW, CEPHEUS, GARFIELD, etc.
Ann Gage, MD, MS, FACC
Interventional Cardiology and Critical Care Cardiology, Director Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
Ann Gage, MD, MS, FACC
Dr. Ann Gage is a native of Dayton, Ohio. Following an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Gage received a Masters of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati after which she completed her Internal Medicine residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville,Tennessee. Dr. Gage then completed her Cardiovascular Medicine fellowship and a Cardiac Critical Care fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She completed an Interventional Cardiology fellowship at the University Hospitals Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, before joining the Cleveland Clinic faculty in 2018. She served as a staff cardiologist in the Section of Interventional Cardiology within the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic where her time was spent as both an Interventional Cardiologist and a Critical Care Cardiologist. In 2020, Dr. Gage joined the staff of Centennial Medical Center where she is the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and an Interventional Cardiologist.
Dr. Gage is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Interventional Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine. She is also board certified in Echocardiography. Dr. Gage is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a member of the American Heart Association. Dr. Gage maintains both an Interventional Cardiology and a Cardiac Critical Care practice. She specializes in coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiogenic shock, appropriate revascularization strategies for cardiogenic shock, management of pulmonary embolism, cardiac critical care, and mechanical circulatory support.
Anwar Al Zaaby
Consultant Cardiologist, Shaikh Khalifa General Hospital, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Anwar Al Zaaby
Dr. Anwar obtained his medical degree from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed his medical residency in Germany in the field of internal medicine Cardiology, where he obtained the Fachartz of Internal medicine and cardiology. Since joining Tawam Hospital in the summer of 2018 as a cardiology consultant, Dr. Anwar has participated in various quality projects and achieved remarkable milestones. Since 2021, Dr. Anwar has been deputizing the chair of Internal medicine as well as the head of Cardiology division at Tawam Hospital. His achievements include starting two unique services, Cardiometabolic and Cardio oncology, and leading the Internal Medicine Ground round for the past three years. As the Cardio Quality Champion and core faculty in the Internal Medicine residency program for the past three years, Dr. Anwar has played a crucial role in shaping the hospital's medical education and quality standards. Since May 2023 Dr. Anwar is acting the as CMO of Shaikh Khalifa hospital in Fujairah.
Arif Al-Nooryani
Chief Executive Officer, Head of Cardiac Centre & Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Al Qassimi Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Arif Al-Nooryani
Dr Arif has been the CEO of Al Qassimi Hospital Sharjah – UAE (Since 2009), Head of Cardiac Cath Lab at Al Qassimi Hospital Sharjah – UAE (since 2004) & Head of Cardiac Centre (since 2012 ). Medical Director of Al Qassimi Hospital Sharjah – UAE (2004-2008).He is EHS- Chairperson of the clinical integration work team for Sharjah & Northern Emirates and Chairperson EHS Cardiology Service Committee. Dr.Arif is also the Associate Professor of Cardiology and Advisory Council Board member of University of Sharjah. Dr. Arif is a member of the Emirates Cardiac Society – Head of the Interventional Cardiology working group (since March 2016), Emirates Medical Association & Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow since 2013 and National Coordinator for UAE –European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Dr. Arif is an official reviewer in International Journals such as Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. Dr. Arif is German Board Certified Cardiologist (ULM- Germany), Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Science in UlM-Germany, Recipient of The Foundation for the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the EMR 2022, Arab Doctor Award – Arab League ( Feb, 2020 ), Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences ( 2018 ) Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals working in the field of Medicine & Health, The First GCC award of excellence for remarkable efforts in medicine 2015 and recipient of Sheikh Hamdan Excellence Award for Medical Service in 2011-2012, Pride of Nation, UAE in 2012 and Sheikh Rashid Excellence Award for Scientific Achievements in 2004. Dr.Arif is fluent in Arabic, English, German and Urdu SPECIAL INTEREST •Innovation and Robotically Assisted PCI’s •Management of Chronic totally Occlusion of coronary arteries •Management of calcified coronary artery disease by advance technology such as CSI, Shockwave & Rotablator •Implantation of Aortic Valve through catheterization [ TAVI ] •Management of Mitral Valve regurgitation through catheterization using mitral clip •Left arterial appendage occlusion by occlude device through catheterization. •Renal artery denervation to treat resistant arterial hypertension •Special experience of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold BVS implantation.
Bassam Atallah
Pharmacotherapy Specialist, Clinical Associate Professor, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Bassam Atallah
Dr Atallah is the Heart and Vascular Institute senior pharmacotherapy specialist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is a clinical associate professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic he was on faculty as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh. He is the chair of the ACCP Cardiology PRN International Committee. Dr. Atallah received his PharmD from Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in Virginia and completed an ASHP accredited post graduate residency at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia. Dr. Atallah is board certified in pharmacotherapy with added qualifications in Cardiology. He also holds an advanced antithrombotic management certificate from ASHP. Dr Atallah is a fellow of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA). He has several publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
Cathleen Biga, MSN, MACC
President and CEO, Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Cathleen Biga, MSN, MACC
Cathleen Biga, MSN, MACC, is President and CEO of Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, a cardiology physician practice management company. She has worked with more than 100 cardiovascular providers in the Chicago area and partners in their cardiovascular service lines at more than 14 acute care hospitals. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the Mayo/College of St. Teresa and Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University School of Nursing. Biga has more than 40 years of experience as a registered nurse, service line director, hospital vice president and CEO. She has 30 years of experience in physician practice management. She has been active nationally in consulting on strategic planning, operational efficiencies, integrated financial and quality initiatives, and growth and development of the cardiovascular service lines. She is focused on facilitating the integration of strategic, financial and quality perspectives between cardiovascular service lines at practices and hospitals. In addition, she consults and lectures on numerous contemporary cardiovascular topics. Biga is a past member of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Board and was the Inaugural Chair of MedAxiom's Board of Managers. During her term as ACC President from 2024-2025, Biga led the execution of the first year of ACC's new Strategic Plan, focusing on increasing communication, ensuring members understand the Board's initiatives, demonstrating commitment to quality improvement, and transforming cardiovascular care delivery. Biga also helped advance dyad leadership and team-based care, implementing critical programs and guidelines to empower physician-led teams in adopting guideline-directed medical therapy.
Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC
Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chief, Cardiovascular Division; ACC President, University of Virginia Health, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC
Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC, received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in cardiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His first faculty appointment was at Allegheny General Hospital, then MCP/Hahnemann University School of Medicine, where he directed the cardiology fellowship. He then moved to the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where in 2019 he was named the George A. Beller/Lantheus Medical Imaging Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, and Medical Director of the Heart and Vascular Science Line. Dr. Kramer's principal research interest has been the application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to the cardiovascular system in translational and clinical studies. Prior to serving as ACC President, Dr. Kramer served as President of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR), ACC Treasurer, Chair of ACC's Imaging Council, and Chair of the Clinical and Integrative Cardiovascular Sciences NIH study section. Dr. Kramer previously was associate editor at JACC and Executive Editor of JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Circulation, Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging and Vascular Medicine. Dr. Kramer is also a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of University Cardiologists and American Association of Physicians. He received the Gold Medal from the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in 2015 and was named a Distinguished Mentor by the ACC in 2021.
Dima Quraini
Consultant Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dima Quraini
Dr Dima Quraini is a clinical cardiologist at the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. After graduating from medical school at Universite de Montreal, Dr Quraini completed her internal medicine training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre in Boston, Massachusetts where she also served as chief medical resident. She then completed her cardiovascular fellowship at Tufts Medical Centre in Boston, Massachusetts where she dedicated a year of training in advanced cardiac imaging. Her research on 3D echocardiography has been cited in recent imaging guidelines. Since joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2017, Dr Quraini has championed prevention and currently serves as director of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute outpatient clinic. Her passion for women’s cardiac health has led her to establish the Women’s Heart Health Clinic at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr Quraini is also an integral part of the structural imaging team and has developed departmental imaging protocols to help guide imaging during complex structural cases.
Eisa Hammad Aldhaheri, MEDSCD
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Zayed Military Hospital, Head of Intervention Working Group, Emirates Cardiac Society, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Eisa Hammad Aldhaheri, MEDSCD
Dr. Eisa Aldhaheri is an Interventional Cardiology Consultant currently practicing at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi. He graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2010, followed by an internship at Tawam Hospital. He completed his cardiology residency at Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France, and pursued a fellowship in interventional cardiology at the Institute of Cardiology of Montreal in Canada. With extensive experience in invasive cardiology, Dr. Aldhaheri has contributed to clinical protocols, led multiple projects, and published in reputable journals. He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, and a member of ESC, EACVI, PCR, and ECS.
Elijah N. Ogola, MD, FACC
Professor of Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Elijah N. Ogola, MD, FACC
Prof Elijah Ogola is a professor of internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Nairobi. He graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1979, followed by residency in internal medicine at the same institution. He undertook a visiting fellowship in cardiology at the University hospitals of Cleveland in the US in 1989-1990. He is the President of the Pan African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), governor of the African chapter of the American College of Cardiology and a board member of the World Heart Federation. He is a past president of the Kenya Cardiac Society. His main research interests are hypertension, emerging cardiovascular risk factors in Africa and heart failure. He is a fellow of the American college of cardiology (FACC), the European society of cardiology (FESC) and is an the inaugural fellow of the international society of hypertension (ISHF).
Fabrizio Clementi
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Fabrizio Clementi
Dr. Fabrizio Clementi is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. With over two decades of experience in the field of cardiology, he specializes in complex coronary interventions, structural heart procedures, and the management of cardiogenic shock. Dr. Clementi actively contributes to clinical research, with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, and is a frequent speaker at regional and international conferences. Passionate about medical education, he plays a pivotal role in mentoring young cardiologists and advancing evidence-based practice in the region. His dedication to improving patient outcomes drives his involvement in quality initiatives and multidisciplinary heart team collaborations.
I will forward my high-resolution headshot photograph, since I am a UAE resident, you will not need my passport copy. The disclosure form links to a Cleveland Clinic form; I guess it is the wrong link.
Faten Naji
, United Arab Emirates
Faten Naji
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Fatheya Alawadi
Consultant Endocrinologist, Head of the Endocrine Department, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fatheya Alawadi
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Feras M. Bader, MD, MS, FACC
Clinical Professor of Medicine and Cardiology, Director, Section of Heart Failure and Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Feras M. Bader, MD, MS, FACC
Feras Bader is a Consultant Cardiologist and the Director of the section of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation in the Heart and Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
After graduating from the University of Jordan School of Medicine in in 1998, he finished Internal Medicine Residency as well as Heart Failure and Transplant Fellowship within the Yale University School of Medicine system. In 2003, he went to the University of Utah and completed his Cardiovascular Fellowship in 2006. Upon completion of his fellowship he joined the faculty there at the Division of Cardiology. He served as the Medical Director of the Heart Failure Program at the University of Utah Hospital and the Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Fellowship Program. During his time there, he also obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation.
In 2015, Dr. Bader joined the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi to pursue his ambition of building an internationally recognized advanced heart failure and transplant program in the Middle East. There, he established the first multidisciplinary heart failure and transplant program of its kind in the country and one of very few in the Middle East that can offer the full spectrum of therapies including artificial heart pumps and heart transplant.
Dr. Bader is American Board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography, and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. His research interests include various aspects in ventricular assist devices, hemodynamics and cardiorenal interaction in heart failure. He has participated in many single and multi-center trials and has published several articles in peer review journals. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Dr. Bader is the Chairman of the Heart Failure Working Group of the Emirates Cardiac Society. He is also the Co-Chairman of the International Heart Failure Working Group of the American Collage of Cardiology on behalf of the Middle East region, and the Ambassador for the Heart Failure Society of America to the Middle East
Fereidoon Shafiei
Consultant Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Fereidoon Shafiei
Dr. Fereidoon Shafiei, MD, currently serves as a Staff Physician in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He has moved to UAE in 2021 from Tennessee, USA where he worked as a Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Ballad Health Network in Kingsport. Dr. Shafiei is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology. He performs all spectrum of complex cardiac arrhythmias and device management. Dr. Shafiei received his medical degree with honors from the University of Pecs Medical School in Hungary. He completed his Internal Medicine residency and Cardiovascular Medicine fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, US. He then completed his 2 years fellowship training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, US, and the Ohio State University Health Science Center in Columbus, Ohio, US. He is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr Shafiei’s clinical and research interest is in complex arrhythmias and ablation.
Firas J. Al Badarin, MD, MSc, FACC
Consultant Cardiologist and Multimodality Cardiac Imager, Head of Imaging Working Group, Emirates Cardiac Society, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Firas J. Al Badarin, MD, MSc, FACC
Dr. Firas Al Badarin, MD, is a consultant cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Head of the Imaging Working Group of Emirates Cardiac Society.
Dr. Al Badarin trained at Henry Ford Hospital/ Wayne State University, Mayo Clinic, and University of Missouri, Kansas City/ Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in USA. He also completed a Cardiovascular Outcomes Research fellowship and received a master's degree in Clinical Bioinformatics/Clinical Research Focus from the School of Medicine, Department of Health and Bioinformatics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
During training, Dr. Al Badarin developed interest and expertise in various non-invasive imaging modalities, including PET and SPECT radionuclide cardiac imaging Cardiac CTA. He also became particularly passionate about understanding how different imaging technologies can be used to improve the efficiency of care for patients suspected to have coronary artery disease. He has published several peer-reviewed articles on how information from non-invasive imaging can be used to optimize outcomes and quality of life for patient
Georgios Sianos
CTO Expert & Consultant Cardiologist, Al Qassim Hospital, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Georgios Sianos
Prof. Dr. Georgios Sianos MD, PhD, FESC is a Consultant Cardiologist and Interventional Cardiologist at Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, UAE, Dr. Sianos specializes in coronary, structural, and percutaneous interventions, demonstrating his dedication to patient care and advanced cardiac procedures. In recognition of his expertise, he was elected as the President of the Working Group of Digital Cardiology of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology in 2022 and has also held the position of Nucleus Board Member of the same society in 2021. His extensive experience and commitment to advancing cardiology are underscored by his previous roles as a Consultant Cardiologist Interventional Cardiologist at Mediterraneo Hospital in Athens, Greece, and as a Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Cardiology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he contributed significantly to education, research, and innovation in the field.
Ghadeera Al Mansoori, MD, MSc
Clinical Director of Congenital and Genetic Heart Diseases, Cardio-Obstetric Multidisciplinary, Assistant Professor, Head of Congenital and Genetic Heart Disease Working Group, Emirates Cardiac Society, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ghadeera Al Mansoori, MD, MSc
Dr. Ghadeera Al Mansoori MD, M.Sc., MRCP, FRCPC is a Consultant Cardiologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Dr. Al Mansoori graduated with distinction in Medicine and Surgery from Dubai Medical College and obtained her Masters’ degree in Clinical Cardiac Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen. Following her residencies training in Internal medicine and Adult Cardiology at the University of Toronto-Canada, Dr. Ghadeera Al Mansoori found her niche in Congenital and Genetic Heart disease, she pursued dual fellowships in Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at the Toronto Congenital Cardiac Center and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, The University of Toronto.
Dr. Al Mansoori is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Royal College of Physicians UK and a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicin
Gopal Bhatnagar
Institute Chief of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Gopal Bhatnagar
Dr Bhatnagar received his MD from the University of Western Ontario in 1986, his FRCS in General Surgery in 1991 and Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1993 from the University of Toronto. Dr Bhatnagar was appointed to the academic staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he established the Cardiac Residency surgical simulation centre and served as the director of the clerkship program. In 2000, he was appointed chair and medical director of the Heart and Circulation program at the Trillium Health Centre and in 2005, he was appointed as Chief of Medical Staff during which time he established a hospital wide quality assurance program and lead the integration of the University of Toronto Mississauga medical school campus. Dr Bhatnagar also lead a restructuring initiative amalgamating the medical staff of local hospitals to form a new hospital corporation for which he was awarded the Queen's medal for service inCanada. Dr Bhatnagar joined CCAD in February 2018 as Chair of Cardiac Surgery and currently serves as the Chair of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. Clinical interests have focused on developing beating Surgery coronary bypass, complex coronary reconstructions and surgery of the aortic root.
Gurusher S. Panjrat, MBBS, MD, FACC
Professor of Medicine, Director, GW Heart and Vascular Institute, Director, Heart Failure and MCS Program, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States of America
Gurusher S. Panjrat, MBBS, MD, FACC
Dr. Gurusher Panjrath is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist. He is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy Program and Director of GW Heart and Vascular Institute. He has a keen interest in education and planning educational programs nationally and internationally and in developing innovative solutions and clinical program building to improve equitable heart failure care. He has served as co-editor of Heart Failure self-assessment programs, on editorial boards and directed development of HF curriculum for PCPs in Latin America. He has spoken widely at both national and international meetings. Dr. Panjrath is the governor elect for the Washington DC chapter for ACC, past chair of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Section of and chair-elect of the solution set oversight committees of ACC. He recently co-chaired the consensus document on HFpEF management. Dr. Panjrath believes in fostering long lasting partnerships with patients, so they can have a better understanding and control over their health. He believes that excellent relationships with community and providers are crucial to optimal access for advanced therapies and care. His recent research has focused on interface of technology and heart failure care. Dr. Panjrath has published in peer reviewed high impact journals and has received several research awards.
Dr. Panjrath attended medical school at Kasturba Medical College in India. He completed his internship and residency at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he served as chief resident. He completed fellowship training in Cardiovascular Medicine and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to his fellowship training, he has undergone research training both at Johns Hopkins University, as well as, Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Hadi Skouri, MD, FACC
Consultant Cardiologist, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Hadi Skouri, MD, FACC
Dr. Hadi Skouri is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine–Cardiology and a Heart Failure specialist based at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Beirut. He is currently the Director of the Cardiac Care Unit, Director of Samir Alam Heart Failure Unit, and the Heart Failure Program at AUBMC, as well as Chairman of the Heart Failure Working Group at the Lebanese Society of Cardiology (LSC). He has spent almost two decades building his expertise in heart disease treatment and care, and completed a two-year fellowship in heart failure and transplantation at Mayo Clinic–Rochester, Minnesota and Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. In Beirut, Dr. Skouri has led the development of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at AUBMC, and served on multiple committees of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, including the Acute and Advanced Heart Failure Committee and the National Heart Failure Societies Committee. He is also a member of the Cardio-renal and Cardio-oncology Working Groups. He led the introduction of the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in Lebanon and the Arab region in 2009, and contributed to the Arabic translation of heartfailurematters.org, the world’s largest HF educational site. Dr. Skouri has authored over 35 scientific papers, co-authored two position statements for the Heart Failure Association, and continues to contribute as a national investigator/coordinator for international research projects.
Hani Sabbour, MD, FACC
Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Advanced Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension; Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Disease, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi; Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Hani Sabbour, MD, FACC
Hani M. Sabbour is currently a Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Since January 2013, he has held an academic appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor Cardiovascular Disease at Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Rhode Island, USA. Dr. Sabbour was also the former Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. He established a comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center and PH registry at SKMC as well as leading the SEHA PH guideline writing team to complete the SEHA clinical practice guidelines in PAH.
Dr. Sabbour has been involved in multiple clinical trials; his extensive research on cardiovascular diseases has been published in a number of multi center clinical trials and publications. His clinical interests include integrated device therapy and CHF, correlative cardiac imaging, nuclear cardiology, arrhythmia management particularly atrial fibrillation, management of valvular heart disease, drug monitoring and management program and particularly Pulmonary Hypertension.
Hind Alkazim
Internal Medicine Specialist, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hind Alkazim
I am Dr. Hind Alkazim an Internal Medicine Specialist and current Cardiology Fellow. I graduated from the University of Sharjah with a degree of MBBS and completed my Internal Medicine residency at Dubai Health. I hold the Saudi Board in Internal Medicine and im currently pursuing my fellowship in Cardiology, as I continue to advance my expertise in cardiovascular care.
I have a research publication in the field of cardiology, reflecting my commitment to evidence-based practice and academic growth. I am dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care while contributing to clinical research and education in cardiology.
Hosam Zaky
Consultant Cardiologist, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hosam Zaky
Dr Hosam Zaky is a Consultant Cardiologist in Dubai health authority ( Dubai Hospital) ,Graduated from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 1988, had his cardiology training in Ain Shams University Hospitals, where he had his masters in cardiovascular medicine 1993 and defended The thesis for the doctorate degree in cardiovascular medicine 1998 , also he has the membership of the royal college of physicians of UK 2002( MRCP UK),the American national board of echocardiography 2005, recertified 2015 and the European accreditation in interventional cardiac pacing and defibrillators 2007, has been elected as a fellow of the American college of cardiology august 2011 ( FACC), a fellow of the American society of echocardiography may 2012 (FASE), and fellow of the Gulf heart association 2014 ( FGHA) he has many publications in the field of echocardiography and cardiac device therapy .
Hussam Ghalib
Director of Inpatient Services, HVTI & Consultant Cardiologist, HF & Transplant Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Hussam Ghalib
Dr. Hussam Ghalib, MD, is a Consultant Cardiologist within the Section of Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology in the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is also the Director of Inpatient Services for the HVTI Institute, as well as the Director of the Cardiomyopathy Center. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Ghalib was at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, where he specialized in Cardiovascular Medicine with a focus on Advanced Heart Failure Management. Dr. Ghalib received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. He then served on faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Hospital for two years. He subsequently completed a Cardiovascular Medicine fellowship at UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Dr. Ghalib resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife, two sons and daughter.
Ismail Raslan
Consultant Cardiologist, Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ismail Raslan
Dr. Ismail Raed Raslan is an Assistant Professor and Consultant Cardiologist at King Saud University, where he serves as the Division Lead of the Heart Function Section. His clinical focus includes Advanced Heart Failure, Heart Transplantation, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Cardio-Oncology. Dr. Raslan obtained a Master’s degree in Translational Medicine in Cardiology from the University of Alberta. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at McGill University and Cardiology training at the University of Toronto. He then pursued fellowships in Advanced Heart Failure & Heart Transplantation and Cardio-Oncology at the University Health Network in Toronto. He is actively involved nationally and internationally in clinical research, medical education, and the development of cardiovascular guidelines. He chairs and participates in several institutional and national-level committees dedicated to advancing heart failure care, clinical practice standards, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
João L. Cavalcante, MD, FACC
Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center and Core Lab, Section Head, Cardiovascular Imaging, Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
João L. Cavalcante, MD, FACC
Dr. João L. Cavalcante is the Section Head for Cardiovascular Imaging at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the largest cardiology group practice in the Twin Cities. He is also the Director of MHI Foundation Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center and Core Lab, overseeing many multicentric trials. His passion for multimodality Imaging and focus on valve and structural heart disease is seen through the lead of multiple RCT in advanced imaging, training of several international scholars, > 250 peer-reviewed original investigations, and several book chapters, along with national and international training workshops and lectures. He was board member for Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (2020-2023), and for Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Program Chair for the 2023 Scientific Sessions Meeting in San Diego, CA. He was named the Inaugural Innovation Chair of the Van Tassel Innovation Center at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.
Juwairia Alali, MD
Consultant Cardiologist, President of Emirates Cardiac Society, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Juwairia Alali, MD
Dr. Juwairia Tahir Alali is a Consultant Cardiologist at Rashid Hospital and has been running the echocardiography lab for the past 6 years. She is an active member of the Emirates Cardiac Society and is the current president. She has been part of the scientific committee for Emirates Cardiac Society’s annual meeting for the past 4 years. She has both organized and participated in multiple educational activities, webinars and workshops over the years and has a great passion for teaching. She is also in charge of the heart failure clinic at Rashid Hospital and has been on multiple advisory boards for heart failure therapy
Magdy Abdelhamid, MD, FACC
Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Governor of the ACC Chapter Egypt, Kasr Al Ainy , Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Magdy Abdelhamid, MD, FACC
Magdy Abdelhamid is a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Kasr El Ainy , Cairo University, Egypt. He is a consultant cardiologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience and has a particular interest in heart failure and coronary intervention. He had a Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship at the Heart Failure & Cardiac Transplantation center, The Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School,1999. Professor Abdelhamid is the Past President of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology (2018-2020) and Chairman of their working group on heart failure as well as a Board member of the Society. He is the Co-Chair of the Educational Committee of the Heart Failure Association , Board Member of the HFA (2020-2022).Dr. Abdelhamid is a Board member of the Educational and Accreditation Committee of the ESC , Board member of the Committee of Practice Guidelines, ESC (2022-2024).
Mahmoud Hassanein, MD
Professor of Cardiology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Mahmoud Hassanein, MD
Professor Mahmoud Hassanein graduated from the School of Medicine, Alexandria University in November 1976. He completed a 3-year residency (1978-1981) in Internal Medicine department in Alexandria Main University Hospital. In 1987, he was granted the PhD Degree in Cardiovascular Medicine and appointed as lecturer in Cardiology till 1992 and then as assistant professor of Cardiology (1992-1997). Since 1997 and till now, he has been acting as Professor of Cardiology, Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine. In addition to practicing cardiology full time, he is deeply engaged in teaching and educational activities in addition to scientific research. Professor Hassanein is a fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) participating in all of its activities. He participated, as a representative of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, in 3 major registries of the ESC, viz. ESC heart failure long-term registry, peripartum cardiomyopathy registry and International REgistry to assess medical Practice with lOngitudinal obseRvation for Treatment of Heart Failure (REPORT-HF) registry. Prof.Hassanein was the principal investigator of the Egyptian heart failure registry. Professor Hassanein acted as an editor-in-Chief of the Egyptian Heart Journal from 2011 to 2019. During that period, the journal progressed steadily and was eventually indexed in Pubmed. His goal right now is to promote healthcare for heart failure patients in Egypt through establishment of excellence centers dedicated to that purpose and creation of heart failure subspeciality in the country.
Manyoo Agarwal
Consultant Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Manyoo Agarwal
Dr. Manyoo Agarwal, MD, is a Staff Consultant Physician in the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining CCAD, he was at University of California Los Angeles. His clinical and research interests include cardio-oncology, cardiac imaging and data science research. He has authored more than 100 scientific peer reviewed manuscripts and abstracts till date and has presented his research at national and international seminars.
Maram Hashim
Interventional Cardiologist, United Arab Emirates
Maram Hashim
I am Dr. Maram Elsir Mirghani Hashim, a final-year cardiology fellow at Rashid Hospital. I hold an MBBS degree, the Jordanian Board in Internal Medicine, the MRCP (UK), and have passed the European Core of Cardiology Examination. My training combines a strong foundation in internal medicine and cardiology with a commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care. I am passionate about advancing my clinical skills and contributing to the global cardiology community through continued learning and collaboration
Mario Njeim
Consultant Electrophysiologist, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Mario Njeim
Dr. Mario Njeim is a cardiologist and director of cardiac electrophysiology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. He completed medical school at Saint-Joseph University before moving to the United States where he trained at Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University in Detroit and the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. Dr. Njeim holds American board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology. He has multiple publications in the fields of cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology and several awards for excellence in patient care. Dr. Njeim served as co-chairman of the cardiac electrophysiology workgroup of the Lebanese Society of Cardiology and is the past young ambassador for Lebanon at the European Heart Rhythm Association. He is vice-chairman and co-founder of YOHAN, an organization raising awareness against sudden cardiac death in the youth.
Marta Acena Ramos
Consultant Electrophysiologist, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Marta Acena Ramos
Dr Marta Acena is a Spanish Cardiologist Electrophysiologist certified by the European Heart Rhythm Association. She finished her Medical School at the University of Barcelona in 2002 and her Cardiology Fellowship in Hospital Son Dureta (Spain) in 2008. She did her EP Fellowship from 2008 to 2011 in Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and in Hospital Sint Jan in Bruges (Belgium). Dr Marta Acena has participated in many research projects and publications related to Cardiology, Cardiac Pacing and Arrhythmias in national and international journals. Her main areas of interest are atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, physiological pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy. After more than 12 years of experience she relocated to Dubai in 2021 to start the Arrhythmia Unit in Rashid Hospital which nowadays offers a wide variety of therapies including ablation of complex arrhythmias, the most advanced techniques for atrial fibrillation therapy and all kind of cardiac device implants including leadless pacemaker, conduction system pacing and subcutaneous ICD.
Marwan Refaat, MD, FACC
Professor of Medicine, Director Cardiovascular Fellowship Program, American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Marwan Refaat, MD, FACC
Dr. Marwan Refaat is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a Tenured Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the American University of Beirut (AUB)- Faculty of Medicine. He received the AUB Board Designated Professorship in 2022. Dr. Refaat is the governor of the American College of Cardiology - Lebanon Chapter, co-chair of the Lebanese society of cardiology – Arrhythmia and Pacing Working group and a board member of the Lebanese Society of Cardiology. He is American board certified in clinical cardiac electrophysiology, cardiovascular disease, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. He directs the cardiovascular fellowship program and coordinates the fourth-year medical students internal medicine clerkship at AUB. Dr. Refaat has more than 200 publications in peer reviewed journals (h-index 38, citations > 7500). He is an associate editor of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (JCE) . He was an associate editorial team lead of the American College of Cardiology ACC.org Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, was a guest editor of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) and was an associate editor of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology (PACE) journal. He is an editorial board member of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), Mayo Clinic Proceedings and Journal of Atrial Fibrillation & Electrophysiology. Dr. Refaat is a member of the Heart Rhythm Society Clinical Guidelines Committee. He was a recipient of the 2019 Abdul Hameed Shoman Arab Researchers Award in the Medical and Health Sciences category. He was co-chairman of the 2016 and 2025 Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) Scientific Committees.
Maryam Alsaeed
Consultant Internal Medicine, Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Maryam Alsaeed
Dr. Alsaeed qualified in medicine from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin in 2007. She trained in Internal Medicine, Diabetes & Endocrinology at university hospitals in Galway and Dublin. Subsequently, she joined the Endocrinology Department at Dubai Hospital, DHA in 2015 where she had been actively involved in the clinical management of a broad range of endocrine diseases in an inpatient and outpatient setting.
Her main interest lies in diabetes and thyroid disorders, as well as in obesity management. She is certified by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in neck ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules (ECNU). She is also certified by the World Obesity Federation as an obesity management provider. She is a member of The Emirates Diabetes Society, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and The Endocrine Society.
Dr. Alsaeed has co-authored several publications in the field of diabetes and technology, thyroid disease and obesity management.
Mirvat Alasnag, MBBS, FACC
Director of Research and Catheterization Laboratory, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mirvat Alasnag, MBBS, FACC
Dr. Mirvat Alasnag was the first female interventional cardiologist in the Gulf region. She is currently the Director of the Catheterization Laboratory & Deputy Head of the Adult Cardiology Division at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia. She has represented women in multiple committees and boards including the Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society (SACIS), Saudi Commission for Health Specialties Verification Committee (SCFHS), Saudi National Health Council (Saudi CDC) and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties Cardiology Fellowship Committee (SCFHS). Internationally, she serves on steering committees and boards of numerous international societies including the American College of Cardiology’s Interventional Leadership Council (ACCIC), Society of Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), ACC Women in Cardiology Working Group chair and the EAPCI Women’s Steering Committee and Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC). She is the current chair of the SCAI International Committee & WINAPSIC Committee. Dr. Alasnag is currently the Editor in Chief of Saudi Medical Journal & the Director of Research, an Associate Editor for the Open Heart, Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine Journals and PCROnline. She is an Editor for Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, Journal of Society of Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (JSCAI), Radcliffe Cardiology. Dr. Alasnag is an author and reviewer of several expert opinion and society statements locally and internationally including the Saudi Lipid Management Guideline. Internationally, she served as a reviewer for several ACC guideline and statements including: • 2020 ACC Clinical Competencies for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine. A Report of the ACC Competency Management Committee. • 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines • 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA/ISHLT/ACP Advanced Training Statement on Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology (Revision of the ACCF/AHA/ACP/HFSA/ISHLT 2010 Clinical Competence Statement on Management of Patients With Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant) She led the first TAVR and MTEER registries in the Gulf regions which were published & presented including sub-analyses reporting outcomes in women.
Mitesh Badiwala, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Staff Physician, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Mitesh Badiwala, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Dr. Mitesh V. Badiwala, MD, PhD, FRCSC, is a Staff Physician within the Cardiac Surgery Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Badiwala was a Staff Cardiovascular Surgeon at Toronto General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He was the Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation and Fellowship Director for Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Health Network in Toronto. Dr. Badiwala received his medical degree from the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. He completed his residency at the University of Toronto. Dr. Badiwala was then honored to receive the Detweiler Travelling Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He travelled to Chicago and completed a fellowship in Advanced Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern University as Chief Fellow, specializing in advanced valve repair, heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Badiwala has completed graduate training in transplantation and vascular biology research at the University of Toronto and holds a PhD in Cardiovascular Science. He has many publications on topics in cardiovascular science and transplantation and has presented both nationally and internationally. Dr. Badiwala is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, the Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association, as well as the Shafie S. Fazel Outstanding Resident Surgeon and Investigator Award and the Starr Medal from University of Toronto. Dr. Badiwala resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife and three daughters. He is an avid Formula 1 Racing fan and enjoys building models and spending time with his family exploring the world.
Mo'ath Bani Ali
Cardiology Fellow, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Mo'ath Bani Ali
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Mohamed Aljaabari, MB BCh, MRCPI, FACC, FHRS
Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Aljaabari, MB BCh, MRCPI, FACC, FHRS
Mohamed Aljaabari MB BCh, MRCPI, FACC, FHRS is a staff physician and the section head of cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi where he has practiced since 2019. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency training at Georgetown University / Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C. where he was also chief resident. He then went on to complete his fellowship training in Cardiovascular Medicine followed by Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, United States. He subsequently returned home to join the electrophysiology team at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in 2017. He is American board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. His practice encompasses the clinical and invasive management of simple and and complex arrhythmias including cardiac ablation, cardiac implantable electronic device implantation, extraction and left atrial appendage occlusion. He has authored several chapters in the field of electrophysiology and has been an invited speaker to several regional and national conferences.
Mohamed Magdi Abbas
Head of Department of Electrophysiology & Consultant Cardiologist, Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Magdi Abbas
Mohamed Magdy, MD,PhD Head of Department of Cardiac EP, AL Qassimi hospital Sharjah, UAE Prof of Cardiology and electrophysiology, Cairo University, Egypt Prof of Cardiology, Sharjah University, UAE Fellow of EP-Nancy France, Fellowship of EP at Nancy France 2005-2007 Clinical Director for heart block management JCI program Chairman and Director of the GULF EP LIVE meeting. 2022 Doctor award from EHS, UAE 2023 Doctor award from EHS, UAE Member of EHRA Member and instructor of American Member of Egyptian Heart rhythm association Contributor in the "ECG Masters' collection" Book, volume I and Volume II. Host of the U tube channel "the heart minute" in Arabic for patient education. Multiple international publications (in JACC/EHRA)
Mohamed Moselhy
Consultant Cardiologist, Kalba Hospital, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Moselhy
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Mohammed Balghith, MD, FACC
Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Balghith, MD, FACC
With over two decades at King Abdulaziz Medical City nurturing my expertise as an Interventional Cardiologist, I've evolved into roles that amplify my impact on a global scale. As the current Head of International Collaboration at the Saudi Heart Association, I leverage my leadership skills to foster significant international partnerships. Simultaneously, serving as the ACC chapter governor for KSA, my mission aligns with promoting clinical excellence and advocating for advancements in cardiac care. My commitment to these roles underscores my dedication to improving patient outcomes and the importance I place on collaborative efforts within the medical community.
Mousa Akbar
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Mousa Akbar
Dr. Mousa Akbar, FACP, FRCPC, FACC, FESC, FSCAI, FGHA
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist | Head of Cardiology Unit, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait
Dr. Mousa Akbar is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Head of the Cardiology Unit at Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait. He also serves at the Chest Disease Hospital. He earned his medical degrees from Kuwait University in 1990 and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Western Ontario, Canada (1993–1997), receiving both American and Canadian Board certifications. He later completed his cardiology training at the Ottawa Heart Institute (1997–2000).
Dr. Akbar holds multiple fellowships including FRCPC, FACP, FACC, FESC, FSCAI, and FGHA. He is a board member of the Gulf Heart Association and General Secretary of the Gulf Interventional Society. He has previously served as Vice President of the Kuwait Cardiac Society and chaired the Cardiology Department at the Chest Disease Hospital.
He has delivered over 300 local and regional lectures and contributed to numerous international journals. He represents Kuwait in the European ACVC and the Gulf/MENA branch of the International Society of Hypertension.
Dr. Akbar is recognized for his leadership and dedication to advancing cardiology in the region.
Moutaz El Kadri, MD, MRCP, MSc, PhD, FHRS
Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Mediclinic Abu Dhabi & Valiant Clinic Dubai, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Moutaz El Kadri, MD, MRCP, MSc, PhD, FHRS
Dr. El Kadri is a highly accomplished cardiac electrophysiologist with a wealth of clinical and academic experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Aleppo, Syria, and he holds a Master’s degree in Cardiology from the University of Brighton and a PhD in Cellular Electrophysiology from the University of Liverpool. Dr El Kadri completed his cardiology and electrophysiology training at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, UK, in 2012. He then pursued a two-year advanced fellowship in catheter ablation and cardiac devices at the prestigious University of Michigan, USA. Dr. El Kadri served as a consultant at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital before moving to Abu Dhabi in 2016 to become the Director of Electrophysiology Services at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). He currently works at Mediclinic Hospital (Abu Dhabi) and Valiant Clinic (Dubai) With over 3,500 heart rhythm procedures performed, Dr. El Kadri specializes in the mapping and ablation of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, as well as advanced cardiac device management. His expertise includes lead extractions, interventional biventricular pacing techniques, leadless pacemakers, subcutaneous ICDs, and left atrial appendage closure devices. He is certified in electrophysiology and cardiac devices by leading international organizations, including the British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), and the Heart Rhythm Society (IBHRE-HRS) in the USA. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) and the Heart Rhythm Society (FHRS).
Muhammad Hafizullah, MBBS, FACC
Retd Professor, Head of Cardiology Department, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Muhammad Hafizullah, MBBS, FACC
Muhammad Hafizullah is a Pakistani Professor of Cardiology who served as Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU) in Peshawar, Chief Executive of Lady Reading Hospital and Head of Cardiology Department of Lady Reading Hospital. He was the Project Director and Chairman of the BOG of Peshawar Institute of Cardiology. He served as President of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, Governor of ACC Chapter of Pakistan and member of executive committee of AIG. Hafizullah studied at Cadet College Hasan Abdal, earned his medical degree from Khyber Medical College in 1979, and won foreign scholarship for the Best Graduates for higher studies in England. He joined the cardiology department of the Postgraduate Medical Institute at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar in 1984. Since then, he has held various positions. Under the umbrella of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, Hafizullah contributed to national guidelines on thrombolysis, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, stable angina, hypertension, and preventive cardiology. He delivers lectures on preventive cardiology and has written hundreds of articles in leading newspapers and journals. He has to his credit 12 English and 5 Urdu books.
Muzaffer Degertekin, MD, PhD
Professor of Cardiology, University Clinic, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Istanbul Atlas University, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Muzaffer Degertekin, MD, PhD
Muzaffer M. Degertekin, MD, PhD, FESC, is President of the Turkish Society of Cardiology. He is Professor of Cardiology, University Clinic, Istanbul Atlas University, and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, at Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Prof. Degertekin completed his PhD in 2003, working on coronary stents at Erasmus University in the Netherlands. Prof. Degertekin’s current researches are focused on complex coronary interventions (CHIP & CTO). He has published over 100 articles in leading medical journals and has over 5500 citations. Prof.Degertekin H-index 41, RG score 45.32. Prof. Degertekin also served as a Board member of the European Society of Cardiology from 2010 to 2012. He is a member of the Scientific Programme Committee of EAPCI 2024-2026 and ESC Congress Programme Committee 2024-2026
Nabil Farag, MD, FACC
Professor and Past Chairman, Cardiology Department, President of the Egyptian CTO club, President of the EgSC, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Nabil Farag, MD, FACC
Professor Nabil Farag is currently the president of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Emeritus Professor and past Chairman of Cardiology department at Ain Shams University and Past Chairman of the Cardiology Department at Dar Al Fouad Hospital in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, Cairo, Egypt. He is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Throughout his career, Professor Farag has made significant contributions to the field of cardiology. He is considered a pioneer in establishing transesophageal echocardiographic techniques in Egypt and was the first to use this method to measure coronary flow reserve in the country. He has extensive experience in diagnostic and interventional (coronary and structural) cardiac catheterization, performing hundreds of procedures annually. Professor Farag's research interests include balloon mitral valvotomy, coronary interventions, Heart Failure, Arterial and pulmonary hypertension, myocardial viability assessment, and genetic factors in cardiovascular disease. He has authored or co-authored over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has supervised numerous Master's and Doctoral theses at Ain Shams University. His work demonstrates a commitment to advancing cardiac care through research, education, and clinical practice.
Nada Bin Hareez
Consultant Endocrinologist & Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tawam Hospital, College of Medical and Health Sciences- UAEU, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Nada Bin Hareez
On June 2012, Dr. Nada started her fellowship in University of Ottawa in general endocrinology and Metabolism, then she did her subspecialty training in thyroid cancer. In 2018 Dr. Nada started her fellowship in Lipid metabolism. Her focus was to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of lipid disorders in depth. She found herself more interested in the field of lipids and Dr. Nada enjoyed the clinical aspect of the training. She was involved in many rare and challenging cases in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Nada was lipid clinics in two institute in Riverside Ottawa hospital and in hear institute and in Ottawa heart institute. Dr. Nada had excellent teaching experience in the university of Ottawa for period 2015 -2020. She participated in endocrine research project manly thyroid and Lipid. Dr. Nada joined Tawam hospital Endocrinology team in January 2022, as a consultant endocrinologist with lipid interest she started her lipid clinic in Tawam hospital. Currently she is working on systematic review and meta-analysis about dyslipidemia in the Middle East with the collaboration with Ottawa research center in Canada.
Nadya Almatrooshi, MD, MScHPE
Staff Physician, Head of Heart Failure Working Group, Emirates Cardiac Society, Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Nadya Almatrooshi, MD, MScHPE
Dr. Nadya Almatrooshi is a Consultant Cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabispecializing in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplant. She holds a Bachelor ofMedicine from the Arabian Gulf University. She completed her Masters's Degreein leadership in health professions education, from the Royal College of Surgeons.
She completed her internship and fellowship at Sheikh Khalifa Hospital and Mafraq Hospital. She also supplemented her credentials with a Fellowship program for Advance Heart Failure and cardiac transplantation at the University of Ottawa in Canada. She is Arab board-certified in internal medicine and general cardiology.
She also holds board certification from the European College of Heart Failure. She is also a member of theThe Canadian Heart Failure Society, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and the American college of cardiology
Nicole Martin Bhave, MD, FACC
Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, Associate Chief Medical Information Officer of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
Nicole Martin Bhave, MD, FACC
Dr. Bhave is a general cardiologist and echocardiographer with an interest in clinical informatics and education. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, she completed her internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. At the University of Chicago, she completed fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and advanced cardiac imaging, including three-dimensional echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance. She joined the faculty at the University of Michigan in 2013 and serves as the Associate Chief Medical Information Officer for Cardiology. In her work with the Michigan Medicine kidney and liver transplant programs, she sees patients both pre- and post-transplant. A very active ACC member, she recently completed a term as chair of the Solution Set Oversight Committee and joined the Scientific Publications Committee
Noha Abou Khater
Cardiology Fellow, Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Noha Abou Khater
Dr. Noha Aboukhater is a cardiology fellow with additional certification in Internal medicine and POCUS education. She holds Arab board, Jordanian board and MRCP certification in Internal medicine.
Dr.Aboukhater is currently a second year cardiology fellow at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical city- Abu Dhabi, where she is actively involved in clinical care and research. She has particular interest in advanced Imaging and congenital heart disease.
Nooshin Bazargani
Consultant Cardiologist, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Nooshin Bazargani
Dr Nooshin Bazargani is currently a consultant Cardiologist at the Dubai Health Authority and is Deputy Head of the Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority. Nooshin has been actively involved in the teaching of medical students of the Dubai Medical College and many other medical students who visit the college and hospitals. Although Nooshin’s main responsibility is to teach cardiology Nooshin also takes part in the program of General Medical Teaching and is the chief organiser of the mock and final examinations in medicine of the Dubai Medical College and regularly takes tutorials for doctors preparing for higher examinations. Dr Nooshin Bazargani is currently a Board member of World Heart Federation (2010 – 2016) and the Emirates Cardiac Society, as well as being a member of many other Committees including the UAE national NCD Committee and the UAE National Cardiovascular Disease Committee. Nooshin’s special interests are in preventive Cardiology and Public Health Campaign, Heart Failure Management Program, Heart Failure Diagnosis and Management, Ischaemic Heart Disease and investigation including Coronary Angiography and management, Anti-coagulation therapy in heart disease and Congress and educational programme organisation.
Omar Alfalasi, MD
Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Omar Alfalasi, MD
Dr. Al Falasi graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in the UAE in 2006. During his medical studies, he had the opportunity to engage in various electives, including one at the University Hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. He completed his internship training at Tawam University Hospital in Al Ain, UAE, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins, followed by a six-month tenure in the cardiology department of the same hospital. Dr. Al Falasi was accepted into the cardiology residency program at the University of Montpellier 1 in France. There, he was introduced to the electrophysiology team and spent the final year of his residency in the cardiac electrophysiology lab, completing his residency in 2013. Following this, he undertook a two-year fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology, mastering both pacing and ablation techniques. After enhancing his expertise with a second fellowship at Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Al Falasi returned to the UAE in 2017. By this time, he had accomplished over 1000 device implantation procedures and more than 700 ablations. He took the position of a consultant cardiac electrophysiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, where he was appointed as the chair of the cardiac institute in October 2019. In November 2020, Dr. Al Falasi moved to Sheikh Shakhboot Medical City, associated with the Mayo Clinic, where he was appointed the director of Cardiac Electrophysiology. As of July 2022, he has been serving as a consultant cardiac electrophysiologist at Rashid Hospital, continuing to hold this position to the present day.
Pam R. Taub, MD, FACC
Director of Preventive Cardiology, Director of Step Family Foundation Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Professor of Medicine, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, United States of America
Pam R. Taub, MD, FACC
Pam R. Taub, MD, FACC, FASPC, is a board-certified cardiologist who focuses on general and preventive cardiology, as well as women's cardiovascular health. As a general cardiologist, she works with patients to diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease, as well as manage conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure. She is the founding director of the Step Family Foundation Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center at Jacobs Medical Center. Dr. Taub was responsible for all aspects of creating the center, which provides a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program for patients with established heart disease. Dr. Taub believes that prevention is the new frontier in cardiovascular medicine. She takes an evidence-based approach to care and tailors it to each patient, with the goal of minimizing medications and procedures. She also collaborates closely with other specialists to provide cardiac care for patients with complex, multi-system diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease. Dr. Taub is professor of medicine in the UC San Diego School of Medicine and is active in clinical and translational research. She has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense and the American Heart Association. Her research focuses on assessing the impact of behavioral, technological and pharmacological interventions on cardiometabolic disease. She is an experienced clinical trialist and serves on the executive committee for multiple international clinical trials focused on novel cardiovascular therapies. Currently, she is investigating the impact of daily fasting in improving cardiometabolic parameters and on mitochondrial function; biomarkers for cardiovascular risk factor stratification; wearable/mobile devices in improving cardiovascular outcomes; and epicatechin (compound in dark chocolate) on mitochondrial function/cellular bioenergetics and exercise capacity. Dr. Taub is widely published (with over 100 publications, book chapters and abstracts) and has authored numerous high impact publications in top peer-reviewed journals including Cell Metabolism and Journal of the American College of Cardiology that have impacted clinical practice. She has consistently been selected by her peers as a top physician in San Diego Magazine's "Physicians of Exceptional Excellence" annual survey performed in collaboration with the San Diego County Medical Society. Dr. Taub completed a fellowship in cardiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle and earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. She is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Taub holds multiple leadership positions in professional societies, serving as a fellow and board member for the American Society of Preventive Cardiology. She is a fellow (FACC) and member of the American College of Cardiology Prevention of CV Disease Section Leadership Council. She also serves on American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology (Women in Cardiology Committee).
Paul Cremer, MD, FACC
Associate Professor of Medicine Cardiology and Radiology, Director of Multimodality Cardiac Imaging, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Paul Cremer, MD, FACC
Paul C. Cremer, MD, MS, is an associate professor in the departments of medicine and radiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He serves as the director of multimodality cardiac imaging and the associate director of the clinical trials unit at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Princeton University, his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and a masters degree in clinical science from Case Western Reserve University. Following completion of his internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, he worked for the Indian Health Service as an Internist at the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility, where he also served as the Chair of Internal Medicine. He then continued his postdoctoral training with a 3-year fellowship in cardiovascular medicine and a subsequent 2-year fellowship in advanced cardiovascular imaging, both at the Cleveland Clinic. His clinical and research interests include multimodality cardiovascular imaging and auto-inflammatory cardiovascular disease. He has led multiple randomized clinical trials as well as cardiovascular core imaging lab studies, and is a senior associate editor for Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging.
Rami Bani Ata
Internal Medicine Specialist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rami Bani Ata
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Rasha Bazari, MD
Advanced Imaging Consultant Cardiologist, King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center; The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Rasha Bazari, MD
Dr. Rasha N. Bazari is an accomplished American cardiologist with over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Jordan and completed her residency and cardiology fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where she also served as Chief Resident. She later completed a fellowship in advanced cardiac imaging at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. Dr. Bazari began her cardiology career in the United States as a consultant at the Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, where she focused on gender-specific cardiovascular care. In Saudi Arabia, she has held several senior positions, including Consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and Section Head of Cardiology at King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Princess Nourah University. She currently serves as a Consultant Cardiologist at King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center, National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh, with clinical focus in advanced echocardiography, structural heart imaging, and women’s heart health. Dr. Bazari is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and certified by the National Board of Echocardiography. She is an active member of several professional societies, including the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography, and the Saudi Heart Association.
Safaa Al Mohdar
Head of Cardiology, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Safaa Al Mohdar
Safaa Al Mohdar ( FRCPI, GPT,CBCCT,FSCCT)Is a consultant cardiologist in Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi. She is a clinical cardiologist with special interest in cardiovascular imaging. She is a board certified (2009) and fellow (2013) of the society of the cardiovascular computed tomography. Board certified in Echocardiography( NBE) (testamur 2010) Board certified in nuclear cardiology CBNC (2011) and level 3 in cardiac magnetic resonance 2017.
Saif-El-Dean Abdel-Rahman
Consultant Cardiologist, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Saif-El-Dean Abdel-Rahman
As well as all aspects of general cardiology, he specialises in advanced non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques such as cardiac ultrasound and cardiac CT. Having run one of the largest heart valve clinics in the UK, he also has a specialist interest in heart valve disease. Dr. Abdel-Rahman completed his early medical training in hospitals in the UK and Canada, graduating from Imperial College London in 2002. Later, as a result of his research on novel blood tests for the early detection of heart attacks, he was awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree. Prior to moving to the UAE in 2022, Dr. Abdel-Rahman was a Consultant Cardiologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) and the University of Leeds, where he held an NHS Clinical Excellence Award. At LTHT, he helped establish and was the Cardiology Lead Clinician for cardiac CT, in addition to providing clinical oversight for one of the largest cardiac echo services in the UK as Assistant Lead for Echo Services. With around 2,500 beds, LTHT is one of the biggest teaching hospitals in Europe. During his career, Dr. Abdel-Rahman has performed and overseen over 10,000 non-invasive cardiac imaging assessments and trained doctors in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, the Middle East and the UK in advanced cardiac echocardiography and cardiac CT. He was a national examiner for the British Society of Echocardiography and was a co-director of one of the only UK perioperative transoesophageal echocardiography courses. Dr. Abdel-Rahman has been actively involved in clinical research throughout his career and has been involved in numerous large studies.
Salah Aldeen Roqia
Senior Specialist Cardiology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salah Aldeen Roqia
Syrian Board of Cardiovascular disease since 2014, working in Rashid hospital /Dubai since 2018.
Interested in cardiac imaging and working In Rashid Hospital Noninvasive and imaging department which is one of the highest Volume echo lab in UAE.
Certified in Adult Transthoracic echocardiography and adult Transesophageal echocardiography by European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging EACVI.
Salem K AlKaabi, MBBS
Head of the Cardiology Department & Consultant Interventionist Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salem K AlKaabi, MBBS
Dr. Alkaabi currently works as an Adult Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiology consultant. He is the Director of Electrophysiology Service at Zayed Military Hospital Abu Dhabi. He did his post-graduate training in Cardiology, intervention and electrophysiology in Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto. He holds American and Canadian Board Certificates in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
Dr. Alkaabi possesses additional American Board Certificates in Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography and International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE). Currently, he is working full time in Zayed Military Hospital and part time in Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center and at Dubai Hospital. He has special interest in management of Brugada syndrome patients’ and he is primary investigator in the UAE Brugada registry
Sana M. Al-Khatib, MD, FACC
Professor of Medicine, Cardiology-Electrophysiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
Sana M. Al-Khatib, MD, FACC
Dr. Sana M. Al-Khatib is a tenured Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, a board-certified clinical electrophysiologist and an experienced clinical researcher in cardiac arrhythmias. She is currently the Director of the Fellowship Program at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. As a graduate of the NIH-funded Clinical Research Training Program, she is one of a few electrophysiologists nationwide with expertise in quantitative research methods. Her clinical expertise is in sudden cardiac death prevention, atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias, and implantable cardiac devices. Her research expertise lies in the design and conduct of clinical trials, outcomes research, and cost-effectiveness analyses. She is a recipient of a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s R-01 grant titled “Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure” (2009-2013) and of an American Heart Association Career Development Award (2002-2006). She was a Co-Principal Investigator on an NHLBI-funded T-32 Postdoctoral Training in Cardiovascular Clinical Research and is currently a co-investigator on several NIH-funded projects. She has more than 400 publications in peer-reviewed journals. She has established several collaborative research efforts both within and outside her institution. The goals of these collaborations are to synergize efforts aimed at improving the survival and quality of life of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death and those with atrial and ventricular arrhythmias through clinical trials and outcomes-based research and to evaluate study design and data analysis in order to improve the quality of research done in these arenas. Dr. Al-Khatib is a Senior Associate Editor for Circulation and is on the Editorial Board for Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Heart Rhythm, Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, JACC:EP, and the American Heart Journal. Dr. Al-Khatib is currently the first vice-president for the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and the program chair for HRS 2025 annual meeting and has served on multiple national committees including her current role as a member of the Board of Trustees of HRS. She chaired the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death.
Sara Gaafar Ibnauf Suliman
Consultant Endocrinologist and Clinical Lead, IFSO International Federation for The Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sara Gaafar Ibnauf Suliman
Dr Sara Gaafar Ibnauf Suliman is an Internal Medicine specialist. Dr Suliman completed specialist clinical and research training at the world-renowned Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism. Their career has been shaped by their interest in genetic endocrine disorders, physiology, insulin resistance and obesity. Dr Suliman was awarded a prestigious Diabetes-UK Clinical Research Training Fellowship, culminating in a PhD from Oxford University. Dr Suliman has authored several papers, contributed to the Oxford Handbook for Diabetes and Endocrinology and is a reviewer for leading medical journals.
Sherif Bakir, MBBCh, MSc, MD, FACC
Senior Consultant Adult Cardiologist, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sherif Bakir, MBBCh, MSc, MD, FACC
Sherif Bakir, MBBCh, MSc, MD, FACC. Prior to the heart medical center He was Consultant Cardiology at SSMC Hospital, and prior to joining SSMC Hospital he was in Mafraq Hospital and before that he consultant cardiology and the Section Head of the Noninvasive Lab at Shaik Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining SKMC in 2005, Dr. Sherif was the Head of Medical & Cardiac department, at Al Qassimi hospital in Sharjah, UAE and was the deputy chief of the cardiac transplant project at the King Fahad Hear Center in Saudi Arabia in 1989. He completed his MBBCh in Cairo Egypt in 1980 and has his MSc and MD (PhD) degree in Cardiology at Ain Shams University 1983 and 1992 respectively.
Dr. Bakir is a Fellow of the American Collage of Cardiology (FACC) and member of a numerous Societies of Cardiology.
Dr. Bakir has authored or co-authored numerous publications which have appeared in peer-reviewed journals. He has received widespread recognition for his achievements especially in the field of continuous medical education (CME), and he was named in the Who’s Who in America, Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in America, Science and Engineering, Who’s Who in America, The Barons 500 Leaders for the New Century, Barons Who’s Who (USA), and Outstanding People of the 20th Century, Incorporating the outstanding Achievement Awards, International Biographical Center Cambridge, England.
Nominated the best speaker of the year for HAAD CME Program, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi, CME/CPD Annual Award Ceremony 2010
Dr. Bakir has served as an investigator on clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine.
Syed Jamal, MBBS
Associate Staff Physician, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Syed Jamal, MBBS
Dr. Syed F. Jamal, MBBS, is an Associate Staff Physician within the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Jamal worked as a Cardiologist at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and Tabba Heart Institute (THI) in Pakistan. Dr. Jamal received his medical degree from Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and subsequently trained at Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi after which he was awarded a Fellowship in Cardiology (FCPS) from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Pakistan. Dr. Jamal went on to earn American Board certifications in Adult Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology. Dr. Jamal has keen interest in Cardiovascular imaging (CT, MRI) and in Clinical Electrophysiology and arrhythmias. Currently, Dr. Jamal resides in Abu Dhabi. When he is not working at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Jamal enjoys socializing, going out and watching sports, especially bodybuilding and MMA.
Wael A. Jaber, MD, FACC
Professor of Medicine, Fuad Jubran Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
Wael A. Jaber, MD, FACC
Dr. Wael Jaber is a professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and holds the Fuad Jubran Chair in cardiovascular Medicine. Dr jaber is also the director of Nuclear Cardiology and medical director of the imaging CoreLab in C5, and is a staff cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic. He received his medical degree from American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice over 25 years. . He specializes in echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, valvular heart disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. He has more than 500 peer reviewed publications and over 20000 citations. Dr Jaber is the cofounder of CardiacImagingAgora.com a free space, where experts in cardiac imaging share their knowledge and experience to improve patient's care. Dr Jaber is currently the treasurer of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, The American College of Cardiology Middle East Chair , and the scientific program Chair for the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC 2025). Dr Jaber is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, European Society of Cardiology, The American Society of Echocardiography, The American Society of Nuclear cardiology, and the Portuguese Cardiac Society. Dr Jaber is a visiting Professor at University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Wael Abu Shoka
Consulant Interventional Cardiology, Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Wael Abu Shoka
Dr. Weal Aboushokka is consultant intervention cardiology in Al QASIMI hospital - MOH - Sharjah- UAE. He graduated from Al Kasr Aleiny faculty of medicine Cairo university in 1997, he finished his master degree and PHD in cardiovascular medicine. He is a consultant intervention cardiology in National heart institute. He worked for 5 years as consultant intervention cardiology in chest hospital Kuwait. He is highly specialized in complex coronary intervention specially Left main and management of severely calcified lesions, nevertheless intra vascular coronary imaging & physiology. He was one of first doctors who adopted Robotic assisted PCI in the region. He is also specialized in structural heart disease with special interest in TAVR, and running the program in his current institution. He was one of the first intervention cardiologist that was involved in management Periphral vascular disease in Egypt and was awarded multiple times for his work in the topic of carotid intervention in Egypt, USA and Europe. He participated in the stent for life program for management of STEMI cases in Egypt, and in the launch of intervention cardiology fellowship in Egypt. He is also a fellow Of American society of coronary angiography and intervention SCAI since 2010, member of Egyptian cardiac society, European cardiac society, EPAC, European bifurcation club and many other societies.
Wael Almahmeed
Consultant Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Wael Almahmeed
Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Al Mahmeed served as Head of Cardiology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi. He was also the Deputy Chief Medical Officer during his time at SKMC.
Dr. Al Mahmeed received his medical degree from the University of Southampton, Southampton, England. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and his fellowship in Cardiology and Echocardiography at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is also a fellow of The American College of Chest Physicians, The American College of Physicians, The American College of Cardiology, The European Society of Cardiology and The Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology.
Wail Alkashkari
Head of Interventional Cardiology Department & Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, King Faisal Cardiac Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Wail Alkashkari
Wail Alkashkari is a prominent figure in interventional cardiology, renowned for his exceptional contributions and expertise in cardiac care. Raised in Saudi Arabia, he pursued medicine early on, dedicating himself to improving patient outcomes and revolutionizing cardiac interventions. As a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at King Faisal Cardiac Center, he earned a reputation as a leading expert, known for his compassionate care. Additionally, Wail served as President of The Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society (SACIS), promoting advancements and collaboration among specialists. His commitment to patient care and pushing the boundaries of interventional cardiology led to significant advancements, leaving an indelible mark on the medical community and inspiring others in the field.
Waleed Ezzat Nafee Farag
Consultant Cardiologist, Imperial College London Centre Abu Dhabi , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Waleed Ezzat Nafee Farag
Dr. Waleed Ezzat Nafee Farag is a Senior Cardiologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi, with over 11 years of experience in cardiology. He previously served as Head of Cardiology at NMC-RH MBZ and led cardiology services across the NMC medical centers cluster in Abu Dhabi. He also held a cardiologist position at Zayed Military Hospital.
Dr. Farag holds an MBBCh in Medicine and Surgery, a Master’s degree in Cardiovascular Medicine, and diplomas in Evidence-Based Medicine (Harvard University) and Hospital & Quality Management (American University in Cairo). He is also a certified American Heart Association (AHA) instructor.
His clinical interests include preventive cardiology, acute cardiac care, heart failure, and cardiovascular imaging. He has authored several publications in the areas of preventive medicine and cardiac imaging, and he remains actively involved in continuous medical education.
Zakariya Albinmousa, MD
Consultant Interventional Echocardiography, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Zakariya Albinmousa, MD
Dr. Zakariya Albinmousa Consultant interventional Echocardiography and Head division of Echo Lab at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Saudi Board of Internal Medicine Arab Board of Cardiology University of Toronto fellowship in Echocardiography University of Toronto fellowship in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Contributed in multiple research and publications. Contributed in multiple meetings and workshops as speakers and demonstrator
Zoubia Fathima
Cardiology Fellow, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zoubia Fathima
Dr. Zoubia Fathima is a dedicated physician currently in her final year of training in the Cardiology Fellowship programme at Dubai Health. After completing her undergraduate medical training at Dubai Medical College, she pursued residency training at Dubai Health Authority and is currently board certified in Internal Medicine by the Saudi Board of Health Specialities and the Arab Board of Health Specializations. She has also passed the MRCP(UK) exam in 2023. A sincere, keen and active fellow, she has successfully cleared the EECC exam in 2024 and is currently working in various research projects within Dubai Health.