Khaled Al Qawasmeh, RN, MSN, APRN, OCNS, CCRP
Clinical Research Nurse, Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Oncology/Hematology
Tawam Hospital, Oncology Department
Khaled Al Qawasmeh qualified with Master’s Degree in Clinical Oncology Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. He is an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) since 2009. Khaled has gained the prestigious Clinical Research Certification by SOCRA USA and Chair of SEHA SOCRA chapter. He is the chair of SEHA Nursing Research and EBP Committee. Khaled is currently the Vice president of the Emirates Oncology/Hematology Nursing Society.

• Co-Chair of Scientific Committee – SINMAC.
• Senior Charge Nurse/Liwa Nursing Facility Nursing manager -AlDhafra Hospitals.
• Research nurse-AlDhafra Hospitals • Previously: Acting unit manager for the Dialysis Unit and Outpatient Clinics Department -Madinat Zayed Hospital – Al-Dhafra Hospitals- Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Holding a Master’s Degree in Nursing Science (MSN), with a subspecialty in Adult Health Nursing (AHN -Rak Medical and Health Sciences University.
• Chair of ADH-Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research committee
• Coordinator of ADH-Research Ethics Committee 2023/2024.
• Co-Chair of SEHA Nursing and Midwifery and research committee.
• Clinical Research certificate -Khalifa University –UAE 2021.
• Emirati Nursing Association (ENA) membership 2024.
• Member of Research community of practice group 2023 till present.
• Member in HRPPC-CCIII-Participant Advocacy Committee (PAC)-SEHA.
• Published and Presented many papers at different international and national conferences, such as ICN, and SEHA International Nursing Excellence Conference.
• Awarded as best EBP project at SEHA level during SINMC 2023.
• Awarded by the Department of Health as Subject Matter Expert toward the development of the Bioethics for Health Workforce in Abu Dhabi 2023.

Aaesha Alblooshi – MBA, BSN, DSN, GCSE . With over 17 years of experience in the nursing profession, I currently serve as the Acting Unit Manager for the Nursing Education, Training, and Development Department at SEHA Kidney Care (SKC). I also carry out the responsibilities of a Clinical Resource Nurse, leading a dedicated team focused on advancing nursing competencies and patient care standards.

My career in Nursing began in 2007, and I have worked across various healthcare settings, including acute and critical care units, within both the Ministry of Health and SEHA. Since transitioning into nursing education in 2012, I have remained passionate about empowering nurses through structured training, continuous learning, and professional development initiatives.

I actively contribute to several SEHA-level committees and play a key role in shaping educational strategies that support clinical excellence and workforce growth. With a strong foundation in clinical practice and leadership, I strive to foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation within the nursing community.

Dr. Amal Al Haddad is the Operations Director at Shaikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) since 2022 with over 19 years of experience.

Prior to joining SSMC, Dr Al Haddad assumed various clinical, operations, and quality appointments across leading healthcare institutions including; Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Tawam Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital UAE, Al Noor Hospital Group/Mediclinic Middle East, & multiple Rehab Hospitals, leading excellence in various & complicated matrix structures, operating models & turnaround projects with high financial returns & wide-spread clinical impact. She also served various academic and research appointments at the College of Medicine and Health

Sciences (CMHS) at UAE University (UAEU), Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Al Khwarizmi Institute College (KIC).
Dr. Al Haddad holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Cancer Biology) from the UAE University, Master Degree in Management (MSHRM) from the University of Wollongong – Dubai, and Nursing Degrees from the University of Sharjah (UoS) and Abu Dhabi Institute of Nursing (ION). She also holds advanced training in Hematology Nursing and Palliative and End-of-Life care.

A published researcher in peer-reviewed journals with an H-index of 9, Dr. Al Haddad has secured multiple prestigious research grants (NRF, Al Jalila Foundation) and awards (H.H. Sh. Hamdan Award) and running ongoing research projects with lead collaborators at UAEU, MBRU, & AAU, she has been a member of leading professional organizations including ASCO, ONS, POEM, SIOP, and PMI. Currently, she is an active member at ACHE, and serves as a Board Member in the Emirates Oncology Hematology Nursing Society (EOHNS).

Dr. Al Haddad is passionate about leading operational excellence through integrated MDT approach and patient-centered care to supports the institution’s mission to deliver world-class healthcare in the UAE and beyond.

Annette Josephine Russell, a seasoned Chief Nursing Officer with a strong background in clinical leadership and healthcare management, prefers to be called ‘AJ’, as she often says, nothing more, nothing less. She began her career as a Practical Nurse and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999. Driven by passion for advancing healthcare systems and nursing standards, AJ pursued dual master’s degrees, one in Nursing: APRN in Palliative care and Family Practice and another in Healthcare Administration equipping her with both clinical expertise and strategic insight.

With over 30 years in the nursing profession, AJ has led multidisciplinary teams, improved patient care standards, and implemented evidence-based practices across various healthcare settings. Her leadership is marked by commitment to quality, safety, and staff
development.

Her current role in SKMCA as a Chief Nursing Officer, she oversees nursing operations, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and workforce engagement. She is known for her collaborative approach, strong communication
skills, and ability to align nursing services with organizational goals.

Beyond her administrative responsibilities, AJ is passionate about mentoring future nurse leaders and contributing to the advancement of the profession. She stays current with the best practices and emerging trends in nursing and healthcare leadership through active engagement in professional communities, conferences and Journals while continuously promoting learning and innovation in nursing practice.

Her dedication to excellence and her ability to lead with both compassion and strategy make her a respected figure in healthcare leadership and has earned her recognition among peers and stakeholders alike.

Dr. Helena (Linda) has over 38 years’ experience in nursing including various leadership roles in South Africa and in the UAE. She is a highly motivated professional, with excellent networking ability and senior healthcare industry experience. She possesses strong analytical and strategic thinking with a proven record of delivering results in a complex and highly regulated environment. She has excellent communication skills, strong customer focus and team building attitudes. Dr Helena (Linda) has proven ability to identify issues, propose solutions and make decisions based on reliable data and strategic thinking. She has a strong passion for teaching and engaging healthcare leaders in lifelong learning, patient quality and safety, patient experience, nursing practice excellence, nurse recognition and empowering nurse engagement in practice decision-making. She participates and leads team to maintain standards for Regulatory, Accreditation, and Nursing Pathway to Excellence program. Her drive for strong nursing leadership and Emiratization has resulted in attracting and developing a team of diverse nurse leaders, which she challenges to demonstrate ongoing, professional growth, efficiency and effectiveness. Her commitment to the relationship of Emotional Intelligence and leadership is evident in all of her professional activities. Dr Linda has been awarded many Leadership Awards SKMC, best student for the IIWCC, Longevity Award SKMC and Excellence Award from Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD). She has been recognised for her work in the UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council Practice Committee. She has a great sense of humour, believes that your own happiness is determined by yourself and lives her live to the fullest. She enjoys spending time with her daughters and close friends, reading, movies, cooking, scenic holiday destinations and adventurous outdoor activities.

Hessa Ahmed Suliman Al Shehhi is a seasoned nurse with over 13 years of experience, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) at SEHA Authority in Abu Dhabi. In her role as ADON, Hessa leads nursing operations across Pediatric and Adult Intensive Care Units, pediatric services, as well as outpatient specialty clinics. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care, ensuring that nursing practices meet the highest standards.

Hessa’s educational background is impressive, featuring a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Wollongong, along with specialized diplomas in ECMO and leadership in healthcare. Her extensive experience includes roles such as Charge Nurse, Senior Charge Nurse and Nurse Manager, where she has effectively managed critical care environments, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she oversaw one of the region’s busiest ICUs.

In addition to her nursing responsibilities, Hessa has taken the lead nursing in collaborating with the Cincinnati hospital (CCH), enhancing nursing practices and patient care through multidisciplinary initiatives. Recognized as the first Emirati ECMO specialist, she has earned numerous accolades, including the Emirati Exceptional Talent Award in 2023 and a Nursing Leadership Award at the SEHA IHSAN Award. Her proactive approach to patient safety and nursing audits reflects her dedication to improving healthcare quality.

Fluent in both Arabic and English, Hessa is also known for her community involvement, having volunteered with the Emirates Red Crescent. Her passion for nursing, combined with her leadership skills and commitment to patient advocacy, positions her as a key figure in advancing nursing excellence and healthcare delivery in the UAE.

Dr. Iffat Elbarazi has over 25 years of extensive experience in academia, healthcare, patients’ services, community health education, and promotion. Her career spans multiple countries including Lebanon.
Australia, Saudi Arabia and culminating in her current role in the United Arab Emirates. She has been a speaker in different international, regional and local conferences and workshops. She is the author and co-author of over 100 scientific articles published in renowned international journals and has been listed
in the Stanford University and Elsevier top 2% cited Scientist for the last four consecutive years.
Her primary research interests encompass health promotion, health education, psychosocial and mental health, cancer education, prevention of chronic diseases, women’s health, and the determinants and practices of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Iffat has garnered recognition for her exceptional contributions to research and patient support, her commitment to undergraduate teaching, and her outreach initiatives.
She boasts a robust foundation in qualitative research and behavioral change theories. Additionally, she holds the esteemed title of Fellow at the UK Faculty of Public Health and is a current member of both the Australian and Emirates Public Health Associations.

Mahmoud Hasan is the Chief Nursing Officer at Al Dhafra Hospitals – SEHA, where he oversees the nursing staff and ensures the highest standards of patient care. With over 23 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Mahmoud brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for nursing excellence to the role.

Mahmoud earned his Master of Science in healthcare management from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He began his career as a registered nurse in in oncology and BMT services, quickly rising through the ranks due to his dedication, clinical expertise, and leadership skills. Mahmoud Led the oncology nursing services at Tawam Hospital as Assistant Director of Nursing.

Throughout his career, Mahmoud has been instrumental in implementing patient-centred care models, improving nursing workflows, and enhancing patient safety protocols. He is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

At Al Dhafra Hospitals – SEHA, Mahmoud is responsible for strategic planning, policy development, and the overall management of nursing services. He is committed to nurturing a supportive and empowering environment for all nursing staff, promoting ongoing education, professional development, and evidence-based practice.

Mahmoud participated in number of oncology nursing research such as improving oral chemotherapy compliance in Oncology Clinic, improving patient experience with Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), Tawam Experience and Assessing the Patient Education needs of Thalassemia Patients taking Iron chelating factors, Experience of Tawam hospital adult hematology/oncology department in the UAE

Dr. Marie Kim James, DNP, MSN Ed., RN, NE-BC, CPHQ has 30 years of experience in nursing with a strong background in leadership, quality improvement and accreditation with a strong passion to raise the profile of the nursing profession across the UAE. Dr. James is the Director of Nursing at the largest comprehensive nephrology services in the UAE. The services include inpatient and outpatient renal replacement therapies, paediatric nephrology, and specialized nephrology care for patients in the United Arab Emirates. She previously held the position of Manager, Quality and Performance Improvement at a tertiary academic medical center located in the United Arab Emirates and has worked in critical care, cardiac catheterization, perioperative services and inpatient units.

Dr. James graduated from Case Western Reserve University Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing in May 2020 with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership. She has a keen interest in quality improvement in the clinical practice and empowering nurses to use quality improvement, evidence-based nursing practices, and research in their practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International since 2008, the American Nurses Association (ANA), the New Mexico State Nurse Association, American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the National Association of Healthcare Quality. She holds board certifications in both Quality from the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) and Nursing Leadership from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Dr. Mohammed Al Maqbali is an Assistant Professor at Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Ain, specializing in research and evidence-based practice. His expertise includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and umbrella reviews. He earned his Ph.D. with a focus on fatigue and sleep disturbance among cancer patients. Dr. Al Maqbali has authored over 64 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to three book chapters, and is the author of the upcoming book Essential Research for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Care (Springer). His current research focuses on healthcare work environments, oncology, and quality of life.

Muhammed Al-Jarrah is a professor of physiotherapy graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center. USA in 2006. Prof. Al-Jarrah joined FCHS in 2012 to establish the Physiotherapy Department and he was the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Over the last ten years Dr. Al-Jarrah published more than 65 papers in well recognized journals. His research interests have focused on rehabilitation of Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and cerebral palsy. He is currently leading international grants in The Middle East to develop new approaches in the fields of cerebral palsy and stroke rehabilitation

Mustafa Hussein is a board-certified Case Manager and accomplished healthcare professional with a strong foundation in clinical practice and healthcare administration. He holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the Abu Dhabi School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baghdad University.

With extensive experience across healthcare systems in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan, Mustafa has consistently demonstrated excellence in designing, implementing, and optimizing case management frameworks. His expertise includes the development of evidence-based policies, operational procedures, and comprehensive training programs that enhance care coordination and improve patient outcomes.

Mustafa is deeply committed to advancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. His strategic approach to case management integrates data-driven decision-making with best practices, ensuring that patients receive timely, appropriate, and cost-effective care. He is recognized for his leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to continuous improvement in multidisciplinary healthcare environments.

Prof. Nabeel Al-Yateem is Professor and Chair of the Nursing Department at the College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, and Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University, Australia. He holds a Ph.D. in Children and Adolescents Health Nursing from the University of Galway, Ireland.

Prof. Al-Yateem has extensive experience in pediatric health, research, and education. He is affiliated with the Sharjah Institute for Medical and Health Research and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a focus on child and adolescent mental health, pediatric care, and healthcare technology integration.

His research has been supported by grants from the Irish Hospice Foundation, Al Jalila Foundation, and the University of Sharjah. He also serves on the editorial boards of journals including the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences and the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. His work reflects a strong commitment to advancing nursing practice, education, and global research collaboration.

Peer Mohamad, Muhamed Ali has been an invited speaker for many forums inclusive of International Diabetes Federation, Abu Dhabi Medical Congress, Symposium on Functional Preservation and Early Rehabilitation of Critically ill Patient, Community Health Promotion Program and Regional Cancer Control and Prevention program, Trauma conference and UAE Symposium on Social Robotics. Peer is a Member of American Heart Association, WCPT Network for Health Promotion in Life and Work, WCPT Network for Physical Therapist Educators and European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. Recent research participation includes Cognitive Training System for Elderly People. Human oriented and personalized of assistive technology: Novel development of bio-driven hand soft-robot rehabilitation and assistive system, and Robotic Therapy for Developing Social Skills in Kids with Autism.

Dr. Snithin has completed his Doctorate degree in Audiology from Philadelphia (USA) following his Masters and Bachelors degrees in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. He has received the recognition of FAAA (Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology). He serves as the Co-Chair of the SEHA Audiology Advisory committee and is member of the SEHA Allied Health Education Committee. He also serves as the Chair of AHS Allied Health Education and Research subcommittee and was instrumental in the several educational initiative which include First Allied Health Journal Club (via Webinar) which is ongoing since 2020 as well as First Allied Health Conference (2020). Dr Snithin has served as the Chair of the Scientific Committee for 1st AHS Allied Health
conference (2020) and 2nd AHS Allied Health Conference (2021).

He has also served as the Scientific committee member for International conferences such as Dubai Otology -Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery Conference (2018 and 2019); 1st Allied Health Symposium (2018); and the 4th Abu Dhabi Ambulatory Healthcare International Congress (2022). Dr Snithin has been very keen on research and has presented at scientific sessions in numerous international and local conferences. He also serves as the Clinical Director for the Healthy Hearing Division of the Special Olympics UAE (from 2017 till date) and has successfully provided the Hearing care services to Athletes during the Special Olympics MENA Games 2018 (Abu Dhabi) and the Special Olympics World Games 2019 (Abu Dhabi). Dr Snithin was honoured by the President of the UAE HH
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Bateen Palace for contributions towards successful Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. He is very passionate about prevention and early identification of Hearing loss in the community, and is actively engaged in numerous outreach programs such as the WHO World Hearing Day campaigns.

Sona Ayanikalath, a clinician and a researcher, is currently working as the supervisor of the Speech language pathology in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi. She has a Ph.D. in Speech Language Therapy from the University Of KwaZulu Natal -South Africa (2018), with various publications in her name. She has a wide range of experience in the field of speech language pathology for over 21 years, with her main area of interest being in dysphagia intervention. She is a frequent speaker at various international conferences and supervises/mentors junior speech language pathologists and interns from various universities. She is the chair of the SEHA Allied Health Education Committee and the chair of the SEHA Speech Language Pathology Advisory Committee.

Umesh Kumar is an experienced Respiratory Therapist originally from Bangalore, India. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. With over 22 years of hands-on experience in the field, he has specialized in managing critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, particularly within Intensive Care Units (ICU).

Currently, Umesh serves as a Senior Respiratory Therapist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), UAE. His clinical expertise spans various critical care domains, including the ICU, NICU, PICU, and CCU.

He is the author of” Handbook of Mechanical Ventilation,” now in its second edition. In addition to his book, Umesh has contributed significantly to academic literature with numerous research and review publications. Notable works include:

Adaptive Support Ventilation – A Way Different from Traditional Ventilation
Update in ARDS Clinical Ventilator Management & Prone Ventilation
Ultrasound vs. Bronchoscopy-Guided Percutaneous Tracheostomy, among others.

Dr. Yousef M. Aljawarneh, PhD, MSN, RN, FHEA
Dr. Yousef Aljawarneh is an accomplished academic and clinician with over 20 years of experience in nursing education and practice. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Program Chair for Nursing and Midwifery at the Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE), he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare professionals. Dr. Aljawarneh holds a PhD in Nursing (Adult and Acute Care) from the University of Texas, USA, and has contributed significantly to both academia and clinical practice. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, UK), he is recognized for his commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. His extensive teaching experience spans undergraduate and graduate levels at prestigious institutions across the globe. A dedicated scholar, Dr. Aljawarneh, has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles in high-impact journals, focusing on adult and acute care nursing, healthcare education, and clinical practice advancements. His work has been presented at international conferences, further establishing his expertise in the field. Committed to advancing nursing education and practice, Dr. Aljawarneh continues to mentor future nurses, engage in impactful research, and promote evidence-based healthcare solutions.

As the Clinical Education Department Manager at Corniche hospital, Zarah is an experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years of clinical experience as a UK qualified midwife. Zarah earned her midwifery degree from a prestigious university in the United Kingdom and has since worked in a variety of clinical settings, including maternity wards, antenatal clinics, and in the community setting.

In her current role as Education Department Manager, Zarah is responsible for developing and delivering clinical education programs that ensure the highest standards of patient care. Zarah is a strong advocate for the use of simulation-based training to improve clinical skills and decision-making among healthcare professionals. Zarah is a NRP, BLS, ACLS and PROMPT instructor.

Muayyad Hussein
Corporate Nursing and Midwifery Director, Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA)
President, SINMAC

Muayyad Mohammad Hussein is a transformative nursing leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare strategy, operations, and workforce development. As the Corporate Nursing and Midwifery Director at Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA)—the UAE’s largest integrated healthcare network—he leads the strategic direction and governance of nursing and midwifery services across more than 14 hospitals and 70 clinics.

He holds dual master’s degrees: a Master’s in Health Economics from Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Atlanta. This academic foundation empowers his data-driven, policy-oriented approach to healthcare transformation.

Muayyad has played a critical role in steering SEHA’s nursing workforce through complex healthcare challenges, ensuring operational resilience, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care. His leadership spans facility-level and corporate roles, and he is a key contributor to national healthcare committees and task forces, shaping policy and advancing the nursing profession across the UAE.

A passionate advocate for nursing empowerment, Muayyad is committed to building leadership capacity, fostering innovation, and driving continuous improvement. He is known for his strategic foresight, ability to navigate high-growth environments, and dedication to elevating the role of nurses in health systems.

As President of SINMAC, he continues to champion the advancement of nursing and midwifery, reinforcing their vital role in achieving sustainable, high-quality healthcare outcomes.

Her Excellency Prof. Rowaida AlMaaitah
Former Minister of Higher Education
and Scientific Research and former Senator.

President of the Board of Trustees at Yarmouk University, member of the higher Council of the National Centre for Curriculum Development, Advisor for HRH Princess Muna EL Hussein for Health and Social Development, Professor at the college of Nursing/ Jordan University of Science and Technology.

AlMaaitah has held numerous political and academic key positions including: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Hashemite University, Senator in the Upper House of the Jordanian Parliament, Minister of State for Government Performance, Minister of Social Development, Director General of King Abdullah University teaching Hospital, Chairperson of Higher Education Council, and Vice President and Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs. She has also assumed other positions including vice president, dean of college of Nursing/ JUST, founder and director of the WHO collaboration center of excellence at Jordan University of Science and Technology

AlMaaitah is an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing at the Royal College of Surgeons/Ireland and Recipient of Abdul Hameed Shoman Medical Sciences Award for Young Arab Scientists.

AlMaaitah is currently President of the Board of Trustees at Yarmouk University, member of the higher Council of the National Centre for Curriculum Development, Advisor for HRH Princess Muna EL Hussein for Health and Social Development, Professor at JUST, the vice president of the of the board of the Health Care Accreditation Council, board member of Jordanian Nursing Council, Commissioner at the WHO Global Commission on Social Determinants of Health/Geneva. Member of the Advisory Board for RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, member of the International Advisory Board for Qatar University Health and board member of the Education for Employment-Jordan. Board member of WHO Global Community of Practice and board member of Nursing Now Challenge. Member of the education and health committees at the Jordan Economic Modernisation Vision.

Al Maaitah was the first woman in the region to take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to serve as a university president (The Hashemite University), as well as Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Arab Women Organization at the Arab League. She was also the first woman in Jordan to serve as President of the Board of Trustees of a University, Vice-President of a university (JUST), and Director General of King Abdullah University teaching Hospital at JUST.

Al Maaitah completed B.Sc./nursing from University of Jordan, Master and Doctoral Degrees in Public Health from Tulane University/USA, post-doctoral fellowship in Health Administration / Louisiana State University, and completed different Senior Executive Education Programs in leadership and power at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Al Maaitah is a recipient of the Order of the State Centennial, the Order of the Star of Jordan (Wisam al-Kawkab al-Urdani) of the First Order and the Bahraini Decoration of the Second Order in 2006.

AlMaaitah is a former member of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, board Member of the Global Advisory Board of Anna Lindh Foundation and Chairperson of the National Agenda Technical Committee on Health and Social Security.

AlMaaitah has addressed many forums, conferences and global platforms in higher education. nursing, health, health policy, leadership, and women participation in politics, power, policy making, economic growth and nation building as well as global security.

She has many publications in main scientific nursing and health journal and participated/chaired many delegations at different national, regional and global conferences.

Howard Catton, RN, MA, BS (Econ) (Hons)
CEO, International Council of Nurses

Howard was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in February 2019. He is committed to ensure that ICN effectively represents nursing worldwide, advances the nursing profession, promotes the wellbeing of nurses and advocates for health in all policies. He firmly believes that nurses should be at the heart of health policy decision making and leading healthcare systems and delivery.

Throughout his career Howard has worked and written extensively on issues relating to the Nursing and Healthcare Workforce. He co-chaired the first ever State of the World’s Nursing Report and also co-chaired the second SoWN Report, published in 2025. He has led ICN’s work to respond to and support nurses globally during the pandemic and has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of and investment in the nursing profession.

Howard joined ICN in April 2016 as the Director, Nursing, Policy and Programmes. His team led the development of ICN policy and position statements. He also co-ordinated ICN Programmes and projects and oversaw the development of scientific programmes for ICN events.

Howard qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1988 and held a variety of nursing posts in England and the United States and worked for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation. He studied Social Policy at Cardiff University (BSc Econ Hons) and Industrial Relations at Warwick University (MA) and then worked as a Personnel and Organisational Change Manager in the National Health Service in the UK. For 10 years Howard was Head of Policy & International Affairs at the Royal College of Nursing in the UK.

Dr. Sumaya Mohamed AlBlooshi
BSN, MSN, PhD, FAAN
President of Emirates Nursing Association
Director of Nursing, Emirates Health Services
Head of the National Committee for Nursing and Midwifery

President of Emirates Nursing Association, Director of Nursing Department in Emirates Health Services, leading the National Nursing & Midwifery Strategy in the UAE, and Honorary associate professor at MBRU. Leading the taskforce committee for the Cabinet Initiative (Attractiveness of Nursing Profession).

Dr. Sumaya is an Awardee of the Emirates Pride Medal for Mohammed Bin Rashid Government 2017; Community Service Medal 2020; Best Government Communication Campaign in promoting the nursing profession (2018). “Pioneer Nurse” at the Global Health Pioneer Awards. Inducted in 2022 as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Majeda Afeef Al-Ruzzieh, PhD, FPCC, CGNC
Chief Nursing Officer, King Hussein Cancer Center
Certified Global Nurse Consultant
Fellow in Person-Centered Care

Dr. Al-Ruzzieh is an executive leader and Certified Global Nurse Consultant (CGNC) with over 30 years of experience in healthcare. She is a recipient of the prestigious HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein Award for Nursing Leadership in Jordan (Rafidah Al-Islamiah Medal). A recognized expert in nursing excellence and person-centered care, she successfully led KHCC to become the first hospital in Jordan to achieve and renew Magnet® Designation twice. She is also the first in Jordan to be certified as a Fellow in Person-Centered Care (FPCC).

Her passion is evident in her strategic leadership efforts to promote the well-being and empowerment of both patients and healthcare providers. These efforts include chairing KHCC’s Patient-Centered Care Committee and pioneering the implementation of a recognized shared governance model. Under her leadership,
KHCC became the first hospital in the Middle East to be accredited for shared governance by the Forum for Shared Governance.

Her efforts in advancing nursing excellence are reflected through her contributions as an esteemed member of several national and international academic advisory boards and professional organizations. She is a distinguished speaker and has presented widely at regional and international conferences. Her dedication to education, quality, and person-centered care is also reflected in her diverse publications.

Professor/Dr. Mershen Pillay – Biography
Professor/Dr. Mershen Pillay is an internationally recognised Associate Professor and Programme Leader of Speech and Language Therapy at Massey University’s Auckland Campus, bringing over three decades of multifaceted expertise to communication sciences and disorders. His research portfolio spans dysphagia (swallowing disorders) and occupational audiology in the informal sector focusing on the combined effects of noise and chemical exposure in workplace environments.

Dr. Pillay’s distinguished academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (Cum Laude) in Speech and Hearing Therapy from the University of Durban-Westville, culminating in a Doctorate in Education (2003). His extensive international experience encompasses clinical practice and academic leadership across four continents – from NHS specialist roles in the UK to clinical supervision positions in UAE’s Cleveland Clinic Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre, and senior academic positions at universities in South Africa and New Zealand.

His current leadership roles demonstrate exceptional international standing: Chairperson of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) Dysphagia Committee, Secretary of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, and WHO World Rehabilitation Alliance member. These positions reflect his pivotal influence in establishing global standards for dysphagia management and rehabilitation practices.

Dr. Pillay’s substantial research impact includes 89 peer-reviewed publications (68% in Q1 journals) with an H-Index of 21, international recognition through ASHA awards, and practical applications through collaborative work with community organisations to impact services to disabled individuals. His expertise extends to crisis consultation, including UNICEF advisory work during Samoa’s measles outbreak and leadership of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Massey University’s community initiative called “THRIVE “– Tackling Hunger with Research & Innovation in Vulnerable Environments.

His commitment to decolonising healthcare practices, advancing occupational hearing health research, and promoting cultural responsiveness in clinical reasoning establishes Dr. Pillay as a transformative figure bridging academic excellence with real-world impact in global health equity.