Neurology Specialist
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, UAE
Dr. Ahmed Samir is a highly experienced neurologist with over 12 years of practice in Egypt, Kuwait, and now in UAE. He holds an MBBCH degree and a Master’s degree in Neurology. With a specialization in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders , Dr. Samir has gained 6 years of valuable experience in managing MS patients. His comprehensive and compassionate care, combined with his expertise in MS, has earned him the respect and trust of both patients and peers in the field.
Consultant Neurologist
Sheikh Shakbout Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Ahmed Osman Shatila obtained his BSc in Science Biology from the Wayne State University in the United States. He continued his medical education from the medical college of Wayne State University.
Dr. Shatila’s conducted a residency in neurology at Wayne State University and continued his fellowship in neurophysiology.
His interests include inpatient Neurology, but not limited to Stroke, IV TPA program development, Status Epilepticus, Multiple Sclerosis, Public Awareness of different Neurological Diseases with 10 years of experience and He is also interested in helping facilities develop a Neuro Hospitalist model where the inpatient care can develop independently from the outpatient services.
Consultant Neurology
Chief of Neurology Division
Tawam and STMC Hospitals
Al Ain, UAE
Dr. Ali Hassan Is a consultant and chief of neurology division of Tawam and STMC hospitals. After getting is MBBCH from Assiut university and has a 4-year Residency of neurology and psychiatry Assiut university hospital 1999-2003 ended by getting his master degree. He had his training in one of the biggest neurology divisions in Egypt and middle east when the neurology department had more than 120 beds during his training and had attached neurophysiology lab and all dictated neuroimaging service were available. And he completed his Medical Doctorate degree from Al Azahar university in 2010 (Role if inflammatory markers in Acute ischemic stroke when he was looking for the role of interleukins and neopterin in acute ischemic stroke pathogenesis). He joined Al Ain hospital in 2011 when he was a member of the stroke program who led the stroke service in Al Ain service to be one of the most important stroke centers in UAE, (Al Ain stroke unite is the first stroke unit founded in all over UAE in November 2007).
Dr Ali was a member of the stroke team who getting the first Stroke international certification in Abu Dhabi in 2016 when, Al Ain stroke unit was certified by German Stroke association as a comprehensive stroke unit and then followed by JCIA.
Dr Ali Joined Tawam hospital in the last quarter of 2017 when he continued his journey of success and attributed to the success of neurology division.
He established the first dictated Botox clinics in all SEHA facilities and currently he had 2 dictated botox clinic weekly which is the busiest therapeutic Botox clinic in UAE currently.
He developed the stroke program with the team after Al Ain hospital was announced as a covid center in 2020. He became a chief of service in 2021 and he developed the stroke program which has been accredited as comprehensive stroke center from American heart association (AHA) in December 2023.
Dr Ali Hassan initiated and conducted the first Tawam international neurology conference in 2023. He is a speaker and chairpersons in many of the local and regional conferences in Gulf.
Dr Ali Hassan is the president and he initiated Al Ain neurology conference with its first session in January 2024
Dr Ali Hassan has a special training in epilepsy and EEG in Cleveland medical university hospital-Case Western university –Ohio, USA.
Since he joined and lead the neurology division, neurology department become a site of many regional studies and currently he is a part of 3 international studies which included other sites like USA, Europe and Japan. He has more than 35 publications include many posters in an international conference, local conferences, and many publications in the international recognized peer review journals as well.
Dr Hassan is a trainer in many local and regional conferences for Botox injections and he led many workshops for training other neurologist in the region.
Dr Hassan awarded as the best faculty of internal medicine teaching staff in 2023. Also, he awarded as a quality champion in 2023 in Tawam hospital.
Professor Emeritus of Neuroimmunology,
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
Emeritus Fellow of Somerville College
University of Oxford, UK
Emeritus Professor Angela Vincent FMedSci FRS
Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU
Angela Vincent is Emeritus Professor of Neuroimmunology at the University of Oxford and has affiliation with the University of London. She is medically qualified and has an MSc in Biochemistry. She was an Honorary Consultant in Immunology and led the Oxford Neuroimmunology Service for 25 years until 2016. She was President of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (2001-2004), Head of Department of Clinical Neurology (2005-2008) and an associate editor of Brain (2004-2013). Although not a neurologist, she received the Association of British Neurologists medal (2009), the WFN Medal for scientific contributions to neurology (2017, Kyoto), and the American Epilepsy Society Clinical Science award (2019 with Prof J Dalmau).
Interests include clinical and serological studies on patients with neuromuscular junction disorders (myasthenia, MuSK-myasthenia, neuromyotonia) and acquired disorders of the CNS associated with antibodies to receptors, ion channels and associated proteins (eg. LGI1 and CASPR2, AQP4, MOG, NMDA and glycine receptors). She pioneered the idea that maternal antibodies to fetal-specific proteins could cause developmental disorders and has recently extended this work to maternal antibodies to CNS proteins that could be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist,
Tawam Hospital,
Al Ain, UAE
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Tawam Hospital, UAE
Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Visiting Faculty – Parul University
30 Publications in reputed international journals
50 invited expert talks at international conferences
Areas of interest – complex epilepsy, neurovascular disorders, neurogenetics , Artificial intelligence and machine learning in complex epilepsy
Specialist for Neurology
Pain Therapy & Psychotherapy
Praxis Gendolla
Essen, Germany
Prof. Gendolla is a specialist in neurology with the additional qualification of special pain therapy and psychotherapy.
After studying medicine at the University of Würzburg and training-related stays abroad in India and Switzerland, she began her residency in the Department of Neurology in 1992 at the University Hospital of Essen. Already during my training as a specialist in neurology, she developed a high “affection” for the field of pain therapy and the treatment of headache patients.
She had the opportunity to gain experience first in the headache outpatient clinic as well as the interdisciplinary pain outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Essen, which she was later able to implement as senior physician and head of the West German Headache Center from 2005 on.
In the course of my work, she was able to expand and deepen my treatment spectrum through in-service training at the North Rhine Medical Association, so that she acquired the additional qualification for psychotherapy. In addition, from 2003 onwards, Dr Gendolla was authorized to provide further training in special pain therapy at the Clinic for Neurology.
Dr Gendolla is a member and regional representative of the German Migraine and Headache Society, a member of the International Headache Society, the German Society for the Study of Pain. While working at the University Hospital of Essen, she was involved in many clinical trials to test the efficacy and tolerability of new drugs for the treatment of migraine, both in acute treatment and in prevention which she continues in her practice.
She founded the practice in 2009, where she currently works with a team of 7 medical doctors specialized on neurology, psychiatry, pain therapy and psychosomatic medicine.
Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Gina Lee is a Certified MS nurse specialist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with the Neurology Clinic since 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Metropolitan University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is Certified Multiple Sclerosis Nurse by the U.S. Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB) in 2022. She obtained as well her UK MS Certification (MS Nurse Pro) in 2020.
Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist
Neurology Department
Tawam Hospital,
Al Ain, UAE
Dr. Hina Naz Abbasi is a consultant Neurologist/Epileptologist, trained in the United Kingdom.
She completed fellowship and research in Epilepsy from Glasgow University and attained an MSC Neurology degree in 2022.
She completed CCT in Neurology in 2017 after 9 years of training at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow UK.
She also holds MRCP general medicine degree from the UK.
Speciality certificate examination UK 2013 from Royal of Physicians UK.
She has 3 years of research experience in status epilepticus.
Dr. Abbasi is the author of many international papers and publications in peer reviewed journals.
She has been part of teaching faculty at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow and educational supervisor for neurology trainees for many years.
Currently working at Tawam Hospital Al Ain
Consultant and Chief of Interventional Radiology
Chairman of Clinical Imaging in Abu Dhabi/SEHA at Tawam & Al Ain Hospitals Adjunct Associated Professor in Interventional
Radiology at UAEU, Head of Interventional Radiology Clinical Reference Group, SEHA,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Jamal Alkoteesh is the Chief of Interventional Radiology and Chairman of Clinical Imaging in the Al Ain Region at SEHA/Pure Health, Abu Dhabi. He also serves as a Professor of Interventional Radiology at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, and heads the Interventional Radiology Clinical Reference Group at SEHA.
A pioneer in interventional radiology, Dr. Alkoteesh has played a crucial role in establishing Tawam Hospital and SEHA as a leading referral center in the UAE and GCC. Since founding the interventional radiology services in the UAE in 2007, he has earned the title of the “Godfather of Interventional Radiology in Abu Dhabi” for being the first DOH-licensed interventional radiologist in the region. Over his 16-year career at SEHA, he has performed more than 65,000 procedures, demonstrating unparalleled expertise in advanced interventional techniques.
Dr. Alkoteesh has introduced numerous innovative procedures, including TIPS, acute stroke interventions, and various embolization techniques for conditions such as uterine fibroids and liver cancer. His efforts in the Al Ain community have resulted in the establishment of one of the busiest interventional radiology units in the region.
In academia, he has promoted interventional radiology education, launching the first radiology residency program in Abu Dhabi in 2009. His contributions to medical education have been recognized with his promotion to professor in 2023 and a fellowship from the Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society.
Born in Damascus, Syria, Dr. Alkoteesh completed his medical training and radiology residency in his home country before pursuing advanced training in the UK. He has worked at several prestigious international hospitals, including in Wales, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia, before continuing his impactful career in the UAE. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant contributions in the fight against the virus, with his team performing over 20,000 HR-CT chest scans and 300,000 chest X-rays. Dr. Alkoteesh is also a prolific researcher, with more than 75 scientific publications and over 150 speaking engagements at national and international conferences.
Consultant Neurologist,
Neurology Dept, Ibn Sina Hospital
Professor of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University Chairman of Faculty of Neurology, Kuwait Vice President, Pan
Arab Union of Neurological Societies (PAUNS) President, Kuwait Neurological Society,
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Dr. Al-Hashel is an adult neurologist and Headache specialist. He is a graduate of the college of medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
Dr. Al-Hashel completed his neurology residency as well as his fellowship in headache and Botulinum toxin injection at McGill University, Canada.
Dr. Al-Hashel is board certified from the Royal college of Physicians and Surgeon of Canada (FRCPC) and had also American fellowship in Headache Medicine (FAHS) and Canadian fellowship in Headache Medicine from McGill University.
He is a Consultant Neurologist and Professor of Neurology at Kuwait University, faculty of medicine in Kuwait. He established the headache and the Botulinum toxin clinic in Ibn Sina and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospitals in Kuwait.
Dr. Al-Hashel also the Chair of the faculty of Neurology in Kuwait and the President of Kuwait Neurological Society and the Vice President of Pan Arab Union of Neuroscience (PAUNS).
Dr. Al-Hashel has more than 100 publications in the field of Neurology and author a chapter in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in International neurology book, Second edition.
Dr. Al-Hashel was awarded as best researcher in Kuwait University in 2015.
Dr. Al-Hashel was awarded by H.H the Amer of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah for scientific achievements in Medical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences 2019.
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Khalifa University
Associate Staff Physician, Neurosurgery Neurological Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor John Paul Leach is a Scottish Neurologist who completed his training in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology in Glasgow then Liverpool after gaining his MD in New Antiepileptic Drugs in 1998. He became a consultant in Neurology and epilepsy in 2002, moving back to his home town in Glasgow
He was a Professor of Clinical Neurology and Head of Undergraduate Medicine in The University of Glasgow and in 2023 moved to AngeliniPharma in Rome as a Senior Clinical Fellow. His current role involves working on development of new antiseizure medications and other novel neurological treatments.
MD, FRCP, FESO
SINAPSE Professor of Clinical Imaging & Consultant Neurologist
School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
University of Glasgow
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Glasgow G51 4TF
Scotland, UK
Stroke neurologist and SINAPSE Chair of Clinical Imaging at the University of Glasgow, and Clinical Director for Stroke, Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board. Interests include applications of advanced brain imaging to clinical trials in acute stroke. Chief Investigator for trials of thrombolysis and thrombectomy (ATTEST-2, PISTE, PRACTISE, WAKE-UP, TEMPO-2) and involved in clinical trials of diverse approaches, including neuroprotection, stem cell implantation and recovery enhancement.
Senior Physiotherapist, Rehab Hospital,
STMC,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Komathi Chandran Rajagopal (PT) working as Senior Physiotherapist in STMC Rehabilitation hospital – Practicing in outpatient physiotherapy focusing on Neuro and vestibular Rehab.
She has more than 15 years of experience in field of physiotherapy.
She got her graduation in Physiotherapy from PSG College –Coimbatore, MGR University, Tamilnadu , India.
She has Special interest in the neurology & vestibular rehabilitation. -( well trained in Computerized dynamic posturography, Advanced virtual reality platform, Robotic gait training with exoskeleton suits, etc.
She is
-Certified Fellowship Diploma in update approach stroke rehab & prevention
-DIPLOMA IN NEUROLOGY REHABILITATION
-Certified Aquatic therapist
-Certified with Dizziness and Balance Disorder-Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Senior Speech Language Pathologist.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Medical City,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mansoor Musthafa Varamangalath, is a Senior Speech Language Pathologist currently practising in Tawam Hospital, in acute care. Mansoor received his Master Degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Kerala University of Health sciences, Kerala, India. Mansoor has over 10 years of experience in various setting including, outpatients, long term care and acute care. Mansoor specializes in inpatient acute care setting, evaluating and treating acute adult patients with speech, language, cognitive, and swallow impairments and providing intervention in these specific areas. His main area of interest is in patients with neurological disorders specifically stroke assessment and rehabilitation. He provides training to nurses in Swallow screening for stroke patients and is involved in developing stroke educational material. He is an active member of the Stroke Care Team and multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. He is skilled in video fluoroscopic studies (VFSS) and holds a certification as registered MBSImP clinician and trained in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). He is a speaker at various local and international conferences and is involved in various educational and training programs in the facility.
Board Member MENASO, WSO
Senior Specialist Neurology
Rashid Hospital, DHA,
Dubai, UAE
Dr. Maria Khan Junaidi is a vascular neurologist currently working in Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE. She graduated from the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan. After completing her residency training in neurology, she joined the vascular fellowship program which was recruiting its first trainee. This was followed by another fellowship in Translational research which was funded by the National Institute of Health, USA. As part of the latter she completed a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
She has since worked in two different geographies, Pakistan and the Middle East, and tries to contribute to education and research in both. She is teaching faculty since 2020 for a virtual stroke fellowship organized by All Pakistan Physicians of North America (APPNA) whereby neurologists from Pakistan and few other geographies are trained in vascular neurology. In the Middle East, she has been actively working towards improving stroke care in the region. She is one of the founding members for the Middle East North Africa Stroke Organization and together with other likeminded individuals in the region, she has been involved in training and education of stroke neurologists and nurses across the region.
She is currently the vice president of MENA Stroke Organization, a graduate of the World Stroke Organization Future Leaders Program and a member of the WSO Board of Directors where she represents the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Her research interests include geographical, ethnic and sex differences in stroke epidemiology and access to healthcare and she has over seventy publications in international peer reviewed journals. She is also the National Coordinator for SITS from the UAE and is involved in several SITS based research projects from the region.
Physiotherapist, Acute Care Hospital,
STMC,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Meera Mohideen is a registered Physiotherapist who completed Master of Physiotherapy in Sports Injuries and PG Diploma in Health, Nutrition and Diet at 2007 from MEHAR University
He has very good hands on skills in different specialization in physiotherapy such as Inpatients outpatient orthopaedic clinics, surgery, medicine, and Rehabilitation, he brings a multifaceted perspective to treatment. He also has a history of working with people with complex musculoskeletal conditions
He is a passionate physiotherapist in treating people with Neuro-Musculoskeletal Disorders. His focus on Neuro rehabilitation – Early Mobility, Improving Patient’s quality of Life, return the individuals near to normal life
He also contributed valuable knowledge as a part of MDT in obtaining Stroke Excellence Centre at Tawam acknowledged by American Heart Association and DOH stroke excellence certification
His poster has been selected one among the best poster in SINMAC conference
His dedication to stroke care unit in Tawam and STMC, to evolve his skills and consistently thrives to give his best practice by merging with the most current, evidence based literature by holistic approach.
Currently working at Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed medical city – Al ain
Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Ayman Haykal is a consultant neurologist/epileptologist in the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Haykal served as the Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Beaumont Health, Michigan, and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Michigan, US.
Dr. Haykal received his medical degree from Damascus University in Syria. He completed his residency training at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. He completed a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He is board certified in Neurology and Epilepsy by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Assistant Professor
United Arab Emirates University
College of Medicine and Health Science
Department of Internal Medicine
Consultant Neurologist
Tawam Hospital,
Al Ain, UAE
Dr. Mohammed Alkuwaiti is an Assistant Professor and Consultant Vascular Neurologist at the Department of Internal medicine in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at United Arab Emirates University. His clinical practice is based at the Tawam hospital, the regional stroke center of Alain city in UAE. Following completion of his medical school training at UAE University he travelled to Montreal, Canada where he completed Adult Neurology residency training at McGill University (2016). He later also completed Acute stroke clinical training (2017) and Stroke-Net Fellowships (2018) at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, United States. Dr. Alkuwaiti is an active member in local stroke committees, including the Department of Health stroke committee and at SEHA Stroke Task force committee. He Chairs the National Institute of Health Subspeciality (Emirates board) Neurology Committee. He is interested in secondary prevention and acute Stroke research. He is currently working on Stroke related projects in collaboration with UAE University and Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute.
Consultant Psychiatrist
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology,
Al Ain Hospital,
Al Ain, UAE
Dr Mohammed Allam is a dual qualified adult and old consultant psychiatrist with 30 years of experience. He holds the fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists from Melbourne Australia since 2009. Prior to that he completed masters Degree in Neuropsychiatry from Ain Shams University in Cairo Egypt in 1998 and a year earlier he completed Diploma in Psychiatry awarded by Guys Hospitals London and Ain Shams University in 1997. in 2001 Dr Mohammed Allam obtained the Arab Board in Psychiatry. In 2011 Dr Mohammed Allam completed his Medical Doctorate in Psychiatry in Egypt. During his work in New Castle Dr Allam was an adjunct lecturer in Psychiatry in New Castle University (2010-2012)
Dr Allam worked for 15 years in Australia and worked as a consultant psychiatrist in 7 Australian states. His work covered adult and old age psychiatry in both outpatient, inpatient and emergency psychiatry. He is also a recognised supervisor by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists for junior doctors and Royal Australian and Newzealand college of Psychiatrists trainees. Prior to working in Australia Dr Mohammed Allam worked in Egypt in Adult and addiction Psychiatry and now he is working in Sakina as an adult and old age psychiatrist in Al Ain Hospital and Sheikh Tahnoon medical city.
Consultant Neurologist
Mediclinic Parkview Hospital
Dubai, UAE
Dr. Mona Thakre is a well experienced Neurologist with more than 20 years of experience to her credit in UAE and India. She had her basic MBBS and MD in medicine from Nagpur University, India and DM and DNB in Neurology from Bombay Hospital, Mumbai University, India. She has completed her Speciality Certificate in Neurology from Royal college of Physicians (UK) and is a Fellow of American Academy of Neurology(FAAN).
She has worked in Government hospital Rashid hospital as Senior Specialist for 10years and since last 7 years as Consultant and Head of Neuroscience department at Al Zahra Hospital which is a tertiary care hospital in Dubai. She is the elected Board member of Emirates Neurology Society. Her areas of interest: Multiple Sclerosis ,Headache Stroke, Epilepsy and Movement disorders. She is an active researcher and has numerous presentations in local and international conferences. She has published numerous papers in peer reviewed journals.
Professor and Head of the Physiotherapy Department,
Fatima College of Health Sciences,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Muhammed Al-Jarrah is a professor of physiotherapy graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center. USA in 2006. Prof. Al-Jarrah joined FCHS in 2012 to establish the Physiotherapy Department and he was the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Over the last ten years Prof. Al-Jarrah published more than 65 papers in well recognized journals. His research interests have focused on rehabilitation of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and cerebral palsy. He is currently leading international grants in The Middle East to develop new approaches in the fields of cerebral palsy and stroke rehabilitation.
Consultant Neurologist, Director of MS Clinic
Amiri and Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Dr. Maria Khan Junaidi is Stroke Neurologist at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, UAE. She is currently based out of Dubai, UAE and is the co-director for the largest Comprehensive Stroke Unit in the city, Rashid Hospital. She is the General Secretary and one of the founding members of MENA stroke organization and over the past years carried out many academic and training activities related to stroke across the region. In 2022 she was elected to the Board of Directors of the World Stroke Organization and wishes to continue her work to improve stroke care in the region under this wider umbrella. She is also a member of the WSO Future leaders cohort. She is an avid researcher and has more than 60 published articles in international peer reviewed journals and has frequently presented at international and regional conferences.
Assistant Professor of Neurology,
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Rome, Italy
Dr. Raffaele Iorio, M.D., Ph.D., is a neurologist with expertise in autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurological disorders.
He completed his Ph.D. research as a Fellow in Professor Vanda Lennon’s Neuroimmunology Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic, investigating aquaporin-4 autoimmunity.
Since 2015, he has served at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, where he established an Autoimmune Neurology Outpatient Clinic.
His primary interests include myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, autoimmune encephalitis, and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.
He has received multiple honors, including the American Academy of Neurology International Scholarship Award, the Anna Paola Batocchi Award, and Best Ph.D. Thesis at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
In 2020 he won the Young Researcher’s Award from the Italian Ministry of Health for the project entitled “Single-cell deep phenotyping of B lymphocytes to personalize immunotherapy in patients with myasthenia gravis”.
Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor in physiotherapy,
Fatima college of health sciences,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Shaik Balkhis Banu holds the esteemed position of Program Coordinator for the Physiotherapy program at Fatima College of Health Sciences in Al Ain, UAE. With a wealth of experience spanning more than 17 years, Dr. Balkhis has honed her expertise in both clinical practice and academia, leaving a lasting impact in diverse cultural contexts across the Kingdom of Bahrain, India, and her current base in the UAE.
Her academic journey is distinguished by a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physiotherapy, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Administration. Dr. Balkhis’s commitment to academic excellence is further evidenced by her attainment of two doctoral degrees—one in Neurological Rehabilitation from India and the other in Orthopedics and Sports from Malaysia.
Dr. Balkhis’s scholarly contributions extend beyond her impressive educational background, with over 30 publications in reputable journals over the past six years. She actively engages with various physiotherapy associations and serves on editorial boards, demonstrating her dedication to advancing the field through research and collaboration.
As a leader in physiotherapy education and practice, Dr. Balkhis embodies a commitment to excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, shaping the future of healthcare in her community and beyond.
Head of Parkinson’s Disease &
Movement Disorders Division
Consultant Neurologist
Cleveland Clinic
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Shivam Om Mittal received his medical degree from Datta Meghe University of Medical Sciences University in Wardha, India. He completed his neurology residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He did postdoctoral fellowship in botulinum toxin treatment at the prestigious Yale University, where he initiated several clinical studies and streamlined unique treatment options for movement disorders. To pursue his interest further in the field of clinical movement disorders he completed a fellowship in parkinson’s disease and movement disorders at the Renowned Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA.
Dr. Mittal lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two sons. He enjoys cycling, listening to music and spending time with his family.
Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, UAE
FRCP (Edin), (MRCP)(SCE) Neurology, MRCP (UK), FCPS Neurology (Pakistan), MBBS (Pakistan)
Dr. Sidra Aurangzeb is one of the few professionals in the UK to hold dual accreditation in both neurology and clinical neurophysiology from the GMC. With a career that blends clinical expertise, leadership, and a passion for innovation, she has made significant contributions to both patient care and service development.
After completing seven years of intensive postgraduate training in Oxford, Dr. Aurangzeb became a consultant at Oxford University Hospitals, where she served as the clinical lead for telemetry services.
She played a pivotal role in establishing the Oxford intracranial EEG service and introducing cortical stimulation with depth electrodes, alongside making key contributions to the development of the Oxford Sleep Service. Her expertise also extended to advanced neurophysiological techniques, including electromyography (EMG), single-fiber EMG (SFEMG), nerve conduction studies, and autonomic testing.
Currently a consultant at Tawam and Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammad Medical City in AlAin, UAE,
Dr. Aurangzeb is dedicated to integrating advanced neurological knowledge and cutting-edge neurophysiological techniques to improve patient outcomes and contribute more widely to the development of healthcare services in the region. She has authored numerous international papers in peer-reviewed journals and is passionate about teaching, mentoring the next generation of specialists
Senior Physiotherapist,
Acute Care Hospital,
Tawam Hospital & STMC,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Srinivasan Shanmugam is an experienced physiotherapist who holds a Master’s degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He is certified in vestibular rehabilitation from Neuro 360 Degrees in the USA and has received oncology rehabilitation certifications from the PORI Institute in Denver, USA. He is registered as a physiotherapist in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia and serves as a planning committee member for SEHA’s Geriatric Frailty program. Additionally, Srinivasan is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and has been recognized for improving the quality of care provided by the rehabilitation services at Tawam Hospital. He is a research scholar and works as a Senior Physiotherapist at STMC Hospital.
Consultant, Vascular Neurology and
Neurointerventional Surgery
Cleveland Clinic
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Seby John is Consultant, Vascular Neurologist and Neurointerventional Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
He is currently Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, USA and Khalifa University College of Medicine, UAE.
Dr John has extensive experience in the medical and interventional management of cerebrovascular diseases.
He is an active researcher and has been an investigator in numerous international cerebrovascular clinical trials.
He has to his credit, more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the field of stroke and neurointerventional surgery.
He is board of directors of MENA-SINO (Middle East North Africa Stroke and interventional Neurotherapies Organization) and the UAE Vascular Neurology Chair for Mission Thrombectomy 2020+.
He is an active reviewer for multiple journals, and is on the editorial board of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Department Chair, Neurology
Neurological Institute
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Syed Irteza Hussain, MD, is the Department Chair of Neurology in the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Hussain is a Consultant Neurologist with seventeen years of experience. After completing his medical degree from the prestigious Aga Khan University, he underwent extensive postgraduate training in the US. He is American Board certified in Neurology, Vascular neurology, Neurocritical Care and Neuroendovascular surgery.
Upon completion of his postgraduate training, he joined Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor in 2009, where he helped establish a 24/7 Neurointerventional Surgery Service and Fellowship Training Program. In addition to his procedures, Dr. Hussain had an integral role in the Management of Acute Stroke and critically ill neurological patients in the Hospital.
Subsequently, in 2011 he assumed the Medical Directorship of the Stroke Program at Michigan State University and its affiliate Sparrow Health system. In this administrative role, he supervised multiple successful joint commission recertifications of the Primary Stroke Center and subsequently became the first in Michigan to become a JC certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Recognizing his services, he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014 and awarded the Physician Leader of the Year award in 2015 by his institutions.
Dr. Hussain lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys traveling with his family, listening to music and football.
Executive Board Member, MENASO
Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs
Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
United Arab Emirates University
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Taleb Almansoori is a graduate of the College of Medicine and Health Science at the United Arab Emirates University. After graduation, he completed five years of postgraduate medical training at McGill University, Montreal – Canada culminating in board certification in Diagnostic Radiology, followed by completion of a subspecialty training in Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology at Ottawa University, Ottawa – Canada. Given his academic post as an Assistant Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of the United Arab Emirates University, Dr. Almansoori is heavily involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and participated in many regional and international meetings. Dr. Almansoori served in multiple roles within the scope of imaging services and provided radiological subject matter expertise for different organizations across the United Arab Emirates. He has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and a book entitled Advanced Neuroradiology Cases: Challenge Your Knowledge. He has given multiple invited lectures at regional and international meetings on neuroradiology and stroke management. Currently, Dr. Almansoori is the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology at the College of Medicine and Health Science. Additionally, he is the Vice President of the Emirates Radiology Society and a Board member of the MENA Stroke Organization.
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Khalifa University
Associate Staff Physician, Neurosurgery Neurological Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Tanmoy Maiti has done his Neurosurgery residency in NIMHANS, India and done clinical fellowship in skull base and vascular (LSUHSC-S, USA), functional (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA) and complex spine and deformity correction (Mayo Clinic, Arizona, USA). He is currently employed in Cleveland clinic Abu Dhabi. He has published more than 95 articles in peer-reviewed journals and authored several book chapters. He is a section editor of spine and pain section of World Neurosurgery and reviewer of several journals.
Adjunct Professor of Neurology
Khalifa University, Chief Medical Officer
Chair of the Neurology Department
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Alsaadi is a Chief Medical officer and the Chair of the Neurology Department at the American Center of Psychiatry & Neurology (ACPN). He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Neurology at Khalifa University. He was trained in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at the University of California San Francisco and was a research fellow in Epilepsy there. He is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and by the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology and the American Board of Neurology in Clinical Epilepsy.
Before joining ACPN, Dr. Alsaadi was the Chief of the Neurology Department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for 11 years. He previously held a position as an Associate Professor of Neurology and the Director of the Adult Epilepsy Program and the Clinical Research Program at the University of California Davis. His research has focused on conducting drug study trials for new antiepileptic drugs for patients with epilepsy, quality of life in patients with epileptic and non-epileptic disorders, migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Dr. Alsaadi has been honored with several prestigious awards for his work in the field of epilepsy. He has served on the Advisory Board of the Northern California Epilepsy Foundation and the membership committee of the American Epilepsy Society. He has previously served as the President of the Western Clinical Neurophysiology Society in the United States and as the Vice President of CEMA (Commission of the Eastern Mediterranean Affairs). He is currently the President of the Emirati League against epilepsy and the Chair of the ILAE Commission for epilepsy in the elderly. He serves as a member of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) for the WHO. He also serves on the Editorial Board for BMC Journal of Neurology and Journal of Neurosciences. He has authored and co-authored more than 85 papers and book chapters and has served as a peer-reviewer for more than 15 scientific journals.
Consultant Neurologist and Vascular Neurologist,
Assistant Professor,
UAE University,
Alain, UAE.
Dr Tariq Alafifi is a consultant neurologist sub-specialized in vascular neurology and an assistant professor at UAEU.
Dr Tariq has more than 25 years of experience in various posts across the UAE and abroad, including medical military missions with NATO/GCC/UAE army before retiring as a Colonel.
In addition to his practice at Mediclinic AlAin, he also worked in Zayed Military Hospital as head of neurology (2009-2018) and in affiliated hospital with several governmental hospitals across the UAE as a Neuro-strokologist. He was also a member of the teaching programme in Zayed Military Hospital for Arab board residents.
Dr Tariq was part of the stroke program organizing team in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (2013).
Program Director
Stroke Lead
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
UAE University & Khalifa University
Simulation Expertise(Harvard CMS)
Hon Senior Lecturer University of Leeds
MRCP UK and Ireland Examiner
Dr. Waqar Gaba did his junior doctor training in London and completed his Acute Medicine Registrar training in Yorkshire, U.K. He did his Stroke Fellowship from King’s College and St Thomas’s hospital, London.
Dr. Waqar Gaba obtained CCT in Acute Medicine, Internal Medicine and Stroke Medicine. He is a Fellow of Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh, U.K and a Fellow of American College of Physicians. He is MRCP UK and Ireland Examiner. He is former clinical lecturer for King’s College, London and Honorary Senior Lecturer for University of Leeds. He is Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor for UAE University and Khalifa University. He has simulation expertise from Harvard Medical school.
Senior Speech - Language Therapist/Pathologist,
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, UAE
Zakkiya graduated from the University of Witwatersrand with a B. A (Speech Therapy and Audiology), Masters in Early Childhood Intervention from the University of Pretoria and a certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She is currently working in Tawam Hospital as Team Leader of Speech Language Therapist. Zakkiya has experience working with a variety of populations in both acute care and outpatients. Her areas of interest include early intervention and dysphagia. She is an advocate for early intervention and is passionate about working with patients and their families to promote social, emotional and behavioural health and wellbeing.