Dr. Ayman Al-Sibaie is the Head of Radiology in Rashid Hospital and Head of Radiology at Sharjah Medical Center, UAE. Dr. Al-Sibaie graduated from medical school at the Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany, and obtained the Facharzt in Radiology in 1997. Prior to coming to Dubai in 2004, he was the Head of Interventional Radiology at Wald Klinikum in Gera, one of Germany’s largest hospitals. His main interest is minimally invasive interventional techniques for treating vascular, other diseases and pain management.

Prof. Suhail Alrukn is a leading neurologist and stroke specialist renowned for his contributions to stroke care and awareness across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As Director of the Stroke Program at Rashid Hospital and a faculty member at Dubai Medical College, he has dedicated his career to improving acute stroke management, prevention, and education. Prof. Alrukn is the founder of MENA Stroke, the region’s largest stroke organization, which has advanced stroke research, care, and public awareness under his leadership. He also co-founded the global Angels Initiative, which strengthens stroke systems of care worldwide. His efforts have earned numerous awards, including the 2022 Ron Haddock International Impact Award from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Through his leadership and advocacy, Prof. Alrukn continues to shape the future of stroke care regionally and globally, improving outcomes for patients everywhere.

Dr. Usama Mohammad Hassan Albastaki, born in the United Arab Emirates, is a distinguished radiologist with over 20 years of experience. As the Chair of Medical Imaging at Dubai Health, he has led the Radiology Department at Rashid Hospital since 2014, earning the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Award for Best Public Sector Medical Department in 2020. His leadership drove the department to secure international accreditation from the American College of Radiology, a testament to its advanced technology and skilled team. A Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dr. Albastaki is passionate about training future radiologists. He holds a Swedish Board in Diagnostic Radiology (2009) from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, and dedicated n cardiac MRI from Royal Brompton Hospital, London. His research, including AI integration in national screening programs, has resulted in numerous publications, such as a chapter in Essentials of Charcot Neuropathy (Elsevier). As General Secretary of the Radiology Society of the Emirates (RSE) since 2021, and former President (2018–2021), he has elevated the UAE’s global radiology presence through world-class conferences. Dr. Albastaki serves as a medical expert for the UAE mission to UNSCEAR in Vienna and chaired the medical application group at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). Residing in Dubai, he continues to advance patient-centered radiology and innovation.

Dr. Tiago Moreira (Lisbon, Portugal, 1975) is currently Head of Stroke Service at the Neuroscience Department of SEHA – STMC Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City, Al Ain, UAE. He is Associate Professor of Neurology and former Head of Section of Neurology at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. He graduated from the Medical Faculty at the University of Lisbon in 1999 and completed a PhD in Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet in 2006. As a neurology resident, he received advanced training in cerebrovascular diseases at the Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland. He is also Research Executive at the SITS International Stroke Registry.

Dr. Carl-Johan Ramberg is presently a Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Stroke Program in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman, AHA Certified Primary Stroke Center. Dr Carl did his training in Sweden: Medical School in Umeå University and residency in Neurology in Linköping University Hospital. Dr Carl later worked in Innlandet Hospital Trust in Norway, reducing the door-to-needle time from 75 to 23 minutes. He is also interested in Movement Disorders, having introduced DuoDopa pump treatment for Parkinson’s patients in Innlandet Hospital trust, Norway, and spent the autumn of 2010 in The National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, U.K. 

Dr. Firas Al Najjar is a consultant in Emergency Medicine in Rashid Hospital Trauma Center. He is also the Residency Director of Emergency Medicine in Dubai Residency Training Program (DRTP) and had the honor of being a part of the program from the time of its establishment. Prior to that, he was in charge of the EM Residency Program in Jordan University Hospital- the very same university where he trained. Dr. Firas is an advocate of EM specialty in the region with an avid interest in establishing new training centers and setting standards for better training, and mentoring. Beside his Board in Emergency Medicine, he holds a degree in Medical Education from Keele University and intends to achieve a Masters Degree in it. He holds the post of Senior Regional Faculty in MENA territory for the American Heart Association (AHA) where he monitors supervises & evaluates the centers in the region. Also he is an associate professor in Dubai Medical College.

Dr. Hanan Ali Obaid is the Director of the Health Policies and Standards Department at the Health Regulation Sector, Dubai Health Authority. She is a Consultant Family Physician, holding a Ph.D. in Family Medicine, FRCGP, MRCGP-International, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Obaid is also a graduate of the Executive Master’s Program in Public Administration at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, as well as the Emirates Program for Women Leaders. In addition to her leadership role, she serves as the lead for the Organ Donation and Transplantation Program in Dubai. 

Dr. Heui Seung Lee, M.D., Ph.D., is a Consultant Neurosurgeon and Neurointerventionist, serving as Chair of the Neuroscience Center at Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Originally from Seoul, Korea, he earned his M.D. from Sungkyunkwan University and Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from Seoul National University. Dr. Lee trained in neuro-oncology, neurovascular surgery, and neurointerventional radiology at top Korean hospitals. His research focuses on cerebrovascular diseases, brain tumors, and AI-driven medical imaging, with multiple publications in Scientific Reports and World Neurosurgery. A recipient of several Best Academic Awards from the Korean Neurosurgical Society, Dr. Lee combines clinical excellence and innovation to enhance neurovascular care and promote international collaboration in neurosurgery and stroke intervention.

Dr. Nora El Nawawi is a physician, with specialty training in psychiatry, and public health expert with over 18 years of diverse international experience spanning clinical practice, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry. She currently serves as the IMETA Medical Therapeutic Area Lead for the Angels Initiative, Stroke, and Pipeline Products, where she drives strategic medical leadership across the region. Dr. El Nawawi earned her medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard School of Public Health.

An accomplished Emergency Physician with extensive experience in trauma management, prehospital emergency medicine, and clinical governance. Actively involved in developing clinical guidelines, training programs, and implementing innovative technologies to enhance emergency care delivery. A certified Arab Board Emergency Medicine specialist with residency training under the Dubai Health Authority and advanced leadership education from Harvard Medical School. Recognized for research on recurrent emergency department visits and contributions to national audits, academic teaching, and international conferences. Demonstrates strong commitment to quality improvement, mentorship, and advancing prehospital and emergency care standards across the UAE. 

FCPS Neurology, MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr. Maria Junaidi is a neurologist practicing in Rashid Hospital, Dubai for the past eight years. She is a graduate of the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan and completed her post graduate training from the same institute. She holds a fellowship in vascular neurology and is one of the founding members for MENA stroke organization. She is also an avid researcher and has a number of publications in international peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Mohamed Samy Elhammady is an American Board-Certified Neurosurgery Consultant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) and serves as Section Head of Neuro-oncology in the Neuroscience Institute. Additionally, he holds the position of Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA. Dr. Elhammady earned his medical degree from the University of Mansoura in Egypt and completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Miami, Florida, USA. He pursued further sub-specialization through three fellowships, including neuro-endovascular surgery and open cerebrovascular/skull-base surgery at the University of Miami as well as minimally invasive/endoscopic surgery for brain and spine tumors at the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery in Sydney, Australia. Dr. Elhammady is a prolific author and presenter having delivered over 111 lectures worldwide. His bibliography includes 98 peer reviewed scientific articles, 17 book chapters, and 46 citable abstracts.

Dr. Shaikha Al Memari is an accomplished healthcare professional with expertise in quality management, compliance, and healthcare licensing. Holding a Master’s in Project Management and a strong healthcare background, she currently serves as Director of Research and Innovation and Acting Director of Quality and Control at TASNEEF-RINA Business Assurance. Certified as a Quality Management System Lead Auditor, she has led strategic healthcare initiatives, excellence audits, peer review assessments, research projects for regulatory authorities across the UAE providing innovative solutions. Dr. Al Memari is recognized for her leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing healthcare excellence.

Dr. Victoria Ann Mifsud, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Neurology Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Neurological Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Mifsud was a Consultant Neurologist and Stroke Neurologist at King's College Hospital, London, UK. She received her medical degree from the University of Malta and underwent residency training in Internal Medicine at St. Luke's Hospital, G'Mangia, Malta. She then completed Neurology Residency Training and Fellowship Training in Stroke & Cerebrovascular Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Dr. Mifsud is American Board certified in Neurology, Vascular Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

Khaled is a seasoned healthcare expert with over 20 years of experience, an MBA, and a CPHQ certification. ​His specialties include Nursing, Emergency Care, Resuscitation Training, and Healthcare Quality. ​In his current role as American Heart Association – Healthcare Quality Systems International Senior Resuscitation Manager, as well as he leads the AHA Stroke Center Certification initiative across the MENA region, focusing on improving patient outcomes and healthcare quality.​

Professor Ahed Al Najjar is Director of EMS Education & Research at National Ambulance and a member of the UAE Ministry of Interior’s Bin Wereeqa Committee. He holds a Ph.D. in EMS Education, a Master’s in Health Education and Management, and is a certified EMS Medical Director (Abu Dhabi DOH). A globally recognized expert, he has delivered training in 32 countries and serves as Adjunct Professor at Oxford College and Vice Chairman of NAEMSE’s International Committee. He is also Program Director for NREMT, an AHA Regional Faculty for MENA since 2008, and has consulted for the UN and Malacañan Palace. His accolades include multiple international EMS and resuscitation awards 

Dr. Nader Sourour is a Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) at Al Qassimi Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah, UAE. He studied medicine at Ain Shams University and traveled to France in 1988 to specialize in Interventional Radiology, focusing on the nervous system for the treatment of thrombocytopenia and brain deformities. He previously served as a Consultant of INR at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, France.

Dr. Ali Hassan is a Consultant Neurologist and Chief of the Neurology Division at STMC and Tawam Hospitals in Al Ain, UAE. He completed his MD in neurology from Al Azhar University, with specialized training in epilepsy and EEG from Case Western Reserve University, USA. He led the development of accredited stroke centers and founded key neurology conferences in the region. With over 40 publications, he is active in international research and guideline development. Dr. Hassan also trains neurologists in botox therapy and has received awards for teaching and quality leadership.