Mena Conference

Speakers

Prof. Anil Dhawan King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. Anil Dhawan

King's College Hospital London,UK

Professor of Paediatric Hepatology

Professor Dhawan graduated in medicine in 1986 and after completing his residency in Paediatrics in India, joined King’s College Hospital, London as trainee in Paediatric Hepatology in 1992. In March 1995, he was appointed visiting professor and consultant in paediatric gastroenterology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, and USA. He relocated to King’s College Hospital, London in August 1996 as consultant Paediatric Hepatologist. He was appointed Professor of Paediatric Hepatology at Kings College London in 2005.He became Director of the Paediatric Liver Center and the Head of the Paediatrics department of King’s College Hospital, London in 2009.

Prof Dhawan’s basic science research interest is liver cell transplantation. His lab was the first to transplant human liver cells in UK for liver based metabolic disorders and first in the world to transplant human hepatocytes in alginate beads to treat acute liver failure in children.

Prof Dhawan’s other research interests are outcome of children after liver transplantation, immunosuppression, metabolic liver disease and acute liver failure.

He has published over 300 research papers & edited 4 books in paediatric hepatology & human hepatocyte transplantation.

Research in his lab is funded by the DoH, NIHR, FP7 (the EU), NIH, MRC and several other medical charities like CLDF, Khosla Foundation, Wellchild Trust, Children Transplant foundation and Kings college Hospital Charity.

Prof Dhawan has been board member of ESPGHAN, ILTS, BSPGHAN and CTRMS. He is the chair of membership committee of ILTS. He is on the editorial board of Journal of hepatology, Pediatric Research, Pediatric Transplantation, Experimental and clinical hepatology.

Prof Dhawan is proud of developing basic science laboratories for research in liver disease (Mowat Labs) and Slorech International learning hub . The facilities are dedicated to his mentor late Prof Alex Mowat, who believed in delivering innovative high quality care underpinned by strong basic science and share the knowledge worldwide.

He is the President of the Cell Transplantation and Regenerative medicine society.

Prof. Kypros Nicolaides King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. Kypros Nicolaides

King's College Hospital London,UK

Professor of Fetal Medicine,

Kyprianos "Kypros" Nicolaides (born 1953) is a Greek-Cypriot maternal fetal medicine specialist, holding several patents in fetal surgery. He is one of the pioneers of fetal medicine. His discoveries have revolutionised fetal medicine. He introduced the screening of chromosomal and structural abnormalities, has improved the screening and prevention of pre-eclampsia and premature birth and allowed the development of fetal therapy.[1]

Nicolaides was born in 1953 in Paphos, Cyprus. He studied medicine at King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry in London and soon after graduation joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1980, doing research with Professor Stuart Campbell and Professor Charles Rodeck as his first assistant, working mainly on fetoscopic techniques and procedures. His manual dexterity at procedures and the Rodeck-Nicolaides team soon produced some very important papers on the use of fetoscopy in the management of a wide range of conditions such Rhesus iso-immunization, fetal hydrops and intrauterine growth restriction, and procedures such as blood and tissue sampling in the diagnosis of single gene defects.

After the departure of Professor Rodeck, Nicolaides succeeded him as director of the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, the first fetal medicine unit in the United Kingdom. His programme of research and teaching made King's College Hospital an important centre of fetal medicine.

He holds the position of Professor of Fetal Medicine at King's College London since 1991.[2]

He has contributed to over one thousand journal articles and more than thirty books and monographs.

Concluding a major part of his work over the years regarding the 11–13 weeks scan assessment (including measurement of nuchal translucency) he has proposed a new model of pregnancy care "Turning the Pyramid of prenatal Care". This model shows that it is now possible to assess the risk for most of the relevant complications affecting mother and unborn child if combined screening tests are carried out in a specialist outpatient clinic following protocols published by The Fetal Medicine Foundation. Assessing the risk for pregnancy complications at such an early time in pregnancy might give doctors the chance to reassure patients, and to prevent pre-eclampsia and premature birth, which are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.[3]

Arguably, the most significant advance is that most professionals and parents consider the fetus as a separate individual and a potential patient in his or her own right. Indeed, once the fetus is recognised to be at risk the perinatal outcome is better than in an apparently low risk pregnancy.1 Antepartum “unexplained” fetal death is by far the commonest cause of death between 20 weeks’ gestation and the age of one year, comprising nearly 40% of deaths in this period.2 The main challenge in pregnancy care is to improve fetal surveillance in low risk pregnancies so that potentially compromised fetuses can be identified.

Prof. Francesco Rubino King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. Francesco Rubino

King's College Hospital London,UK

Chair of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division

Professor Francesco Rubino is Chair of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at King's College London and Honorary Consultant at King's College Hospital. He is internationally recognised as one of the world's leaders in research, teaching and practice of metabolic and weight loss surgery. Professor Rubino's research showed that the anti-diabetes effect of certain bariatric procedures, particularly gastric bypass surgery, result from mechanisms beyond weight loss. This evidence provided scientific rationale for surgical treatment of type 2 diabetes including in less obese patients. His research findings and theories also points to a role of the gastrointestinal tract in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity. Professor Rubino received his MD in general surgery at the Catholic University / Policlinico Gemelli in Rome and he completed fellowships at the European Institute of Telesurgery in Strasbourg; MountSinai Medical Centre in New York and the Cleveland Clinic. Professor Rubino is the recipient of numerous awards and has given hundreds of presentations throughout the world. He is the author of over 100 articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters. For several consecutive years Professor Rubino was selected by both US News & World Report and Castle Conolly as one of "America's Top Doctors"

Prof. Ghulam Mufti King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. Ghulam Mufti

King's College Hospital London,UK

Professor of Haematological Oncology,

Professor Ghulam J Mufti is head of the department of haematological medicine at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’s hospitals, King’s College London, with a team of 13 professors, 6 senior lecturers/lecturers & approximately 100+ research staff. In addition Professor Mufti is the Clinical Director of Laboratories Sciences and a non-executive director of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Ghulam Mufti has extensive clinical & research expertise in leukaemias, lymphomas & in particular myelodysplastic syndromes, for which he is internationally renowned. His particular area of research has focused on molecular aberrations in MDS/AML & the identification of novel therapies that include gene & cell based therapies. He has published 400+ papers and chapters in scientific journals and textbooks on leukaemias and MDS.

He heads the research groups at King’s working on the molecular genetics of MDS/aplastic anaemia/AML, & is a member of the working group that produced national and international guidelines on the treatment and prognosis of MDS. He is a founding member & chair of the UK MDS Forum. He is also a member of the European Bone Marrow Transplantation Group and a founding member of the Board of the International Myelodysplastic foundation, for which his department at King’s College Hospital is a recognised Centre of Excellence. The department is also a centre of excellence for Leukaemia Lymphoma Research and is the largest allogeneic bone marrow transplant centre in the UK, and the only gene and cell based therapies centre for myeloid leukaemia and allied diseases.

Prof. John Deanfield University College London,
UK View Profile

Prof. John Deanfield

University College London,UK
Consultant Cardiologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH);
Professor of Cardiology,

Professor Deanfield undertook his undergraduate training at Churchill College, Cambridge and the Middlesex Hospital, London and subsequently trained at the Hammersmith and Great Ormond Street Hospitals. His principal interests are vascular medicine, opportunities for lifetime management of cardiovascular risk and large scale cardiovascular outcomes research. He has been at the forefront in describing the impact of obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and other risk factors on health in later life, through coordination of multiple large longitudinal cardiovascular studies in population throughout lifetime

He Chaired the Joint British Societies (JBS3) National Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (2014) and in collaboration with Public Health England, NHS Choices and NHS England led the development of the public facing Heart Age Tool first launched in January 2015. He was awarded the British Cardiac Society McKenzie Award, and the John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Decades of Service Award in 2017.

Professor Deanfield serves on many international advisory boards and is a member of the editorial boards of several major CV journals, as well as Associate Editor of the European Heart Journal. He has published numerous articles in leading medical and scientific journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Circulation and European Heart Journal. Papers published: 459 Citations: 84,892 H index: 130.

Prof. David Rees King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. David Rees

King's College Hospital London,UK

Consultant Paediatric Haematologist
Professor of Paediatric Sickle Cell Disease

David Rees is professor of paediatric sickle cell disease at King’s College London and consultant in paediatric haematology at King’s College Hospital, London. He has research and clinical interests in paediatric sickle cell disease, and other inherited red cell abnormalities, including porphyrias, thalassaemia and enzymopathies.

He has previously worked in London, Oxford and Sheffield. He spent six years in the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford doing research on haemoglobin disorders. He is involved in the care of more than 500 children with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia in southern England. He is a medical adviser to the Sickle Cell Society in the UK.

Prof. Nigel Heaton King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Prof. Nigel Heaton

King's College Hospital London,UK
Consultant Surgeon – Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery / Liver Transplantation

Nigel Heaton: HPB and adult and paediatric liver transplant surgeon. Director of Transplantation at King’s College Hospital and Professor of Liver Transplantation Kings College, London. Heads the liver transplant programme at King’s College Hospital and has done for the past 25 years. The unit performs approximately 250 transplants per year in adults and children. We perform split, living donor, auxiliary and DCD liver transplantation, in addition to the DBD program. There are also nationally recognised programmes for islet, hepatocyte and small bowel transplantation. In the last 29 years the unit has performed approaching 6,000 liver transplants. We have trained doctors and nurses from around the world helping to develop liver transplantation. Published over 400 papers in peer reviewed journals. Research interests include HCC and cholangiocarcinoma and ischaemia reperfusion.

Dr. Bu Hayee King's College Hospital London,
UK View Profile

Dr. Bu Hayee

King's College Hospital London,UK

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Dr Hayee is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at King's College Hospital and has been Clinical Lead for the department since 2015. He trained at Guy’s Hospital (GKT Medical School), graduating in 1999. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) in 2015 and a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGAF) in 2019. His PhD, awarded in 2010, examined the role of innate immunity and neutrophil function in Crohn's disease.

He is a Reader in Gastroenterology at King’s College London and maintains an active research interest, supervising several PhD fellows and basic scientists as well as lecturing and acting as ‘hands-on’ Faculty on national and international conferences in IBD and Endoscopy.

He is nationally-accredited for bowel cancer screening colonoscopy and has specialist interests in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and high-quality endoscopy. In 2011, he was awarded a travelling fellowship to Yokohama, Japan to study advanced endoscopic techniques with Professors Haruhiro Inoue and Shin-ei Kudo and is co-director of the King’s Institute of Therapeutic Endoscopy.

He has a commitment to innovation and delivering the highest quality service possible; with thoughtfulness, rapid communication, clarity of information and partnership.

Dr Hayee is a member of the British Society of Gastroenterology (for whom he serves as a member of the IBD section committee), the American Gastroenterological Association, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation, the American and European Societies for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy.

Dr. Omar Hallak King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Omar Hallak

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Lead Cardiology,

Dr. Hallak is currently the Head of Cardiology department at King’s College Hospital, Dubai. President (gulf Chapter) of international Society of Endovascular Specialists, Chairman of 4TS international conference, previous Chief Interventional Cardiologist at American Hospital Dubai, and Board Member of Emirate Cardiac Society. Dr. Hallak received his post graduate training and research in United States at University of Illinois, Chicago, North Western University and Louisiana University in New Orleans. He is Board Certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Vascular Medicine, Endovascular Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology and Internal Medicine.

He was the Head of Cardiology Department at Saint Francis Hospital in USA, and assistant Professor at LSU New Orleans and University of West Virginia. He has performed thousands of procedures including Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Intervention in addition to Pacemaker and ICD/ CRT Implantation. He participated in many national and international research studies with many publications. He involved extensively in local, regional and international cardiology conferences as a Speaker and as a Chairman.

Dr. Maryam Matar UAE Genetic Diseases Association,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Maryam Matar

UAE Genetic Diseases Association,Dubai, UAE

Founder & Chairperson of UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA)

A leading healthcare influencer and a global speaker, Her Excellency Dr Maryam Matar had pioneered study of genes and advocates public education and awareness of genetic disorders across the ME region. She is single handedly responsible for putting UAE on the global map of genetic research and innovation. As a pioneer genetic scientist, she played a lead role in bringing new legislations for pre-marital screening, preventive genetic testing and relevant mandatory legislations at the government level in the UAE.

In 2004 she had conceptualized a national body on genetic disorder, awareness and prevention and UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA) and Sheikh Zayed Research Centre were founded as a dedication to the memory of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the U.A.E and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al- Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Tolerance of UAE and President, UAE Genetic Diseases Association. She is currently serving on the panel of Global Commission to End the Diagnostic Odyssey for Children with a Rare Disease. The Global Commission will develop an actionable roadmap to help the rare disease field to shorten the multi-year diagnostic journey, considered a key to a longer, healthier life.

Dr. Vittorio Iantorno King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Vittorio Iantorno

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Consultant Neurologist,

Dr Vittorio Iantorno is the Consultant and Lead Neurology at King`s College Hospital London UAE with 20 years of European experience in the field. He completed all his studies in Rome (Italy) obtaining his Medical Degree in Medicine & Surgery then later qualifying as Italian Board of Neurology. He then moved to UK in 2001. For many years he was the Clinical Lead in Neurology/Head of Neurology Department in one of the largest Foundation Trusts in United Kingdom (Heart of England NHS Trust), a general, specialised and community care Hospital. He also acted as Chairperson of the local Parkinson’s Disease Operational Group. Dr Iantorno worked in various NHS Hospitals in UK including East Kent NHS Trust & King’s College Hospital in London (UK), Royal Free Hospital in London & Hertfordshire NHS Trust before moving for over a decade to Heart of England NHS Trust and then to Dubai in 2015. He is the. He has also brought to Dubai many years of invaluable experience in the Private Practice in the United Kingdom. Managing all type of headaches have always fascinated him since early days in the field for what he was actively involved in setting Guidelines for general physicians in managing such patients in Primary Care and setting guidelines in secondary Care especially in relation to Neuroradiology Department

Career highlights:

• Italian Board of Neurology – Roma (Italy)

• Medical Degree in Medicine from the "University La Sapienza" in Roma (Italy)

• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP- London, UK)

• Member of the Medical Defense Union

• Member of the British Medical Association

• Member of the Emirates Neurological Society

• Past member of the Movement Disorder Society

• Past member of the American Academy of Neurology

• Past-Councilor of Italian Medical Society of Great Britain

Dr. Mohamed El Toukhy King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Mohamed El Toukhy

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Consultant Anaesthetist - Pain Management Specialist,

Current Appointment: Consultant Pain Medicine & Anaesthesia at Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since January 2012

Current scope of practice

1. Anaesthesia

I currently practice as a consultant anaesthetist at Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, my sessions are flexible and covers a wide variety of anaesthetic subspecialties including:

• Trauma and orthopaedics

• ENT surgery

• Maxillofacial surgery

• Colorectal surgery

• Gynaecological surgery

• Adult and paediatric emergencies

• I take part in the consultant oncall rota

I have a great experience in managing difficult airway & the use of awake fibreoptic intubation when necessary. I also undertake ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks for orthopaedic and trauma patients.

2. Pain medicine

I have been a consultant in pain medicine and anaesthesia for more than 6 years. I have an extensive experience in the treatment of different acute & chronic painful conditions using a multimodal approach including treatment of : Musculoskeletal pain (lower back pain, sciatica and upper limb radiculopathies, neck and shoulder pain)

Neuropathic pain (including post herpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome- CRPS, post-surgical pain) Cancer pain.

I am experienced in providing various interventional procedures using fluoroscopy guidance and ultrasound. As an example, I am listing some of the common procedures performed.

• Epidural Steroids – Lumbar, caudal and Transforaminal

• Facet joint radiofrequency denervation

• Facet joint injections

• Medial branch blocks

• Nerve root blocks

• Dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment

• Cervical epidural steroids

• Stellate ganglion blocks

• Lumbar sympathetic blocks

• Celiac plexus blocks

• Ganglion impar block

• Ganglion impar pulsed RF

• Trigger point injections, peripheral nerve blocks with and without ultrasound guidance.

• I am also trained to undertake complex procedures such as spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery systems and cervical cordotomies.

Dr. Amit Majumdar King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Amit Majumdar

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Associate Chief Medical Officer

Dr Amit Majumdar is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, with superspecialty level research, training and training with expertise in urogynaecology from the UK.

He is also the Associate CMO for Women’s and Children at King’s College Hospital Dubai.

He has more than 70 publications & presentations in urogynaecology & other specialities of obstetrics and gynaecology in peer reviewed journals.

He has extensive experience of surgical correction of female urinary incontinence, prolapse, abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy and all other gynaecological surgeries. He has special experience of surgery for women with invasive placental disease and other high-risk obstetric surgeries.

Dr. Adnan Tahir King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Adnan Tahir

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Associate Chief Medical Officer,

Dr Adnan is passionate about delivering quality outcomes in aesthetics. Born in Manchester and after completing his basic medical education embarked on a career in surgery. He completed his basic surgical training leading to MRCS from Royal College of Surgeons of England. He started his career in Plastic Surgery in 2003 in the UK and was awarded a National training post in Plastic and reconstructive surgery in England leading to Certificate of Completion of Training by Royal College of Surgeons in 2012. He passed the FRCS (Plast) examination by Royal College of Surgeons of England during this time.

Throughout his career Dr Adnan gained experience in Burns, Hand surgery, cancer reconstruction, Trauma reconstruction. Congenital deformities, and aesthetic surgery. He completed his fellowship in Craniofacial surgery from Rotterdam, Netherlands. Throughout his career Dr. Adnan published numerous articles in peer reviewed journals and presented at many national and international scientific meetings. He also attained MSc in the field of tissue engineering from University College London.

Dr. Kaiser Raja Aster Clinic,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Kaiser Raja

Aster Clinic,Dubai, UAE

Visiting Consultant,

Dr. Kaiser Raja is a Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases with more than 15 years’ experience. He has done his post-graduate medical training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology from the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (India) from 1996 to 2002. Following that he has done an Advanced Fellowship in Liver Diseases and Transplant Hepatology from the Mount Sinai Medical Centre, New York. He has been working in UAE since 2003 and has been associated with large liver transplant programs in India. His areas of interest include chronic liver diseases, transplant hepatology, inflammatory bowel diseases, pancreatic disorders, & gastrointestinal cancers. His expertise includes advanced therapeutic endoscopy including ERCP.

Dr. Nigel Beejay King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Nigel Beejay

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist

and Hepatologist; Certified Physician Executive

Dr. Nigel Beejay is a Consultant Physician in General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at Kings College Hospital London in the UAE. Dr. Beejay has over 15 years experience in healthcare in the UK and USA and over 9 yrs in the UAE with extensive knowledge of operations and revenue cycle management, billing, coding and electronic health records. Dr Beejay was formerly Chairman of the Health Information Management Committee at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SEHA), a tertiary 571 bed, teaching hospital managed by Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi from 2009 until 2014. Dr. Beejay received his medical training in Cambridge University, Boston University, University of London and University of Toronto. Dr. Beejay completed the prestigious Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy/Endoscopic Oncology Fellowship at the Wellesley Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital and University of Toronto between 2000 to 2002.

Dr. Beejay is a world expert in video capsule endoscopy and has written articles and books in this subject. Dr. Beejay also has considerable expertise Upper and Lower endoscopy, Heartburn and acid related diseases, Obesity management with intragastric balloons and medications, Functional bowel diseases (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bloating, food intolerances, constipation), Fatty Liver Disease, Celiac and Food sensitivities, Cancer screening, and Barrett's esophagus.

Dr. Beejay also holds Postgraduate Diploma in Hypnosis, University College London, United Kingdom, a Master of Arts in Social and Political Sciences from King’s College, Cambridge University, United Kingdom, a Certificate in Biomedical Informatics from Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, United States, and is a Certified Physician Executive of the American College Physician Executives, United States.

Dr. Beejay is the Chairman of the annually held Abu Dhabi Hepatology Conference held since 2013. Dr. Beejay has been the Chairman of Arab Health Gastroenterology Conference in 2017 and 2018. Dr Beejay regularly teaches and trains in gastroenterology, endoscopy and in healthcare informatics in Europe and the Gulf Region. Dr. Beejay is a faculty member on the National Endoscopy Training Program at St George's Hospital NHS Trust, London.

Dr. Beejay is a member of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology (CAG), and British Medical Association.

Dr. Sophie Racktoo King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Sophie Racktoo

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE
Specialist Family Medicine,

Dr. Sophie Racktoo is a British born and trained Family Medicine Specialist with 8 years post graduate experience, working in both the United Kingdom and Australia. She is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, UK. She relocated to Dubai in August 2018.

After working in an Emergency Care setting, Dr. Racktoo chose to specialise in Family Medicine. She has complete posts in several clinics and hospitals in the North of England, providing her with excellent knowledge in all areas of Family Medicine. Her interests include: Urgent Care, Diabetes Medicine, Paediatrics, Dermatology, Women’s Health and Ear, Nose and Throat.

Dr. Racktoo thrives in Family Medicine; she is able to utilise her excellent communication skills and ability to work efficiently under pressure in this dynamic environment. She is experienced in managing both acute and long term conditions for all members of the family. She enjoys the varied patient mix, holistic approach and continuity of care Family Medicine offers.

Kandarp Thakkar King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Kandarp Thakkar

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Chief Pharmacist
After graduating from the London School of Pharmacy, Kandarp trained at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ Hospital before taking up a junior pharmacist post at Ealing Hospital. He joined Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHNT) as part of the first admissions pharmacy team in 2004 and took on the post of Lead Pharmacist Admissions in 2007.

His specialist areas of clinical interest include acute and elderly medicine and research interests include improving prescribing for the elderly, antibiotic stewardship and quality improvement. Postgraduate education includes an MSc in qualitative research and a certificate in independent prescribing.

Kandarp was project manager for various NIHR CLAHRC funded Improving Prescribing for the Elderly projects. After a stint as Deputy Chief Pharmacist at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kandarp was appointed as Chief Pharmacist at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust in December 2014. This involved setting up an entire new Pharmacy including state of the art automation. Kandarp has been Chief Pharmacist at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai since June 2018.

His interests include transformational change, developing prescribing Pharmacists, biosimilars, medication safety and improving organisational efficiency. He is currently finishing a MBA with Warwick Business School.

Natalie Oakes King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Natalie Oakes

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Currently working as the Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse for King’s College London Hospital and Clinic’s London, UAE with over 9 years’ experience in Infection Control Nursing and Leadership. Originally from Scotland, working for the 2nd largest Health Board, covering a population of 800,000 patient’s, led a large team of infection control nurses, covering both acute and community care. Active member of the Infection Prevention Society in the UK, with previous experience in National Infection Control Policy writing. Awarded first place at the NHS Scotland Event in 2013 for research in the ‘patient safety’ category. Speaker at many UK national conferences and international conferences. 5 years’ experience in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Augustine Amusu King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Mr. Augustine Amusu

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Chief Information Officer

Augustine Amusu is Chief Information Officer of KCH Healthcare UAE. Mr. Amusu joined KCH in 2016 where he is responsible for technology strategy, innovation and creating a differentiated technology offer for the group. Prior to joining KCH he was with NYSE listed HCA Inc. the largest private healthcare group globally, with annual revenue in excess of $35bn. As Head of Clinical & Business for oversees operation, HCA Healthcare UK, the UK's leading private healthcare group, Augustine was responsible for technology strategy and programme execution. Mr Amusu spearheaded multiple initiatives utilizing technology to transform clinical and business operations as well HCA's supporting its multiple Joint Venture initiatives - some of these include: The Wilmslow Hospital, The Christie Hospital Manchester, The Shard Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Platinum Medical Center, Manchester Institute of Health and Performance etc.

Augustine holds a degree in Systems Engineering (1st Class) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Imperial College, London. He is fortunate to have been nominated for multiple U.K. national awards and holds both the prestigious Laing and Buisson and Health Investor Awards for Innovation.

Dr. Wael Elamin King's College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Wael Elamin

King's College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Following my graduation from medical school at the University of Khartoum and having completed a BSc at Kings College London in immunology, I worked with MSF in South Sudan. I was then awarded a DAAD scholarship to complete an MD at Hannover University, Germany studying the population genetics of Helicobacter pylori and its association with human population migrations. This was followed by completion of general training in internal medicine at the Republic of Ireland. I completed my specialty training in Microbiology at Bart’s Health NHS trust and was appointed as a clinical microbiologist at Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford and St. Andrews Centre for Burns and Plastic surgery – the largest Burns Unit in the UK. I was the clinical director for pathology and responsible for the redesign of the infection service in Essex for an estimated population of 1.3 million people. I am an honorary senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologist (UK) and the Royal College of Physicians (Glasgow).

I remain involved with voluntary work and volunteer some of my time for voluntary organizations.

Dr. Amr El-Zawahry King’s College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Amr El-Zawahry

King’s College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Head of Paediatric Department,

Dr. Amr Elzawahry has received his M.B.BCH and MD from faculty of medicine of Ain Shams university -Egypt- specializing in neonatology, genetic and pediatric in 1991. Dr. Amr elzawahry is a consultant and general pediatrician ( head of pediatric department ). he is also assistant professor in pediatric of Sharjah university, lecturing medical students. he also has a master diploma in post graduation medical education - UK. he conducted many clinical auditing in gastroenterology. respiratory and asthmatics in infant and child. Dr. Amr led and organized several medical symposium and conferences on governmental hospital level in UAE and he is one of the main speakers in many regional pediatric conferences. Dr. Amr was a co-director of Dubai pediatric residency program with best excellency in teaching during the program. he also responsible for Nurse education program and Dubai school health project. the main concern is to have AHA training center for any big health institution as he is regional training faculty in American heart association. as he is instructor faculty in PALS, PEARS, ACLS, BLS and NRP. he is finalize his medical doctorate with research in micro RNS in Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in pediatric .he also got A diploma in health care management from Ain shams university. he is a member in emirate medical association and Egyptian society for neonatal and preterm association. member in health mother and health child association in Egypt ..

Dr. amr graduated from Egypt, he worked first in Ain shams university then he started teaching carrier in ain shams university 1992 then with sohar university in Oman as lecturer and working as specialist in sohar hospital for 4 years then senior specialist in Latifa hospital Dubai since 2005 with covering inpatient, out patient, pediatric emergency and pediatric intensive care unit. in 2014 worked in sheikh Khalifa general hospital as pediatric consultant till 2018 under ministry of presidential affair. Dr. amr is A member in critical care committee as well investigation committee with DHA before. Dr amr is so interested in teaching especial for pediatric medical student, pediatric residents and for event junior doctors. He is conduction most of pediatric CME in Latifa hospital and sheikh Khalifa general hospital. He is training central faculty for American heart association. he is interest for posting most of guidelines, polices, pathway and shearing his activity. Dr. Amr coordinate the most of simulation courses in North emirates for filed of pediatric and neonate. he appointed as director of internship program in both Latifa and sheikh khalifa hospital as well co director of pediatric residency program. he still external examinar in Arab board exam, preparation of MRCPCH, exit and entry exam for pediatric residency.

Dr. Samina Dornan Kings College Hospital London,
Dubai, UAE View Profile

Dr. Samina Dornan

Kings College Hospital London,Dubai, UAE

Head of Department Maternal Fetal Medicine

Dr Samina M Dornan MD, FRCOG, is an attending high-risk obstetrician in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at King’s College Hospital London, UAE.

Areas of expertise include: Fetal Growth Restriction, prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy, fetal genetic disorders, including trisomies, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and CHARGE syndrome. Complex twin pregnancies, especially monochorionic, with the fetal & placental biochemical responses involved in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Her expertise also includes general obstetrics and gynaecology, along with managing high risk mothers, their pregnancies and fetuses.

Dr. Dornan became interested in fetal medicine during her residency and training program and was drawn to the idea of specialising in fetal diagnosis and treatment because of its multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to problem solving.

Dr. Dornan has an MD degree from Queen’s University Belfast, UK, where she completed her five year training program. This included a period at St. George’s Hospital London, where she subsequently obtained her first consultant position in 2009.

Prior to joining us at King’s College, Dr. Dornan served as a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and was a lead clinician on multiple pregnancies at the Royal Maternity Hospital Belfast, Belfast Trust, UK. She also served as the Sub speciality Trainer for MFM in the RCOG Northern Ireland Training program.

Dr. Dornan is the first Maternal Fetal Medicine sub Specialist, from the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, London to have arrived here in the UAE. In 2017 she received a Fellowship from the said College.