5th Virtual International Digestive Disease Symposium (DDI)
4^th Virtual Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Summit (DOCS)

MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
Professor of Surgery
Chief Bariatric, Foregut and Advanced GI Surgery
Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs
Stony Brook University
USA

Dr. Aurora is Professor and Vice Chair of Surgery at Stony Brook. She grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and received her undergrad degree in engineering and her MD from Duke University. She completed her residency in General Surgery at Duke, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery. She was on the faculty at Duke from 2003-2011. While at Duke, she served as Co-Director of the Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery Program at Duke and as Chief of General Surgery at Durham Regional Hospital. She was associate director of the Duke residency program and the director of the Duke Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) / bariatric fellowship. Moving to New York in 2011, she now serves as Vice Chair of Surgery, Chief of Bariatric, Foregut and Advanced GI Surgery and Director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center at Stony Brook. She is also director of the Advanced GI/MIS/Bariatric/Foregut fellowship at Stony Brook. Her clinical practice includes bariatrics, general GI surgery, foregut and hernia.
Dr. Pryor was the 2019-2020 President of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and has been a SAGES member since early in her residency. She has also served as the SAGES Treasurer, Finance Chair, Membership Chair and the Research and Career Development Chair, among other roles. She helped start a series of SAGES Career Development seminars and the SAGES Career development awards. She has also served as the SAGES Representative to the Fellowship Council from 2010-2016 and now serves as the SAGES Representative to the American Board of Surgery, where she serves as a Councilor and on the General Surgery Board. She is also co-Chair of the In Training Exam Committee and Chair of the Video Based Assessment (VBA) Task Force.
In addition to her work at SAGES, Dr. Pryor served the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) on the Program and Emerging Technology committees, both of which she eventually served on as Cha

M.D. Ph.D.
Chairman Endocrinology & Metabolic Institute |
Professor of Medicine,Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic OHIO
USA

Bartolome Burguera M.D, Ph.D. is Chairman of Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute (EMI). He joined the Cleveland Clinic as staff physician and Director of Obesity programs in the Department of Endocrinology Metabolic Institute and the Bariatric Institute, on September of 2013. He is also Professor of Medicine in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and has a joint appointment in the department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine.
He also serves as Executive Medical Director of the National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute in Biloxi, Mississippi. A scientific and educational collaboration between the state of Mississippi, prominent medical and academic Mississippian institutions and the Cleveland clinic.
His clinical and academic interests are focused on the field of obesity, particularly the role of bariatric medicine and non-surgical weight-loss interventions to treat obesity and diabetes. He has also studied the prevention of childhood obesity. He has been very instrumental setting up a large interdisciplinary share medical appointment obesity therapeutic program, which is being offered face-to-face as well as through virtual visits.
He has served as a principal investigator, co-investigator on several federal and pharmaceutical funded projects, focusing on obesity therapy, both in the US and in Spain. He has published more than 100 articles and book chapters in the field of obesity and was the recipient of the 2018 “Novoa Santos Award,” one the most prestigious medical recognitions in Spain. He is currently the Principal Investigator of a large clinical trial evaluating the role of anti-obesity medication in the context of share medical appointments.
Dr, Burguera earned his medical degree from the University of Santiago (Spain). He also holds a PhD evaluating the role of glucocorticoid on the neuro-regulation of growth hormone secretion. He later completed research fellowships at East Carolina University and th

MD,
Advanced Endoscopist and Bariatric Endoscopist,
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus,
USA
USA

Dr. Simons-Linares is an Advanced Endoscopist and Bariatric Endoscopist at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. He did his Gastroenterology Fellowship and Advanced/Interventional Endoscopy Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic - Lerner College of Medicine. In addition, he did his Bariatric Endoscopy Fellowship at the Brigham and Women's Hospital - Harvard Medical School. He is also an Editor for multiple Endoscopy/GI peer-review journals. His research interests include Endoscopic Bariatric & Metabolic Therapies, Interventional EUS, ERCP, Endoscopic Surgery, acute/recurrent/chronic pancreatitis, pancreas cysts, pancreas cancer, biliary strictures, Artificial Intelligence, Developmental Endoscopy & Devices Innovation.

MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery,
Penn State Health
USA

Originally from Alberta, Canada, Dr. Horne completed her medical school at St. Matthew’s University. She then moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she completed her general surgery residency training at the Cleveland Clinic. Following her residency, she completed a one-year fellowship in complex abdominal wall reconstruction and minimally invasive surgery also at the Cleveland Clinic. After completing her fellowship, she stared her academic career at the Penn State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Campus where she is currently an Assistant Professor of Surgery. Here she specializes in complex abdominal wall reconstruction, minimally invasive hernia repair as well as the management of chronic groin pain. She is an active participant in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative and is invested in demonstrating improved quality of life with hernia repair. Her research interests include management of chronic groin pain and optimizing outcomes in patients with loss of domain hernias.

MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Lerner College of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health
USA

Clayton C. Petro, MD is an Assistant Professor of Surgery – Lerner College of Medicine and Staff – Department of General Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
He is also the Education Institute Surgical Director at Cleveland Clinic Simulation and Advanced Skills Center - an American College of Surgeons.
He was appointed the Director of Center for Advanced Skills Training (CAST) in 2021.
Dr. Clayton completed his Doctor of Medicine – MD from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

MD, FACS, FASMBS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery
Department of Surgery
Duke University Health System
USA

Assistant Professor of Surgery at Duke University, United States. He completed his medical school at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and his surgical training at Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship in MIS gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery at Duke University. He directs the research fellowship within the metabolic surgery division at Duke University. International speaker. He has published several original scientific articles and texts on hernia, laparoscopic, robotic and bariatric surgery.

Surgical oncologist,
Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
USA

Daniel Joyce is a surgical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA. He was born in the west of Ireland and attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. He completed his general surgery residency at Cleveland Clinic and then pursed a complex general surgical oncology fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. He is now on the staff at Cleveland Clinic where he focuses on abdominal malignancies with a particular emphasis on stomach and pancreatic cancers in addition to having a busy retroperitoneal sarcoma and HIPEC practice.

MD MSc FTOS
Director of Obesity Medicine, Bariatric and Metabolic Institute
Cleveland Clinic OH
USA

Dr. Butsch is the Director of Obesity Medicine in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a former Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Weight Center from 2007-2017. He completed a clinical nutrition fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was the first physician in the U.S. to complete subspecialty fellowship in obesity medicine, first established at the HMS/MGH in 2007. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and a Fellow of The Obesity Society.
Dr. Butsch‘s clinical interests focus in the pharmacological management of obesity and the use of combination pharmacological therapies in bariatric surgical patients and special populations with severe obesity. He is an author of numerous chapters and manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on many topics in obesity and clinical nutrition.
His academic interests primarily focus on obesity education. He was selected to be the Curtis Prout Fellow in Medical Education at HMS in 2010 and was the Director of Education in the division of Nutrition at HMS from 2014-2018. Dr. Butsch is a national leader in both obesity and nutrition education and his passion for teaching can be seen in the numerous educational programs he has created, the several professional committees on which he serves and chairs, and the Harvard CME Blackburn course in obesity medicine and the Cleveland Clinic’s Obesity Summit which he co-directs.
In line with his passion for the education and treatment of obesity, Dr. Butsch is a strong advocate for his patients. As the Chair of the Committee on Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Chair of the Advocacy Committee in The Obesity Society, Dr. Butsch actively participates at both the state and federal levels to reduce weight stigma and discrimination and improve coverage and reimbursement for the tre

MD
Staff Physician,
Penn Highlands Healthcare System,Pennsylvania
USA

Megan Lundgren, MD is a current staff at Penn Highlands Healthcare System in central Pennsylvania. Dr. Lundgren received her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and continued on to complete her general surgery training at the same hospital. During residency, she obtained a graduate certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety, with work focused on the opioid epidemic, safety event reporting and post-operative handoffs to surgical intensive care units. She completed her fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio from August 2020-2021, also earning her bariatric training certificate. During fellowship she co-authored several reviews and chapters in the field of endoscopy, gastroparesis and bariatric surgery. Her specialty interests include minimally invasive foregut surgery, advanced endoscopy and bariatric surgery. She is currently starting a bariatric surgery program with the Penn Highlands Healthcare system in central Pennsylvania.

MD
Professor of Surgery
Lerner College of Medicine
Case Western Reserve
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH
USA

Michael Rosen is currently a Professor of Surgery and the Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Comprehensive Hernia Center. He completed his surgical residency in Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in 2004. He also completed a minimally invasive research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 2000-2002, and a clinical fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte North Carolina in 2005. He has served as the Chief of the Division of GI and General Surgery and the Director of the Case Comprehensive Hernia Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland from 2005-2014. He currently serves as the Director of Research at the Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute. He has authored over 200 peer review publications, and has been the editor for 6 surgical textbooks on general surgery. He has also authored over 50 book chapters in multiple surgical texts. He has a busy clinical practice that comprises the full spectrum of abdominal wall reconstruction and advanced foregut disease. He has been the principal investigator of a basic science and translational research lab evaluating various aspects of ventral hernia repair including prosthetic response to infection and abdominal wall reconstruction in the setting of contamination. He has received over 20 grants for various work in surgical outcomes and currently is the PI and Co-PI of 10 ongoing randomized controlled trials.

MBChB(Hons) MEd DABS FRCSC FACS FASMBS
Associate Professor of Surgery, Kuwait University
kuwait

Dr. Mohammad H. Jamal is an associate Professor of Surgery at Kuwait University with clinical attachment to Jaber Hospital in Kuwait City. Dr. Jamal works as an upper GI, and metabolic surgeon at Jaber hospital. He has contributed to several international presentations as a speaker, moderator and over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the field of Upper GI and Bariatric Surgery. He is currently the Chairman of organ transplant department at Kuwait University and Director of Surgical foundation program (KIMS). He is also the scientific committee chair of Kuwait Association of Surgeons (KAS) and American College of Surgeons (ACS). His principle clinical foci are metabolic, Bariatric, Upper GI and Research. In addition of growing body of research, Dr. Jamal’s research has been the foundation in the establishment of international guidelines in the fields of Upper GI, metabolic and bariatric surgery. He was recently awarded the Pioneer in Clinical Care Award, Kuwait Association of Surgeon 2019 for his establishment of liver transplantation in Kuwait.

MD, PhD, FACS
Assistant Professor
Department of Digestive Surgery
Pontificia Universidad Católica
School of Medicine
UC-Christus Health
Chile

Dr. Rodrigo Muñoz is Assistant Professor of Surgery at Pontificia Universidad Católica School of Medicine and Director of the Center of Obesity Treatment at UC-Christus Health. He is Secretary of the Chilean Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Muñoz completed a PhD Program and conducted a thesis on the mechanisms of action of various bariatric procedures during his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Then, completed his training in General Surgery and Digestive Surgery at Universidad Católica. Over these years has authored and co-authored several basic science and clinical research articles on mechanism of action of bariatric surgery and clinical outcomes of bariatric surgery, and also written book chapters of these topics.

Physician assistant,
Bariatric and Metabolic Institute,
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio
USA

Ryan Plescia is a physician assistant in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio. Ryan has been a Physician Assistant (PA) for 16 years, serving within this role in several specialty areas including solid organ transplant, cardiothoracic and general surgery. Over the last decade, Ryan has advanced his skills and experience by serving as a dedicated PA in bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
Ryan received his undergraduate degree in Bachelors in Science followed by his Master’s degree Physician Assistance Science from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania USA.
Ryan currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and family.

MD
Consultant, Colorectal Surgery
Professor, Alfaisal University
Head Section Colorectal Surgery
Department of Surgery (MBC-40)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center
Honorary consultant surgeon St Mark's Hospital. UK
Chair of IARC/WHO ethic committee
Saudi Arabia

Consultant Gastroenterologist | Director for center for Gut Failure
Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Abdullah Shatnawei, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shatnawei was a Staff Physician in the Center for Human Nutrition and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, DDSI at Cleveland Clinic. He was also appointed as Medical Director at the Center of Gut Rehabilitation and Transplant.

Dr. Shatnawei received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Surgery and Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine in 2002-2005 at Fairview hospital, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio. He also completed a Clinical Nutrition fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio in 2007 and a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 2012.

Dr. Shatnawei resides in Abu Dhabi with his family. His hobbies include playing soccer and reading.

MD, FACS
Surgical Oncology, Surgery,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Ahmad Matalkah, MD, FACS, is a Staff Physician & a Surgical Oncologist in the Digestive Disease Institute and Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to Joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Matalkah worked as Surgical Oncologist within the Department of Surgery in King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan. In this role, he provided patient care in the areas of advanced malignant upper gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer, thyroid and parathyroid cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Matalkah received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Jordan. After completing his residency within the General Surgery Department of King Abdullah University Hospital, Amman, Jordan, he became a Surgical Oncology Fellow, within the General Surgery Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
Dr. Matalkah was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2018, in recognition and appreciation of his contributions to teaching of residents and interns. He is a member of many renowned medical associations including the American College of Surgeons and the European Society of Surgical Oncology.
Dr. Matalkah lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending his time with his family and playing sports.

MD, FACG, FASGE
Consultant Gastroenterologist,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Amer AlKhatib, MD, is a Consultant Gastroenterologist in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alkhatib worked as an interventional gastroenterologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma, US.
Dr. Alkhatib earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan in Amman before pursuing medical training in the US. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas in Houston and practiced medicine in Spokane, Washington. He later joined the University of Utah’s liver transplant team in 2007. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship from University of Utah. He was the first physician to join and finish Advanced Endoscopy fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, US. He advanced his academic career by obtaining Master in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Harvard University.
Dr. Alkhatib has published more than 50 papers, many of which are in elite international medical journals, including the American Journal of Medicine. He is passionate about medicine and his professional interests include pancreatic and biliary disorders. He is skilled in many routine and advanced endoscopic procedures
Dr. Alkhatib is Adjunct Clinical Professor in Medicine at College of Medicine & Health Sciences at Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Abu Dhabi.

MBBS
Staff Physician, Gastroenterology ＆ Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute
UAE

Dr. Ammar Kheir, MBBS, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Kheir was a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Colonoscopist at Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. He was also a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Dr. Kheir received his medical degree from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan. He completed his foundation medical training at James Cook University Hospital, UK. Following that, he completed Basic Physician Training at John Hunter Hospital and the University of Newcastle, Australia. He then completed his Core Gastroenterology and Hepatology Training at the Central Coast and Northern Sydney hospitals. After that, he completed an advanced Therapeutic Colonoscopy fellowship at Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. He also completed an advanced Endoscopic Training at Kyushu University Hospital, Japan.

Dr. Kheir has a particular interest and expertise in image-enhanced endoscopy, high-quality colonoscopy, bowel cancer screening in adults, inflammatory bowel disease, management of colonic polyposis, advanced endoscopic resection techniques, Barrett’s esophagus and screening for early gastric cancer. He presented at international meetings, was published in peer reviewed journals and authored endoscopy textbook chapters.

MD PhD(Hon)
Chulalongkorn University
Bumungrad International Hospital
Bangkok,Thailand
UAE

Academic:
Emeritus Professor
Administrative :
Head Colorectal Division, Chulalongkorn University
Head of Department of Surgery, Chulalongkorn University
Societies/Titles :
Past President of Thailand Society of Colorectal surgery
Past President of Asia Pacific FederaHonorary fellow Philippine Society of Colorectal Surgeons
Honorary fellow India Society of Colorectal Surgeons
Honorary fellow Hong Kong Society of Colorectal Surgeons
Honorary fellow Singapore Society of Colorectal Surgeons
Honorary fellow American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Senior Dietitian,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Asma AlNuaimi graduated from United Arab Emirates University with a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Dietetics. She started her career in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2016. Since then, she has gained experience in a range of areas in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is passionate about and has specialized for the last 4 year in Bariatric Nutrition .

MD
Staff Physician, Gastroenterology ＆ Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute
UAE

Aydamir Alrakawi, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alrakawi was a Gastroenterologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Manchester, New Hampshire, US.

Dr. Alrakawi received his medical degree from Damascus University, Damascus, Syria, 1990. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Fairview Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Ohio, US.

After completing his residency, Dr. Alrakawi practiced as a Primary Care Physician in Mississippi until 1996. He then went on to complete a fellowship in Gastroenterology at Washington University in St. Louis and another fellowship in Biliary Endoscopy (ERCP).

Md
Consultant - Critical Care Medicine/Transplant Hepatology,
Critical Care Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Baraa M. Abduljawad, MD, is a consultant physician in Critical Care Medicine and Transplant Hepatology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is also Lead Quality officer of critical care and Chair of Emergency Medical Response Committee. Prior to moving to UAE, Dr. Abduljawad was working as a Critical Care fellow at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA.

Dr. Abduljawad received his medical degree with honors from the King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After, he moved to Ohio, where he completed a fellowship in Transplant Hepatology at Cleveland Clinic. This was followed by Critical Care fellowship. Naturally his area of interest is care of patients with advanced liver disease, acute liver failure and transplant critical care.

MD, PhD
Consultant General, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon,
Bariatric and Metabolic unit, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
UAE

Bart van Wagensveld, MD, PhD – born on 21st of May 1969 in Brussels, Belgium - did his Medical and Surgical training in Amsterdam, the Netherlands to become Board certified Consultant General surgeon (including ICU and Pediatric surgery). In between he completed a dissertation on Ischemia and Reperfusion injury in the liver. The following year he completed a fellowship on Pancreato-Biliary surgery in London, UK. Next he was appointed head of the surgical department in one of the largest teaching hospitals in the Netherlands, Amsterdam and further specialized in Gastro-intestinal and Laparoscopic surgery. He established a Laparoscopic colorectal unit and later an IFSO accredited Bariatric unit and became Surgeon of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (European Accreditation Council for Bariatric Surgery, EAC-BS).
Besides being a passionate doctor who enjoys the interaction with patients and who is not afraid to give an honest opinion and advise, he is also an experienced medical leader and people manager. In Amsterdam he was head of the Surgical department (23 Surgeons in 3 hospitals) and Chairman of the Medical Staff involved in the merger of 2 hospitals and 3 surgical Divisions.
He has a strong academic profile (over 100 peer reviewed articles, 2 book chapters), is past President of the Dutch Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (DSMBS), initiator and organizer of 2 International Consensus meetings and 1 International conference, initiator of the Dutch Bariatric National Registry and Clinical Lead for National Registries in the UAE and member of the editorial board at Obesity Surgery and reviewer for several journals.
In September 2017 he moved with his wife and 3 daughters to the UAE to start a Dutch originated multidisciplinary lifestyle program before and after surgical and non-surgical interventions and acts as Chief Medical Officer and consultant Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon. Currently he is Director of the Metabolic and

MD
" Staff Physician, General Surgery,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Carlos M. Abril Vega, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Vega was Chief of the Colorectal Section at the University Clinic Hospital of Valladolid in Spain.

Dr. Vega earned his PhD from the Experimental Surgery Laboratory at the School of Medicine, Valladolid in 1998. He then worked in acute care surgery for two years and moved to the Hospital El Bierzo (Ponferrada) as a Staff General Surgeon.

He then returned to the University Clinic Hospital of Valladolid as Staff General Surgeon and became Associate Professor of the Surgery Department within the School of Medicine at the University of Valladolid in 2006.

Dr. Vega received his medical degree at the University of Valladolid School of Medicine, Valladolid, Spain and the University of Madrid between 1986 and 1992. He completed his residency in General Surgery at the University Clinic Hospital of Valladolid.

M.D., MRCS, FACS, FASCRS
Associate Professor of Surgery (Clinical) | CCLCM |
Case Western Reserve University
Colon and Rectal Surgeon |
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Fadel Shabeeb, MD, FACS, FASCRS is an Associate Staff Physician and Colorectal Surgeon in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shabeeb was a Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at Senawang and Shah Alam Medical Center, Malaysia.
Dr. Shabeeb received his medical degree with honors from the University of Assiut Faculty of Medicine, Egypt. He completed his two year long Surgical Oncology residency in South Egypt Cancer Institute, where he gained vast experience in providing care for cancer and terminally ill patients. He completed his General Surgery residency at the National University of Malaysia Medical Center. He later qualified as a General Surgeon and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCS), in 2010.
He specializes in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery, with a focus on laparoscopic and robotics colorectal resections for cancers and other bowel pathology, anorectal, pelvic floor disorders and bowel cancer screening.
He has been involved in mentoring and teaching medical students and surgical residents and held the position of Senior Lecturer at Monash University. He participated in multiple studies to achieve the development of high-quality education and the formation of a strong foundation for the development of effective patient care.
Dr. Shabeeb resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife and daughter. He enjoys spending time with family and traveling.

MD
Associate Staff Physician - Bariatric Unit – DDI |
Associate Program Director General Surgery Residency |
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

"Dr. Gabriel Diaz Del Gobbo, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Diaz Del Gobbo spent four years as a General Surgeon in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. Three of those years were spent training in minimally invasive approaches for bariatric, metabolic and colorectal diseases. Dr. Diaz Del Gobbo received his medical degree from the Universidad de Carabobo, Maracay, Venezuela. He completed his surgical residency at the Hospital Clinic in the University of Barcelona, Spain. Over the years, he has also been involved in several educational activities, such as broadcasting live surgeries and participating in congresses and videos through AIS Channel. Dr. Diaz Del Gobbo currently resides in Abu Dhabi. He loves to travel and enjoys photography​​.​​​​​​​​"

Dietitian, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

MD
Consultant Physician,
Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr Iuppa has graduated at the University of Catania, Italy and in the same institution he completed his residency in General Surgery. In 2014 he moved to the US where he completed research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic investigating the field of Normothermic Machine Perfusion for Liver Transplant. During this period he has published a number of papers and was part of the work that led to the start of the first human trial on NMP in the US. In 2017 he has completed the American Society of Transplant Surgeons clinical fellowship in Multiorgan transplantation and Hepatobiliary surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He has then has served as Staff physician in Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland. He moved back to his home country where he worked as staff physician at the San Marino State Hospital in San Marino for two years. After these two years he has rejoined the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi as a Consultant Physician in the Liver-Pancreas Transplant and Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Surgery unit under the Digestive Disease Institute. He is a diplomate of the Italian Surgical Board and member of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and the European Society of Hepato-bilio-pancreatic Surgery.His clinical interests lie in the field of liver transplantation from living and deceased donors and in the surgical management of benign and malignant disease of the liver, pancreas and biliary system

Senior Dietitian,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Gwen joined Cleveland Clinic as a Senior Dietitian in 2016. Prior to this she worked as a Senior Home Enteral Feeding Dietitian in Ireland managing patients feeding systems and tube care in the community. She has brought this experience to Cleveland and with the support of the DDI department has established a joint dietitian/gastroenterology Clinic for Enteral Feeding patients. She is under-taking research in this area and is working with her department to establish a registry for Home Enteral Feeding Patients.

MD, MBA, FACS
Professor of Surgery, and Associate Dean, Innovation and the Future,
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Dubai, UAE
UAE

Homero Rivas, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS is a Professor of Surgery, and Associate Dean of Innovation and the Future at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai, UAE. Formerly he was Associate Professor and the Director of Innovative Surgery at Stanford University. As a digestive and bariatric surgeon, he has 18 years of experience. After his training in general surgery at the University of North Dakota, he completed two one-year fellowships in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Louisville and also at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is a pioneer and leader in numerous state-of-the art innovative techniques of minimal access surgery including: scarless surgery; natural orifice surgery; Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for achalasia, robotic surgery, and more. He has been involved in minimal access surgery both nationally in the US and internationally in nearly all continents, as a surgeon-in-training, a practicing surgeon and also as teacher of other expert surgeons. Dr. Rivas Co-Chairs the International Committee for the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and he has been inducted as Honorary Fellow for both, the Brazilian College of Surgeons and the Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery.

Dr. Rivas has been involved in Digital Health for many years and has founded and advised many Digital Health startups. As a thought leader in Digital Health, he often collaborates with entrepreneurs and innovators from the Silicon Valley and now in the Middle East. He is also a Co-Founder and Director of the 8-Lab (Emergent Innovations in Global Health Lab). He is strong proponent of novel technologies in healthcare such as wearables, augmented and virtual reality, telemedicine, 3D printing, drones, artificial intelligence engines, etc. He teaches does some research on those subjects and also on implementing design thinking in medical education. He is t

MD, FACP
Chair, Medical Subspecialties Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Saadi earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in 1985. He subsequently trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Saadi is a former member of the Cleveland Clinic staff in the Departments of General Internal Medicine and Endocrinology.
Dr. Saadi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. His specialty interests include thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and general endocrinology. Dr. Saadi has over 100 publications including peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, letters and book chapters, and has presented his work at several international meetings. He is the recipient of 2012 Abu Dhabi Medical Distinction award in the category of medical research, and has received several other awards for distinguished performance in Research, Education and Clinical Service.
After serving as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Dr. Saadi rejoined Cleveland Clinic in 2011 as the Chair of the Medical Subspecialties Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The medical subspecialties include Dermatology, Endocrinology, Hospital Medicine, Infectious diseases, Primary Care, Preventive Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology.
Dr. Saadi was appointed as Clinical Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic in 2012 and was elected to membership of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA) at American University of Beirut School of Medicine in 2015. He was also selected as the 2016 recipient of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist Gulf Chapter Ibn Sina Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of diabetes and endocrinology. He was also appointed in April 2021 as Adjun

MBBS, FRCSI
Consultant Surgeon and Director | Bariatric surgery,
Digestive Disease institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Javed Raza, MBBS, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Raza was a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon at the Royal Derby Hospital, UK. In 2010, he became the Clinical Lead for Foregut Surgery and Regional Bariatric Surgery Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Through his bariatric surgery work, he appeared on Regional (BBC) and National TV (Channel 4) in UK. His national TV appearance was a documentary about gastric bypass surgery, including a video of the actual surgery. He has participated in many live TV discussions and has served as the anchor for a three hour fund raiser in UK.

Dr. Raza has been a technical advisor to National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in UK for bariatric surgery since 2010, and was also involved with formulating national guidelines for provision of bariatric surgery in the UK.

Dr. Raza is also is the Vice Chairman of Midland Doctors Association in the UK, a charitable organization that delivered emergency health care following an earthquake in Pakistan in 2005. Since then, the organization has constructed and is managing an 80-bed state of the art charitable health facility in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

He has extensive experience in development of bariatric services and has led the development of three bariatric surgery units in UK. He has also helped to support the development of laparoscopic surgery in Egypt and Pakistan. His special areas of interest are bariatric surgery, foregut cancer surgery and emergency laparoscopic surgery.

He has presented outcomes of his bariatric and advanced laparoscopic work at many international conferences and has chaired and moderated the sessions on multiple occasions. He has also served as director for advanced laparoscopic courses, including live transmission of his own laparoscopic surgery cases.

MD Chief, Office of Physician Staff Affairs and Consultant Gynecologic Surgeon in the Surgical Subspecialties Institute
UAE

M. Jean Uy-Kroh MD, is the Chief of the Office of Physician Staff Affairs, Chair of Gynecology, and Consultant Gynecologic Surgeon in the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She specializes in advanced laparoscopic gynecological procedures such as robotic and hysteroscopic surgeries with a particular focus on endometriosis and fibroid surgery. She is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Uy-Kroh spent 7 years at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, where she served as a Consultant in the divisions of Benign Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery. She established and served as the Director of the interdisciplinary, Chronic Pelvic Pain Program and built it into a national referral center. She has been elected to leadership positions for international, academic societies and is a Board Member of the International Pelvic Pain Society.
Dr. Uy-Kroh is passionate about improving women’s health care and quality of living through research, education, and surgical innovation.
Dr. Uy-Kroh received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and graduated with the highest departmental honors. She attended the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio and completed her residency at the Cleveland Clinic-MetroHealth Medical Center Program. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Uy-Kroh has published peer-reviewed scientific articles and authored several surgical videos and book chapters on Benign Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery. She is the co-editor of the textbook, Operative Techniques in Gynecologic Surgery (Lippincott, 2017). Dr. Uy-Kroh served on the editorial board and is a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.

RN ,CNOR ,RNFA
Senior Staff Nurse,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Ms. David is currently one of the Senior Staff Nurses at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) specializing in Robotics surgery for different surgical specialties. She has obtained certification as a Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) as administered by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She has recently completed the Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) Program under National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA).

Ms. David has earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree in the Philippines. With 13 years of nursing experience as an operating room nurse, she has worked as a scrub nurse, circulating nurse, team leader, preceptor and a shift leader. She obtained her foundation training as an operating nurse at St. Luke’s Medical Center Philippines, which is a JCI-Gold sealed tertiary hospital, and progressed to become an Assistant Nurse Manager of the OR. She was grateful that she had a chance to work hand in hand with surgeons in building up their Minimal Invasive and Robotics Surgery Center (MIRSC). She was sent to Seoul Korea for an intensive training for the Da Vinci Coordinator Program. With this program, she has become a resource person in Robotics Surgery for Nurses in the Philippines. With passion in teaching, she was able to share her knowledge in Robotics Surgery by providing trainings and lectures to aspiring nurses.

Department Chair - General Surgery,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. John H. Rodriguez, MD, is Chair of Surgery within the Digestive Diseases Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Rodriguez spent 13 years at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio, US. Here, his work experience included Section Head of Surgical Endoscopy and Foregut Surgery, Director of the Center for Advanced Skills Training, and Surgical Director of the Gastroparesis Center.
Dr. Rodriguez completed obtained his Medical Degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. He received his medical training in the US, including a Research Fellowship at Emory University, where he focused on studying transplant virology. He joined Cleveland Clinic for General Surgery residency training as well as a fellowship in Flexible Surgical Endoscopy and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery.
Dr. Rodriguez has a passion for surgical education and he has served as Associate Program Director for the General Surgery residency program, as well as Fellowship Director for the Advanced GI/Surgical Endoscopy/Bariatric fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, US.
Dr. Rodriguez specialty interests include minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery, surgical endoscopy, bariatric surgery, and robotic surgery. He has co-authored many articles and book chapters that have been published in leading medical journals and he has participated in multiple national meetings. He was the recipient of an R-01 grant from the National Institute of Health to study the impact of endoscopic therapies for patients with gastroparesis. Some of his areas of research include revisional bariatric surgery, minimally invasive abdominal wall reconstruction, surgical and endoscopic management of gastroparesis, among other topics.
Dr. Rodriguez actively participates in community outreach programs for underserved hispanic populations in the Cleveland area. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.

MD FACS
Associate Staff Physician
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr Juan Pablo Pantoja received his medical degree at the National Autonomous University of Mexico between 1986-1991, he completed his General Surgery residency in the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico City (1992-1998). He then did n Endocrine Surgery Fellowship (1998-1999) in the same institution and an Endocrine Fellowship in the Hospital Clinico y Provincial in Barcelona Spain (1999-2001). He returned to Mexico and worked as a Staff Surgeon in the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition until joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr Pantoja is currently the President of the Mexican Board of Surgery. His fields of interest are Endocrine, Bariatric and Advanced laparoscopic Surgery.

MD, PhD, FACS,
Consultant, Colorectal Surgeon,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

"Prof. Khaled Madbouly, MD, FACS, FASCRS, FRCS, is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at the Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Khaled served as Professor and chief of staff in the Department of Surgery in Alexandria University, Egypt. He is also the vice president of both the Egyptian board of Colorectal Surgery and the Egyptian Board of Surgery. Dr. Khaled obtained his medical degree from Alexandria University, Egypt. He completed his surgical residency training in Alexandria University and then completed a Colorectal Surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Dr. Khaled also received specialist colorectal training at the University of Lübeck, Germany. Dr. Khaled also holds a Master’s degree in Surgery and a PhD in Colorectal Surgery from Alexandria University, Egypt, in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA. He also has an MBA in Hospital Management from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology. Dr. Khaled currently holds the title of Professor of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Khaled is currently fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and International Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. He is also the current president of the Egyptian society of colon and rectal surgeons and board member of the International society of colon and rectal surgeons. Dr. Khaled has always been committed to clinical excellence and patient-centered care, with a particular focus on laparoscopic advances. His specialty interests include advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgery, fecal incontinence, obstructed defecation, colorectal cancer, IBD and Fistula in ano. Dr. Khaled has published more than 35 articles respected surgical journals, as well as 3 book chapters. He is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Coloproctology, and reviews many articles in prestigious peer review

MD, FACS
Colorectal Surgeon,
Colorectal Surgery,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Lameese Tabaja, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Tabaja completed her sub-specialty in Colorectal Surgery at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium, which also houses the European Cancer Center. In this role, she was involved in the management of complex colorectal and anal disorders, both benign or malignant. She also led enhanced recovery protocols and Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) to accelerate patients’ recovery.
Dr. Tabaja earned her sub-specialty degree in Colorectal Surgery from the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels. She also received an Advanced Laparoscopic Training Certificate from the University of Strasbourg in France.
Her clinical expertise is in colorectal and anal surgery. She is devoted to evidence-based practice and alongside her clinical expertise. Dr. Tabaja has special interest in complex anal disorder management and has been involved in research activities and has presented in multiple conferences on the subject.

MD
Director of Liver Transplantation and Hepato-Biliary Surgery,
General Surgery,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Luis Campos de la Borbolla, MD is a Staff Physician and Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Director at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He was an Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Kidney Transplantation at the Methodist Hospital University of Tennessee in Memphis USA.
Luis Campos, MD received his Medical Degree at the La Salle University in Mexico City and completed a General Surgery and Transplant Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Campos has specialized in Liver, Pancreas and Kidney transplantation as well as hepatobiliary surgery (non-transplant liver, bile duct and pancreas surgery).
Dr. Campos research interest include the study of immune tolerance to prevent transplant rejection. Pancreatic islet transplantation in an auto-immune model. Liver induced tolerance.
Currently Dr. Campos resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife. When he is not working he enjoys music, art, fishing, sailing, swimming, reading, gardening, cooking and travelling.

IBD Nurse Coordinator,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi,
UAE

BSN, RN, CNOR
Staff Nurse, Digestive Disease Institute and Surgical Subspecialties Institute Operating Rooms Perioperative Services | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

MD, FACS, FASMBS, FASGE
Symposium Chair |
Institute Chair, General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
USA

Dr. Matthew Kroh, MD, is Chief of the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Kroh spent fourteen years at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
He has served as the Section Head of Surgical Endoscopy in the Department of General Surgery, the Program Director for the Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Flexible Surgical Endoscopy Fellowship, the Clerkship Director for Surgery in the Lerner College of Medicine and the Surgical Director of both the Advanced Endoscopy Center and the Esophageal Center. He has also held the position of Director of the Center for Advanced Skills Training in the Cleveland Clinic Simulation Center.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Boston College and a master's degree from Boston University. Dr. Kroh received his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University. He completed his General Surgery residency at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, where he also underwent fellowship training in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Flexible Surgical Endoscopy.
Dr. Kroh is committed to clinical excellence and patient-centered care, with a particular focus on surgical and endoscopic innovation. He is licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio and board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. His specialty interests include advanced laparoscopic surgery, bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, surgical endoscopy, endoluminal procedures and robotic surgery.
Dr. Kroh is also a Consultant to Medtronic, Cook Medical, Teleflex and Levita.

MD
Consultant Anesthesiologist,
Head of the Peri-operative Medicine Department,
Reem Hospital,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
UAE

Professor Medhat Shalabi has the highest qualifications obtainable in Egypt and in the UK. He also has his training to the highest standards both in Egypt as a university staff member in Alexandria University, and in the UK as a Specialist Registrar.
Prof. Shalabi went through the entire training scheme in the UK. He worked as a Senior House Officer and specialist Registrar in Anesthesia, till he obtained his CCST & Specialist Registration with the General Medical Council, then worked as a Consultant Anesthetist in the NHS over ten years.
He is a regular guest speaker in many International Anesthesia Conferences e.g., The Egyptian Anesthesiology Society, Alexandria Anesthesia & Intensive Care Society, Pan Arab Anesthesia Society, All Africa Anesthesia Society, Emirates Critical Care Society, Asia Africa Critical Care Society, International Pan Arab Critical Care Medicine Society, the Iranian Anesthesiology & Intensive care society, the Turkish Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Society, and the World Congress of Anesthesiology (WCA).
Prof. Shalabi is a member of the editorial board of the Egyptian Journal of Anesthesia (EgJA).
He is a European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and UK Resuscitation Council International Instructor and Course Medical Director for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Courses, and a Generic Instructor Course Instructor (Instructing the instructors)
He used to be an Expert member on the UK Research Ethics Committee. He attended many courses in Medical Law and Ethics in King’s College London and the Imperial College London.

MBBS, MRCS, FACS
Minimal Invasive and General Surgeon,
MIS and Bariatric Division-DDI Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

"Dr. Mohammed Abdallah, MBBS, is an Associate Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Abdallah worked at a private hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Abdallah received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan. He completed his residency at the American University of Beirut and fellowship in Surgical Oncology at King Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan. During his fellowship, he provided patient care in surgical oncology. Dr. Abdallah resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two kids. He enjoys sports and traveling. "

MD, FACS
Head of department of Bariatric and General Surgery
Consultant Bariatric Surgeon
Healthpoint Hospital,
UAE
UAE

Dr Hadad is a Consultant Bariatric Surgeon and he is the Head of the bariatric and metabolic surgery centre, Centre of Excellence in Metabolic and bariatric surgery, at Healthpoint Hospital in collaboration with Imperial College of London Diabetes centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE.Dr Hadad has extensive experience in bariatric surgery and advanced laparoscopy. He is a graduate of Baghdad University, school of medicine, Fellow of the American College of surgeons and Royal college of Surgeons of Glasgow and Ireland. Moreover, Dr Hadad hold a PhD in clinical epidemiology and biostatistics. He is specialized in advanced laparoscopic bariatric and upper gastrointestinal Surgery. Course Director and instructor in more than 200 courses of basic, advanced laparoscopy, bariatric and trauma management in the UAE and internationally. He was a member of the advisory board for the general surgery residency program of the UAE university for many years. Have many Publications in a peer reviewed journals in Bariatric surgery, Endoscopy and trauma management.

MD
Staff Physician, Gastroenterology ＆ Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute
UAE

Mohammad Alam, FRACP, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alam was a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Burjeel Hospital and Mafraq Hospital, both in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Alam received his medical degree from Kolkata University, India. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Liverpool Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. He also completed his Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship at Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.

MSc, RD
Clinical Dietician,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Nayla Mezher, is a clinical dietitian and nutritionist specialized in Obesity and Bariatrics at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Nayla started her career at the Middle East Institute of Health in Lebanon in 2012, where she consulted inpatients and outpatients. She then also became the head of the food services department in 2015. Nayla received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Notre Dame University – Lebanon in 2011 and her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the same university in 2016. Nayla is very passionate about her career and considers her job as a tool to provide an added value to her community by always ensuring to provide the best to her patients in order to improve their well being and have a better health.

UAE

Director, Physician Experience,
Office of Professional Staff Affairs | Consultant Gastroenterology/Hepatology,
Digestive Disease Institute| Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Pascale Anglade, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She brings experience, as well as a compassionate and thorough approach to the practice of medicine.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Anglade was the Lead Consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology and the Director of Endoscopy at King’s College Hospital Clinics, Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Anglade earned her undergraduate degree with great distinction from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She then received her medical doctorate from Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire, US. She completed her resideny in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, serving as Assistant Chief Resident in her senior year. She then completed three more years of subspecialty training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York.

She has been practicing medicine for the past 16 years and has been working as a Gastroenterology Consultant since 2006. Dr. Anglade recently obtained with distinction (top 10% GPA) an executive Master in Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD, the number 1 ranked business school worldwide.

MBChB, MRCSI, FACS
Surgical Oncologist,
Digestive Disease Institute | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Rafal Badri Iskanderian, MBChB, is a Staff Physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and serves as the Associate Director of the General Surgery Residency Program. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Iskanderian was a Surgical Oncologist at King Hussein Cancer Center Amman, Jordan. Dr. Iskanderian received his medical degree from University of Baghdad, Iraq. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Jordan University Hospital, and held the Jordanian and Arab Boards of General Surgery in 2014. He then completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at King Hussein Cancer Center Amman/Jordan, and held the European Board of Surgical Oncology in 2017 (honor of the 3rd Rank). He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the European Society of Surgical Oncology and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons/Ireland. Dr. Iskanderian is interested and committed to clinical research and published many articles in peer reviewed journals, he is also leading many active research projects in the fields of oncology and cancer care. Dr. Iskanderian is dedicated to clinical excellence and patient-focused care with a particular interest in Breast and Axillary surgery for cancer, correction of Gynecomastia, Thyroid/Parathyroid diseases and reconstructive surgeries for Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

MSc, BSN , RN
Bariatric Nurse Coordinator I Clinical & Nursing Quality Department
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Master (Msc) in Health Care Management 2020 from Swiss Business School .
Bachelor in Health Practice 2013 Leeds University ,UK
In October 2014, Relocated from United Kingdom to Abu-Dhabi where I Joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as staff nurse and shift leader in medical and surgical unit.
In 2007 graduated from London south bank University with Diploma in higher Education Adult Nursing and Completed 3 years nursing training program.
Post graduated worked as senior staff nurse on multiple specialty units such as Medical, surgical and trauma units, In Leeds Teaching Hospitals , UK
Last job before relocation was Assistant nurse manager in trauma orthopedics, vascular and plastic unit , in Leeds General Infirmary hospital in Leeds. UK.

MD
Consultant Gastroenterologist,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Sara El Ouali, MD, is a staff physician in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. El Ouali worked in Montreal, Canada, where she previously earned her medical degree from McGill University and where she was awarded several scholarships for academic excellence.
Dr. El Ouali completed her Internal Medicine residency at the McGill University Health Center, where she was awarded the Ezra Lozinski prize in recognition of her outstanding compassion, understanding and sense of responsibility.
She completed her Gastroenterology & Hepatology fellowship as Chief Resident at McGill University, and then underwent additional advanced training in inflammatory bowel disease at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She acquired extensive experience managing complex patients with IBD during her time in Cleveland.
Dr. El Ouali is American and Canadian-Board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.
Dr. El Ouali has published numerous articles and book chapters and has presented at major international conferences. She is actively involved in IBD research and academic activities with Cleveland Clinic, Ohio and other international sites. She is the associate co-editor of the IBD Journal for social media and is also part of the editorial team of several gastroenterology journals.
Dr. El Ouali is passionate about gastroenterology, and has a special interest in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Other interests include the impact of COVID-19 on patients with IBD and other gastrointestinal diseases.

Dietitian,Center for medical nutrition,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Shefaa Alaamri, is a staff Dietitian in the center for medical nutrition at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Shefaa had 1 year of dietetics internship in Multiple hospitals including; Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Amana health facility.
Shefaa received her dietetics degree from United Arab Emirates University with a Bachelor of science in dietetics in 2018.
Shefaa resides in Abu Dhabi with her family. Her hobbies include playing tennis, playing the piano and reading.

MD, MHA, FAASLD
Chair, Gastroenterology ＆ Hepatology,
Digestive Disease Institute,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Shiva Kumar currently serves as Chair of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and an additional Clinical & Research fellowship in Hepatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He also received a Master's degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Dallas, Jindal School of Management. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and currently serves on the Global engagement & outreach committee of the AASLD.

Assistant Nurse Manager,
Digestive Disease Ambulatory,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi,
UAE

Sorcha is the Ambulatory Assistant Nurse Manager in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD).
Prior to joining CCAD Sorcha worked as a Clinical Nurse Manager in St. James’s Hospital Dublin, Ireland on an acute surgical floor specialising in upper gastrointestinal surgery, urology, breast-care and colorectal surgery.
Sorcha received a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) in 2001. She received her Nursing degree from NUIG in 2006. After her nursing degree Sorcha completed a Post Grad. Diploma in Healthcare Management in Westmoreland College Dublin.
Sorcha resides in Abu Dhabi with her Husband and son. Her hobbies include running, reading and baking.

Nutritionist,
UPANDRUNNING MEDICAL CENTER, UAE
UAE

Stephanie is a clinical and sports nutritionist and has worked in clinical practice and education for 25 years. Prior to coming to Dubai, she worked as an adjunct lecturer at The New Zealand Institute of Sport and has mentored some elite international athletes. She worked for the Ministry of Education in Health Promotion and Education as well as in clinical practice.
She moved to Dubai in 2005 and practiced in private medical clinics as well as being a frequent speaker at events, blog writer across a number of publications and keen sports person. She was part of the educational team for Allergy Network Dubai and the founder of the nutrition website (www.purenutritiondubai.com). She was integral to the start-up of the first Functional Medicine Clinic in Dubai in 2011, studied integrative medicine and uses the model through-out her practice to take a more personalized approach to achieving better health and slowing disease.

RN
Staff Registered Nurse,
Endoscopy Unit,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Mrs Valsala Visno, is a staff Nurse Educator at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She is in charge of nursing education for the endoscopy unit, cardiac catheterization lab, interventional readiology and cardiac electrophysiology unit.
Mrs Visno has 15 years of interventional endoscopy nursing experience and leadership positions in CCAD, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. She also has a Master’s in Business Administration. She published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international gastroenterology and endoscopy conferences.

MD, FACS, FSSO
Consultant General and Oncologic Surgeon,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Yasir Akmal is a consultant surgical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He is also the program director for the general surgery residency program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He completed his surgical residency training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania, USA followed by fellowship in surgical oncology at City of Hope Cancer Center in California USA. He joined the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Ab Dhabi in 2014.
His areas of expertise include minimally invasive and robotic surgery, complex upper and lower gastrointestinal, pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgery, breast, thyroid and parathyroid surgery and surgery for pertioneal malignancies with intraoperative administration of chemotherapy (HIPEC). He also has interests in medical education and is involved with simulation, curriculum development and coordination of the surgical and other residency programs at his institution. He has multiple peer-reviewed publications on a variety of surgical oncology topics and has made dozens of national and international presentations. He has also been awarded numerous clinical and teaching awards.

MD
Consultant, Gastroenterology & Hepatology,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
UAE

Dr. Koutoubi joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2014 as Consultant Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

Dr. Koutoubi did his Internal Medicine Residency training at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, US, and is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He did also his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he also served as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and is American Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

Dr. Koutoubi is interested in all aspects of gastroenterology & hepatology, with special interests in the field of inflammatory bowel disease. He is active in research and has been involved with many projects focused on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Hepatitis B and C and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Koutoubi currently serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals, including the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) and Gastroenterology & Hepatology Open Access.