Speakers

International Speakers

Prof. Emmanuel Stip

Adjunct Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, AL Ain, UAE
Consultant Psychiatrist and Responsible of Clinical Research Unit at IUSMM, Montreal, Canada

Prof. Emmanuel Stip

Emmanuel Stip, MD is professor of psychiatry and was Chair of the department in UAEU 2019-2023. Previously he was a professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Montreal (UdeM). He has been practicing psychiatry in Montreal, Abitibi, Vancouver (UBC), and Caen (Normandy) and was a clinician-researcher at the Centre Hospitalier of the University of Montreal (CHUM) and at the Institute (IUSMM). He was also Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry from 2009 to 2017 at UdeM. His research interests evolve around neuropsychology and cognition, phenomenology, brain imaging, psychopharmacology, global mental health and history of psychiatry. He was the Chair holder of the UdeM Schizophrenia Research Eli Lilly Chair. He supervised more than 30 students in Master or PhD. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed journals, has a google scholar index of 63. He created the SSTICS validated in UAE as SSTICE. He has also received over 5 million dollars in research grants (CIHR, FRQS) and numerous awards including: Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, The Cleghorn Award from the Canadian Psychiatric Association, Michael Smith Award for Schizophrenia, and the Heinz E. Lehmann Prize for Excellence from the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec (AMPQ), Professor Emeritus 2021. He is associate editor of the Canadian journal of Psychiatry, and the director of Santé Mentale au Quebec. Professor Emeritus. He is now adjunct prof at CMHS-UAEU, consultant psychiatrist at IUSMM, and responsible of clinical research unit at IUSMM.

Dr. Giles Berrisford

Clinical Lead Maternal Mental Health Service
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE
National Specialty Advisor for Perinatal Mental Health
National Health Service (NHS), England, UK

Dr. Giles Berrisford

Dr Berrisford is a consultant psychiatrist trained in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and has been elected to a range of different roles within the Royal College. He has contributed to many scientific, academic and policy related mental health publications. He has completed the prestigious Nye Bevan Leadership course from NHS England and is a national leader in psychiatry in England. He graduated in medicine from the University of Birmingham. Dr Berrisford has worked for the NHS in England for 25 years. He is the National Clinical Lead for Perinatal Mental Health to NHS England and during his 8-year tenure he has overseen the transformation in perinatal mental health services, ensuring that evidence-based, high quality psychiatric care is available for all accessing these innovative services across England. Dr Berrisford is committed to providing high quality, evidence-based treatment for all. He adopts a collaborative approach with all patients to identify their priorities and to develop cohesive, holistic treatment plans. He is keen to offer a preventative approach, with early intervention and patient empowerment following the bio-psycho-social model.

Dr Berrisford is a trained General Adult Psychiatrist and so has expertise in assessing, diagnosing and treating people struggling with their mental health. Clinically he has specialised to work with women in the perinatal period – pre-conception, during pregnancy and after birth – working on the needs of the parent as well as the baby. This adds the additional complications that can arise due to hormonal changes, trauma and adjustment to pregnancy and motherhood. Dr Berrisford frequently sees people with depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, as well as pregnancy related conditions such as tokophobia, bonding disorders, postpartum psychosis and perinatal depression and anxiety. Dr Berrisford will use a holistic approach to mental illness, considering the impact on the wider family and will develop pragmatic shared goals towards recovery and wellness.

Dr. Lila Amirali

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry
Université de Montréal and Adjunct Professor at McGill University Montreal, Canada

Dr. Lila Amirali

Dr Evangelia Lila Amirali is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at Université de Montréal and Adjunct Professor at McGill University. She has a Master of Management (International Masters for Health Leadership, IMHL) from the Desautels School of Management, McGill University. Dr Amirali is working with complex and comorbid psychiatric disorders in an outpatient and an inpatient setting at the CHU Sainte-Justine.

During her career Dr Amirali has been co-leader and member of the Inpatient Special Interest Group of the CACAP, academic leader at McGill university and at université de Montréal, President of the Association of Professors of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Canada (APCAPC), Liaison with the American Association of Directors of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AADCAP) and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at the CHU Sainte-Justine.

Dr Amirali is the Chair of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialty Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 2020. She is the President of the Association québequoise de psychiatrie de l’enfant et de l’adolescent (AQPEA), member of the permanent committee of the National Institute of Excellence of Health and Social Services (INESSS) and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (DFAPA). Dr Amirali is the Chair of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since October 2022.

Prof. Patrick McGorry

Psychiatrist, Executive Director
Orygen, Australia

Prof. Patrick McGorry

Professor Patrick McGorry is an Irish-born, Australian psychiatrist known world-wide for his development and scaling up of early intervention, youth mental health services, mental health innovation, advocacy and reform. He is executive director of Orygen, Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, and founding editor of the journal “Early Intervention in Psychiatry”.

2005 he led the advocacy resulting in the establishment of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, which later became Headspace, of which he is a founding board member.
2010 he was selected as Australian of the Year and became an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
2013 he received the Annual Research Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Washington DC.
2015 was awarded the Lieber Prize for Schizophrenia Research by the US-based Brain and Behaviour Foundation.
2016 he became the first psychiatrist to be elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
2018 he received the Schizophrenia International Research Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
2019 he received the Humanitarian Award of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and the NHMRC Research Excellence Award.
2019-2020 he was Chair of the Expert Advisory Committee to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Professor McGorry has published over 980 publications, with 47,266 citations and a “h” index of 112 (Scopus). He has played key advocacy and advisory roles to government on health system reform in Australia and many parts of the world.

He is President of the International Association for Youth Mental Health, Past-President of the Schizophrenia International Research Society, Past-president of the Society for Mental Health Research, and was Founding President and is now Treasurer of the IEPA: Early Intervention in Mental Health. He is also a Founding Board Member of Australians for Mental Health

Dr. Siobhan Gee

Consultant Pharmacist Deputy Director of Pharmacy South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK

Dr. Siobhan Gee

Dr. Siobhan Gee is the deputy director of pharmacy and consultant pharmacist for liaison psychiatry at South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She obtained a first class MPharm degree from Cardiff University and holds a postgraduate diploma in pharmacy practice from the University of London. She completed a Ph.D. in psychopharmacology and pharmaceutical analytical science at King’s College London, researching the use of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. She is an honorary senior lecturer in psychopharmacology at the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, and is accredited as consultant pharmacist by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society – one of the first people to receive this accolade. Dr. Gee has worked in clinical hospital pharmacy in both physical and mental health settings across South East London. Her specialist interest is in the use of psychiatric medicines in people with physical comorbidity, and she has more than a decade of experience working with psychiatric liaison teams at Guy’s and St. Thomas’, King’s College Hospital, Croydon University Hospital and Lewisham Hospitals. In 2023 she was appointed as a clinical director to the Mind and Body Programme at King’s Health Partners, a programme that aims to reduce the health inequalities experienced by people living with long term physical health and mental health conditions. Dr. Gee is recognised internationally as a leading authority in the clinical use of psychiatric medicines and is a contributing author to the world-renowned Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines. Her new book, the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines for Mental Health Conditions in Physical Illness is due out in Autumn 2024.

Dr. Yasser Ad-Dab'bagh

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Psychoanalyst
Neuroscience and Mental Health Researcher
King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH-D), Dammam, KSA

Dr. Yasser Ad-Dab'bagh

Dr. Yasser Addabag is a child and adolescent psychiatrist as well as a psychoanalyst, and a neuroscience and mental health researcher at King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH-D), with particular clinical interest in pediatric neuropsychiatry and developmental disorders as well as adult psychotherapy. I also consult for the Ministry of Health as the Lead on the National Strategy for Mental Health, Addictions and Developmental Disorders. Additionally, I have a part-time private practice at the Renewal and Reward Medical Center.

Local Speakers

Dr. Yousif Al Serkal

Director General, EHS

Dr. Noor Al Mheiri

EHS

Dr. Lubna Al Shaali

Director of Health Policies and Legislations Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention

Dr. Giles Berrisford

Consultant Psychiatrist, Maudsley, AD

Dr. Azhar Abu Ali

Senior Clinical Psychologist, DHA

Dr. Tareq Qassem

Consultant Psychiatrist, Maudsley Health, Al Amal Hospital

Dr. Azi Berzengi

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Maudsley health, Al Amal Hospital

Dr. Fiona Desira

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Maudsley Health

Dr. Madonna Yanni

Specialist Psychiatrist Intellectual Disabilities Maudsley Health

View Bio

Dr Madonna Yanni is a dedicated and compassionate Psychiatrist based in Dubai, UAE. With extensive education and experience in the field, Dr Madonna is a proud member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, holding an MRCpsych qualification. She earned her Psychiatry Board certification in 2018. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Cairo University, Egypt, graduating with honors in 2010.

Dr Madonna's current role is as a Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health UAE, where she plays a crucial role in the care of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She actively collaborates with a diverse interdisciplinary team and is involved in daily rounds addressing complex cases, including challenging behaviors, psychosis, mood disorders, and anxieties. In addition to her inpatient responsibilities, Dr Madonna leads a weekly clinic in Dubai, and another clinic in Sharjah providing comprehensive assessments and developing holistic management plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Her dedication to the field extends beyond clinical care. Dr Madonna evaluates individuals with intellectual disabilities for social affairs or court reports, participates in establishing specialized services, and oversees the management and rehabilitation of a residential villa catering to females with intellectual disabilities.

Dr Madonna's expertise also includes her tenure as a Psychiatrist at Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Prevention in UAE. Here, she provided patient-centered psychiatric care, provided comprehensive assessments for various disorders in both acute and outpatient settings of general adult psychiatry, she supervised residents, and led quality improvement projects focusing on patient empowerment and education. She actively contributed to academic institutions, serving as an adjunct faculty in both MBRU and the University of Sharjah.

She published a research observing the patterns of admissions in acute psychiatry inpatients in Dubai during COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout her career, Dr Madonna has actively participated in conferences, workshops, and campaigns related to mental health awareness. Focusing on empowering middle eastern women and minorities, spreading awareness about mental illness and the unique challenges faced by these groups.

Dr Madonna is characterized by her strong sense of responsibility, dedication to patient care, and commitment to improving mental health services in her community.

Dr. Omar Tariq

Consultant Psychiatrist, Maudsley Health, Al Amal Hospital

Dr. Mohammed Maksoud

Chief Medical Officer, Maudsley Health,
Assistant Director for Medical Affairs, Al Amal Hospital

View Bio

Dr. Mohamed is a Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, and the Chief Medical Officer for Maudsley Health. He has practiced in the United Arab Emirates for over 10 years and is currently the Assistant Director for Medical Affairs at Al Amal Hospital Dubai. He has a special interest in mental health care quality and he has a unique experience of working with quality teams to obtain mental health-specific JCIA accreditations in the U.A.E.

Dr. Azhar Abu-Ali

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Head of Department
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Azhar Abu-Ali

Dr. Azhar Abu-Ali is currently a senior licensed clinical psychologist at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and holds the positions of Consultation/Liaison Lead and Psychology/Psychotherapy Fellowship Training Lead, and Deputy Chair of the Dubai Health Child Protection Committee. She is the Scientific Chair of the Emirates Child and Adolescent Mental Health Society (ESCAM) Board and the Chairperson of the Infant Mental Health Committee under ESCAM. Dr. Abu-Ali specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her other specializations include working with trauma survivors such as domestic violence, child abuse, war, medical trauma, grief and loss, and complex trauma. Additionally, Dr. Abu Ali provides specialized psychotherapy modalities including play, sand, and art therapy. Recent interests and emerging areas of specialization include infant mental health and trauma.

Dr. Abu-Ali has previously served as the Director of Care and Rehabilitation in the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, worked as a Research Consultant with the World Bank, and served in other capacities including Director of the school-based mental health program for immigrants and refugees at the Center for Multicultural Human Services in the United States. Dr. Abu-Ali has received her academic and clinical training in California and Virginia.

Dr. Abu-Ali published comprehensive regional research and theoretical projects focusing on adolescent identity development, child survivors of trauma, treatment efficacy, and multicultural competency. Her most recent research study was a grant-funded study by Al Jalila Foundation on caregiving and chronic pediatric illness in the United Arab Emirates. She further specializes in developing and conducting regional professional training workshops in the fields of infant and child mental health, and pediatric health care.

Dr. Azi Berzengi

Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Head of Psychology Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Azi Berzengi

Dr Azi Berzengi (ClinPsyD) is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and head of Psychology at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. He specialises in supporting adults with chronic and enduring mental health difficulties, integrating psychodynamic and existential concepts with evidence-based therapies, including ACT, CBT, DBT, EMDR, and MBT.

His professional career began in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, where he received extensive training in clinical psychology and applied research. Following more than a decade of practice in the UK, he moved to the Middle East to support the growth of the psychological workforce and the development of mental health services.

Aside from his full-time clinical role, Dr Berzengi remains active in academia and clinical research with a focus on posttraumatic stress and recovery. He particularly enjoys teaching and contributing to the professional development of Trainee Clinical Psychologists in the UK and in the Middle East.

Dr. Ashely Gibson

Senior Clinical Psychologist
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Ashely Gibson

Dr. Ashley Gibson is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health at the Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai. She completed her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow, UK, in 2018. She achieved her Master of Science in Applied Psychology, for Children and Young People from Edinburgh University, UK, in 2012 and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of the West of Scotland, UK, in 2009.

Dr. Gibson worked in the National Health Service, UK for ten years, prior to joining Maudsley Health in 2023. She is experienced working with children, adolescents and adults within specialist hospital and community settings.

Dr. Gibson is skilled in assessing and treating a range of emotional, behavioural and social difficulties, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, emotion-regulation difficulties, conduct and behavioural disorders, and trauma-related disorders. She uses an integrative psychological therapies approach drawing upon evidence-based models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Systemic Approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Dr. Gibson is skilled in the use and interpretation of standardised psychometric assessments used as part of cognitive, academic, and neurodevelopmental evaluations. She is passionate about early intervention and preventative approaches in her work with children and families. She can deliver therapeutic interventions in group settings, such as the Incredible Years parenting program.

Dr. Charlotte Cousins

Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Charlotte Cousins

Dr. Charlotte Cousins is a UK trained Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health. Since qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 2018, Charlotte has specialized in working with individuals, couples and families as they navigate their journey to and through family life. Charlotte has extensive experience of working with individuals and couples experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the postnatal period. Charlotte also has specialist training and experience in working with parents to improve their relationship with their baby, during pregnancy, the postnatal period and throughout infancy. In addition, she works with children, parents and families throughout childhood and adolescence experiencing a wide range of difficulties, such as difficulties within the attachment relationship, separation anxiety, difficulties attending school, low mood and depression and traumatic experiences.

Prior to joining Maudsley Health Charlotte was working as the Lead Psychologist for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services CAMHS) and was responsible for the delivery of the CAMHS and perinatal mental health service within a mental health clinic in Dubai. In the UK, Charlotte held positions as a Senior Psychologist within specialist perinatal mental health teams and a mother and baby inpatient unit in South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Charlotte has also worked at Beacon House, a specialist attachment and trauma service.

Charlotte adopts a trauma, attachment, and systemic lens. Charlotte has completed training in, and draws upon, a wide range of therapeutic models, including, but not limited to, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and third-wave CBT approaches, such as Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR).

Dr. Deepak Thalitaya

Consultant Psychiatrist
Head of Department of Intellectual Disability Psychiatry Professor of Psychiatry
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Deepak Thalitaya

Dr M Deepak Thalitaya is the Head of Department of Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, Clinical Academic Group at Al Amal Psychiatry Hospital, Dubai. He has over 25 years of clinical, leadership, research & academic experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist leading service in India, UK in NHS, independent sector & Governmental organisations & now in the UAE.

Dr Deepak has held several roles with RCPsych including Member of Advisory Appointments Committee & CESR (Article 14) Evaluator & Intellectual Disability Management Committee. He was Regional Chair for the ID/ASD Doctors Forum. He has held roles with the UK Government including as Consultant Disability Analyst with the Department of Work & Pensions, UK and Medical Judiciary Member with the Ministry of Justice, UK.

Dr Deepak has held roles as Core and Senior Training Programme Director with the School of Psychiatry in Cambridge and West Midlands School of Psychiatry and also examined, trained, supervised and mentored Medical Students from Cambridge, Warwick and Buckingham Medical Schools and nursing and social worker students from University of Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Coventry & Northampton.

Dr Deepak is an Examiner for RCPsych CASC Exams & is Lead Intellectual Disability Specialist on CASC Panel Board. Dr Deepak was an Examiner for the GMC, UK, PLAB Exams. He was Consultant Supervisor to the Mental Health Advisor at The University of Bedfordshire. Dr Deepak has also been a Medical Appraiser for Doctors.

He has been involved in clinical governance & research & has published & presented widely at several national & international forums & journals. Currently, Dr Deepak is an Adjunct Professor at Gulf Medical University and MBRU, UAE & supervises and trains Medical and Psychology Students, Interns and Residents at Al Amal Hospital in Dubai.

Dr Deepak is proud to be the recipient of several highly competitive NHS Clinical Excellence Awards showcasing the best of calibre in the NHS in addition to other awards and accolades over the years. In 2023, the ID Service led by Dr Deepak won the prestigious International Hospital Federation (IHF) Award in Portugal. Dr Deepak is a Fellow of The Royal College of Psychiatrists as a mark of distinction & recognition of significant contributions & excellence in Psychiatry. Dr Deepak is passionate about holistic patient-centred approach to the treatment of mental disorders, incorporating biopsychosocial perspectives. He has worked with populations in community, inpatient & secure settings looking after some of the most complex & challenging patients with Intellectual Disabilities, Neuropsychiatry, Autism, Neurorehabilitation & Forensic needs in a Senior capacity. He is proud to bring his experience to set up the first specialized Intellectual Disability Psychiatry Service in the UAE at Al Amal Hospital, Dubai.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, learning languages, music, travelling, doing social charitable & animal welfare work and riding his motorcycle.

Jenny Moriarty

Nurse Manager Intellectual Disability CAG
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Jenny Moriarty

An Irish trained Intellectual Disability and Pediatric nurse with experience in both inpatient and community settings. Obtained my HGDip in Pediatric nursing with Dublin City University and Temple Street Children’s Hospital and bachelor’s degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing also with Dublin City University. With extensive experience working with individuals with Intellectual disability, primarily post qualification working in the community setting, with the aim and focus for improving patients Quality of Life.

Has a profound passion for nursing, focusing on personalized care that addresses the unique needs of each patient. Strives to reduce the stigma surrounding intellectual disability and mental health fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. My approach is deeply rooted in empathy and respect and ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care.

Mary Barrett

Senior Educational Psychologist
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mary Barrett

Mary Barrett is a senior educational psychologist who has worked with Maudsley Health since 2019. She has a background in educational psychology, educational leadership and in primary school teaching. Mary completed her training and qualifications in Ireland, where she worked in education and healthcare settings from 2010-2019. She worked across education, disability, mental health, community and primary care settings in Ireland before relocating to Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Dr. Madonna Yanni

Consultant Psychiatrist in Maudsley
Health, UAE

Dr. Madonna Yanni

Dr Madonna Yanni is a dedicated and compassionate Psychiatrist based in Dubai, UAE. With extensive education and experience in the field, Dr Madonna is a proud member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, holding an MRCpsych qualification. She earned her Psychiatry Board certification in 2018. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Cairo University, Egypt, graduating with honors in 2010.

Dr Madonna's current role is as a Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health UAE, where she plays a crucial role in the care of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She actively collaborates with a diverse interdisciplinary team and is involved in daily rounds addressing complex cases, including challenging behaviors, psychosis, mood disorders, and anxieties. In addition to her inpatient responsibilities, Dr Madonna leads a weekly clinic in Dubai, and another clinic in Sharjah providing comprehensive assessments and developing holistic management plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Her dedication to the field extends beyond clinical care. Dr Madonna evaluates individuals with intellectual disabilities for social affairs or court reports, participates in establishing specialized services, and oversees the management and rehabilitation of a residential villa catering to females with intellectual disabilities.

Dr Madonna's expertise also includes her tenure as a Psychiatrist at Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Prevention in UAE. Here, she provided patient-centered psychiatric care, provided comprehensive assessments for various disorders in both acute and outpatient settings of general adult psychiatry, she supervised residents, and led quality improvement projects focusing on patient empowerment and education. She actively contributed to academic institutions, serving as an adjunct faculty in both MBRU and the University of Sharjah.

She published research observing the patterns of admissions in acute psychiatry inpatients in Dubai during COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her career, Dr Madonna has actively participated in conferences, workshops, and campaigns related to mental health awareness. Focusing on empowering middle eastern women and minorities, spreading awareness about mental illness and the unique challenges faced by these groups. Dr Madonna is characterized by her strong sense of responsibility, dedication to patient care, and commitment to improving mental health services in her community.

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan obtained his medical degree at the United Arab Emirates University. He completed general psychiatry training at the University of Ottawa, and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Prior to joining Al Amal Hospital, he was an assistant professor of psychiatry at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. Dr. Sultan is the inaugural chair of the scientific committee for child and adolescent psychiatry at the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS) in the UAE. He has a keen interest in innovation within clinical practice, medical education, and research focused on psychiatric disorders’ risk factors, enhancing assessment accuracy, and collaborative care models.

Moath Alfaouri

Senior Occupational Therapist
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Moath Alfaouri

Moath Alfaouri is a Senior Occupational Therapist with over 11 years of experience in the field. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan. He has worked clinically in a variety of institutions, including Hamad Medical Corporation, Handicap International (HI) Organization, and the private healthcare sector. He has also been actively involved in research in his field. Alfaouri is a licensed Occupational Therapist in Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE, and a member of the American Association of Occupational Therapists. He has clinical experience in both hospital-based and community-based rehabilitation services. He is dedicated to helping facilitate participation in meaningful occupations and has expertise in successfully supporting clients experiencing a range of difficulties across the age span.

He is passionate about Occupational Therapy and has proactively continued his professional development, attending courses to further his skills and knowledge throughout his practice. He believes it is a privilege to support people as they strive towards their goals and wishes through rehabilitation.

Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Maksoud

Assistant Director for Medical Affairs, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Chief Medical Officer, Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Maksoud

Dr. Mohamed is a Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, and the Chief Medical Officer for Maudsley Health. He has practiced in the United Arab Emirates for over 10 years and is currently the Assistant Director for Medical Affairs at Al Amal Hospital Dubai. He has a special interest in mental health care quality, and he has a unique experience of working with quality teams to obtain mental health-specific JCIA accreditations in the U.A.E.

H.E. Mubaraka Ibrahim

UAE Government Chief AI Officer
Acting Executive Director -Information Sector-Emirates Health Services

H.E. Mubaraka Ibrahim

H.E. Mubaraka Ibrahim, Chief Information Officer of Emirates Health Services (EHS) and a UAE Government Chief AI Officer, is a distinguished leader in healthcare and AI innovation. With over 25 years of experience, she has spearheaded transformative projects that integrate cutting-edge technology into healthcare delivery. Under her leadership, EHS developed a centralized Electronic Health Record (EHR) system based on the "One Patient, One Record" vision, significantly enhancing patient care across the UAE. As Chief AI Officer, she has embedded AI into core healthcare operations, launching innovative diagnostic tools and predictive models that assess COVID-19 mortality risks and reduce outpatient no-show rates by 50.7%. Additionally, her initiatives have resulted in a 2,600 metric ton reduction in carbon emissions annually through virtual consultations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, H.E. Mubaraka effectively managed healthcare resources using AI-powered tools, contributing to the UAE achieving some of the world’s lowest infection and mortality rates. She champions patient safety programs, including the Safe Mom Program and pharmacy automation systems, which have improved medication safety and reduced costs. H.E. Mubaraka also empowers the next generation of healthcare leaders through mentorship, earning global recognition from prestigious organizations for her contributions to healthcare innovation.

Nadia AlShammar

Clinical Psychologist
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Nadia AlShammar

Nadia is a Clinical Psychologist, who earned her bachelor’s in psychology and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the United Arab Emirates University in AL Ain UAE. Nadia has been trained in various mental health settings such as hospitals, clinics, and non-profit organizations. She is now working as part of the Intellectual Disability Service at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. Her work primarily involves conducting various assessments, interventions and support for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. The individuals she works with present with various issues such as challenging behavior, anxiety disorders and depression. Nadia uses evidence-based approaches with the individuals she works with such as Positive Behavior Support Plans and adapting Cognitive Behavior Therapy for people with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Omar Tariq

Senior Consultant Child & Adolescent Addiction and Sports Psychiatrist Clinical and Academic Group (CAG) Lead for Addictions, Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Omar Tariq

Dr. Omar was brought up in the North East of England, attending the Royal Grammar school in Newcastle, during which time he was a Young Scientist of the year. He completed his medical degree at Oxford University as well as a BA (honors) in Physiological sciences. After finishing medical school, he returned to the North East to undertake his Foundation training and spent one-year training in Orthopaedics. Thereafter, he completed his psychiatric training in Child and Adolescent psychiatry in Manchester. Dr. Omar is passionate about mental health and well-being and is a strong advocate for supporting adolescents and young adults with mental ill-health. He assesses and treats adults, children and young people with emotional, behavioural, addiction and mental health difficulties. In addition to having extensive experience of pharmacotherapy, he has also been trained in delivering psychological therapy. This includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and family therapy. He has worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in a variety of settings including an adolescent psychiatric intensive care unit. Dr Omar worked for 8 years in Qatar where he set-up and developed an innovative and dynamic specialist substance misuse service for adolescents. He has a unique skill set and experience of adolescent addiction and advocates for a holistic multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and treatment of young people with substance use difficulties. His area of expertise is ADHD and its interface with substance use disorders. He works with people who have experienced trauma and uses trauma-informed care to help people overcome their crises. Dr. Omar is actively involved in medical education including teaching and training of junior doctors and medical students. He is passionate about research and has presented at a number of international conferences including in Australia, Canada, and Mexico at the World Congress of Psychiatry. His work with young offenders with traumatic brain injury has been published.

Dr. Rachel McMahon

Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Rachel McMahon

Dr Rachel McMahon is a UK trained Consultant Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist who has recently rejoined the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team at Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, having spent the last two years in Germany. Dr McMahon originally joined the team at Maudsley Health in 2019, having relocated from the Maudsley Hospital, London. She is licensed to practice in the Middle East with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and is also registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK. Dr McMahon obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2007 and has worked extensively within the Maudsley National and Specialist Services in child and adolescent mental health in both inpatient and community-based settings. She joined Maudsley in 2009, initially working in a Children’s Inpatient Unit. Dr McMahon then moved to Chicago and held a Post Doctorate position within the University of Illinois at Chicago within the mood disorders clinic, coming back to the Maudsley in 2013 where she joined the National and Specialist Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders, following which she practiced at the National and Specialist Inpatient unit for Adolescents at the Maudsley. Dr McMahon’s interests are in neuropsychology, neurodevelopmental disorders and co-occurring conditions. She works closely with young people, their families, carers and wider support network. She specializes in utilizing gold standard assessment procedures and delivering child and family centered, evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and has delivered teaching on adapting therapies for children in line with their neurodevelopmental profile to mental health professionals across the UK. Dr McMahon also has subsequent training in the Autism Diagnostic Observation schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI); gold standard tools for assessing children and young people with suspected autism spectrum disorder.

Dr. Reem Mudawi

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Head of Department
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Reem Mudawi

Dr. Reem Mudawi is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health who joined the team from the United Kingdom. Dr Reem initially worked in the Child and Adolescent Service in Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi. In 2020, she joined the clinical team in Dubai. She currently heads the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service as Clinical Academic Group Lead in Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital.

Dr. Mudawi completed her medical training (MBBS) in Sudan in 2009 and then went on to complete her post-qualification training in the United Kingdom. Dr. Reem completed her core psychiatric training with the St. Mary’s training scheme in London and received her Membership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2016 before embarking on her Specialty Higher training in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She achieved her Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and joined the Specialist register of Child Psychiatrists with the General Medical Council, UK (GMC) in October 2019. Prior to joining Maudsley Health, she was working with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom as a Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist.

Prof. Tareq Qassem

Consultant Psychiatrist, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital Dubai, UAE

Prof. Tareq Qassem

Professor Tareq Qassem is a psychiatrist specialising in old age psychiatry. He leads the Mental Health of Older Age Clinical Academic Group at Maudsley Health, Dubai, and is an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Mohammed Bin Rashid University. He also holds an Honorary Consultant role at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Qassem has over 15 years of experience and initiated the first older adults’ mental health service in the UAE. His research has been featured in journals like The British Journal of Psychiatry and the BMJ. He has developed educational programs, including a Master’s in addiction clinical practice. His recognitions include the Fellowship of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists, the UAE Innovates Award for AI-based dementia detection, and the Gold Award for Leadership in mental healthcare from the American College for Health Executives in 2022

Prof. Wathiq Mansoor

Professor, Dean of Engineering &IT College Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Free Zone University of Dubai, UAE

Prof. Wathiq Mansoor

Wathiq Mansoor is an esteemed Professor at the University of Dubai, renowned for his extensive academic leadership experience in esteemed universities worldwide. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Aston University in the UK, where his research focused on the design and implementation of multiprocessor systems and communication protocols for computer vision applications. With a strong foundation in Computer Engineering, Dr. Mansoor's current research interests lie in the domains of Artificial Intelligence, intelligent systems, and security. He leverages his expertise in neural networks and deep learning models to develop innovative solutions for medical and industrial applications.

Prof. Patrick McGorry

Psychiatrist, Executive Director
Orygen, Australia

Prof. Patrick McGorry

2005 he led the advocacy resulting in the establishment of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, which later became Headspace, of which he is a founding board member.
2010 he was selected as Australian of the Year and became an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
2013 he received the Annual Research Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Washington DC.
2015 was awarded the Lieber Prize for Schizophrenia Research by the US-based Brain and Behaviour Foundation.
2016 he became the first psychiatrist to be elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
2018 he received the Schizophrenia International Research Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
2019 he received the Humanitarian Award of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and the NHMRC Research Excellence Award.
2019-2020 he was Chair of the Expert Advisory Committee to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Dr. Mohamed Abdel Maksoud

Assistant Director for Medical Affairs, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Chief Medical Officer, Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Mohamed Abdel Maksoud

Dr. Mohamed is a Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, and the Chief Medical Officer for Maudsley Health. He has practiced in the United Arab Emirates for over 10 years and is currently the Assistant Director for Medical Affairs at Al Amal Hospital Dubai. He has a special interest in mental health care quality, and he has a unique experience of working with quality teams to obtain mental health-specific JCIA accreditations in the U.A.E.

Dr. Giles Berrisford

Clinical Lead Maternal Mental Health Service
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE
National Specialty Advisor for Perinatal Mental Health
National Health Service (NHS), England, UK

Dr. Giles Berrisford

Dr. Charlotte Cousins

Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Charlotte Cousins

Dr. Madonna Yanni

Specialist Psychiatrist Intellectual Disabilities
Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Madonna Yanni

Dr Madonna Yanni is a dedicated and compassionate Psychiatrist based in Dubai, UAE. With extensive education and experience in the field, Dr Madonna is a proud member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, holding an MRCpsych qualification. She earned her Psychiatry Board certification in 2018. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Cairo University, Egypt, graduating with honors in 2010.

Dr Madonna's current role is as a Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health UAE, where she plays a crucial role in the care of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She actively collaborates with a diverse interdisciplinary team and is involved in daily rounds addressing complex cases, including challenging behaviors, psychosis, mood disorders, and anxieties. In addition to her inpatient responsibilities, Dr Madonna leads a weekly clinic in Dubai, and another clinic in Sharjah providing comprehensive assessments and developing holistic management plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Her dedication to the field extends beyond clinical care. Dr Madonna evaluates individuals with intellectual disabilities for social affairs or court reports, participates in establishing specialized services, and oversees the management and rehabilitation of a residential villa catering to females with intellectual disabilities.

Dr Madonna's expertise also includes her tenure as a Psychiatrist at Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Prevention in UAE. Here, she provided patient-centered psychiatric care, provided comprehensive assessments for various disorders in both acute and outpatient settings of general adult psychiatry, she supervised residents, and led quality improvement projects focusing on patient empowerment and education. She actively contributed to academic institutions, serving as an adjunct faculty in both MBRU and the University of Sharjah.

She published research observing the patterns of admissions in acute psychiatry inpatients in Dubai during COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her career, Dr Madonna has actively participated in conferences, workshops, and campaigns related to mental health awareness. Focusing on empowering middle eastern women and minorities, spreading awareness about mental illness and the unique challenges faced by these groups. Dr Madonna is characterized by her strong sense of responsibility, dedication to patient care, and commitment to improving mental health services in her community.

Dr. Yasser Addabaga Yanni

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Psychoanalyst
Neuroscience and Mental Health Researcher
King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH-D), Dammam, KSA

Dr. Yasser Addabaga Yanni

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Meshal A. Sultan

Dr. Ashely Gibson

Senior Clinical Psychologist
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Ashely Gibson

Jenny Moriarty

Nurse Manager Intellectual Disability CAG
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Jenny Moriarty

Nadia AlShammar

Clinical Psychologist
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Nadia AlShammar

Moath Alfaouri

Senior Occupational Therapist
Maudsley Health, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Moath Alfaouri

Dr. Deepak Thalitaya

Consultant Psychiatrist
Head of Department of Intellectual Disability Psychiatry Professor of Psychiatry
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Dr. Deepak Thalitaya

Prof. Emmanuel Stip

Adjunct Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, AL Ain, UAE
Consultant Psychiatrist and Responsible of Clinical Research Unit at IUSMM, Montreal, Canada