Dr. Beena Hameed
Chair
Consultant Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Scientific Board Chairs
Adult Rheumatology
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Dr Beena Hameed is a consultant rheumatologist and internist, accredited and certified from the Joint Royal Colleges Training Board, UK. She has 28 years’ experience in Internal Medicine, and 20 years’ experience in Rheumatology. She has been trained and practised at some of the London’s most recognised institutions including King’s College, St. George’s, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital. She has practised internal medicine and rheumatology in Pakistan, the UK and UAE, helping her better understand her patients’ different cultural, religious and educational needs.
In addition to her clinical training, she has completed two years of a Masters’ degree in Clinical Research in Rheumatology and has been involved in training and teaching in association with Queen Mary University of London as a clinical lecturer. She has published her research papers in some of the leading international peer-reviewed journals and presented her research work in local and international meetings. She is an invited speaker at international meetings. She believes in treating patients with rheumatic diseases using innovative evidence-based therapies.
Her scope of work includes the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, metabolic bone disease (including osteoporosis, vitamin D Deficiency, Paget’s disease), connective tissue diseases , soft tissue rheumatism, local back, neck, shoulder, knee pain and foot pain and other generalised body pain, as well as joint swelling or stiffness. Dr. Hameed has a keen interest in use of musculoskeletal ultrasound for diagnostic and therapeutic rheumatic diseases. She also offers procedures such as joints aspiration, injections and soft tissue injections and offers ultrasound-guided injections. She also has vast experience in use of biologic agents in the management of auto-immune arthritis.
Dr. Martin Lee
Deputy Chair
Consultant Rheumatology
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Lee is a Consultant Rheumatologist and Adjunct Associate Professor in Clinical Rheumatology currently working at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital and MBRU, Dubai.
Dr. Lee has previously worked as a Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, UK, and a Consultant Rheumatologist, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, and Associate Sub-Dean at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, UK.
Dr. Ahmed Zayat
Second Deputy Chair
Senior Consultant of Rheumatology
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Ahmed Zayat is a highly experienced Consultant Rheumatologist, skilled in the evaluation and management of arthritis and all other rheumatic disorders. Prior to joining the University hospital Sharjah, he was a full-time NHS consultant Rheumatologist at St Luke’s Hospital and the lead of the rheumatology department in Bradford Teaching Hospitals, the UK where he won different prizes for providing excellent care and innovating new services and improving patients care. He has also worked in different hospitals across the Yorkshire and Humber region, has been trained in the regional and national center of excellence in Leeds, and worked with many international leaders in Rheumatology. He was an honorary senior lecturer in Rheumatology at the University of Leeds leading research that investigate rheumatological disease stratification using imaging and more recent work including validation of joints ultrasound in inflammatory arthritis and lupus. He is also a national and international tutor of musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided joint biopsy. He has several publications to his credit and most of his research was presented in multiple national and international
conferences such as the British Society of Rheumatologists (BSR) and The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and have been published in the highest impact rheumatology journals.
conferences such as the British Society of Rheumatologists (BSR) and The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and have been published in the highest impact rheumatology journals.
Dr. Mahmood Hachim
Chair, Basic Science
Assistant Professor
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Mahmood has a multidisciplinary background that shaped his medical and research careers. With two doctoral degrees in molecular medicine and translational research, a Master of research in cancer biology, and a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, he developed research skills and experience in systems and computational biology focused on understanding mechanisms of complex diseases including breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. Dr. Mahmood aims to understand the molecular basis of such diseases by applying novel bioinformatics and state-of-the-art omics approaches. Identification of novel diagnostic and predictive clinically proven biomarkers is his goal. Specifically, understanding the exact role of host immune response and microbiome interaction in susceptibility and development of clinical heterogeneity of such chronic diseases is his current research. As an investigator on several UAE-funded grants and in collaboration with colleagues in the UAE and abroad, his research has resulted in more than 80 peer-reviewed publications to date, in addition to conference presentations. He also serves as editor and reviewer in reputable journals.
Dr. Maryam Ali Al Nesf
Co-Chair, Basic Science
Associate Professor
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Maryam Ali Al-Nesf Al-Mansouri received her MD degree from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman in 1999, and from the Arab Board of Internal Medicine in 2005. She pursues her higher education by doing the fellowships in Pulmonary Medicine, followed by Allergy, and Clinical Immunology in Qatar-HMC & Cambridge, UK March 2006- Feb. 2010. She passed EAACI/UEMS Exam in Allergology and Clinical Immunology in 2014. She was granted her Master of research (MSc R) from the University of Bristol/ UK (School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine) in 2019 and currently doing a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine with the University College of London/ UK. She received multiple grants under MRC-IRGC cycles and QNRF (worth more than 3 M QAR) and has multiple publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and books. Also, participated in writing multiple local protocols and guidelines for the hospitals. She is leading the establishment of the pollen & fungal calendar and atlas of Qatar since 2016. She is granted the following academic positions: Clinical Assistant Professor, Qatar University College of Medicine since August 2016. She is the Program Director for the combined Allergy and Immunology Fellowship training in Qatar since 2014 to date and the past PD for pulmonary fellowship (A&I fellowship program received ACGME-I accreditation in 2018. She is appointed head of the Adult A&I service in Qatar in 2016 to date.
Dr. Adeeba Al Herz
Member
Consultant Rheumatology
Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Graduated from The Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University in 1993. Had the American Board in Internal Medicine and The Canadian Board in Internal Medicine during her training in McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Had the Canadian Board in Rheumatology during her training in Vancouver University, British Columbia, Canada. Had a special training in lupus and vasculitis at The University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Is currently a consultant in internal medicine and rheumatology in Al-Amiri Hospital and in MedicalOne Polyclinic, Kuwait City. Member of Special Interest Group for rheumatoid arthritis (SIG-RA) at the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR). Co-opt Executive member of The APLAR. Member of the higher council of The Arab League Against Rheumatism (ArLAR). Executive member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
Founder of KRRD (Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases) and the team leader. Former president of Kuwait Association for Rheumatology (KAR). Former head of Osteoporosis Committee, Ministry of Health. Former member of the Higher Medical Council of persons with disabilities, Ministry of Health. Tutor in The Faculty of Medicine for undergraduate medical students. Tutor in Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialties for postgraduate medical studies in internal medicine and its subspecialties. Has more than 45 researches published in well recognized journals or presented in international conferences.
Dr. Suad Hannawi
Member
Consultant Rheumatology
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Suad Hannawi, BhSc, MD, MRCP (UK), FRCP (UK), MIPH (AUS), PHD (AUS), a consultant of Rheumatology at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) of UAE. Chairman of Rheumatology at MOHAP, Deputy Chairman of the Central Research Ethic Committee (REC), and the Chairman of Dubai Health District REC.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science (BhSc), and the Medical Diploma (MD), Dr. Hannawi obtained the fellowship of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and completed her clinical training of Rheumatology in Australia. Dr. Hannawi proceeded with her academic attainment by obtaining a PhD in Rheumatology.
Her Interest in the Public Health motivated her to proceed with getting a Master of International Public Health from University of Queensland, Australia, with Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.
Dr. Hannawi has been awarded as best young investigator in Australia “Princess Alexandra” Research Week in 2007 and awarded by the MOHAP for six consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, and 2020) for her Scientific Achievements and contributions. In 2017 Dr. Hannawi was chosen as one of the best 5 physicians in the Federal health institutes for the Prime Minister Medal.
Dr. Hannawi has published in number of journals and has presented at different national and international conferences. As well, Dr. Hannawi is a reviewer for many international Rheumatology journals.
Pediatric Rheumatology
Dr. Elsadeg Sharif
Chair
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Sharif is currently working as a consultant pediatric rheumatologist at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty hospital AJCH Dubai. Dr. Sharif has around thirty years of vast experience in General Pediatrics and Pediatric rheumatology, Neonatology, and Community Pediatrics. Prior to joining AJCH, Dr. Sharif has worked in many reputable Hospitals in the UK, UAE, and Libya such as Southmead Hospital, Bristol, Hull, and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hospitals, Al Ain Hospital, Children’s Hospital Tripoli – Libya. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Sharif held many key positions such as Chair of the Child Health Institute (CHI) at Al Ain Hospital, President of the Pediatric Rheumatology Arab group (PRAG), co-chair and head of the organizing committee at the SEHA International Pediatric Conference in January 2020 in Abu Dhabi, and the divisional clinical director, at the pediatric department Hull Royal Infirmary.
Dr. Sharif has played a key role in clinical governance through planning, conducting, and participating in audits to improve the quality of patients and healthcare in the Hospitals where he used to work.
Dr. Sharif is currently an Adjunct Associated Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Science (CMHS) at UAE University. Throughout his career, he has received many awards such as the clinical excellence award in March 2010 at Hull Royal Infirmary UK, the best trainer award from the Tawam pediatric residency program for the year 2014-2015, and the teaching excellence award for the academic year 2013 – 2014 from the Medical School at the UAE University.
In his career, Dr. Sharif has participated and conducted medical research and issued 6 publications: The Experience with Uveitis in Pediatric Age Group in Emirate of Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Child Abuse experience in Al Ain District, United Arab Emirates, and Detection of Bacterial DNA in Synovial Fluid and Peripheral Blood from children with Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis.
Dr. Sharif is a member of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), British Society of pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR), Emirate society of Rheumatology (ESR), and President of the Paediatric Rheumatology Arab Group (PRAG).
Dr. Shamma Lootah
Co-Chair
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Shamma Lootah is a Specialist pediatric rheumatologist at the Al Jalila Children Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Scientific Board Members
Adult Rheumatology
Dr. Hanan Al Rayes
Member
Consultant Rheumatology
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Hanan Mohammad Al Rayes is a Senior Rheumatology & Lupus Consultant. She is the President Saudi Society for Rheumatology. Dr. Hanan is the Deputy Director of the Medicine Department and the Chairperson of Evidence-Based Health Guidelines at Prince Sultan Military Medical City. She has participated as a speaker at multiple national and international conferences. Dr. Al Rayes has published around 40 publications on Lupus, RA, and SpA.
Dr. Mira Mirashli
Member
Assistant Professor
Beirut, Lebanon
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Dr. Mira is the Assistant Professor, of Clinical Medicine Rheumatology at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Dr. Saadeya Naji
Member
Consultant Rheumatology
Manama, Bahrain
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Dr. Saadeya Naji Abdulkarim, is the first Bahraini female consultant in Rheumatology in Bahrain. . Currently she is a Consultant in Internal medicine and Rheumatology, Head of the Rheumatology Unit in MOH.
She is a senior lecturer in RCSI and part of the Arab board training program in Bahrain. Previously held positions as a member in the mortality &morbidity committee, deputy of the head of accreditation of the medical department, a supervisor in the TNA ( Training Need Assessment ) committee for the internal medicine department, and FPRP coordinator. Currently a member of the autonomy team selected by the supreme council of health and a reviewer in the Saudi journal.
She is the founder and the president of ABRC (annual Bahrain rheumatology conference), started in 2017. Also actively involved in many conferences in the gulf region as in SSR ( Saudi society of rheumatology conference ), and GCC conference. She has an interest in SLE and vasculitis. Has many publications on that regard , last one was published in BSR journal 2019, (Takayasu Arteritis ,presenting as bilateral popliteal artery aneurysm ) She has on -going research work related to rheumatic diseases in Bahrain, (APS among migraine patients, prevalence of sacroilitis among psoriatic patients in Bahrain .etc.)
Dr. Samar Al-Emadi
Member
Senior Consultant Rheumatologist
Doha, Qatar
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Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Fellowship Program Director in Rheumatology, and is the Head of the Rheumatology Division at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar. She is also an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and is a faculty member for Clinical Teaching Program in Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and Stanford Faculty Development Center for Clinical Teachers.
Dr. Al-Emadi received her medical degree from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, KSA. She had her internship and part of her residency at Hamad General Hospital followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Western in London Ontario, Canada. She then completed her Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada afterward completed her fellowship training in pregnancy and rheumatic disease for 6 months with Professor Carl Laskin. She has been certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the American board of internal medicine and Rheumatology. In 2005, she was able to establish a pregnancy and rheumatic disease clinic at Hamad General Hospital. She has also completed her Master of Business Administration degree at London Business School.
Currently, Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a member of multiple corporate committees, a member of the Governance and Strategy of Hamad Medical Corporation Research Committee, Hamad Medical Corporation IRB, and the Steering Committee for OPD Development. She is also a member of multiple committees locally and regionally, and multiple advisory boards.
Dr. Al-Emadi has received multiple research grants one of which is the QNRF Grant to study the Genetics of RA in Arab countries, a multinational study. She already has several publications in peer-reviewed journals and is also involved in multiple RCTs as a PI and Co-PI.
Dr. Al Emadi is a speaker in multiple local and regional conferences
Pediatric Rheumatology
Dr. Ayesha Rashed AlMheiri
Member
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. AlMheiri is a Arab board certified in general pediatric.
She completed her clinical fellowship in pediatric rheumatology from RCPI-Ireland and another Clinical fellowship in pediatric rheumatology with a special focus in childhood onset lupus from Great Ormond street hospital in London.
Dr. Elsadeg Sharif
Member
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Sharif is currently working as a consultant pediatric rheumatologist at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty hospital AJCH Dubai. Dr. Sharif has around thirty years of vast experience in General Pediatrics and Pediatric rheumatology, Neonatology, and Community Pediatrics. Prior to joining AJCH, Dr. Sharif has worked in many reputable Hospitals in the UK, UAE, and Libya such as Southmead Hospital, Bristol, Hull, and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hospitals, Al Ain Hospital, Children’s Hospital Tripoli – Libya. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Sharif held many key positions such as Chair of the Child Health Institute (CHI) at Al Ain Hospital, President of the Pediatric Rheumatology Arab group (PRAG), co-chair and head of the organizing committee at the SEHA International Pediatric Conference in January 2020 in Abu Dhabi, and the divisional clinical director, at the pediatric department Hull Royal Infirmary.
Dr. Sharif has played a key role in clinical governance through planning, conducting, and participating in audits to improve the quality of patients and healthcare in the Hospitals where he used to work.
Dr. Sharif is currently an Adjunct Associated Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Science (CMHS) at UAE University. Throughout his career, he has received many awards such as the clinical excellence award in March 2010 at Hull Royal Infirmary UK, the best trainer award from the Tawam pediatric residency program for the year 2014-2015, and the teaching excellence award for the academic year 2013 – 2014 from the Medical School at the UAE University.
In his career, Dr. Sharif has participated and conducted medical research and issued 6 publications: The Experience with Uveitis in Pediatric Age Group in Emirate of Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Child Abuse experience in Al Ain District, United Arab Emirates, and Detection of Bacterial DNA in Synovial Fluid and Peripheral Blood from children with Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis.
Dr. Sharif is a member of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), British Society of pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR), Emirate society of Rheumatology (ESR), and President of the Paediatric Rheumatology Arab Group (PRAG).
Dr. Kamran Mahmood
Member
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Kamran Mahmood MBBS, FRCPCH I did my Paediatrics and Rheumatology training in UK. During my training, I worked in 3 tertiary rheumatology centers- Bristol, Leeds and Liverpool. I was awarded CCT in Paediatrics and Paediatric Rheumatology in 2016. I started as Consultant Paediatric and adolescent Rheumatologist at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK in August 2016. Alder Hey is Europe’s largest children’s hospital and Rheumatology department has been Centre of excellence for Lupus for more than 10 years. I was awarded Clinical excellence awards in 2019 and 2020 for my clinical work in NHS. I have special interest in inflammatory bone disease (CNO/CRMO). I was lead for CNO specific service and was leading on number studies in that area. Along with general rheumatology clinics, I have keen interest in Bechet’s disease and other auto inflammatory conditions, periodic fevers, inflammatory CNS disease, scleroderma, Paediatric Sjogren’s, Juvenile Lupus and Juvenile scleroderma. I am a member of British society of rheumatology and part Paediatric rheumatology clinical affairs group. I am also member of PReS (Paediatric rheumatology European society) as well as Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, USA (CARRA). I am part of CARRA CNO, JIA, PAIN and inflammatory CNS disease group. I have keen interest in research and have lead on number of RCT as PI. I have number of publications in peer reviewed journals as well. I have special interest in medical education. I am RCPCH Safeguarding instructor and worked as RCPCH College tutor for post graduate education. I teach regularly on topics related to rheumatology both in UK and internationally. I have recently established an online rheumatology training module programme as well.