Standing Committee

Dr. Suad Hannawi

Chairman

Consultant Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Suad Hannawi, BhSc, MD, MRCP (UK), FRCP (UK), MIPH (AUS), PHD (AUS), a consultant of Rheumatology at the Emirates Health Services (EHS) of UAE. Chairman of Rheumatology at MOHAP, Deputy Chairman of the Central Research Ethic Committee (REC), and the Chairman of Dubai Health District REC.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science (BhSc), and the Medical Diploma (MD), Dr. Hannawi obtained the fellowship of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and completed her clinical training of Rheumatology in Australia. Dr. Hannawi proceeded with her academic attainment by obtaining a PhD in Rheumatology.

Her Interest in the Public Health motivated her to proceed with getting a Master of International Public Health from University of Queensland, Australia, with Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.
Dr. Hannawi has been awarded as best young investigator in Australia “Princess Alexandra” Research Week in 2007 and awarded by the MOHAP for six consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, and 2020) for her Scientific Achievements and contributions. In 2017 Dr. Hannawi was chosen as one of the best 5 physicians in the Federal health institutes for the Prime Minister Medal.

Dr. Hannawi has published in number of journals and has presented at different national and international conferences. As well, Dr. Hannawi is a reviewer for many international Rheumatology journals.

Dr. Ahmed Zayat

Senior Consultant of Rheumatology
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

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Ahmed Salem Zayat a senior consultant of rheumatology and a chairman of therapeutic (P& T) committee at the University Hospital Sharjah, UAE. Hold a of Master of Science (MSc) from university of Leeds, UK (2007), Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK (2009), Degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Leeds, UK (2012), and RCP Rheumatology Specialty Certificate Examination (2013).
Dr. Zayat had been awarded several times; Local Clinical Excellence Award, Bradford teaching hospitals, 2018, National Institute for health research (NIHR) clinical Lectureship Award, 2013, Howard Bird First Prize, Yorkshire Educational Training Programme 2013, Second Prize, Yorkshire Educational Training Programme 2012, and Distinction in Medical Imaging MSc program, University of Leeds 2007. Dr. Zayat has many publications and presented at different national and international conferences.

Dr. Aqeel Muhanna

Consultant Rheumatologist
Kuwait City, Kuwait

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Dr. Aqeel A Muhanna, MD, FRCPC, is a Rheumatology Consultant in the Department of Medicine at Mubarak Al Kabeer General Hospital and is the Head of the Rheumatology Unit. He received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D) from Kuwait University, faculty of medicine in 2001. He completed his residency program in the specialty of internal medicine at the University of British Columbia in 2007. Then he completed his Fellowship in Adult Rheumatology at the same university in 2009. After this he joined the University of Toronto where he completed his fellowship programs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Psoriatic arthritis.
Dr. Aqeel works in the Rheumatology Unit at Mubarak Al Kabeer teaching hospital. Dr. Aqeel shows big interest in education. He is the direct supervisor of different residency programs including General Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Physical therapy and Rehabilitation, Hematology, Neurology and Family Medicine. He is also a clinical tutor of the medical students of the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Aqeel is involved in clinical research with his colleges in the Faculty of Medicine. His main interest is in SLE, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Rheumatoid arthritis for which he has been involved in many local, regional and international scientific meetings as a speaker or moderator. Furthermore, He is very active in educating the public and physicians from different specialties in Medicine about Rheumatologic diseases and their burden on the society.

Dr. Elsadeg Sharif

Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Dr. Sharif is currently working as consultant pediatric rheumatologist at Al jalila Children’s Specialty hospital AJCH Dubai. Dr Sharif has around thirty years of vast experience in General Pediatrics and Pediatric rheumatology, Neonatology, and Community Pediatrics. Prior to joining AJCH, Dr. Sharif has worked in many reputable Hospitals in the UK, UAE, and Libya such as Southmead Hospital, Bristol, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hospitals, Al Ain Hospital, Children’s Hospital Tripoli – Libya. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Sharif held many key positions such as Chair of the Child Health Institute (CHI) at Al Ain hospital, President of the Pediatric Rheumatology Arab group (PRAG), co-chair and head of organizing committee at the SEHA International Pediatric Conference in January 2020 in Abu Dhabi, and the divisional clinical director, at the pediatric department Hull Royal Infirmary.
Dr. Sharif has played key role in clinical governance through planning, conducting and participating in audits to improve the quality of patient and healthcare in the Hospitals where he used to work.
Dr. Sharif is currently an Adjunct Associated Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Science (CMHS) at UAE University. Throughout his career, he has received many awards such as clinical excellence award in March 2010 at Hull Royal Infirmary UK, best trainer award from the Tawam paediatric residency programme at for the year 2014-2015, and the teaching excellence award for the academic year 2013 – 2014 from the Medical School at the UAE University.
In his career, Dr. Sharif has participated and conducted medical research and issued 6 publications: The Experience with Uveitis in Pediatric Age Group in Emirate of Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Child Abuse experience in Al Ain District, United Arab Emirates, and Detection of Bacterial DNA in Synovial Fluid and Peripheral Blood from children with Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis.
Dr. Sharif is a member of Royal college of Paediatric and Child health (RCPCH), British Society of paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR), Emirate society of Rheumatology (ESR), and President of the Paediatric Rheumatology Arab Group (PRAG).

Dr. Rajaie Namas

Clinical Assistant Professor
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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Rajaie Namas, MD, is Clinical Assistant Professor and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in 2017, Dr. Namas served at the University of Michigan as a Clinical Lecturer and was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. He was then promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Namas received his medical degree from the University of Tripoli, Libya. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, followed by his residency in Internal Medicine at Hurly Medical Center/Michigan State University in Flint, Michigan, US. Dr. Namas completed his fellowship in Rheumatology at the Wayne State University/Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, US.

Dr. Namas is currently active in numerous research projects focused on treatment strategies, measures of outcome, and translational studies of potential laboratory markers of disease activity.

He has multiple publications and awards in the field of Rheumatology, and is a reviewer on multiple peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Namas is a member and fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Physicians.

Dr. Samar Al-Emadi

Senior Consultant Rheumatologist
Doha, Qatar

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Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Head of Rheumatology Division at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Fellowship Program Director in Rheumatology, Hamad Medical Corporation. an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and is a faculty member for Clinical Teaching Program in Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and Stanford Faculty Development Center for Clinical Teachers.
Dr. Al-Emadi received her medical degree from the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, KSA.1995.
Double board certified in internal medicine (American board of internal Medicine and Royal college of physician and surgeon of Canada ) also double board certified in Rheumatology from American college of rheumatology and Royal College Of Physician Canada 2005 .Had special interest in Pregnancy and Rheumatic disease ,where she had extended fellowship in Toronto with Prof Karl Laskin .Established the first structured pregnancy and rheumatic disease clinic in Hamad General Hospital. Qatar

She has also completed Executive Master of Business Administration degree from London Business School (London -UK-LBS) 2018.
Currently, Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a member of multiple corporate committees, member of the Governance and Strategy of Hamad Medical Corporation Research Committee, and Steering Committee for OPD Development. She is also a member of multiple committees locally and regionally, multiple advisory boards.

Dr. Al-Emadi has received multiple research grants. She already has several publication in peer reviewed journals, and is also involved in multiple RCT as a PI and Co-PI. Dr. Al Emadi is a speaker in multiple local and regional conferences. Had several awards, Best Team Research Award 2015 and recently Chairman Recognition Award 2018.

Dr. Zaid Alrawi

Assistant Professor of Rheumatology
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Dr.Zaid Mahmoud Alrawi graduated in Medicine at Al-Mustansiriyah University College of Medicine 2002 in Baghdad – Iraq. Completed a five-year Rheumatology residency in Sweden at Blekinge Hospital and Lund University Hospital. Involved in research projects, teaching & training medical students and resident doctor Published publication on Intestinal Dysbyosis &Systemic sclerosis and ongoing research on Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment and Dysbiosis. Excellent experience in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography as an efficient advanced tool in diagnosis and follow up of rheumatic diseases. Plus Ultrasound guided injection