Speakers

Laila Al Jassmi
CEO – Health Policy And Strategy Sector, Dubai Health Authority, UAE

Ms Laila is the CEO of Health Policy and Strategy sector at Dubai Health Authority (DHA). She is responsible for the development of the policy and legislation for the health system in the Emirate of Dubai driven from Dubai Strategic Plan (DSP). Overseeing the implementation of the DHA Health strategy and conducting sector planning and forecasting. The sector will be involved in setting standards and policy for the healthcare across Dubai in incorporation with federal health policy framework. This to assure that Dubai develops a world class health system, high quality Public Health and healthcare service provision.

Placing Dubai at the world health map is the main drivers for this sector. Having worked for the Dubai Health Authority, she has extensive knowledge of the healthcare systems, Health reforms, strategic direction, planning and delivery of healthcare services.

Prior to this she was the CEO of the Clinical Support Services Sector, responsible for management and direction of the Clinical Support Services across the DHA.

Laila is a strategic focus person who is prior to this post was the Transition Director for DHA were she was leading the process of the health reform from Department of Health & Medical Services to Dubai Health Authority, prior to which she was responsible for overseeing the development of the Dubai Health Authority new heath funding model and its economic future projection.

Laila is a graduate of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid leadership program 2003.

She has been awarded certificates of appreciation including the Dubai Government Excellence Award (distinguish employee 2009) and the Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Outstanding (2008). She was also awarded the Feigenbaum Excellence Leadership Award for Women's leaders 2011.

Dr Bahaa Fateha
CEO, National Health Regulatory Authority, Bahrain

NHRA is responsible for regulation of health services, including licensure of medical, nursing and other healthcare specialties. It also sets standards of healthcare facilities, and monitoring adherence to these standards. NHRA is responsible for drug registration and control, and monitoring pharmaceuticals in the kingdom. It also assures patient and healthcare staff rights through investigating complaints.

Dr. Fateha has long history, over 40 years, of contribution to healthcare services that included academia as Associate Professor of healthcare management, health policies and population studies. He has dozens of published papers in refereed international journals in the fields of healthcare management and medical research.

Prior to his appointment to the CEO post, Dr. Fateha was the Commander of the Military Hospital, Bahrain Defense Force, Kingdom of Bahrain, 2005-2011, and Director of Quality Management at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, 2002-2005. He was the Chief of Medical Review Office in Bahrain from 1990 till 2002.

Dr Fateha is a medical doctor - Ein Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 1969 and a doctor of public health, health services administration - University of Pittsburgh, USA, 1981.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama
Executive Director, Centre for Healthcare, Planning and Quality, Dubai Healthcare City, UAE

Holder of a bachelor’s degree in general medicine from the UAE University and Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dr. Abdulkareem began his career with Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) as Business Development Manager. During his tenure, he gained industry-wide recognition for developing key strategies and initiatives to position DHCC as the world’s first integrated healthcare free zone. In 2007, he was appointed Executive Manager – Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), responsible for driving the institution’s goal to promote resurgence in scientific discovery in the Middle East. The Foundation aims to support a new generation of scientists and healthcare professionals, conducting potentially innovative medical research. Also he was in charge of Graduate Medical Education at the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center. In 2008, he was appointed Director of Community Relations at DHCC. He is responsible for building a strategic relationship with healthcare organization within and outside DHCC. He was also leading the Corporate Responsibility team. In 2009 he joined Center for Healthcare Planning and Quality as the Executive Director, the regulatory authority for Dubai Healthcare City.

He is a member of Local and national Research council and Ethics committees. He is a graduate from the Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development “Young Leaders” and Dubai Holding Future Leaders Program “Leadon” and win the award for best project presented at LEADON. Previously, he was an active member and a Teaching Assistant in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University.

Saif Al Nabhani
Advisor and Supervisor of Directorate General of Private Health Establishments, Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman

Saif Al Nabhani is Director General of Planning for the Ministry of Health in Oman. He is also appointed WHO short term consultant in strategic planning in health. He has previously occupied several positions in both the private and government sectors including Director for the office of the Minister of Health and Director General of Health Services.

Previously, Mr Al Nabhani worked extensively in the field of Human Resources Management and Development at middle and top management levels in the Oil and Gas Sector. He has a BA (honours) in Business Studies with a major in Human Resources Management, UK and an MSc in Human Resources Development, UK.

H.E. Dr Mohammed G.A. Al Maadheed
Director General, Aspetar, Vice Chair, Executive Committee, Supreme Council of Health, Qatar

Dr Mohammed G.A. Al Maadheed, Director General of Aspetar (Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital) is a leading thinker and practitioner in Healthcare and Sports Medicine in the State of Qatar. He has been instrumental in transforming the vision of a comprehensive Sports Medicine facility into a new state-of-the-art and purpose-built Hospital called Aspetar. Since opening its doors the Hospital has attained accreditation as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in 2009 and expanded its reach nationally into the Clubs and Federations of Qatar through the National Sports Medicine Programme.

His leadership in Qatar is documented through multiple roles and responsibilities. Dr Al Maadheed was appointed as the Chairman of the Executive Group for a Healthy Population, which was tasked with the development of the Qatar National Health Strategy 2011-2016. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council of Health. As well as other key international positions held that include his membership on the FIFA Medical Committee and as Deputy Chairman for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Medical Committee. He has also been elected and serves as the Vice President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and is the Vice President of the Qatar Red Crescent.
Additional infrastructure that is being developed under the stewardship of Dr Al Maadheed includes several new healthcare projects. He is currently leading the development of the Qatar Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, the Anti Qatar Doping Laboratory and the Qatar Military Hospital.

Dr Al Maadheed speaks frequently internationally on different humanitarian issues and has been honoured by numerous organisations worldwide. He has also authored multiple articles and papers and has written and had published three books on the subject of human dignity and other humanitarian issues.

Dr Ayesha Mohammed Abdullah is Managing Director of the Sciences Cluster of TECOM Investments Business Parks that manages Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), and the Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK).

An industry professional with over 19 years of experience in the healthcare and engineering industries, Dr Ayesha’s core competencies include strategic healthcare planning, project management and strong technical competency.

In her capacity with DHCC and Dubiotech, Dr Ayesha Abdullah is responsible for overseeing the life science and healthcare free zones’ strategic planning and operations, driving the development of new businesses, and managing strategic partners.

Under her leadership, DHCC rapidly gained a status as an internationally recognised location of choice for quality healthcare and an integrated centre of excellence for clinical and wellness services, medical education and research. In 2008, DHCC won the Dubai Quality award and the ‘DHCC Out-Patient Quality Standards’ were the first Middle Eastern standards to be accredited by The International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQUa).

In October 2009, Dr Ayesha Abdullah received the prestigious ‘Leading Woman CEO’ Award, marking a milestone in her achievements and recognizing her strategic management and leadership acumen that significantly contributed to the healthcare cluster’s growth.

In her previous position as Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ), Dr Ayesha was responsible for setting and upholding healthcare standards within DHCC. She also played a key role in establishing CPQ into a premier regulatory body in the industry.

Dr Ayesha has also worked for many organizations in the US and the UK and spearheaded numerous healthcare initiatives throughout her career.

Dr Kasim Ardati
CEO, Bahrain Specialist Hospital, Bahrain

Dr. Ardati obtained his MD degree from the American University of Beirut, and did is residency training at AUB and at the University of Florida. He received the American Board of Pediatrics in 1978. He finished his fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Wayne State University in 1979. He was and still is a practicing pediatrician. He was an Assistant Professor in the Arabian Gulf University from 1986 to 1996.

His experience in Healthcare Management started in 1995 when he was appointed as a member of the executive committee of Bahrain Specialist Hospital. At that time he was involved in the planning and commissioning of the hospital. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of this hospital.

Dr. Ardati is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American College of Physician Executives.

Mahmoud Sarhan
CEO/Director General, King Hussain Cancer Centre, Jordan

Dr. Mahmoud Sarhan has been the Chief Executive Officer / Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) since March 2006. The Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation entrusted Dr. Sarhan to lead the King Hussein Cancer Center in its daily operations in addition to ensuring the provision of the state of the art and quality medical services to patients at KHCC.

Since his tenure, Dr. Sarhan has led a number of major projects within the King Hussein Cancer Center, including, but not limited to:

• Improving further quality of cancer care and obtaining Joint Commission Accreditation on Oncology Specific Care
• Creation of Hospital based Cancer Registry
• Creation of the Clinical Research Office
• Creation of the Cancer Control Program
• Rehabilitation and upgrading of the Radiation Oncology Department
• Relocation, expansion and upgrading of the Outpatient Clinics
• Establishment of KHCC’s specialized Breast Imaging Unit
• Planning for the upcoming KHCC expansion

Dr. Sarhan plays a major role in advocating for breast cancer screening and consequently the establishment of the National Breast Cancer Early Detection and Screening Program. He has been assigned by the Minister of Health as the Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Committee, and he chairs the breast cancer executive board overseeing the day-to-day operations and guiding the services of the National Program. Dr. Sarhan is also the Chairman of the National Palliative Care Committee, the Chairman of the KHCC Disease Specific Certification Steering Committee, and a member in the American College of Physician Executives, the largest organization of physicians in healthcare leadership.

Dr. Sarhan joined KHCC in 2002 as the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics where he was a member of the core clinical team that witnessed the transfer of KHCC from Al-Amal Hospital. He held multiple positions at KHCC including Director for Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Program, and Director of the Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program. Dr. Sarhan was also Chairman of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chairman of the Infection Control Committee, and a member in the Quality Assurance Council & the Ethics Committee. Prior to his appointment as CEO/DG, he was the Deputy Director General and the Associate Director for Medical Affairs.

Dr. Sarhan earned his M.D. from the University of Jordan in 1980. He carries triple American Boards in Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation and trained in infectious diseases. Dr. Sarhan holds a masters degree in Medical Management and is a certified Physician Executive.

Dr. Sarhan came to KHCC from Duke University where he was a professor of Stem Cell and Bone Transplantation. Prior to joining KHCC, he held several leadership positions at prestigious institutions such as University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

Dr. Sarhan is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles as well as numerous presentations in worldwide conferences and workshops, and is the recipient of several grants for his research projects on stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. He has earned several awards of recognition throughout his career, most recently the prestigious ‘Foundation for the State of Kuwait Prize’ for the Control of Cancer - a prize administered by the World Health Organization of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Dr. Sarhan is also a member of the Global Task Force for Expanded Access to Cancer Control and Care in the Developing World, an initiative of Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health and Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard University. He was recently appointed to the scientific Committee of Lalla Salma Cancer Association of Morocco.

Dr A. Marc Harrison
CEO, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE

Marc Harrison, MD MMM FAAP FCCM is Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr. Harrison joined the staff of the Children’s Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic in 1999, where he served as Medical Director of the PICU (2001-2004) and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Critical Care (2004-2006). Dr. Harrison also served as Cleveland Clinic’s Associate Chief of Staff (2006-2009), Director of Medical Operations (2006-2009), and Chief Medical Operations Officer (2009-2011). Dr. Harrison is particularly interested in using business principles to facilitate clinical outcomes, safety, quality, operational excellence, system integration, and strategic growth.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a 3 million square foot hospital and clinic due to be completed in late-2012. Located on Sowwah Island, in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new central business district, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest health care construction project. It will bring the value of a multi-disciplinary group practice to Abu Dhabi. The first out-patients will be seen at the end of 2012 and the first hospital patients in 2013.

Dr. Harrison grew Medical Operations from a team of 6 to more than 1700 people and includes Pharmacy, Surgical Operations, Hospital Operations, Business Intelligence, Continuous Improvement, Critical Care Transport, Systems Optimization, among other functional areas.

Dr. Harrison was responsible for streamlining the Hospital Transfer process, creating a variety of clinical services including Cleveland Clinic Critical Care Transport and Medical Emergency Teams, and re-vamping the day-to-day Operations of many aspects of patient care. In conjunction with Finance, he has led the Cleveland Clinic’s Business Intelligence enterprise into a model considered the gold standard for the health care industry. The team sought to “Serve Patients, Optimize Operations, Drive Innovation.”

Dr. Harrison received a BA from Haverford College in 1986, a medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School in 1990, and a Masters in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University in 2007. Dr. Harrison trained in Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care at the University of Utah. Dr. Harrison is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Harrison is an All-American Triathlete and 7 time Ironman. Drs. Marc and Mary Carole Harrison live with their children in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Kassem Alom
Managing Director, Al Noor Hospitals, UAE

Dr. Kassem Alom has over 35 years of experience as a senior Healthcare Director, with proven successes in commissioning and running tertiary care level hospitals. He is an effective leader with expertise in operational management, project management, strategic planning, business development and budgetary management. He has had significant contributions to the healthcare infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Kassem Alom has also cared for patients for more than 35 years. He graduated in Medicine & Surgery from the University of Seville, Spain in 1972 and completed postgraduate studies in Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology from the University of Madrid, Spain in 1975. He perused his training in Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine - London, UK. He is also a Member of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2010.

He founded Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi in 1985, which has become one of the leading hospitals in the private Healthcare Sector in the UAE. Currently, the Group is composed of three hospitals and five medical centres, which employs over 400 doctors and 3,000 employees caring for more than 6,000 patients per day.

In 2009, Dr. Alom received the Award of Commander of the Civil Merit Order from King Carlos of Spain. In 2010, he received the first and only Golden Award of Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award to Private Healthcare Sector.

Dr Alom is an Elected Member of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI), Chairman of: the Syrian Business Council, Abu Dhabi Private Sector Committee-ADCCI. Member of: HAAD Healthcare Strategy Committee, the Supreme Health Council Ministry of Health U.A.E. President of ICAN Medical and Dental Conferences, U.A.E.

Dr Jeff Staples
CEO, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, UAE

Raised in the Caribbean, Dr Staples attended medical school at Columbia University in New York and completed his post-graduate training in Hawaii in 1994 at the University of Hawaii. After 4 years in the US Air Force as a Flight Surgeon, Dr. Staples returned to Hawaii to practise medicine, and then spent 2 ½ years sailing the South Pacific, eventually landing in Singapore in 200, where he was a Regional Medical Director for International SOS. Dr. Staples then joined Parkwayhealth, the largest publically listed medical provider in Asia as the Division President, China & North Asia Operations in 2008. In 2011 he joined the Cleveland Clinic as the CEO of the Sheik Khalifa Medical City, in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Staples is a regular speaker at major conferences throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and this is his first conference as a speaker in the Middle East.

Cathy Easter serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Methodist International, a sub-corporation of The Methodist Hospital System. She has key responsibilities of establishing short and long term global strategies for the corporation, and leading international consulting and management projects. In addition, she provides oversight of international patient services, and works to expand the Methodist brand by providing high quality patient services in targeted international markets such as Latin America and the Middle East, through global development and consulting services.

Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President of Operations for Methodist International and Vice President of Community Development for The Methodist Hospital System. She was instrumental in expanding the consulting services and establishing an office in Dubai, UAE.

Prior to May 2007, Cathy served as Vice President of Operations & Business Development for The Methodist Hospital. Her recent leadership experience includes the development of the Methodist Outpatient Center and the “Methodist Experience,” a completely patient-centered environment. Cathy joined The Methodist Hospital in 1991 after completing a fellowship in health care administration, and throughout her tenure, has had responsibility for various hospital operations and corporate functions.

Cathy played a fundamental role in establishing the Community Benefits Program and continues to coordinate Methodist’s charity care and community benefits programs today. Cathy was an honoree at Bering Omega’s 2007 Songs for Hope fundraising event. In 2004, she was named an “Up & Comer” in Modern Healthcare magazine, due largely to her role in community development. She was a keynote speaker at the World Health Congress, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and a speaker at the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, Copenhagen, Denmark and the International Conference on the Development of Women’s Healthcare Services, Shenzhen, China.

Mack Banner has over 35 years of management and development experience in the healthcare sector. Mack currently serves as the CEO of Bumrungrad International, Bangkok, the flagship hospital of the Bumrungrad Group. Prior to this position, Mack spent 6½ years with BUPA Health Care Asia in a variety of senior management roles including serving as the company’s Managing Director. Before BUPA Mack served for 5 years as Director and CEO of Subang Jaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, and during that time served on the Board of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia.

Since 1980, Mr. Banner has held a variety of CEO and developmental positions for Hospital Corporation of America, Tenet Healthcare, and BUPA with postings in Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia, San Francisco, Singapore, London, Sydney and in Virginia. Mr. Banner earned his Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration in 1975 from the Medical College of Virginia where he received the AD Williams Scholarship Award for academic excellence.

Dr Osamah Alsanea is the CEO and Chief of Surgery of Royale Hayat Hospital in Kuwait. He spearheads the hospital’s expansion, quality initiatives and is one of the key players in the hospital’s tie up agreement with major insurance companies in Kuwait.

He had scientific articles published in JAMA, CMAJ, and Vogue magazine. He has been interviewed for many print and televised media events. He is a frequent contributor to the Royale Hayat Hospital youtube website www.youtube.com/royalehayathospital

Dr Osamah Alsanea graduated with honours from Kuwait Medical School. He obtained dual American Board of Surgery Fellowships in Laparoscopy, from Massachusetts General Hospital as well as Breast and Endocrine Surgery, from UCSF.

Dr Osamah’s professional appointments have taken him from King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Saudi ARAMCO & Saad Specialist Hospital, in Saudi Arabia. While at SSH, Dr Osamah was appointed CMO and Executive Director for Health Sciences Center (Oncology).

Eng. Sobhi Batterjee is the Founder President & CEO of Saudi German Hospitals Group, the Largest Private Healthcare Developer in the MENA region. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas, USA and has Masters in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado, USA. Batterjee family started SGH Group with a Capital of 15 Million US$ and now grown to over 1 Billion US$ institution and number one Healthcare brand in the Region. SGH Group has 5 World class Tertiary care Hospitals in KSA and Yemen, Over 1600 beds (has plan for further expansion of 8000 beds), treating over 1,000,000 patients and performing over 150,000 operations annually.12 Hospital Projects are under various stages of construction and planning in Dubai, Cairo, Hail, Addis Ababa, Khartoum…etc. The Group has started the Largest Private Medical College of the MENA region and a network of SGNAs (Saudi German Nursing and Allied Sciences Training Institutes) across Saudi Arabia. The Corporate Vision of the Group is “To Design, Finance, Construct and Operate 30 World Class Hospitals and Create 50,000 jobs by the Year 2015 & To be the dominant regional player in the Private Medical Education by establishing 5 Medical Colleges by the Year 2020” Eng.Batterjee is currently working on developing many sustainable not for profit hospitals for the poor.

Dr Gladys Mouro
Former Assistant Hospital Director, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Lebanon, Board Director of the Sigma Theta Tau - International Honor Nursing Society 2011-2015

32 years of nursing experience. Frequent speaker on nursing throughout the world, author of books, chapters, and articles. Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters, numerous honors including the AONE Organizational Innovation Nursing Award, the U Penn Leadership Award, the Silver and Gold Order of Health Merit from the Lebanese Government, the Valor Award from the ANCC ,the Woman of the Year Who’s Who award , the USA Congressional Award ,and a scholarship award was established in her name . Spearheaded many first initiatives in Lebanon and the ME, the first Life Support Center, the first Provider Unit for Continuing Education accredited by the ANCC, the first facility to benchmark with the NDNQI, the first Magnet designated facility in the Middle East and the first Magnet International Commissioner. Academic Associate at AUB , serves on the International Committee of the AONE.

Currently consultant for hospitals in Beirut and King Faisal Specialist and Research Center in Riyadh for Magnet.

Bassam Sayad
Chief Operating Officer, Corniche Hospital, UAE

Bassam Sayad has a wealth of international experience as a twenty year veteran of the American healthcare system, including a prominent tenure with Johns Hopkins Health System. He has vast experience in policy and programme development. During his tenure at Hopkins, Bassam spent nearly ten years in senior operations including his most recent position as Managing Director of Operations for Johns Hopkins Medicine International in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He also serves as a Faculty Associate at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, contributing to the education of future healthcare leaders on management, strategy development and best practice standards for regional facilities.

Within the Middle East and beyond, Bassam has worked with healthcare executives from around the globe including in the UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Turkey. He has been closely involved with Corniche Hospital since the signing of the Johns Hopkins management agreement with SEHA, including direct support of the hospitals most recent accreditation programme through the Joint Commission International system.

Dr Ashish Bhatia
Regional Director, Fortis Healthcare, India

Ashish Bhatia currently holds the position of Regional Director with Fortis Healthcare Limited. In his current profile he is responsible for the management of prestigious hospitals of the network. These include three hospitals in New Delhi, namely Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Fortis La Femme and Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj. In addition to these Mr. Bhatia is also responsible for Fortis Hospital Mohali, Fortis Escorts Hospital Amritsar, Escorts Hospital Raipur and Fortis OP Jindal Hospital Raigarh. In the capacity of Regional Director he handles the overall operations of all these institutions and is an integral part of the senior management at Fortis.

Ashish Bhatia has been associated with Fortis Healthcare since its inception and has held many key positions within the group during the past nine years. He joined Fortis Hospital Mohali in 2002 as Director, Administration. His zeal and dedication towards his responsibilities, supported by his astute knowledge of the region and its people, saw him as Chief Operating Officer of the Fortis Hospital Mohali in a short span of four years. Under his leadership, among many other achievements, Fortis Hospital Mohali became the first hospital of the network to receive the prestigious international JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation. A man of uncompromising values and endless energy, Ashish Bhatia has created successful businesses modules and powerful teams across the Fortis network.

Ashish Bhatia then assumed responsibility as COO, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, in November 2007 and has helped create a valuable enterprise with his vision, innovative skills and commitment towards quality healthcare delivery. Under his leadership, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, which is amongst the world’s largest stand alone cardiac institutions, has received the NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) accreditation, the highest national recognition for quality patient care and safety. In August 2008, the hospital also received the status of ‘Superbrands’. In July 2009, a survey of 4,000 patients which was conducted across six metros by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to understand patient behavior and assess hospitals on different preferences, presented Escorts at the top in the category of “Most chosen for good image” as well as for “Overall satisfaction” in the bimonthly, India Today.

Ashish Bhatia’s aspiration is to lead the large and dynamic teams of Fortis and Escorts Hospitals to continuously provide world-class healthcare with patient centricity as its goal. Ashish Bhatia is also actively re-defining the Corporate Social Responsibility program of the organization, introducing several significant CSR projects in different hospitals such as Chetna - a special initiative for the underprivileged girl child, Sahaayak, a support initiative for Dialysis patients and a “heartline” project (for underprivileged children) in conjunction with Rotary International.

Ashish Bhatia is an alumnus of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and brings to the organization, a rich and varied experience of over 27 years.

Benedict Stanberry
Principal Consultant, Oliva Health, UAE

Ben Stanberry is a healthcare management consultant, lecturer and author with extensive experience of providing education, development and coaching programmes for healthcare managers and executives across the Middle East. Based in Dubai, he works with many of the region’s leading healthcare organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Dr Nellie Shuri Boma
Chief Medical Offier, Al Rahba Hospital, UAE

Dr. Nellie Shuri Boma was appointed by Johns Hopkins Medicine International as Chief Medical Officer of Al Rahba Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2008.

Dr. Boma was born in Cameroon, Africa and is one of 27 children. Upon completion of her basic education she moved to USA for undergraduate studies (1978).

Dr. Boma has a Bachelor of Art Degree in Political Science (1983), Texas Southern University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (1986), School of Nursing, Denton, and MD degree, Universidad Central del Este, Dominican Republic (1990) and Master’s in Public Health, New York Medical College (2007).

In 1996, she worked as Assistant Director, Emergency Department, Lincoln Medical / Mental Health Center, then Medical Director under Health and Hospital Corporation, New York (1998).

Dr. Boma led Al Rahba successfully to the JCI reaccreditation (2009), and to receive the 1st and 2nd place in Patient Safety Award at Tawam’s Patient Safety Conference (Al Ain, UAE).

She exhibits a true essence of humanity and a relentless Ambassador for Quality care.

Dr. Ashraf is a physician (M.D) with strong quantitative and analytical skills. He awarded his Master in Business Administration (MBA) from UK and certification as Healthcare Quality Professional (CPHQ) from USA. Dr. Ashraf serving as a Healthcare Management Consultant for Egyptian MOH, Project “HOPE” - USA, and several healthcare institutions in Gulf Region. He provides advice on Strategic Planning, Healthcare Administration, building an integrated systems for Quality Management, Patient Safety, Utilization Management, Risk Management, Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) and Organizational Excellence Awards (EFQM model).

Now he serves a healthcare system network in UAE as corporate Director of Quality Management & Accreditation. In this capacity, he led the group for awarding the JCI Accreditation & Re-accreditation, the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award for best provider in UAE (Silver winner in 2007 & Gold Winner in 2009), and successful implementations and certification according to ISO different standards and systems.

A patient safety advocate with over fifteen (15) years of experience in healthcare, eight (8) of which in healthcare quality and patient safety. Received the following degrees & certifications:

1994: Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
2006: Certificate in healthcare Risk Management – University of South Florida, Florida, USA
2007: Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, Ohio Northern University, ADA, Ohio, USA
2008: Became Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) from the National Association of Healthcare Quality.
2010: Certified Professional in Health & Hospital Administration (CPHHA) from the American Institute for Healthcare Quality

• Held several key positions in healthcare management, quality improvement, and patient safety. Currently, oversee the quality improvement, patient safety, and accreditation activities at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center – Jeddah with special focus on the development of robust quality indicators and effective data management.
• In 2004, led the pharmacy quality team to winning the first award at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center Jeddah
• Facilitated the food services performance improvement project in 2009 that enhanced patient satisfaction to over 95%.
• Coordinated the Joint Commission Accreditation surveys in 2008 and 2011 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center – Jeddah.
• In June 2011, led the quality improvement and patient safety (QPS) team that received an “exemplary” performance during the data management session.
• Presented as a keynote speaker for several workshops and symposia
• Coordinated the validation of the HCAHPS survey tool in Arabic and currently in collaboration with Nursing and Research Center overseeing its administration, data analysis and benchmarking.

Dr. Sanjiv Malik is a results-oriented Business and Healthcare Professional with extensive experience in heading Business Operations in healthcare and other service industries. Currently, he is Executive Director for DM Healthcare Group in UAE and appointed Board Member in National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in India. Prior to this, Dr. Malik worked in India as President of a top 20 Asia Law Firm specializing in Intellectual Property Rights and brand protection strategies and Executive Director for MMR Eye Institute. His stellar career is further highlighted by his six-year stint in Max Healthcare, with last designation as Regional Director.

He has demonstrated business acumen in leading and managing hospital operations, effectively discharging the functions and achieving higher rate of organic growth. A keen communicator with the ability to relate to people across all hierarchical levels in the organization and motivate them towards the achievement of organizational objectives. He is an effective communicator & a team leader combined with flexible & detail oriented attitude.

43 years in Indian Healthcare, first as a Government Servant, then a teacher in a “top 5 medical colleges” of India followed by a successful stint as a practicing clinician & medical entrepreneur; a management role in a “not for profit” hospital and then a top management role in corporate healthcare has given the widely traveled Dr. Puri a 360 degree view of healthcare – He belongs to that rare breed who has been exposed to and has experience of all facets of healthcare in India.

Current assignments include:

• Advisor – Medical , Fortis Healthcare Ltd, India – Fortis runs 54 medical units (Hospitals – Secondary & tertiary & Implants)
• Advisor – Health services , FICCI (Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry)
• Chairman, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare (NABH) India
• Governing Board Member, Quality Council of India
• Reputed national and international speaker on Indian Healthcare
• Visiting Prof, Harvard, USA (2010-2011)
• Governing Board Member, Indian Institute of Healthcare Management, New Delhi.
• Chairman, Advisory Group on Standard Treatment Guidelines ( FICCI – Ministry of Health & family welfare )
• Consultant Emeritus, Deptt of ENT, Fortis Hospital, New Delhi, India
• Director, Fortis –CDOC

A topper in Delhi University in MBBS & MS, Dr. Puri is a winner of several prestigious awards and recognitions and is a member of several Medical Associations and industry bodies. Passionately involved in Quality, Training & Education, Dr.Puri has written about 25 articles in Medical Journals, contributed to 3 medical books besides being a sports commentator & quiz master on TV &Radio and writing regularly on cricket for over 30 years.

Jill O’Connell is the Managing Director of Leading Edge Consultancy and has over 25 years of experience as a customer service specialist across various industries. Her experience within healthcare in this region is extensive, having worked on customer service projects with the American Hospital Dubai, Al Ain hospital and more recently the new Saudi German Hospital where she is currently leading a project team tasked with creating a superior patient experience.

Jill holds a Bachelors degree in languages, a post-graduate teaching degree and an MBA in Strategic Human Resources Management. She also holds UK diplomas in assessment and coaching and is a member of the Association for Coaching in the UK.

Faisal Juma Al Belhoul
Founder and Managing Partner, Ithmar Capital, UAE

Mr. Belhoul is a UAE national with extensive investment, managerial and operational experience and contacts within the GCC. Prior to founding Ithmar Capital he started his senior management career with the Belhoul Group of Companies, a traditional diversified family owned group with a strong history. He successfully led the transformation of the Group, redefining strategy, creating management depth, repositioning specific companies, building growth platforms and ultimately enhancing portfolio composition to maximize shareholder value within group companies. By 2001, the Group had successfully reinvented itself as a regional ‘Asset Management Company’, with investments in private equity, capital markets and real estate.

He was the Chairman of the boards for various business groups and associations, which include the UAE Private Hospitals Council, the UAE Private Schools Councils, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Equipment Business Group in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). He is also a board member in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as being a member of the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) and the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO). Mr. Belhoul is also an active participant on boards of a number of companies in the UAE and the US. His educational background was in the US where he studied Manufacturing Engineering in Boston University.

Ahmed Badreldin
Senior Partner, Abraaj Capital

Ahmed Badreldin is a Senior Partner at Abraaj Capital where he leads one of the group’s private equity investment teams and also oversees the firm’s operations in Egypt and North Africa. He is responsible for a number of Abraaj portfolio companies including AlBorg (medical laboratories), GEMS (K-12 education), GMMOS (offshore oil services) and Tadawi (pharmacy retail and wholesale). Mr. Badreldin has more than 15 years experience in investment banking, finance and consulting. Before Abraaj, he was a Senior Director in Leveraged Finance at Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Plc in London, where he spent over 8 years. At Barclays, he completed several financing and equity co-investment transactions with leading global private equity firms including the Carlyle Group, KKR and Bain Capital. During his career he has developed strong credit-analysis, investment and structuring skills in debt and equity, and gained broad, comprehensive experience in several industries such as telecommunications, retail and energy. Key transactions he completed include the leveraged buyouts of Northgate IS, Alliance Boots and Edcon, all of which had debt financing and equity co-investment components.

Mr. Badreldin began his career with Baker Hughes, providing consulting and engineering services to the oil sector in the MENASA region. He holds a BSc in Industrial Management and Business Administration from the American University in Cairo and an MBA from the Cranfield School of Management in the UK.

Santosh Marathe
CFO, American Hospital Dubai, UAE

Mr Santosh Marathe has an MBA in Finance, with over 21 Years of Professional work experience. His working stints include Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, IT & Healthcare.
Santosh has 8 years of Healthcare experience with Apollo Hospitals Group, India. His last position held at Apollo Bangalore was Vice President Finance and besides handling Finance & Costing, he was also incharge of IT, Marketing & HR as an additional responsibility.

His work experience covers financial and internal governance with an exceptional ability of leveraging IT technology for the day to day administration. He has held Senior Management position in the past 12 Years of his career and has been played significant contributions to multiple strategic & business development and advisory initiatives. His prime role as a CFO has been facilitating raising funds and undertaking Cost initiatives while leveraging business growth.

Throughout his career path in Senior Management position, he has been instrumental in undertaking Business Alliances, implementing Organization wide IT Systems & evolving and building Key Financial metrics for Organizational Development. He has worked very closely with Strategic Management Consultants like Mckinsey, KPMG & Deloitte in drafting Organizational Change initiatives.

Mark Adams
CEO, Gulf Healthcare International, UAE

Mark Adams joined Gulf Healthcare International in 2009 as Chief Executive Officer after 25 years in healthcare in the United Kingdom, the USA and the Middle East.
At Gulf Healthcare International, Mark has successfully led the re-branding of the group including corporate, laboratory and clinic brands and moved the business strategically into primary care and Occupational Health. Mark is planning the rapid expansion of the business throughout 2011 and 2012 to firmly position GHI as a pioneering healthcare provider with the aim of improving the health of the Middle Eastern population of today and provide healthcare education for the benefit of future generations.

Mark has previously led the UK’s leading Dental business, Denplan as well as its parent company AXA PPP Healthcare. More recently he has managed the South African owned Netcare UK and advised the Virgin Group on market entry health strategies.

In his role as Chairman of the private equity backed ‘Complete Case Management, he led the sale of the company to Claimar PLC for $40M in 2007.

Mark is actively involved with charities and is a past non executive director of Common Purpose, the British Quality Foundation and a leading Epilepsy Hospital ‘the David Lewis Foundation’.

S. Venkatachalam
CEO, National Life and General, Oman

Chief Executive Officer of National Life & General Insurance Co SAOC, Muscat, Oman. Currently National Life & General Insurance Company is the market leader holding 65% in the Life & Medical Insurance in Oman. Recently they put a strong base in the Dubai market also. Venkatachalam has been associated with insurance industry in the Middle East since 1985. Held various senior management positions in well respected insurance companies in various parts of GCC. He has rich GCC experience with sound knowledge of the Middle East markets.

Holger Micheel Sprenger
Partner and CFO, ICME Healthcare, Germany

Within the last 15 years of experience of consulting in the healthcare sector, Holger has been representing senior management positions in leading German healthcare companies. He also is the Managing Director of ICME Healthcare GmbH and takes care of business for Europe, ME and Africa.

His management skills and expertise includes corporate strategies, interdisciplinary project, process management and technical management of hospitals.

He has held Director level positions in a number of medical industry companies and also served as a Managing Director of a 600 bed hospital. He has been involved in consulting mandates at various hospitals especially university hospitals regarding, organization and efficiency improvements. He has pioneered and established the healthcare consulting services within ICME at a regional and global level.

Dr Helmut Schühsler
Charman and CEO, TVM Capital MENA, UAE

Dr. Helmut M. Schühsler is Managing Partner of TVM Capital in Munich and Boston and serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TVM Capital MENA Ltd., Dubai, UAE. TVM Capital MENA is the first international private equity house with a focus in healthcare and life sciences to establish operations in the MENA region. Since joining TVM Capital in 1990, Dr. Schühsler has been the deal maker on more than 20 direct investments in life science companies in Europe and the U.S. In total he has overseen more than 80 investments in the health market.

In 2007 and 2008, Dr. Schühsler served as chairman of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA). Currently he is chairman of the Supervisory Board of Curacyte AG (Munich, Germany, and Durham, NC), director at SelectX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Boston, MA, USA) as well as chairman of healthcare growth companies, PVHC (Cyprus and Abu Dhabi) and Bourn Hall International (Cyprus, India, UAE).

Roger Knight
Director of Human Resources and Training, American Mission Hospital, Bahrain

With post graduate HR qualifications from Charles Sturt University NSW Australia, Roger Knight, currently the Director of HR and Training at the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain, has had a diverse HR career, working for organizations, throughout the Gulf, as well as Australia and the US. This has entailed, operational, corporate and consultancy roles, mainly in the health care sector.

Gail Smith
Chief Nursing Officer, Mafraq Hospital, UAE

Recognized early on and she was quickly promoted to leadership positions in top hospitals throughout Cape Town.

In 1997 Gail landed in Saudi Arabia to take up the position of Nursing Education Officer with the Royal Commission Medical Center, which was followed by the position as Director of Nursing at the Hamad General Hospital in Doha, Qatar. In 2007 she took over the position of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Mafraq Hospital.

As CNO, Gail exercises management responsibility over the hospital, ensuring that efficient nursing services are designed to meet the needs of the patients, staff, physicians and the public. She is also heavily involved in assuring world class standards of patient care and nursing practice and plays a leadership role with professional, community and governmental bodies that shape healthcare contributing towards a better health care delivery system and better health care society.

Gail is an advocate of human resource development and established the nursing education unit at Mafraq Hospital which manages continuous training and development for nursing staff and many of the other clinical teams.

Gail is a member of several professional nursing societies and has many awards to her name. She attended several top Nursing Colleges in South Africa and has both a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science. She completed also her Master in Business Administration through Liverpool University.

Georges Nammour
Director of Nursing, Aspetar Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar

Georges Nammour (born July 25, 1969) is a French Hospital Manager. He is highly qualified healthcare administrator with international experience across a range of organizations in private, military and public sectors. He was appointed the Director of Nursing at ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sport Medicine Hospital, Doha, State of Qatar in January 2010.

Reporting to Chief Operating Officer (COO), he is a member of the senior leadership team and responsible for implementing a work plan that fosters partnerships and continuous quality improvement and providing a single point of contact for the department, with an athlete focused Excellence service delivery approach. He provides leadership and direction to the operational management of Nursing Services.

Georges has a strong background as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Anaesthetist in emergency, obstetric, operating theatre and paramedic’s services. He has made a significant contribution in the development of competencies, policies and procedures for Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical risks for healthcare organizations.

In 2009, Georges completed his Master Degree in Management of Health and Pharmaceutical, ESCEM Executive Education, Tours, France.

Equally successful as a manager and loyal team member. Georges has managed multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment. Particularly skilled in translating complex technical and organizational needs into practical projects with improved outcomes for patients.

Georges has successfully worked in different regions of France and internationally in the Middle East, where he now lives in Doha, Qatar.

With over 2 years experience at Director and higher Management levels he has a wealth of transferable international business, management and healthcare experience.

Dr Charles Docherty
Head School of Nursing and Midwifery, RSCI, Bahrain

Professor Docherty has been in nursing and nurse education for 35 years. He graduated as a Master of Nursing and continued his Doctoral studies at Glasgow University focusing on the use of multimedia as a method of helping mentors assess students . His research interests have paralleled innovative developments in education. In Glasgow Caledonian University he redesigned a simulation laboratory around a workflow based on an innovative educational paradigm. In 2008 he was appointed to be Director of Clinical Simulation, RCSI Bahrain, and in 2010, to the role of Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery. During his time in Bahrain he has established a training centre for advanced clinical simulators, in partnership with Gaumard Scientific. His many achievements include an award from the Jordanian Nursing Council for his contribution to the development of nursing in Jordan, through projects with the British Council to introduce liberal curricula in nursing education.

Josef Woodman
Patients Beyond Borders, USA

As CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, Josef Woodman has spent more than five years touring 140 medical facilities in 30 countries, researching international healthcare travel. Cofounder of MyDailyHealth and Ventana Communications, Woodman’s pioneering background in health, publishing, and web technology has allowed him to compile a wealth of information about global health travel, telemedicine, and consumer-directed healthcare demand.

Woodman has lectured at the UCLA School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, and Duke Fuqua School of Business and has chaired and keynoted conferences on medical tourism and global healthcare in 14 countries. He has appeared in numerous print and broadcast media, including CNN, ABC News, Fox News, The New York Times, Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Woodman is an outspoken advocate of affordable, high-quality medical care for healthcare consumers worldwide.

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Zulaikha Al Hosani
Assistant Director of Nursing, Mafraq Hospital, UAE

Marie Symons
Manager – Employee Assistance Programme, Emirates, UAE

David Hadley
CEO, EHL Management Services, UAE

A recognized leader within the Healthcare Field known for crafting the requisite strategic vision to achieve business goals, global team-building and development. David Hadley is the Chief Executive Officer for EHL Management Services, which is majority owned by Mediclinic International – the 7th largest listed private hospital group in the world.

David has worked for Mediclinic International since 1993, and has enjoyed many positions throughout the company which enabled him to climb the corporate ladder through positions in Human Resources, Finance, Operations and Hospital Management.

Mediclinic seconded David to Dubai in 2007 to complete The City Hospital Project and to head up the opening of the company’s first "off shore" facility, which opened in 2008 in Dubai Healthcare City.

As the CEO of EHL, David is currently responsible for the following facilities

• The CITY Hospital
• Welcare Hospital
• The Dubai Mall Medical Centre
• Welcare Clinic Ibn Battuta
• Emirates Diagnostic Clinic
• Arabian Ranches Clinic
• Welcare Clinic Mirdiff
• Welcare Clinic Gusais
• Welcare Ambulatory Care Center
• Meadows Clinic

He also has Directorship for:

• Emirates Healthcare Holdings Limited
• EHL Management Services FZ LLC
• Emirates Healthcare Estates Limited
• Emirates Healthcare Limited
• The City Hospital FZ LLC
• The Creek Hospital FZ LLC
• Welcare Hospitals Limited
• Welcare World Health Systems Limited
• Welcare World Holdings Limited
• Medi-Clinic CHF Finco Limited
• American Healthcare Management Systems Limited
• Christopher’s Corner

David completed his commerce undergraduate education in South Africa, dividing his time between work and school, and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool.