Speakers

Dr. Abdul Rahman Fakhro

President of the Bahrain Cancer Society | Bahrain

Abdul Rahman Ebrahim Fakhro graduated from Ain Shams University and is President of the Bahrain Cancer Society since 2001. Having previously held the position of Chairman, Department of Surgery at Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain, Dr. Fakhro is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, UK, and the American College of Surgeons in Chicago, USA.

Dr. Abhinav Ahluwalia

Consultant Radiologist | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Abhinav Ahluwalia is a Consultant Radiologist who specialises in the management and treatment of head and neck cancers, breast cancers, and low gastrointestinal cancers. He sees private patients at the Advanced Care Oncology Center, Dubai. Dr. Alhuwalia earned his primary medical degree at Ghandi Medical College and later went on to achieve his MD from MGM Medical College, India.

Ms. Abigail Amit

Global Patient Engagement Director | Israel

Experienced policy and strategy professional with a demonstrated history of working in the government and in the pharmaceutical industry. Skilled in building goal focused strategy through creating alliances and engagements. Expertise in working with nonprofit organizations, strategic planning, government affairs, international relations and public policy. Strong social skills and ability to maneuver between diverse personalities together with demonstrated motivation to succeed. Educated with a Masters Degree in Public Policy & Government from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Ms. Aisha Al Mulla

Director | United Arab Emirates

She fulfilled her long-held vision of working with aspirational women leaders by overcoming many hurdles, obstacles and challenges, which she met head-on and successfully overcame with sheer grit, determination, persistence – and a plan! She was successfully accepted onto a prestigious management program under the umbrella of HHEO. This structured program gave her the foundations and skills required to be an excellent emotionally intelligent people manager through access to great coaches and mentors from a diverse range of organizations. It was this program that made her take control and ownership of her career and ignited her passion of giving back in order to make a positive difference to the wider community. Currently, I am Director of Friends of Cancer Patients (Charity Foundation), and in this role I am truly blessed to be able to satiate my craving and passion for making a difference in the lives of people suffering from cancer & advocating to raise awareness about this cause.

Dr. Alistair Michael Fry

Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial / Head and Neck Surgeon | United Kingdom

Mr Alastair Fry is an award-winning UK trained and accredited Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Mr Fry has a special interest in Head and Neck Surgery and reconstruction, and a practice which also includes wisdom tooth surgery, implants, and salivary gland surgery. Alastair is a leading expert in the management of mouth cancers and has published and presented at international conferences on jaw surgery and reconstruction, and has also a special interest in the early diagnosis and minimally invasive management of oral cancers and “pre cancers” with the use of laser surgery.

Dr. Andre Carvalho

Scientist, Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch | France

Dr Carvalho is MD from Brazil, has a PhD from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil), a post-doctoral fellowship from Johns Hopkins University (USA) and a Master in Public Health from the University of Washington (USA). He is currently a Scientist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO) Lyon, France. Before joining IARC, Dr Carvalho worked in many multidisciplinary and translational research projects on cancer screening and early detection investigating how new technology and innovation could be implemented on early detection programmes. Dr Carvalho’s main interest is to work on implementation science and building capacity as tools to change the cancer screening scenario, particularly in low- and medium-resource countries.

Prof. Anil D’Cruz

Director, Professor and Chief, Department of Head and Neck | India

Professor D’Cruz is Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, India’s largest comprehensive tertiary care hospital registering over 35000 new cases annually. In addition he is Professor and Chief, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, a key focus area as head and neck cancers are the commonest cancer in India accounting for approx 30% of cases. He is committed to the causes of prevention, early detection, service, education and research in the field of cancer. Professor D’Cruz has held leadership positions in numerous professional bodies nationally and internationally. He has over 125 peer reviewed publications and text book chapters and has been the lead investigator for numerous self initiated and global multicentre trials. His research is focussed on innovation, novel therapy and cost effective strategies.

Dr. Asma Alkusayer

Consultant Clinical Psychologist | Saudi Arabia

Asma Alkusayer is a registered consultant clinical psychologists and also an assistant professor of clinical psychology in King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and an adjunct assistant professor in Alfaisal University. She has worked with cancer patients during her doctoral internship in Dana farber cancer institute and have continued to work with cancer patients in partnership with associations such as zahra Association and ٍSanad Children cancer support association. She is passionate about her research and discussions that can be translated into meaningful impact as " together we create, grow and support".

HE. Aydah Al Awadhi

Consultant Medical Oncologist | United Arab Emirates

Aydah Al-Awadhi is a consultant medical oncologist, graduated medical school from the United Arab Emirates University then completed Her internal medicine residency in the United States and completed her Medical Oncology and hematology fellowship from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2019 and is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and Hematology and Medical Oncology. Sub-specialized in Breast cancer. Dr. Al-Awadhi has published many articles and book chapters in breast cancer and oncology.

Dr. Aysha Al Dhaheri

Section Head in Health Promotion Section, Department of Health Promotion | United Arab Emirates

Hold a Bachelor degree in Medicine & general surgery (MBBS), & a Master degree in Public Health (MPH), from UAE university. As well, Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH) from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). Had About 19 years of experience with lots of achievements in public health, health promotion, health education, community mobilization and stakeholders networking. Currently, a Section Head in Health Promotion Section since 2015, Department of Health Promotion at Abu Dhabi Public Health Center & Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Dr. Aysha is had multiple skills & certificates such as Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching from AoEC and in addition to being a Certified Public Health Trainer and a Certified Professional Manager.

Dr. Batool Aboud

Medical Oncologist | United Arab Emirates

I. Overview of Experience: Dr Batool Aboud is an oncology specialist who has over 15 years of experience in the field. Dr Aboud is well familiar with all kinds of solid tumors including tumor of head and neck, gastrointestinal cancer, lung, gynecological cancer, genitourinary cancer, bone tumor, sarcoma and lymphoma, and their treatment including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. II. Summary of Qualifications: • M.D Damascus university Syria • Master degree in medical oncology, Minister of Higher Education Syria • Syrian board in medical oncology III. Specializations: • tumors of head and neck • gastrointestinal cancer • lung cancer • gynecological cancer, genitourinary cancer • bone tumor • sarcoma • lymphoma

Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila

Head of Non - Communicable Disease & Mental Health | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Buthaina Abdulla Bin Belaila is a consultant family physician and head of non-communicable disease & mental health in MOHAP. She graduated from faculty of medicine UAE, bachelor of medicine and general surgery, Arab board of family medicine 2004, Leadership program of young women leadership 2009-2011. She’s currently working on National DM and obesity national plan 2023-2026, National CVD prevention plan 2023-2026, National cancer control plan 2023-2026.

Ms. Clement Chauvet

Head, Strategic Engagement and External Relations | France

Prior to joining the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) on 2019 as Head of the Strategic Engagement and External Relations Department, Mr Clément Chauvet worked for 4 years for UNDP India as Chief Skills and Business Development. He was managing a large-scale women economic empowerment project with the objective of improving the lives of one million women and girls in several Indian States. Previous to this assignment, Mr Chauvet worked for more than 10 years as a Resource Mobilization expert, managing teams in Istanbul (Regional Resource Mobilization and Partnership Advisor for UNFPA from 2013 to 2015), in Delhi (Resource Mobilization Chief for UNICEF India from 2008 to 2013), in Manila (Private Sector fundraising Chief for UNICEF Philippines from 2007 to 2008) or in Paris (Head of the Corporate fundraising team from 2005 to 2007). Clément Chauvet also worked for a microfinance NGO in the Philippines and a French company in Argentina

Dr. Dana Mansour

Head of Cancer Support Department | Qatar

Mrs. Dana Basem Mansour is the head of individuals living with cancer support department at Qatar Cancer Society; she earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing Science in 2008 from The Hashemite University and completed a Masters of Oncology Nursing at the same university in 2011. She was a health educator at Qatar Cancer society as well since (2014-2016) and an Acting Charge nurse in the National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR) - HMC, Qatar, and she worked as a charge nurse in the intensive care unit (Medical, Oncology, Hematology & cardiac) in Jordan University Hospital- Jordan, for a period of four years. She is co-author of Pharmacology Handbook for Clinical Practice, 2010, and in 2015 she was a member of the cancer survivor’s booklet "stories of hope" preparation team. She had published a few research papers in peer review journals, and she has many research collaborations with a multidisciplinary team in many topics related to cancer care.

HE. Dr. Khaled Ahmed AlSaleh

General Secretary | Kuwait

Dr. Khaled AlSaleh is a consultant oncologist and he is the General Secretary for the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control (GFFCC), the Chairman for the Board of CAN (Cancer Aware Nation) Campaign, the Chairman for the Kuwait Society for Smoking and Cancer Prevention, Vice-present for EMR-NCD Region Alliance and the Assistant General Secretary of the Arab Medical Association Against Cancer (AMAAC). He obtained his M.B.B, Ch. at Alexandria University on 14 February 1981, and earned his first specialty in Tokyo, Japan in 1985 (JICA, certification of clinical oncology). He completed his final degree and Board Certificate in Radiotherapy & Oncology at Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland, in November 1992. To date, he has more than 38 years of work experience in the field of oncology and has authored more than 40 scientific papers published on different medical journals and presented at international conferences. He is Chief Editor of the Gulf Journal Oncology (GJO). GJO is the first international journal Gulf and is published through the electronic library in PubMed & INDEX. www.gffcc.org/journal. In addition to the inputs in the oncology and radiotherapy fields in Kuwait, he initiated the seed of establishing the first Palliative Care Center in Kuwait. Dr. Alsaleh had received several awards and distinctions from many national, regional and international authorities including award from WHO in EMRO region and won the award for Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Award for Medical Excellence in Kuwait, September 2020. Moreover, he is the Associate Editor in the Pan-Arab Medical Journal of Oncology and the Chief-Editor of the Gulf Journal Oncology (GJO).

HE. Dr. Ali Al Zahrani

Executive Director, Gulf Center for Cancer Control and Prevention | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Al-Zahrani obtained his Medical Degree MBBS and Diploma in Applied Epidemiology from King Saud University in 1992 and 1995. Then he obtained his MPH from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2000, and a PhD in cancer genetic epidemiology from the University of Cambridge in 2005. He started his work experience at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh as the head of Epidemiology Research Unit in 2005. In February 2011 he was appointed as the Executive Director for the Gulf Center for Cancer Control and Prevention (GCCCP) with a mission to generate and update regional strategies for cancer control and prevention in the GCC countries. Dr. Al-Zahrani was promoted to principal clinical scientist / senior consultant in August 2013 at KFSH&RC. He was elected as the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Councilor for the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) for two terms (2008-2014) and elected president for the Saudi Epidemiology Association (SEA) between April 2009 and April 2015. Dr. Al-Zahrani had an important role in the establishment of the Saudi CDC, and the National Cancer Center. He conducted several epidemiological studies and published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports, and conference proceedings in public health with special focus on cancer epidemiology.

Dr. Eiman AlTawheed

General Secretary | Kuwait

Dr. Eiman is currently the of Kuwait Oncology Association since March 2022. She was a Consultant Gynecology at Kuwait Cancer Centre Since 2013. She did her MD in Obstetrics & Gynecology, in 1995. Dr. Eiman AlTawheed has Extensive experience working in multiple hospitals such as in Ireland, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. She is also the Kuwait representative of Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons (SLS) European Surgical Academy.

Dr. Elfatih Abdelraheem

Team leader and Policy Specialist at UNDP. | Turkiye

Dr. Abdelraheem brings 18 years of work experience with UNDP and other agencies at country and regional levels. Prior to previous 8 years with UNDP, he worked with UNAIDS and UNICEF in different capacities and locations. Dr. Abdelraheem provides support to Country offices in Arab States region to strengthen their health systems including ensuring resilience, agility and response to the needs of the population. Dr. Abdelraheem expertise also includes advising the governments on leveraging digital health technology tools and innovation to strengthen health systems, including packaging various types of technologies (Blockchain, IOT, AI and cybersecurity) as part of enhancing health facilities to be smart facilities. Mr. Abdelraheem is a blockchain strategist and published a white paper titled (The use of blockchain to improve visibility and resilience of health supply chain in Sudan). Additionally, Mr. Abdelraheem expertise include supporting the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Tobacco Control measures through designing and delivering multi-sectoral responses addressing the risk factors and the complications. Mr. Abdelraheem a medical doctor by training and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health (Epidemiology) and has training on various Health and Development issues.

Dr. Eman Taryam Alshamsi

Consultant Pediatric Hematology Oncology | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Eman Taryam AlShamsi is a currently serving as consultant and head of pediatric Hematology Oncology service in Al Qassimi Women and Children hospital. Dr.Alshamsi has been part of several of on-going collaborative research projects at Tawam and AQWCH hospital, MBRU, UAEU & Zayed University with PubMed publications. And participated in writing two chapters in “rare bleeding disorder’ and “ Bleeding in Adolescence Girl” in the 3rd edition of the sick kids Thrombosis Hemostasis Textbook. She hosted SIOP Asia conference in Abu Dhabi April 2019. Dr. Alshamsi is involve in many national and international committee and activity; NIHS pediatric hematology oncology accreditation (Head of the committee), National bone marrow transplants, SIOP, and WLPO (Women Leader in pediatric oncology). Patient support activity and awareness with CCI and Friends of cancer patients UAE FOCP.

Dr. Fahad D. Alosaimi

Professor and Consultant of Psychiatry & Psychosomatic medicine. | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Fahad Dakheel Alosaimi worked as a Professor, Department of psychiatry, College of Medicine, Consultant of Psychiatry & Psychosomatic medicine (consultation liaison psychiatry), King Saudi university, medical city. Curently he is working as a Consultant at Dallah private hospital (as part time), Riyadh.

Mrs. Farzaneh Majed

CEO & Managing Partner | USA

As the CEO and Managing Partner of Transform Alliance (TA), Farzaneh is committed to assisting organizations to achieve transformation through the engagement of their people. Having identified the mission of the organization, clients are guided and closely monitored on the journey from Strategy Formation and Implementation of Change Management. A key focus throughout is the end result and measurement of the ROI on projects. Farzaneh is ROI Institute Partner and Balanced Scorecard Institute Strategic Partner and Advisory Board Member with over 20 years of successful business development, change management and innovation experience who has a passion for excellence and thrives on driving change. Farzaneh’s extensive career at the global level has resulted in many successful initiatives being adopted lucratively. She believes in simplifying processes and delivering results through strategic planning and effective execution. Farzaneh is a Key Performance Indicator Professional (KPIP), Balanced Scorecard Master Professional (BSMP), Certified ROI Professional (CRP) and has a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. She has an Honours degree in Combined Sciences from the University of Brighton, UK.

Dr. Fiona Ness

General Manager of Communications, Engagement and Information Development | Ireland

Fiona Ness is the General Manager of Communications, Engagement and Information Development for the National Screening Service in Ireland. The National Screening Service is an arm of Ireland’s public healthcare system, the Health Service Executive (HSE). The service encompasses four national population-based screening programmes: • BreastCheck - The National Breast Screening Programme • CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme • BowelScreen - The National Bowel Screening Programme • Diabetic RetinaScreen - The National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme These programmes aim to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population through early detection of disease and treatment, both of which greatly improve health outcomes. Prior to joining the HSE in January 2020, Fiona was Head of Magazines, Supplements and Digital lifestyle content at the country’s largest newspaper group, Independent News and Media (now Mediahuis). She worked previously as the Magazines Editor of The Sunday Business Post, where she was awarded a European Journalism Award ‘For Diversity, Against Discrimination’. She holds a post-graduate distinction in Journalism and an Honours Degree in Law where her specialist subjects were Welfare Law for Women, Medical Negligence, Criminal Law and Law and Society.

Ms. Gertraud Eckart

Director of Oncology Policy Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa (EEMEA) | Austria

Public affairs and market access professional with more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector. Successful track record in development and execution of comprehensive public affairs and market access strategies and creation of corporate public identity.

Mr. Ghazi Alobaid

Head of, Cancer Prevention program & Campaigns, Al-Ahsa Cancer Foundation | United Arab Emirates

Ghazi has more than 15 years of experience encompassing public, and not-for-profit organizations, holding management and executive positions across the health. Throughout his career, he has always focused on improving the survival and well-being of individuals through a translation of the best evidence. In addition to his extensive experience in efforts to overcome the inequalities and the social determinants of health.

Mr. Giles Davies

Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon | United Kingdom

Mr Giles Davies is a Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction. He is the Director of Surgery at the Prestigious Cromwell Hospital, an International Centre of Excellence for Breast Cancer Care and the Specialist Centre for BUPA Nationally for Breast Cancer in the BUPA Network. His interests include patient reported outcomes and patient experience, breast cancer care in women under 50 and clinical exercise and wellbeing post cancer treatment.

Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed

Head of Professional Development and Scientific Research Department, Qatar Cancer Society | Qatar

Dr. Hadi is the Head of the Professional Development and Scientific Research Department at the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS); and the representative member of the QCS in the National Cancer Committee in Qatar, the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control, the Union International for Cancer Control, the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and the All.Can International. Dr. Hadi’s mission is to collaborate and engage in continuous professional development for healthcare professionals, health and patient support organizations' personals, and behavioral health research related to cancer. Dr. Hadi graduated from the University of Aleppo – Faculty of Medicine in Syria and completed his post-graduate training at the University of Iowa in the USA.

Prof. Humaid Al-Shamsi

President of Emirates Oncology Society (EOS) | United Arab Emirates

Prof. Al-Shamsi is the director of oncology services at VPS health system , the largest cancer care provider network in the UAE. Prof. Al-Shamsi is also the President of the Emirates Oncology Society , the professional organization for oncologist in the UAE. Prof. Al-Shamsi is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Oncology at the University of Sharjah , the First Emarati to be promoted to full professor in the UAE in Oncology. Prof. Al-Shamsi is also the chairman for the colorectal cancer in the MENA , appointed by the prestigious NCCN. Prof. Al-Shamsi is Board certified from UK , USA and Canada in both internal medicine and Oncology. He is the only gastrointestinal oncologist in the UAE. Prof Alshamsi has established the largest oncology care network in the UAE and he built the most comprehensive bone marrow transplant unit in the UAE at Burjeel Medical City. Prof. Al-Shamsi also achieved the first The European Society for Medical Oncology accreditation for the Burjeel Medical City to become the first and only ESMO-accredited oncology centre of excellence in the UAE. Prof. Al-Shamsi then went to join University of Texas , MD Anderson Cancer center between 2014-2017 as an assistant professor. Prof. Al-Shamsi completed his medical school with honours from University college cork in Ireland , followed by residency training in internal medicine and fellowship in Medical Oncology at McMaster University in Ontario Canada. He also completed a post doctoral clinical fellowship in gastrointestinal oncology and palliative oncology. He was the first graduate of the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa scholarship for distinguished doctors. Prof Al-Shamsi is the only triple Board-certified from USA , Canada, and UK and the only certified GI Oncologist in the UAE. Prof. Al-Shamsi published more than 70 peer review article in Jama Oncology , Lancet Oncology , The oncologists , BMC cancer and many others. In 2022 , Prof. Al-Shamsi published the first book about cancer research in the UAE and also the first book about cancer in the Arab World and both were launched here in EXPO2020 which has been downloaded more than 120,000 times within one month of it is release. Prof. Al-Shamsi has been recently awarded the prestigious Feigenbaum Leadership Excellence Awards from Sheikh Hamdan smart university for his exceptional leadership and research. He has won numerous awards including the researcher of the year in 2020 and 2021 from the Emirates Oncology society and MSA (Medical Staff Association) Outstanding Senior Resident at McMaster University.

Dr. Iffat ElBarazi

Assistant Professor | United Arab Emirates

Dr Iffat is an “Assistant Professor in Health Promotion” with over 20 years of experience in health care and patients services, community health education and promotion. She worked in many countries around the world including the UAE. She was awarded Faculty of Public by Distinction from the UK Faculty of Public Health, She has initiated collaborative studies around different topics including her latest collaboration on the Global Burden of Disease Publications). Her research interests include health promotion and health education, cancer education, psychosocial and mental health, chronic diseases prevention, women’s health and healthy lifestyle determinants and practices. She has been recognised for excellence in research and patients’ support, for undergraduate teaching, and outreach. She has a strong background in qualitative research and behavioural change theories

Ms. Joan Resta

FOCP Cancer Survivor | United Arab Emirates

Mother of 2 and survivor of stage 2 breast cancer.

Ms. Katarina Gralén

Research Manager | Sweden

Katarina has experience of working with health economic studies in several areas, for example willingness-to-pay and cost-effectiveness studies, as well as policy-oriented interview studies. She also works with the annual conference IHE Forum. Katarina has previously worked over 10 years in the Government Offices of Sweden.

Dr. Layth Mula-Hussain

Consultant Radiation Oncologist | Oman

Layth (Yahya Ibrahim) Mula-Hussain was born, raised and gained his medical degree in Mosul, Iraq, in 1999. He is a Jordanian board-certified physician in radiation oncology. Heaugmented this with MSc in advanced oncology from Ulm University in Germany and four years of clinical fellowshipsfrom Canada. Besides many professional memberships, he is an ESTRO Fellow, ESCO Graduate, Certified Clinical Investigator,Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and ESO Ambassador by the European School of Oncology. In the last decade, Layth was the founding director of Iraq's first radiation oncology board program (2013 – 2017). He acted as an Expert within imPACT IAEA teams for Pakistan & Syria and was an ASCO International Affairs Steering Committee member from 2016 to 2019. Currently, he is a consultant physician at the Sultan Qaboos Cancer Centre in Muscat – Oman, visiting professor at Ninevah University in Mosul – Iraq, and director of education and training at Rayos Contra Cancer for the MENA region. He authored / co-authored 60+ manuscripts/ books/ books’ chapters, did 100+ scientific presentations, and his efforts were cited in over 500+ times with h-index of 11.

Dr. Manal Elewah

Certified Art Therapist | Egypt

Founder and CEO of ART2CARE Program, the first Art Therapy program in the Middle East dedicated to children with cancer, and their families, launched in Cairo, Egypt in 2013 at 57357 hospital. ART2CARE Program has provided Art As Therapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, and a year later it was successfully introduced to children with life threatening diseases. In the past 9 years, Dr. Elewah has presented her program in over 70 international conferences, organized over 200 training workshops, participated in over 50 exhibitions, and conducted over 1000 art therapy sessions with population in need. Dr. Elewah is holder of PhD in Healthcare Environmental Management from USA, OIDA Psychotherapy Diploma from Bulgaria, Introduction and Foundation Diploma in Art Therapy from Ireland, Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and Expressive Arts Therapist from Canadian International Institute for Art Therapy CiiAT. Dr. Elewah values art as a means to assist/heal/support individuals in dealing with complex and confusing emotional issues. She has also worked at orphanage where her passion for children led her to provide art as therapy and conduct case studies for children dealing with the uncertainties. She provided Art As Therapy to children and families dealing with grief, loss, and changes in family dynamics. She continues to help children deal with the realities of painful medical procedures, using Art As Therapy to develop emotional strength and stability.

Dr. Manal Abdul Majeed Al-Zadjali

Secretary General | Oman

Dr. Manal Abdul Majeed Al-Zadjali is the Secretary General of Oman Cancer Association and the Dean of the Higher Institute of Health Specialties. She is the first Master-prepared Community Health Nurse and the first Omani with PhD in Nursing and Health Innovation. She is a member of several committees, taskforces and associations. Further, she is one of the founders of Oman Nursing Association. Dr. Manal has a special interest in community outreach activities and research. She plans and participates in different activities throughout the year for raising awareness regarding different health issues. In addition, she is a trainer in Palliative Care delivering training with different international trainers from different countries. Dr. Manal has delivered several national and international speeches and has published several papers on areas such as chronic diseases, community health nursing, palliative care and weight management and she is a reviewer of several scientific journals as well.

HE. Maryam Matar

Founder and Chairperson | United Arab Emirates

Her Excellency, Dr Matar is the Founder and Chairperson, UAE Genetic Diseases Association. She is a leading healthcare influencer, and pioneered the study of genes and advocates public education and awareness of genetic disorders across the ME region. She serves as a Chairperson/senior advisor in over 15 international, regional and local committees for preventive healthcare initiatives, women in STEM, and youth leadership. Dr Mater has been recognised as the most powerful scientist in the UAE since 2014; amongst the top 20 Arab scientists with the biggest contribution to humanity by British Scientific Community 2016; amongst the “top 100 most influential Arabs in the world” recognised by Arabian Business for four consecutive years since 2013.

Prof. Mushabbab Ali Asiri

Director General of Saudi National Cancer Center | Saudi Arabia

Professor Mushabbab Al-Asiri is the General Director of National Cancer Center of the Saudi Health Council and the Chief Executive officer of Saudi proton Therapy Center. He is senior Consultant Clinical & Radiation Oncologist practicing in the comprehensive cancer center of King Fahad Medical City. He is an adjunct Professor of Clinical and Radiation Oncology at Al Faisal University. Professor Al-Asiri has greatly influenced Cancer Care in the kingdom through national planning of cancer services since 2001 and also to the Oncology education as he is a founding member of Saudi Medical Oncology Fellowship, Saudi Palliative Care Fellowship, Saudi Radiotherapy Training Programs and Saudi Radiation Oncology Residency program He is the Godfather cancer screening in Saudi Arabia. He graduated in 1991 from the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, and obtained his Fellowship Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Fellowship of Royal College of Physician in Canada, Fellowship of American College of Physician, and Fellowship of Royal College of Physician of Edinburgh. He is holding A master of business administration from Chichester University and High Diploma in leadership and strategy from London Business school.

Dr. Navid Madani

Senior Scientist | USA

Dr. Madani is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at Dana-Farber (DFCI), with appointments at Harvard Medical School in the Departments of Microbiology and Global Health and Social Medicine. She is also the Founding Director of The Science Health Education (SHE) Center at DFCI. Dr. Madani uses a multidisciplinary approach to find preventive measures to inhibit HIV-1 transmission. Currently, she is the principal investigator on a study that is optimizing the application of a CD4-mimetic small-molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 infection as topical microbicides. Her studies have led to the biochemical characterization of two classes of small-molecules that bind HIV-1 gp120 and inhibit HIV-1 entry. This research emphasizes the need for HIV/AIDS drug discovery to work toward development of a microbicide to halt HIV transmission that is suitable for use in women—a population that is underserved and disenfranchised in many countries globally. A native of the MENA region, Dr. Madani noticed a knowledge gap in basic and clinical sciences during visits to MENA countries. However, she saw potential in the enthusiasm for workshops and clear, data-driven findings shown by the students and healthcare professionals she met. Motivated to contribute further, Dr. Madani co-organized and co-chaired international conferences that brought together scientists and healthcare providers from across MENA to discuss healthcare topics of regional importance. In 2006, she was a co-chair of GNR-MENA’s satellite session at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, where she brought stakeholders from Israel, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and United States to speak to scientific and health cooperation in the region. She applied her deep knowledge of research and scientific-based approaches to public health projects, workshops, and seminars tailored for health issues critical to the MENA region. Aimed at local healthcare communities and focused on infectious diseases, cancer, management of healthcare, science, therapeutics, and standard of care, Dr. Madani has held events around the MENA region, including Iran, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. She has received three Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) licenses from the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct her work in sanctioned countries. Dr. Madani founded the SHE Center by building on her track record of bringing together key stakeholders from MENA-based universities, companies, and governments. Dr. Madani has authored or coauthored over 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and has written op-eds and given interviews to news organizations such as the Associated Press, Science magazine, and the BBC World News. Away from the laboratory and the seminar room, she is a scientist, cancer patient, mentor, cook, photographer, a marriage officiant for her friends and family, wife, and a proud mother of two spirited boys.

Dr. Nehad Kazim

Senior Consultant Breast Radiologist | United Arab Emirates

Qualification: One of the first UAE national board certified radiologists in field of Diagnostic and breast imaging from Bristol, UK in year 2000. Experience/Skills: Has more than 22 years’ experience served both governmental and private as senior clinician and leadership role in breast cancer screening diagnosis and interventions. Former head of the breast cancer screening program at MOH, Sharjah and Northern Emirates. Dr. Nehad has many contributions in scientific meetings as faculty speaker in National and International conferences and workshops focused on early detection of breast cancer.

Dr. Neil Arun Nijhawan

Consultant Hospice & Palliative Medicine; Director of Palliative & Supportive Care, Burjeel Cancer Institute | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Neil Arun Nijhawan is a UK-trained Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Burjeel Medical City. After medical school at Kings College London, he pursued speciality training in Palliative Medicine in London and previously worked as a Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the London, where he was Clinical Lead for Palliative medicine. He has over 10 years of clinical experience in Palliative Medicine. Dr. Nijhawan is the first licensed Palliative Care physician in Abu Dhabi and is licensed to practice all aspects of Palliative Medicine. He strongly believes that for all patients, if one’s symptoms are well controlled, they will feel better, and both the patient and their family will tolerate their medical treatments better. Dr. Nijhawan’s ethos is to treat every patient like family and firmly believes that there is always something that we can do to help make people feel better. The overarching aim of Palliative Care is to improve the quality of life of patients through diligent and thorough assessment and treatment of both physical and psychological symptoms. Patients do not exist in isolation and therefore supporting the family/carers is an essential component of the palliative care approach to care. His clinical area of interest is symptom control (including pain, nausea, breathlessness, fatigue) and assistance with complex treatment decision-making at the end of life and he is often called on to provide an independent second opinions. Palliative care is available for everyone – of any age, race, culture, background and religion.

Dr. Nuha Khoumais

Women’s Imaging Radiologist | Saudi Arabia

Women’s Imaging Radiologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh Saudi Arabia and the Program Director and head of the scientific committee of the Breast Imaging fellowship program at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. She is the vice president of the Radiological Society of Saudi Arabia and head of the scientific committee for Zahra Foundation, Saudi Arabia She obtained her fellowship training in Breast imaging from the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, Canada followed by a clinical teacher certificate from the University of Toronto, Canada. She also holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration in international healthcare management from the Frankfurt school of business, Frankfurt, Germany. She participated in the production of the Breast cancer management guidelines in 2018 as part of the Saudi health council’s initiatives to improve and unify the management of breast cancer across the kingdom. She is the head of the scientific committee of Zahra Breast cancer association. She has conducted several national teaching courses and conferences with a special interest in medical education and quality improvement in the field of breast imaging.

Dr. Omniyat Al-Hajeri

Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre | United Arab Emirates

H.E. Dr. Omniyat Mohammed Al Hajeri is the Executive Director of the Community Health Division at the AD Public Health Center, She is specialized in the field of public health and leadership, also a practicing consultant physician in the field of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases, she studied medicine, worked and trained in Ireland for 12 years and worked around twenty years at several Abu Dhabi Hospitals. She also served previously as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a member of the Estijaba (COVID response team in AD health sector) with a special focus on the education sector agile response to COVID and also supports stakeholders involved in COVID response relationships in general. She was awarded the ‘Chairman of The Executive Council Medal’ in the Executive Directors category in 2013 in addition to more than 25 academic awards and medals and 10 other recognition awards.She was Elected member of the Delta Omega Honor Society- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school of Public Health May 2011 and re-elected 2020 for life long membership (US national honor society that aims to encourage excellence in research, scholarship and practice of public health and to recognize attainments in the field of public health).

Ms. Paula Nasrallah

Cancer Survivor | United Arab Emirates

A retail executive turned housewife, turned cancer activist. She started her career in fashion in the US between Washington DC and New York City. In 2000, when she had her first child, Paula decided to quit her job running wholesale for Bvlgari in the US to focus on raising her new family. In 2006, Dubai came calling and they moved to build the rest of their lives. In 2011, She woke up to a life altered when she discovered she had Breast Cancer. An incredibly difficult battle, emotionally and physically, with the deadly disease. Upon her recovery, she felt an urgent need and drive to help other patients. Paula felt the need for the voices to be heard and their fears to be addressed and allayed. She started to be active in the only way she knew how, assisting on the philanthropic side, raising money, and creating events for FOCP. Paula felt that she could still do more as an advocate and a voice to individuals who were as lost as when she was diagnosed. Today, she believes as a singular unit, “we can overcome this disease and learn how to battle it survive it, and learn to truly live in spite of it”.

Dr. Rajeev Dhar

Consultant Psychiatrist | United Kingdom

Dr. Dhar is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Cromwell Hospital and a senior executive coach. He read medicine at St George’s Hospital, London. In his career he has held various clinical and leadership roles in the NHS and the private sector; this has included being a Clinical Director of General Mental Health Services, Board member of two regional commissioning boards in the UK and as an honorary academic at Kings College London. He is also a qualified Barrister; has an MBA from Warwick University and psychometric training at the Cambridge University. His clinical interests include stress and anxiety related issues in the corporate and international patient sector; adult ADHD in the work force; long covid; cancer and neurological disorder in corporate sector patients. He also provides consultancy for organisations as a strategic advisor on mental health and wellbeing and also on the use of AI and technology in the mental health space. He is an expert in organisational and corporate behaviour, strategy and performance management. He has a bespoke executive coaching consultancy in London collaborating with various providers to enhance the performance of executives and organisations in the UK and globally.

Dr. Riyad Bendardf

Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Riyad Bendardaf is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. Previously he worked as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. He is also the Docent (Associate Professor of Medical oncology) Dept. of Oncology & Radiotherapy, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Finland. He is also the Head of the Tumour Board Committee and Director of Sharjah Breast care Centre at the University Hospital Sharjah,UAE.

Dr. Sahar Idris

Radiologist Specialist | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Sahar Idris, MD is a radiology specialist with almost 4 years of experience as a radiologist. She joined the Friends of Cancer Patients Organization (FOCP) in 2021 as the radiology specialist of the Pink Caravan Mobile Medical Clinic. She studied medicine at the University of Khartoum in Sudan, one of the leading medical schools in my country. In 2018 she joined the radiology training program of the Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB). She trained in several teaching hospitals and health centres in Sudan for four years, after which she graduated in 2018 with the highest grades among my classmates. She completed the FRCR exams this year (2022) and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiology. She is well experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of radiology, but she is particularly interested in breast imaging, so joining the pink caravan team was the first step in her career as a breast imaging radiologist. In the future she is planning to take the next step in her career by joining fellowship program which is fully dedicated to breast imaging that would help her gain the skills she needs to transition into her desired role.

Dr. Saleh Al Othman

Consultant/ Clinical Scientists, Deputy Executive Director | Saudi Arabia

An oncologist with long experience in Research, medical management and medico-legal Activities. His professional in Oncology with his long experience in cancer research, have given him the chance to play an important role in filling the gap between clinicians and scientists. In addition, Dr. Alothman’s managerial expertise has been utilized to advance the planned activities and lead the vision of the Gulf Centre for Cancer Control and Prevention. He was heavily involved in; developing and revising the Strategic plan for Gulf Cancer Control and prevention (2015 – 2025), developing Strategic plan for Cancer Research in the Gulf Region, developing Strategic Plan and Operational Plan for King Salman Centre for Disability Research, developing and implementing the Saudi Law of Ethics of Research on Living Creatures in KSA and initiating, planning and organizing the Gulf Cancer Awareness campaign.

Prof. Samar Al Homoud

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon | Saudi Arabia

Professor Samar AL Homoud is the Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Department of Rectal & Colonic Surgery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of honour of the First Class by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in December 2018 for her outstanding contributions in the field of research and cancer.

Dr. Sami Al - Shammary

Consultant, Palliative Care | Saudi Arabia

He is a Consultant of Palliative Care and Family Medicine at the Postgraduate Education of Family Medicine, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia and Consultant of Palliative Care department at King Fahad Medical City since 2010. Dr. AlShammary completed his Bachelor Degree in Medicine (MBBS) at King Saud University, Riyadh in 1997, and received his Arab Board and Jordanian Board of Family Medicine in 2005. He also earned his Saudi Board in Family Medicine in 2004. In 2010, He completed APHN Diploma in Palliative Care at National Cancer Centre, Singapore and Fellowship in Palliative Care at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, in Canada. In 2009, he completed a Palliative Medicine Fellowship at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh and Graduate Certificate & Diploma in Palliative Care at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. Dr. Sami obtained Master of Medical Education (MME) at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh on August 2010. On April 2008 OISE/UT Certificate in Adult Training and Development at University of Toronto in Canada, Joint Master of Health Professions Education (JMHPE) Between Maastricht University and Suez Canal University, and International Academic Fellowship (IAF) in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto in Canada. He got his Clinical Teacher Certificate in the department of Family and Community Medicine at University of Toronto in Canada on May 2007. Recently, on May 2016, he finished his Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care at Flinders University, Adelaide in Australia. Dr. Sami has been actively participating either he chairs/co-chairs or member of local & international pain & palliative care conferences

Dr. Savithramma Gunasekar

Radiologist | United Arab Emirates

Specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injuries using as x-rays, CT scans, MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.

Dr. Suad Bin Amer

Founder and Vice-President | Saudi Arabia

l beginnings have a start, and ones with a passion last a lifetime. Dr Suad bint Mohammed Bin Amer’s devotion to breast cancer awareness was due to the passing of her beloved late mother of the disease. This heartbreaking event lead to her becoming a pioneer in her field, devoting her life to ensure women in the kingdom would be cared for. She raised awareness and helped cancer survivors to overcome the trauma. This is Dr. Suad, a human first, placing the needs of all before her own, she has made history in Breast Cancer awareness program since 1998. The result being Founder and Vice-President of Zahra Breast Cancer Association in Saudi Arabia. No easy task to speak to women and raise awareness, in a once viewed taboo subject. She broke the ceiling and inspired a new generation of awareness that helped a vast number of women in the kingdom. She provided care compassion and knowledge go overcome the disease on a society level, while releasing publications, abstracts and peer review in the scientific field. Her humble beginnings as a Research Assistant, climbing the ladder slowly but surely to become the Head of the Breast Cancer Department at the Research Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre- Riyadh (KFSH&RC) is truly noteworthy. She gained her PhD Degree at the University of London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Shortly after studying she worked on her Post-Doctoral degree at the George Washington Medical Center in Breast Cancer Research for 4 years and wrote several publications in the Breast Cancer Research She is currently a Board Member of the National Centre of Oncology, Rofaida Women’s Health Society, a Board Member of the GCC Cancer Control Foundation. Winning awards from across the globe, including: Arab Woman Award 2014 on February 23, 2014 at Riyadh Saudi Arabia, and she also was awarded at American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee Women’s Empowerment Forum, an Award for Excellence in Leadership of Public Health and Women’s Health awarded in March 16, 2016 at the Women’s Day Celebration event held in Washington DC. USA. Bin Amer has become a role model for women not only in the kingdom but across the world.

Dr. Swee T Tan

ONZM MBBS FRACS PhD; Founder and Executive Director | Australia

Dr Tan studied medicine at Melbourne University and trained as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New Zealand. Following a Craniofacial Fellowship at Oxford and Craniofacial Research Fellowship in Boston, he was appointed Consultant Plastic & Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgeon at Hutt Hospital in 1995, where was the Director of Plastic Surgery 2000-2006 and Director of Surgery 2007-2013. He founded the Centre for the Study & Treatment of Vascular Birthmarks, a supra-regional referral centre, in 1996, and was awarded a PhD by Otago University in 2001 for his work in infantile haemangioma. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. He is an elected member of 13 national and international medical and scientific societies. He was the past President of the ANZHNCS 2008-2010 and the Founder and Chair of the New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Foundation Aotearoa. Well-known internationally for his research in vascular anomalies and cancer, Dr Tan is a recipient of 20 science prizes and 25 honours and awards including Wellingtonian of the Year – Science and Technology, KEA World Class New Zealand Award, and ONZM. He is an author of over 220 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and has delivered over 400 presentations at conferences.

Dr. Taha Al Lawati

Senior Consultant General Surgeon-Surgical Oncologist Dept. G. Surgery Royal Hospital | Oman

• Senior Consultant General Surgeon-Surgical Oncologist Dept. G. Surgery Royal Hospital • Head of Breast & Surgical oncology Department Royal Hospital Sultanate of Oman from 2003-2019. • Executive President & Founder European Asiatic Society Surgical Oncology-Switzerland. • Medical Student Tutor Sultan Qaboos University since 2009. • External Examiner Oman Medical College-National University of science and technology 2011-2018. • Adjunct professor Surgical Oncology University of Peloponnese since 2017. • Board member Oman Cancer Association 2016 till date • Head of Scientific committee Oman Cancer Association (2016- 2021) • Board member Oman Medical Association 2016 till date • Head of Scientific committee Oman Medical Association (2016- 2021) • Editor in chief Gulf e-Journal of tissue viability • Regional Editor Gulf journal of Oncology • Emeritus Editor Oman Medical Association Medical Journal • President of the Tumor Board Royal Hospital 2018-2019 • Dy. President of Tumor Board National cancer Center Oman 2006-2014 • Dy Head of Department of Surgery 2010-2017 • Dy Head of Bioethical Committee Royal Hospital since 2016. • Dy Head of Interview Committee for Medical officers and Specialist Royal Hospital 2004-2011. • Board Member Gulf Federation of Cancer since 2017.

Dr. Thomas Hofmarcher

Research Director | Sweden

Dr. Thomas Hofmarcher is an Austrian health economist at the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE). He conducts research on the economic burden of cancer and the value of patient access to new cancer medicines. A core focus of his work is the comparative analysis of cancer care systems around the world, covering all areas of cancer control (prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship). While most of his earlier work focused on Europe, recent and current work also covers the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East and Africa. His work has resulted in multiple research articles, policy reports, and book chapters. His research has been covered extensively in international media. He is a regular speaker at international policy events and workshops. He has also advised the European Commission and the OECD in their work with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. He holds a PhD in Economics from Lund University, Sweden.

Ms. Yasmin Yousri

Cancer Survivor | United Arab Emirates

Ms. Yasmin is 3 time Cancer Survivor, BMT survivor , Cancer Survivors Advocate , Motivational Speaker , Content Creator & Social Media Influencer with 1.5M followers across her channels .