Faculty

Dr. Abdallah Almaghraby is a specialist cardiologist at Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidallah Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. He holds M.B.B.Ch., Master’s, and MD/PhD degrees in Cardiology from Alexandria University, Egypt. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and he has authored over 220 publications. His professional interests include echocardiography, coronary interventions, and heart failure. Dr. Almaghraby also serves as Vice President of the Global Society of Cardiology and committee member of the Heart and Brain Study Group, HFA–ESC.

Professor Abdulla Shehab is a distinguished Emirati cardiologist, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UAE University, and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Burjeel Royal and Mediclinic Hospitals. He is Editor-in-Chief of the New Emirates Medical Journal, Vice President of both the Gulf Intervention Society and Emirates Cardiac Society, and Chair of the International Society of Hypertension – MENA (ISH-MENA). He also leads the Hypertension Working Group of the Emirates Cardiac Society and chairs the Nicotine, Tobacco, Alcohol & Drugs (NTAD) initiative at the World Heart Federation. A graduate of the University of Dundee, he holds a PhD, MD, MMEd, and CCST, and is a fellow of leading global medical societies. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leadership of major Gulf-wide registries, Professor Shehab is widely recognized for advancing cardiovascular science, clinical practice, and education across the MENA region.

Dr. Abdelfatah Elasfar is a consultant HF/ Cardiac Transplant cardiologist, at Heart Hospital in Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar. Also, he is a professor of Medicine In Tanta university of Egypt and is a Fellow of the university of Toronto in Canada. Dr. Elasfar contributed significantly to medical research, with over 50 indexed publications in prestigious journals, particularly focusing on heart failure in the Middle East.

Dr. Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi, MD, is a Consultant Cardiologist and Chair of Cardiac Sciences at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. He is also the Chair of the Heart and Vascular Service line in Abu Dhabi Health Service Company. His research interest revolves around complex coronary interventions. During his career time, Dr. Alzubaidi performed over 10,000 cardiac procedures, using advanced and minimally invasive approaches. Dr. Alzubaidi also served as a Chief Medical Officer for Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, the largest healthcare facility in the United Arab Emirates from 2012-2017. His postgraduate training was at the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, where he completed his training in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Alzubaidi carries the Canadian Board of Medicine and cardiovascular disease. He was also trained in Cardiac CT and holds the cardiovascular boards in Cardiac CT. (CBCCT). He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Canada).

Licensed by the Arab Board in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Al Mubarak brings 14 years of extensive experience to her role. She is a proud member of the American College of Cardiology, reflecting her commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in her field. Adding to her repertoire of qualifications, Dr. Al Mubarak is licensed in Canada for advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation, showcasing her dedication to specialized care. Her educational background includes an M.B.B.S. degree from Dubai Medical College. With an unwavering commitment to patient well-being, Dr. Al Mubarak ensures that the highest standards of care are consistently provided.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Shoha is an American Board–certified Consultant Endocrinologist with over 17 years of clinical experience in the United States and the UAE. He completed his Internal Medicine residency and Endocrinology fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan. He previously served for 11 years at Summa Health in Ohio and held academic leadership roles at Northeast Ohio Medical University. In Dubai, he has led the Endocrinology Department at American Hospital Dubai and currently practices at the Dubai Diabetes Center, Dubai Health. Dr. Al-Shoha is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Endocrinology.

Dr. Ahmad El Ouweini is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Dubai Medical University and a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist and Preceptor at Dubai Medical University Hospital. He chairs the IVPN-AR Organizing Committee and leads the IVPN-Critical Care Listserv. He also serves as the Social Media and Digital Lead for the Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy Section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Dr. El Ouweini completed an ACCP-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Pharmacy Research with a focus on Critical Care, jointly offered by Gulf Medical University and Washington State University. He is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. He earned his PharmD in 2019, completed an ASHP-Accredited PGY1 residency in 2020, and held clinical and academic roles at the Lebanese American University and Gulf Medical University from 2020 to 2025.

Ahmad Ziad Turk, MD graduated from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2012 and completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Baystate Medical Center – UMMS, USA. His interest in heart failure began during residency, leading him to pursue an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant fellowship at St. Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute – UMKC, where he gained extensive experience in mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation, and exercise hemodynamics. Dr. Turk has returned to Jordan with the aim of establishing a dedicated heart failure hub. Outside of medicine, he enjoys history, social media cardiology outreach, and spending time with family and friends.

Professor Ahmet Celik is the President of Heart Failure Working Group of Turkish Society of Cardiology. He is one of the Fellows of both European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and Heart Failure Association (FHFA). He has the Certificate of Post Graduate Course in Heart Failure (PCHF) of Heart Failure Associtation of ESC and Certificate of Advanced Studies Universitat Zurich UZH in Heart Failure. He is also an experienced trainer in Cardiology specialty/Heart Failure subspecialty and a faculty member of the Cardiology Department at the Mersin University School of Medicine, in Mersin, Turkiye.

Dr. Aiman Smer is a Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where he also serves as Cardiology Fellowship Program Director. He previously spent a decade in the U.S. as an Academic Cardiologist and Associate Program Director at Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha. A native of Libya, Dr. Smer earned his medical degree from the University of Tripoli and completed postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Creighton University. Board-certified in multiple specialties, his research focuses on atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, 3D echocardiography, and quality improvement. He has over 100 publications and is a Fellow of the ACC and ASE.

Amer Al Ferekh is a dedicated Cardiology Patient Educator at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. A Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), he is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Cardiac Vascular Board Certified Nurse (CVBC). Amer is passionate about empowering patients through clear, compassionate education on cardiovascular health. Beyond the hospital, he is a prominent health education influencer on social media, where he shares engaging, evidence-based content with over 100,000 followers and has garnered more than 10 million views. His work aligns with CCAD’s mission to advance healthcare excellence and community well-being.

Dr. Chaudhary is a Consultant Cardiologist in Advanced Heart Failure and Echocardiography at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah. He serves as the Medical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program and Director of the Cardiology Non-Invasive Laboratory. Trained in Canada at Western University and the University of British Columbia, he is ABIM-certified in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. His expertise spans advanced heart failure management, HFrEF, HFpEF, cardiac amyloidosis, and end-stage Heart Failure. He is an active contributor to regional and international heart failure forums.

Dr. Amr Badr , MB BCh, MSc , MDc Graduated from Medical school 1993 – Egypt , Master degree in cardiovascular disease 1999 – Egypt. Interventional cardiology fellowship from Leiden University – the Netherlands , Medical doctorate of Medicine in cardiovascular diseases – The Netherlands / Eg, Dr. Badr was appointed as a Lecturer of cardiology 2003 then was appointed assistant professor of cardiology . He switched gear to be Heart failure / Heart transplant specialist after he joined University Of Toronto 2007. In 2012 Dr. Badr initiated Advanced heart failure program with a multi-deseplinary team at HMC – Qatar and currently he is holding the position of director of Heart failure clinic. Dr. Badr was involved in research throughout his career and has many publications also led a international multicenter studies as national PI

Dr. Amrish Agrawal is Senior Consultant in Cardiology and Associate Professor at Fujairah Hospital, EHS, UAE and Board certified in cardiology from India, UK and Australia. Numerous publications and chapters in textbooks of cardiology, Heart failure and imaging. Invited Faculty and Speaker in numerous international meetings such as EuroEcho, World Congresses across the globe and ACC and ESC meetings. Principal investigator for many international registries at the Middle East and Global levels including INFLAM study, i3 Study, PACT MEA, FLOW, CEPHEUS, GARFIELD, etc.

Angela Abbey, RN is a Registered General Nurse with over 20 years of experience specializing in cardiovascular nursing. She holds qualifications from Middlesex University, the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, and University College Dublin. Since 2015, she has been with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, currently serving as Case Manager for the Cardiac Unit, focusing on safe discharges and optimizing patient care. Angela’s expertise includes staff supervision, policy compliance, and clinical education for critically ill patients. She is the 2023 recipient of the Zielony Award for Excellence in Care Management and actively participates in initiatives such as Operation Smile.

Dr. Arif Albulushi is a Consultant Cardiologist specializing in Advanced Heart Failure, Transplant Cardiology, and Multimodality Cardiac Imaging at the National Heart Center, Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Trained in the USA at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he also served as Assistant Professor of Medicine and Radiology there. He is a Fellow of the ACC, ASE, RCP and ESC, and has authored over 55 peer-reviewed publications. He played a key role in Oman’s first successful heart transplant and is actively involved in national and international research, education, and conference leadership in heart failure and advanced cardiac therapies.

Dr. Bader Alayyad completed their medical degree at Kuwait University, followed by the Kuwait Board of Internal Medicine and a cardiology fellowship. They then pursued training in advanced heart failure and transplantation at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta in Canada. Currently, Dr. Alayyad serves as Head of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Unit at Dabbous Cardiac Center in Kuwait, leading inpatient and outpatient services for patients with advanced heart failure, post mechanical circulatory support, heart transplant candidates, and post-transplant care.

Dr. Bashaer Gheyath, MD, FACC, is a Consultant Cardiologist at Healthpoint in Abu Dhabi specializing in advanced multimodality cardiac imaging, with Level III certification in cardiac MRI and cardiac CT. She completed subspecialty training in multimodality cardiac imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, one of the world’s premier cardiovascular institutions. Her clinical and research work centers on coronary plaque characterization and optimizing imaging pathways tailored to Middle Eastern populations. Dr. Gheyath is committed to advancing regional cardiac imaging through innovation, high-quality clinical care, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Dr Atallah is the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Dubai Medical University. Prior to joining DMU he served as Cardiovascular Senior Pharmacotherapy Specialist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Clinical Associate Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic he was on faculty as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh. Dr. Atallah received his PharmD from Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in Virginia and completed an ASHP accredited post graduate residency at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia. He was awarded the “Graduate of the Last Decade” award by his alma mater. Dr. Atallah is board certified in pharmacotherapy with added qualifications in Cardiology. He also holds an advanced antithrombotic management certificate from ASHP. Dr Atallah is a fellow of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). He has several publications and presentations at national and international conferences. He was awarded the 2021 ACCP Cardiology PRN international award. His research interests are in various aspects of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy with focus on antithrombotic therapy, heart failure and hyperlipidemia.

Pr Dania Mohty is a consultant in adult cardiology in King faisal specialist hospital in Riyadh and specialist in cardiac imaging. She is also full professor at Al Faisal university and at the university of Limoges in france. She did her medical school and residency in Montpellier, France. Her fellowship was about echocardiography in Tours, France She performed 2 years fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Rochester USA. She obtained her PhD in 2007 in collaboration with university of Laval in Quebec city in Canada She has great interest in cardiomyopathies and Heart Failure. She worked more than 9 years in the national referral center of AL in Limoges in France with prof Jaccard and helped to establish a center of excellence in Cardiac amyloidosis in KFSHRC She has over 150 publications in peer review indexed journals

Dr. Dima Quraini, MD, is a Staff Physician at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, she served as Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory and Staff Cardiologist at New England Cardiology/Steward Medical Group in Boston, Massachusetts. She earned her medical degree from the Université de Montréal and completed her Internal Medicine residency and Chief Medical Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Quraini completed her Cardiology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center, including advanced training in 3D echocardiography. Her interests include cardiovascular imaging, women’s cardiovascular health, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease.

Diyar Saeed, MD, PhD, is Chief of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Heart Center Niederrhein, Health and Medical University Krefeld, a position he has held since November 2022. He is also Professor of Cardiac Surgery and Lecturer at Düsseldorf University and a graduate of Sulaimani University. Dr. Saeed completed his cardiac surgery training at leading international institutions, including the Heart Center Bad Oeynhausen, Cleveland Clinic, Northwestern University Chicago, Düsseldorf University, and the Leipzig Heart Center. Board-certified in cardiac and thoracic surgery, his clinical focus is minimally invasive and heart failure surgery. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Hakemi is an interventional cardiologist with specialized expertise in complex coronary interventions, structural and valvular heart disease, and mechanical circulatory support. He completed his training in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine at John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Research from Rush University. He then pursued interventional cardiology fellowship training at Columbia University Medical Center, New York. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, Echocardiography, and Nuclear Cardiology, Dr. Hakemi is actively involved in outcome-based clinical research, with a focus on coronary artery disease and structural heart disease.

Emil Najjar, MD, is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Centre, Section for Heart Failure and Valvular Disease, at Karolinska University Hospital. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of advanced heart failure and valvular heart disease, with particular expertise in contemporary medical and interventional therapies. Dr. Najjar is actively involved in multidisciplinary care and contributes to clinical research aimed at improving outcomes for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. Through his work at one of Europe’s leading academic medical centers, he is committed to advancing evidence-based cardiovascular care and education.

Faiez Zannad MD, Cardiologist, PhD Clinical Pharmacologist, Emeritus Professor of Therapeutics, Université of Lorraine and Inserm, Nancy, France. As a heart failure specialist and clinical trialist, he contributed to building most of the current evidence-base for heart failure drug therapy. Expertise in biomarker and proteomic science. Recipient of multiple EU-Research grants. Founder of the Global CardioVascular Clinical Trialists (CVCT) Forum, a multistakeholder think tank dedicated to the science of clinical trials. ESC-HFA Lifetime Achievement Award. Clariavte highly Cited Researcher Award. Eugene Braunwald Harvard scholarship Award.

Dr Fakhr has a PhD & master’s degree in clinical pharmacy research as well as master’s in business administration. She is Board certified in clinical poisoning management, Heart Failure, and specialized Arab Board in Cardiology Pharmacy. Dr Alayoubi, is certified as train the trainer for metabolic syndrome (Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease) from the American Pharmacy Association APhA, Meddle East Representative (EMRO) for the Europe pharmacy society FIP (Foundation of International Pharmacy) for Hospital pharmacy and the leader for the global anticoagulation stewardship research, finally the founder and primary investigator of the Saudi Amyloidosis registry (SAMR).

Dr Farhana bin Lootah is renowned for her passion and enthusiasm for good community health and spent her early career in the Republic of Ireland in ambulatory health services, developing an interest in medicine of the elderly, diabetes, obesity, disease prevention and public health awareness. Since 2012, she has led the successful Health Education Forum, sharing her energy and expert advice with hundreds of patients at ICLDC who have benefited from her expertise, insight and profound knowledge in the areas of diabetes management, diet and lifestyle.

Fatemeh Mohammad, MD, is a Cardiology Fellow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She is undergoing advanced training in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, with exposure to state-of-the-art cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, and evidence-based cardiovascular care. Dr. Mohammad is committed to delivering patient-centered care and advancing her clinical expertise within a multidisciplinary academic environment. Her professional interests include preventive cardiology, cardiovascular imaging, and comprehensive cardiovascular disease management. She is dedicated to continuous learning, research, and contributing to excellence in cardiovascular care at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Professor Firas R. Alani, MD, is a Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Central Michigan University, USA, and serves at American Hospital Dubai as Medical Director of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Cathlab, Chief Academic Officer, and Chairman of the American Hospital Academic Institute. With over 15 years of cardiology experience in the United States, he completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, endovascular therapy, and advanced structural heart disease. He holds six American Board certifications and has led over 20 international clinical trials, publishing more than 40 peer-reviewed articles.

Dr Al Badarin is a consultant cardiologist and multimodality imager at HVI in CCAD. He is also the head of the research committee in HVI and the head of imaging working group of emirates cardiac society. His main interests are and amyloid heart disease and optimal use of various imaging modalities to improve resource utilization and cardiac outcomes.

Dynamic and results-driven healthcare leader with 12+ years of proven experience in leading integration programs with a focus on operations, strategy, innovation, and change management. Proven leadership experience in driving operational excellence, optimizing program performance, and fostering a collaborative, results-oriented organizational culture. Skilled in managing diverse teams and implementing data-driven strategies to enhance patient access and overall healthcare outcome. Backed by comprehensive cultural sensitivity, inclusion, and equity training and well-equipped to thrive in diverse environments, fostering inclusivity and respect among team members.

Prof. Hasan Ali Farhan is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Medical Education Specialist, and President of the Iraqi Scientific Council of Cardiology. He serves on the Heart Failure Association/ESC Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Committee and is founder of multiple specialized programs in Iraq, including Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Devices Fellowship, Cardiac Imaging Fellowship, the first Cardio-Oncology Clinic, and the first Cardio-Maternal Clinic. He is National Principal Investigator for international EORP registries, faculty for the International Congress of Cardiac Problems in Pregnancy, and President of the International Cardio-Oncology Society (Iraq Chapter). His expertise spans clinical cardiology, research, medical education, and cardiovascular program development.

Hatem Soliman-Aboumarie MBBS MSc EDICM FRCP PGDipClinEd FEACVI FASE FHEA Consultant in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Clinical Lead Organ Donation, Clinical Lead Advanced Critical Care Practitioners Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, UB9 6JH, London, UK Member of the Board, Councillor for Echocardiography European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) European Society of Cardiology Honorary Senior Lecturer School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences King's College London

Dr. Hussam Ghalib, MD, is a Consultant Cardiologist in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (HVTI) at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD). He specializes in Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology and is the Director of the HVTI Inpatient Services. He is also the Director of the Cardiomyopathy Clinic at CCAD. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Ghalib was at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Centre, where he specialized in Cardiovascular Medicine, and Advanced Heart Failure Management. Dr. Ghalib received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. He then served on faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Hospital for two years. Subsequently, he completed a Cardiovascular Medicine fellowship at UCLA Medical Centre, Los Angeles, California. Dr Ghalib resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two sons.

Dr. Hussien Heshmat is currently a Professor of Cardiology at Cairo University. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology, and the Society of cardiac angiographers and interventionists. He is currently a consultant in interventional cardiology in the UAE. He has performed 5000+ interventional procedures. His interests are primary PCI, complex coronary interventions, peripheral vascular interventions, percutaneous mitral valvotomy, and heart failure management. He won four prizes in interventional cardiology in Egypt and UAE. He has 50 international publications with 470 citations. He is currently a reviewer for Frontiers in cardiology and the associate editor of the Egyptian Heart Journal.

Dr. Iman Hamour is an Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplantation, and Artificial Heart Device Specialist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She brings over 15 years of experience from the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, the UK’s largest heart and lung transplant center. Dr. Hamour holds a Diploma in Heart Transplantation from Imperial College London and an MD in Cardiac Transplantation Research from University College London. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London and several international cardiovascular societies, and serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor at UAE University and Clinical Assistant Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.

After graduating from 1st Medical School of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic in 1997, Prof. Ivan Netuka completed his vascular and subsequently cardiovascular surgery residency and successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Since 2000 he has been professionally attached to the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague, where in 2017 he was promoted to Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. In the following year, he was appointed Professor of Cardiac Surgery at 1st Medical School in Prague. He has authored over 180 peer-reviewed international journal articles and book chapters focusing predominantly on all aspects of advanced heart failure, cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory assistance. Prof. Netuka is active in numerous professional international projects and associations.

Dr. Jehad Al Buraiki is a consultant and the Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program at the Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Alfaisal University. Dr. Al Buraiki completed his fellowship training in cardiology at McGill University and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Canada. His professional affiliations include being a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Jennifer Dela Cruz is a highly experienced Registered Nurse with over 15 years of international clinical and educational expertise, specializing in adult cardiovascular and critical care nursing. She currently serves as a Nurse Educator Specialist at the Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where she leads role transition programs, competency development, caregiver mentoring, and evidence-based education initiatives. Her career spans respected hospitals across the UAE, Australia, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia, with extensive experience in cardiothoracic ICU, post-operative cardiac care, and high-acuity patient management. Jennifer is recognized for her strong leadership, educational innovation, and commitment to advancing professional practice through structured training, curriculum development, and quality improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Sydney and a Master of Nursing from the University of Wollongong Dubai. In addition, she is certified as an AHA BLS and ACLS Instructor and an FCCS Instructor. Passionate about fostering a culture of continuous learning, Jennifer combines clinical excellence with compassionate mentorship to empower the next generation of nursing professionals.

Dr. Rogers is the Director of The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine and holds the Willerson–O’Quinn Endowed Chair. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska and completed internal medicine residency there, followed by cardiology training at Washington University in St. Louis. He served on faculty at Washington University and Duke University before joining the Texas Heart Institute in 2021. His clinical and research focus is advanced heart failure, including transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Rogers has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Dr. Juwaira is a consultant cardiologist at Rashid Hospital in Dubai. She has studied medicine in King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, KSA. She then underwent residency training in internal medicine and subsequently cardiology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She obtained Canadian royal collage certification in internal medicine and cardiology and American board of internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. She then underwent Advanced cardiac imaging training at McGill University. Currently she works at Rashid hospital and she is in-charge of the cardiac imaging group of emirates cardiac society. She has special interest in heart failure management.

Prof. Leila Abid, MD is Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Hédi Chaker University Hospital and Sfax University Medical School, Tunisia. An interventional cardiologist, she is Immediate Past President of the Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, President of the Tunisian College of Cardiology and CV Surgery, and President of the Association of Cardiovascular Doctors of Sfax. She coordinates several national registries, including NATURE, NATURE-PCI, NATURE-Heart Failure, and NATURE-Atrial Fibrillation, and participates in international registries such as FAST-MI and EURO-ENDO. Prof. Abid has authored over 120 publications and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Tunisian Journal of Cardiology.

Magdy Abdelhamid is a Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. He is an interventional cardiologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience and has a particular interest in coronary intervention and heart failure. He had a Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship at the Heart Failure & Cardiac Transplantation centre, The Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School ,1999. He is a Principal Investigator of the ISCHEMIA trial (Cairo University site) , a major multicentre international study on the management of stable coronary artery disease. Professor Abdelhamid is Immediate Past President of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology and Chairman of their working group on heart failure as well as Board member of the Society. He is a Board Member of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC (2020-2022) , Co-Chair of the Acute Heart Failure Scientific Committee of HFA, ESC (2020- 2022) & Co-Chair of the Valvular Heart Disease Scientific Committee of HFA, ESC (2020- 2022) He is a Member of the Committee for Practice Guidelines, ESC (2020-2022) He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention. He is also a member of a number of international societies including the American College of Cardiology, the ESC and the European Association of Cardiovascular Intervention. Professor Abdelhamid is on the Editorial Board for the ESC journal Heart Failure and Interventional Cardiology. He acted as a reviewer for the European 2017 guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease and is the national coordinator for the European Valvular Heart Disease II Survey/Registry and the European Heart Failure III Registry. He has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, presented at several international conferences and participated in many international research projects and registries.

Mahmoud a Physical Therapist who graduated from Jordan University in 2010, with a BSc in Physiotherapy. Mahmoud worked in inpatient and outpatient setting since graduation. Mahmoud specialized in Cardiac Rehabilitation as a Senior Physiotherapist. Since joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2014 Mahmoud has been the Cardiac Rehabilitation Therapist until he promoted to Cardiac Rehab Supervisor in 2019 and has led the team using evidenced based practice to manage a wide variety of Cardiac conditions. Mahmoud is interested and actively involved with research studying the role of Cardiac Rehabilitation in the management of patients with cardiac conditions.

Dr. Mahmoud Traina, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Previously, he was Associate Professor at UCLA and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, where he expanded laboratory capacity and advanced complex coronary interventions. He also served as Associate Program Director of the Cardiology Fellowship and core Faculty for Internal Medicine Residency, earning multiple teaching awards. Dr. Traina trained in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology at UCLA. His research focuses on radial access optimization, cardiomyopathy management, and novel approaches to acute heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Mandeep R. Mehra is The William Harvey Distinguished Chair in Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Medical Director of the Brigham Heart and Vascular Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He specializes in advanced heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation. He has served as President of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and also President of the Heart Failure Society of America. He has published more than 400 manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters in areas of immunosuppression, genomic medicine, cardiac transplant rejection, guidelines for listing patients for a heart transplant, and in mechanical circulatory support. Additionally, Mehra is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Dr. Medhat Soliman, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician in the Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He specializes in the management of advanced heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Soliman served as an Advanced Heart Failure Specialist at the Ministry of Health of Kuwait, Dabbous Cardiac Centre, and as a Senior Specialist in Cardiovascular Medicine at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He trained at Ain Shams University and the National Heart Institute of Egypt and holds certifications from the American National Board of Echocardiography and European Boards in Heart Failure and Echocardiography.

He has over 12 years of experience in cardiovascular medicine with a focus on advanced heart failure therapies, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiac imaging. Dr. Aziz holds board certifications in Cardiovascular CT and Adult Echocardiography, with specialized training in 3D and strain imaging. His clinical and research interests include LVAD and ECMO management, cardiac imaging integration in structural heart interventions, and outcomes in myocarditis and advanced heart failure. He is an active member of the ESC, ACC, and ASE.

Dr. Badiwala was a Staff Cardiovascular Surgeon at Toronto General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto from 2014 to 2023. He served as the Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation and Fellowship Director for Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Badiwala received his MD and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto. He also completed his residency in Cardiac Surgery at the University of Toronto. He completed a fellowship in Advanced Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern University as Chief Fellow, specializing in advanced valve repair, heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.

Mo’ath Bani Ali, MD is the Chief Cardiology Fellow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He earned his medical degree from Mutah University in Jordan, completed internal medicine residency training, and is currently pursuing advanced fellowship training in cardiology. His clinical interests include interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure, cardiac imaging, and structural heart disease. Dr. Bani Ali is actively involved in clinical research, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations, and holds leadership roles within graduate medical education, research council, and professional evaluation committees, as well as quality improvement initiatives.

Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Mafraq Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. He graduated with honors from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed internal medicine residency at Georgetown University, serving as Chief Resident. Dr. Aljaabari completed fellowships in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, and is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Electrophysiology. He is trained in all basic and complex EP procedures.

Dr. Mohamed El Khashab is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He has extensive experience in the field of cardiology, having worked as an Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologist and the Director of the cardiac intensive care unit at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, US. Dr. El Khashab has also held the position of Assistant Professor of Critical Care Medicine at Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine and acted as a clinical director for the Egyptian military. His expertise includes Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, and he is involved in the management of cardiogenic shock.

Dr. El Harari is a Consultant Cardiologist who graduated from Tripoli Medical School and obtained his MRCP and FRCP from the United Kingdom. He completed cardiology training in the North East of England, earning his CCST in 2001, and served as Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospital of North Durham for 15 years. He later worked in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where he led non-invasive cardiology and established multidisciplinary heart failure services at Al Ain and Tawam Hospitals. He served as Chair of the UAE Heart Failure Group (2022–2024) and was Principal Investigator in multiple international clinical trials.

Mohamed Salah Osman has 31 years of rich and insightful experience. Dr. Osman has a Doctorate degree in Cardio-vascular Medicine. He renders consultancy on cardiology and conducts classes in various academic roles across diverse organizations. Over the years, he has actively contributed to extensive research in cardiology, with many international publications in different international journals. He has deep expertise in this field and skills has earned immense recognition and respect from reputed healthcare institutions, peers & patients.

Dr. Mohammad Zaidan is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at American Hospital Dubai, where he joined in December 2023. He has over 10 years of experience in advanced cardiovascular interventions in the United States and is American Board–certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, and Endovascular Medicine. Dr. Zaidan completed his Internal Medicine residency in Michigan, serving as Chief Medical Resident, followed by fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology/Endovascular Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital. An award-winning educator and active ACC and SCAI fellow, he has multiple publications and extensive research experience. His expertise includes advanced coronary interventions, mechanical circulatory support, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral arterial disease.

Dr. Mohammed Khalil, MD, is the Section Head for Clinical and Imaging Services at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart and Vascular Institute and a member of the Heart Failure team. Formerly Director of Imaging Services at UnityPoint Health, Iowa, he established key cardiovascular programs. A Jordan native, he earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan and completed postgraduate and subspecialty training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. Board-certified in multiple cardiovascular disciplines, Dr. Khalil’s research focuses on advanced imaging to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Dr. Nadya Obaid Al Matrooshi, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, she completed an Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Fellowship at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Canada. Dr. Al Matrooshi earned her medical degree from Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain, and holds a Master’s degree in Leadership in Health Professions Education from the Royal College of Surgeons. She is Arab Board certified in Internal Medicine and General Cardiology, trained through ACGME-I programs, and holds certification from the European College of Heart Failure. She is a member of the Canadian Heart Failure Society and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Dr. Negin Molazadeh received her Medical Degree in 2011 from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, where she also completed her Specialty in cardiology. She went on to finish her Fellowship Training in Clinical Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant at Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Centre in Tehran, the first tertiary center for cardiovascular disease and heart transplants in Tehran, Iran. Dr. Negin is not only a medical professional but also a dedicated learner, holding fellowships with the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the American Society of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiology. Throughout her career, Negin has maintained a deep curiosity and an open mind to provide her patients with the latest and most effective treatments. She continuously benchmarks her practice against the best professionals worldwide, visiting international centers, and sharing knowledge with her peers. Regularly, she attends national and international meetings and conferences, and her passion for teaching and innovation is evident. She has even published articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work on a national and international stage. Dr. Negin takes a holistic approach to patient care, guiding them through every step from diagnosis to discussing the best options and providing ongoing support as needed. She believes in collaborative decision-making, ensuring each patient feels comfortable and empowered to choose procedures that minimize both the physical and psychological impact of their disease. Her expertise spans various aspects of cardiology, including heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, cardio-oncology, pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease, angiography and angioplasty, cardiac MRI, preventive heart disease programs, trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiography, exercise tests, arrhythmias management, holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and blood pressure management. Dr. Negin Molazadeh is dedicated to making a difference in the world of cardiology, one patient at a time.

Dr. Nizar Attallah completed his Internal Medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan, followed by fellowships in Nephrology and Hypertension and in Kidney Transplantation at the same institution. He served on staff at Henry Ford Hospital from 2006 to 2008 and later at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi from 2014 to 2022. He currently practices with Nephrology Associates of Kentuckiana and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. His clinical interests include resistant hypertension, kidney transplantation, chronic kidney disease, and cardiorenal syndrome. He has published several abstracts and peer-reviewed articles.

Noha Yaseen is a consultant non invasive cardiologist with special interest in cardiac imaging, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in Al Qassimi Hospital. She completed her internal medicine residency and fellowship in cardiology in Dubai health Authority. She is Arab Board certified in both internal medicine and cardiology. She is also a member of the royal college of physicians in the UK. She is also certified by European board of Transthoracic Echo. She is also level 2 certified in cardiac CT.

Dr. Nooshin Bazargani is a Consultant Cardiologist with Dubai Health Authority and Deputy Head of the Dubai Heart Centre at Dubai Hospital. She is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, serving as a key educator at Dubai Medical College and chief organizer of mock and final medical examinations. Dr. Bazargani is a board member of the World Heart Federation and the Emirates Cardiac Society and serves on several national committees, including the UAE NCD and Cardiovascular Disease Committees. Her clinical interests include preventive cardiology, public health initiatives, heart failure management, ischemic heart disease, anticoagulation therapy, and cardiovascular education program development.

Nqoba Tsabedze, an associate professor at the School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, is deeply committed to cardiology. He is the Academic and Clinical Head of the Division of Cardiology at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. He also serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the South African Heart Association Board and an Executive Board member of the South African Hypertension Society, demonstrating his active involvement in shaping the future of cardiology in South Africa. As the President of the Heart Failure Society of South Africa (HEFSSA), he promotes African heart failure research and treatment. His admission as a fellow of the European Society of Cardiology in 2022 further validates his commitment. Nqoba's passion for teaching and training undergraduate and postgraduate students is a testament to his dedication to the field.

Dr. Omer Ali is a Consultant Nephrologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, with nearly 14 years of experience in renal medicine. He holds a BSc from University College London and an MBChB from Cardiff University, and obtained his CCT in Nephrology and General Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians. Dr. Ali previously served as a consultant at Barts Health NHS Trust and trained at leading UK institutions, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital. His clinical interests include diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and transplant medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

Rami Bany Ata is a cardiology fellow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with a strong interest in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation. He is dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered cardiovascular care while pursuing excellence in clinical training and academic development. His professional interests focus on the management of complex heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, and transplant cardiology. Rami is committed to advancing his expertise through evidence-based practice, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing research. He aspires to contribute meaningfully to the evolving field of advanced heart failure and improve outcomes for patients with severe cardiovascular disease through innovation, compassion, and clinical excellence.

Dr. Harb is a British Cardiologist. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine then fellowship in General Cardiology at The American University of Beirut Medical Center. In 2006, Dr. Harb joined The Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), London – United Kingdom, where he subspecialized in Inherited Heart Diseases. He practiced at UCLH and The North Middlesex University Hospital in London, and his specialist interest was the treatment of cardiac muscle diseases, specifically inherited pathologies. He is listed on the Cardiology Specialist Register of the General Medical Council United Kingdom, with a full license to practice in the UK. Currently, Dr Harb is a full-time Cardiology Consultant at the Healthpoint Hospital – Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Rana Abou Mrad, MD, MSc, is a Consultant Nephrologist and Head of the Nephrology Department at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi, and former Director of Medical Education. She holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and completed advanced leadership training at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Abou Mrad has led the alignment of nephrology services across Mediclinic Middle East and chairs key Clinical Quality, Patient Safety, and Sentinel Events committees. She is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Mohammed Bin Rashid University and is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

Richard C. Ferrer, BSN, RN, CHFN, is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Nurse Coordinator in the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He graduated magna cum laude from Our Lady of Fatima University in the Philippines and began his career in cardiovascular nursing, later serving as Head Nurse. He joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2015 and has been an active member of the Heart Failure Program Committee. As Nurse Coordinator, he oversees care coordination for heart failure patients and advanced therapies, including mechanical circulatory support and transplantation. He is a Certified Heart Failure Nurse and the first nurse outside North America to earn this designation.

Dr. Rizwan Ahmed is Division Chief of Adult Cardiology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. He has subspecialty expertise in adult congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, inherited cardiac conditions, and advanced cardiac imaging. Dr. Ahmed is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a member of the European Society of Cardiology Working Groups on Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Pulmonary Circulation. He trained in cardiology in the East of England and completed specialist training at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, and the Royal Brompton Hospital. He holds a PhD in cardiovascular genomics from Imperial College London, has published in high-impact journals, and has advanced training in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Dr. Ronney Shantouf, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he was a Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Olive View–UCLA Medical Center. He also served as Cardiology Education Course Chair for the Internal Medicine Residency program. An interventional cardiologist, Dr. Shantouf specializes in transradial coronary interventions, intravascular imaging, and invasive hemodynamic assessment, having performed thousands of procedures. He is American Board certified and earned his medical degree and completed residency at UCLA.

Dr. Safaa Al Mohdar graduated with First Class Honours from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in 2001 and completed her General Professional Training in Internal Medicine in Dublin, earning her FRCPI. Her primary interest is cardiac imaging, and she established the Cardiac CT service at Zayed Military Hospital. She is Level 3 trained in cardiac CT and MRI, holds certification boards in Cardiovascular CT and Nuclear Cardiology, and is a fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Dr. Al Mohdar is actively involved in non-invasive cardiology, performing advanced cardiac imaging and related procedures.

Dr. Shady Hegazi, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He earned his medical degree from Cairo University and completed his cardiology residency at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt. He holds a Master’s in Cardiovascular Disease from Ain Shams University and an MD in Cardiovascular Medicine from Fayoum University. Dr. Hegazi has training in Cardiac MRI from King’s College London and Cardiac CT from Edinburgh University and Johns Hopkins Medical Center, and is board-certified in Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (CBCCT). His interests include cardiovascular imaging, and he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.

Shaira Villa, BSN, RN, HAAD-RN, USRN, is a Staff Nurse and Heart Failure Nurse at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She graduated in 2010 from San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation in the Philippines and gained experience in medical-surgical, pediatric, and OBGYN care at MV Santiago Medical Center and Makati Medical Center. She joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2017, initially as a staff nurse in the Heart and Vascular Institute, and later specialized in heart failure care. Shaira coordinates patient care, monitors for worsening heart failure, educates patients and families, and supports adherence to treatment plans, playing a key role in the Heart Failure team.

Shereen Hassib, MSc, RD is a Registered Dietitian licensed to practice in Canada and the United Arab Emirates. She is a graduate of the Western University of Ontario in London, Canada where she completed her Bachelor and Master’s of Science degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics. Shereen currently works at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) specializing in critical care. She is responsible for providing Medical Nutrition Therapy to patients in the Cardiac and Thoracic ICU where she actively works to optimize the nutrition status of patients for lung and heart transplantation and also patients on ECMO. Shereen's ability to provide nutritional care and education to patients contains working on a multitude of platforms including adults, pediatrics, and geriatrics. She is an active member of Dietitians of Canada, the College of Dietitians of Ontario, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

Shumaila Sheikh is a medical social worker with over 2 decades experience in acute, critical, and community healthcare settings. She has specialized in transplant social work, complex discharge planning, case management, and currently works at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as a clinical certified transplant social worker. As a member of the Society of Transplant Social Workers, she is dedicated to advancing psychosocial support in transplant care. She is also an active Toastmaster, recognized for excellence in communication and leadership.

Mr. Soufiane Roussia is a clinical nurse educator and emerging nursing scholar specializing in cardiology and critical care nursing. He serves as Chair of the Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Committee at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and Chair of the UAE Specialist Nurse Forum. Mr. Soufiane holds dual Master’s degrees in Adult Health Nursing (RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, 2021) and Cardiovascular Nursing (Mohammed Bin Rashid University, 2023). He further enhanced his expertise through a certificate in Advanced Clinical Education and a Cardiac Nurse Specialist internship at Queen’s University and the NHS in the UK.

Dr. Syed Khurram M Gardezi MBBS, MRCP(Ireland), MRCP(UK), MAcadMEd, MRes.(Oxon), CCT Cardiology(UK), FRCP(UK), FACC(USA) Consultant Cardiologist in Heart Failure, Cardiac MRI and Cardiomyopathy Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City - Mayo Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in Cardiology, College of Medical & Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Umer Darr, MD is the Division Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. Previously, he was on faculty at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Darr earned his medical degree from Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, and completed his cardiac residency at Yale. He specializes in coronary artery surgery, valve repair, aneurysm repair, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) surgery, performing over 5,000 open-heart procedures. Residing in Abu Dhabi with his wife Dana and son Haider, he enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Dr. Wael Abdulrahman Almahmeed is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and a Clinical Professor at Khalifa University. He holds an Adjunct Staff position at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Dr. Almahmeed trained in medicine at the University of Southampton, UK, and completed postgraduate training and an Echocardiography fellowship at the University of British Columbia, Canada. A Fellow of multiple international cardiology societies, he is a founding member of the Gulf Heart Association and Emirates Cardiac Society. His expertise includes non-invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and heart disease in pregnancy, with over 350 publications and leadership in regional cardiovascular research.

Consultant Heart Failure Cardiologist Professor of medicine Masters of healthcare administration and policy Founder and past president of the Saudi Heart Failure working group President of the Saudi Heart Association Medical director of Alhabib Olaya

Dr. Waleed Kadro is a senior interventional cardiologist with extensive expertise in cardiovascular medicine, electrophysiology, and complex structural heart interventions. He graduated from the University of Damascus School of Medicine in 1985 and completed residency and multiple fellowships at Georgetown University, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and George Washington University. Certified by the American Board in Interventional Cardiology, Heart Rhythm, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Internal Medicine, he has held leadership roles across major hospitals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of The Golden Center for Academic Cardiovascular Teaching & Research, he also directs its Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program and serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Golden Cardiovascular Review Journal.

Dr. Waleed Ezzat Nafee Farag is a Senior Cardiologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Abu Dhabi, with over 12 years of cardiology experience. He previously served as Head of Cardiology at NMC-RH MBZ and Cardiology Lead for the NMC Cluster, as well as a cardiologist at Zayed Military Hospital. Dr. Farag holds an MBBCh in Medicine and Surgery, a Master’s in Cardiovascular Medicine, and diplomas in Evidence-Based Medicine (Harvard University) and Hospital & Quality Management (American University in Cairo). A certified AHA instructor and SCOPE-certified professional, his expertise includes cardiometabolic diseases, preventive cardiology, heart failure, imaging, and acute cardiac care.

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine | Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Of Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland OH | US Former Cardiologist, Advanced Heart Failure services and heart transplantation. Consultant cardiologist, Advanced Cardiac Imaging Heart & Vascular institute | Cardiology department | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Now, Consultant Cardiologist and Lead Advanced Heart Failure and advanced cardiac imaging. Shiekh Khalifa Speciality Hospital, Fujairah, UAE

Prof. Dr. Mullens is a staff cardiologist at Hospital Oost-Limburg Genk, Belgium, and Full Professor at the School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University. He completed cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation training in Belgium, followed by advanced fellowships in heart failure, cardiac transplantation, and electrical therapies at the Cleveland Clinic, USA. He earned his PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology in 2009. A dedicated heart failure clinician-scientist, his research focuses on cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiorenal interactions. He has authored over 380 peer-reviewed publications and led the ADVOR trial published in NEJM. He has served as President of the Belgian Working Group on Heart Failure and is President-Elect of the European Heart Failure Association.

Dr. Yasmin Rustamova, MD, PhD, FESC is a cardiologist and Associate Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University, specializing in heart failure and advanced cardiac imaging (CMR, CT, Echo). A Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, she has completed fellowships in Zurich and London, with advanced imaging training in Italy. She is the author of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Atlas: 101 Clinical Cases (Springer) and has published over 60 scientific papers, presenting regularly at leading international cardiology congresses.

Dr. Samad is the Ibn-e-Sina Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University, Pakistan, and the founding Director of the Health Data Science Center. She also serves as Co-Director of the NIHR Global Health Research Center for IMPACT and is a practicing cardiologist. A graduate of Aga Khan University, she completed residency in internal medicine, fellowship in cardiology, and a master’s in clinical research at Duke University, USA. Her research focuses on cardiovascular epidemiology, outcomes, and implementation science to improve population health. She is deeply committed to advancing health in Pakistan through data science, policy-driven research, and gender-inclusive training initiatives.

Dr. Zviad Kipiani is the Head of Cardiovascular Department at New Hospitals in Georgia. As part of his role, Dr. Zviad is in charge of Evaluation Pre and Post Cardiac Surgery Patients, Intensive Care, Inpatient and Outpatient care, Diagnostics-noninvasive (Echo Lab, Cardiac CT, MRI) – invasive, Research Studies and Teaching Activities.