Our Heroes
Principal Advisor
Dr. Alireza Haghighi
Prof. Alireza Haghighi, MD, DPhil, FACMG is the Chief Executive & Director of Harvard International Center for Genetic Disease and Founding President of the Advancement Initiative for Medicine and Science. Dr. Alireza Haghighi is a pioneering leader at the intersection of genomics, artificial intelligence, and healthcare innovation, transforming global health systems and shaping the future of life sciences. He is internationally recognized for his leadership in projects aimed at improving health and well-being worldwide. Dr. Haghighi regularly advises government leaders as well as top industry executives on innovation, strategies, and investments to scale precision medicine, digital health, and transformative AI. At Harvard, Dr. Haghighi leads the International Center for Genetic Disease (HMS-iCGD), which partners with governments and industry to design and implement national programs in Genomics and Precision Medicine, as well as national initiatives on AI in Life Sciences. Dr. Haghighi is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Bahrain National Genome Program and his leadership has shaped or contributed to landmark projects such as the Emirati Genome Program and ongoing partnerships with the Ministries of Health in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan among several others. He also serves as the Founding President of the Advancement Initiative for Medicine and Science (AIMS), a global foundation dedicated to advancing medical science and healthcare worldwide, which has improved the health of people across the globe through innovation, partnerships, and large-scale programs. He is also the co-founder of multiple healthcare and technology startups that leverage AI, digital health and genomics to transform patient care and global health systems. He has received numerous prestigious awards and prizes, such as the Global Health Pioneer Award for his innovative strategies and initiatives to enhance the quality of life of people around the world, and the International Genetic Disorders Prevention Award for his groundbreaking contributions to advancing innovations and technologies for the prevention and early detection of genetic diseases. He is an American board-certified geneticist, and a clinician-scientist at Harvard University and Mass General Brigham. He completed his graduate and clinical training at the University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School.
Supporting Partner
Dr. Shahrukh Hashmi
Dr. Shahrukh Hashmi is currently the Director of Research at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE and a Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (Minnesota, US). He graduated from Baqai Medical University, Pakistan, as the top graduate receiving Gold Medal from the President of Pakistan. He received master’s degree (MPH) from Yale University, Connecticut, US. He is triple-boarded from the United States, being Diplomat of the American Board of Preventive Medicine/Public Health, Internal Medicine, and Hematology. He has served as PI or Co-PI on many industry-sponsored and NIH-sponsored trials. His research interests include Aging Biology/Healthspan, Artificial Intelligence, and Cellular therapies (CAR-T cells and Gene Therapy). He has authored >300 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including in JAMA journals, Lancet journals, and NEJM, has an H-index of >50, and citations of >10,000. He chairs many international professional committees/groups including being the Chair of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplant’s (WBMT) Global Emergencies Committee (Geneva, Switzerland), Founding Chair of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Survivorship SIG (Chicago, Illinois, US), and Ex Co-Chair of the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Registry’s (CIBMTR) Health Services Committee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US). He is also an adjunct faculty at Khalifa University, UAE, and at Mohamad Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi, UAE. His achievements include establishing the first BMT survivorship program of Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, establishing the first Clinical Trials Unit (Clinical Research Department) of Saudi Arabia at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, KSA, and establishing the UAE’s first Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at SSMC/Mayo Clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He also carries IND for one of the first senolytics for First-in-Human Trials from the US-FDA and continues to serve as PI or Co-PI on Aging trials on healthspan. Dr. Hashmi is also active as a Board Member of many organizations including Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, Cancer Patient Care Society (Rahma) UAE, Emirates Thalassemia Society UAE, Rose Nwatu Cancer Foundation Board (US), besides being the Associate Editor of JTCT (highest impact factor journal in the field of Cellular Therapies), and on Editorial Boards of numerous peer-reviewed journals.
H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar
Our Hero
Dr. Maryam Matar is Founder & Chairperson, UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA) & Sheikh Zayed Genetic Research Center. She is celebrated as the most influential scientist in the UAE. Her exceptional contributions to preventive healthcare and the advancement of genetic sciences in the Arab world have placed her among the top 20 Arab scientists, as recognized by the British scientific community. Dr. Maryam has received over 35 prestigious awards for her achievements in science and leadership. She holds numerous recognitions and board memberships across the MENA region, acknowledging her contributions to preventive healthcare, epigenetics, regenerative therapies, and women’s leadership. She was honored with the Pioneering Arab Woman in Healthcare Innovation award at the 21st Pioneer Leadership Award in Healthcare ceremony in Kuwait, as well as the Arab Excellence Award for Scientific Research by the General Secretariat of the Arab League.
Dr. Ahmed Shatila
Our Hero
Dr. Ahmed Shatila, M.D., B.Sc., is a Consultant Neurologist and Chair of the Neurology Division at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi. He has over 17 years of experience in the field of neurology, treating and managing patients with all types of neurological disorders. He has a special interest in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and manages the MS Clinic at SSMC. He is also dedicated to spreading public awareness about neurological disorders and advocating for people with disabilities. Dr. Shatila obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from Wayne State University in the United States and then earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the same university. He completed his residency and neurophysiology fellowship at the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University. In addition to his clinical roles, he has been invited as a guest speaker at many local and international conferences and has authored numerous publications and research papers discussing a wide range of neurological disorders.
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Our Hero
H.E. Khaled Al Huraimel
His Excellency Khaled Al Huraimel’s journey is a rare combination of visionary leadership, entrepreneurial courage, and a deep commitment to improving quality of life. As Group CEO and Vice Chairman of BEEAH, he has led one of the region’s most impactful transformations, growing a Sharjah-based waste management company into an international organization spanning sustainability, energy, technology, real estate, and healthcare. He has pioneered zero-waste innovations to achieve 93% waste diversion away from landfill in Sharjah, among the world’s highest, reaffirming its position as a regional benchmark for environmental and public-health resilience. Foreseeing the deep connection between sustainability and healthcare to secure future generations, Khaled has championed clean environments, future technologies, resilient infrastructure and guided BEEAH’s thoughtful expansion into the healthcare sector. He catalyzed the development of ‘traq’, a platform by digital venture EVOTEQ, ensuring supply chain integrity of pharmaceuticals in the UAE. He also leads Wekaya, a joint venture focused on circular innovations for medical waste management. As the driving force behind the Jawaher Boston Medical District, he is helping establish a next-generation healthcare ecosystem with world-renowned Boston institutions such as Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, supporting healthier lives in Sharjah and beyond. As a board member of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Khaled shapes international research collaborations between future healthcare leaders from Sharjah to Boston, including in frontier fields such as space medicine. By designing a future that advances innovation, sustainability, and human wellbeing, Khaled’s story demonstrates that heroism in healthcare extends beyond the bedside.
Our Hero
Dr. Aysha Ali Ahmed Abdulla Almahri
Dr. Aysha Ali Ahmed Abdulla Almahri is the Regional CEO of Al Ain Region Hospitals at Burjeel Holdings, where she leads an integrated network of tertiary, secondary, and primary care facilities serving communities across the Al Ain region. A pioneering healthcare leader and former nurse, she is widely respected for her patient-centered leadership, operational excellence, and commitment to advancing compassionate, future-ready healthcare. Dr. Al Mahri journey began at the bedside, where her experiences as a nurse shaped her belief that empathy, service, and resilience are the foundation of great leadership. While balancing demanding clinical work, she pursued her education with determination, graduating among the top of her class from the University of Sharjah. Her career progressed from bedside care to executive leadership, driven by a clear purpose: to ensure clinical voices — especially those of nurses — are represented at the decision-making table. Today, Dr. Al Mahri champions innovation, data-driven and AI-enabled healthcare, and integrated care models that improve outcomes for entire communities. Recognized by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and named among the Top 10 Women Leaders in the Middle East, she is deeply committed to mentorship and inspiring young women to pursue leadership roles in healthcare. Her story is one of courage, responsibility, and lasting impact.
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Dr. Usman Ahmad
Our Hero
Dr. Usman Ahmad, MD, is Division Chair of Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation within Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Ahmad was a staff surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, US. He was the director of Thoracic Robotic surgery and assistant director of Lung Transplant programs at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Ahmad holds a joint appointment with the Taussig Cancer Institute and is Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Shaheenah Dawood
Our Hero
Dr. Shaheenah Dawood is a consultant medical oncologist and professor in clinical oncology in the United Arab Emirates. She trained in medical oncology at McGill University Hospitals in Canada and subspecialized in breast cancer management at MD Anderson Cancer Center. During her training she was awarded multiple Scholar-in-Training Awards and ASCO Merit Awards. She has served as an editorial fellow at the New England Journal of Medicine and has an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. She has over 100 papers to her credit including 50 peer-reviewed original articles, 30 review articles and 12 book chapters. She serves as a reviewer for multiple journals. She currently leads the oncology clinical trials program at Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai. She also serves as president of the Excellence in Oncology Care summit that is held annually in Dubai and is co-president of the Asia-Pacific Breast Cancer Summit (APBCS) and Asia-Pacific Gastroenterology Cancer Summit (APGCS). She has also recently launched the International BRCA Forum and Young Women’s Forum.
Our Hero
Dr. Ammar Albanna
Dr. Ammar Albanna is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist trained in Canada and currently the Director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, the premier psychiatric facility in the UAE under Emirates Health Services. Graduating from McGill University, Canada, Dr. Albanna completed his psychiatry residency and pursued child and adolescent psychiatry training. He furthered his expertise with a fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychiatry at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, he's also an international fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Albanna holds a Master's in Healthcare Leadership from McGill University. He is distinguished as the founding Head of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center of Excellence at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in Dubai. Under the Emirates Medical Association, he initiated the Emirates Society for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, representing the field nationally. Internationally, he currently serves as Vice President of the International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Allied Professionals (IACAPAP). He is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai (MBRU). Dr. Albanna's research, primarily centered on neuropsychiatric disorders in the UAE and innovative healthcare models, has earned him acclaim. He is the Co-Principal Investigator for a study, funded by SWARD, exploring machine intelligence's role in Autism Spectrum Disorders. His endeavors have garnered numerous research grants, including the Dubai Harvard Center for Global Healthcare Delivery Research Award and the Al Jalila Foundation grant. He has championed significant initiatives, like the Dubai declaration for Autism in 2017 and the 2021 Dubai Autism Guidelines. Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Albanna has received numerous accolades for his clinical, research, and educational pursuits. A regular speaker at local and international scientific forums, Dr. Albanna has also chaired pivotal global conferences, including the Autism Congress in 2017 , and the 25th Congress of the International Assococition of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Allied Professionals (IACAPAP) in 2022. He provides peer reviews for esteemed medical journals, is a member of MBRU's Institutional Review Board, and has served on jury committees for prominent awards, such as the Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Motherhood and Childhood. Additionally, he is on the Consultation Council for People with Determination at the Ministry of Community Development in the UAE.
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Our Hero
Dr. Hyung Seok Nam
Dr. Hyung Seok Nam is a Consultant Physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a strong background in clinical care, research, and medical technology. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Seoul National University College of Dr. Nam is board certified in Rehabilitation Medicine in Korea and licensed as a Specialist and Consultant Physician in the United Arab Emirates. He currently serves as a Consultant Physician at Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and as an Associate Professor at Seoul National University Hospital. His prior appointments include Medical Director of a rehabilitation center in Korea, Clinical Assistant Professor at Seoul National University Hospital, and Visiting Scholar in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University. His clinical and research interests include neurorehabilitation, rehabilitation robotics, wearable-based functional assessment, brain-machine interfaces, dysphagia, and ergonomics. Dr. Nam has contributed to multiple patented rehabilitation technologies and has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals on stroke rehabilitation, sensor-based assessment, robotic therapy, and swallowing disorders. He also serves on the editorial board of Brain & Neurorehabilitation and acts as a reviewer for several rehabilitation medicine journals
Our Hero
Dr. Stephen Grobmyer
Dr. Stephen R. Grobmyer, MD, is a distinguished Surgical Oncologist and Institute Chief of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Cancer Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Grobmyer was Professor of Surgery, Section Head of Breast Surgery and Co-Director of the Cleveland Clinic Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio, US. Dr. Grobmyer received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, and completed his residency in General Surgery at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York. He completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York.
Our Hero
Dr. Humaid Al Shamsi
Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi serves as the Founder and Director of the Medical Oncology Service at Burjeel Medical City. He is a distinguished physician with extensive expertise in the field of Oncology. Additionally, he holds the position of President of the Emirates Oncology Society and serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Oncology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah. He is at the forefront of advancing Oncology in the UAE, striving to deliver exceptional cancer care for both the UAE and the surrounding region. Prof. Humaid obtained his medical degree with honors from the University of Cork – The National University of Ireland in 2005. He subsequently completed his Internal Medicine Residency at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, followed by an advanced Fellowship in general oncology, gastrointestinal oncology, and palliative care. From June 2014 to December 2016, he was an Assistant Professor in the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas. Notably, he was the inaugural graduate of the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed program for outstanding UAE Physicians training in 2016. Prof. Humaid is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine in the USA, Canada, and the UK, and he is recognized as the sole certified Gastrointestinal Oncologist in the UAE. His accomplishments include being the first UAE national trained in palliative care. His clinical practice encompasses all solid tumors, including complex cases such as breast, colon, gastric, hepatobiliary, lung, thyroid, head and neck, sarcoma, and gynecological cancers. Beyond his clinical responsibilities, Prof. Humaid is a passionate advocate for public awareness regarding cancer, emphasizing the importance of early detection and screening. He actively shares his expertise through various media platforms, including television interviews, social media campaigns, and newspaper articles.
Our Heroes
Rashid Hospital
Rashid Hospital is being honored at the Celebration of Healthcare Heroes for its heroic leadership and frontline response during the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of Dubai’s primary COVID-19 treatment centers, Rashid Hospital stood at the center of the city’s public health response, rapidly expanding critical care capacity and coordinating closely with health authorities across the emirate. Through the dedication of its doctors, nurses, and frontline teams, the hospital provided lifesaving care under unprecedented pressure, helping protect the health and resilience of the community when it mattered most. Rashid Hospital will be represented by Dr. Fahad Baslaib, Executive Director of Rashid Hospital.
Our Heroes
Kanad Hospital
Kanad Hospital is being honored at the Celebration of Healthcare Heroes for the extraordinary impact of its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and its lifesaving commitment to the region’s most vulnerable patients. Founded in 1960 as the nation’s first hospital, Kanad has long been a cornerstone of care in Al Ain. Today, as the UAE’s only American nonprofit hospital, its patient-first mission is most powerfully reflected in the work of its NICU team. Kanad’s NICU achieves the highest survival rate in the Middle East for extremely preterm infants (22–27 weeks gestation)—a remarkable outcome driven by clinical excellence, compassionate care, and a nonprofit model where patients always come first. At the Celebration of Healthcare Heroes, Kanad Hospital will be represented by Dr. Fares Chedid, Consultant Neonatologist, alongside the dedicated NICU consultants, specialists, and nurses whose expertise and teamwork continue to give families hope at life’s most critical moments.