Mrs Zahra Baalawi has joined Harvard Medical School Dubai Center as Director of Education. She has recieved her BSc in Biology from Missouri State University, Medical Laboratory Technology training at Research Medical Center in Kansas City (USA) and her Masters degree in Medical
and Molecular Microbiology from Manchester University (UK). She is currently completing her Doctorate in Education from the University of Leicester. Zahra has extensive experience in Laboratory sciences and Molecular biology, Health Sciences education, Curriculum development, continuous professional development, and Learning and Teaching in higher education. Zahra’s research interests are professional development in higher education faculty development and lifelong learning, which she has presented at a number of international conference’s on some of these issues.
Uzma Shah
MD, FAAP
Director, Research
Dr Uzma Shah has joined Harvard Medical School Dubai Center as the Director of Research and is involved in the planning, implementation and management of Research at HMSDC and the Dubai Health Care City.
Dr Shah trained in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston and continued as a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School. Prior to joining HMSDC, she was an Associate Professor and Section Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Dr Shah, a passionate researcher and academician, has extensive experience with both Basic and Clinical science research and its development. Having worked at the Developmental Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, her research has included the study of human fetal intestine, the genetics of Cystic Fibrosis, Celiac disease and Hepatitis. She has numerous publications and book chapters and is a reviewer for several journals. Dr Shah is renowned in her field, and an active contributor to several international organizations.
Tobias Baker
Director, Medical Simulation Center
Dr Tobias Barker joined PHMI, representing the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center as its Medical Director of Simulation. Dr. Barker is responsible for the design and delivery of high quality educational programs using the resources of the simulation center in the Dubai Healthcare City. He will be working closely with the leadership of HMS, DHCC and PHMI on this important endeavor. Dr. Barker comes to PHMI from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he was the Associate Director of the STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation and Attending Physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr Tobias Barker received his B.A. from University of Colorado (Boulder) and his Degree in Medicine from the University of California (Los Angeles). He left his medical school training toperform researchat the NIH for one year before returning to graduate AOA from UCLA. He completed two years of Residency in General Surgery at The Cleveland Clinicbefore completing a four-yearResidency in Emergency Medicine at Yale University. In addition to his U.S. experience, Dr. Barker has also worked in clinical training programs in India, South Africa, Kazakhstan,and the West Indies, amongst other places.
Abdel Hakim Bishawi, MLS (in Progress)
Manager, Maktoum Harvard Medical Library
Mr. Bishawi manages the development and implementation of the Maktoum Harvard Medical Library. Prior to joining HMSDC, he worked for ten years as a Medical Librarian at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain UAE. He also served for ten years as the Deputy Academic Medical Librarian at the College of Medical Professions in Palestine. Mr. Bishawi received a diploma from Al-Najah University in Palestine followed by a bachelor’s degree in Library Science. He has completed advanced coursework in medical librarianship at Simmons College in Boston, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Southern Connecticut State University in the U.S. He has presented at numerous conferences for Health Sciences Librarians in Canada, USA, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, and Palestine. He is a member at the Medical Library Association (MLA) in the U.S. and the Canadian Health Libraries Association (CHLA).
Ajmal Hasan
Executive, Academic Affairs
Mr. Ajmal Hasan provides planning and adminstrative support to HMSDC’s department of Academic Affairs. He has over eight years of experience in medical administration in the UAE, including six years with the Allied Diagnostic Centre in Dubai. He holds a Higher Diploma in Software Engineering from the University of Bangalore, Bangalore, India.
Badriya Amir
Client Services Representative
Badriya Amir serves as HMSDC’s Client Services Representative. Her previous studies have focused on Arts & Literature, and she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She enjoys collaborating on team-oriented projects and conducting online research to gain new knowledge.
Christine Chalhoub, CCRP
Manager, Research
Christine Chalhoub is currently working on establishing the governance and regulatory infrastructure for conducting research within Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC); including setting up the Office for Research Administration (ORA), the Research Council (RC) and the Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC). Christine holds a Bachelors Honors Degree from York University, Toronto, Canada in Experimental Animal Biology. She further completed her graduate studies in the field of Clinical Research. She has been a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) since August 2001 and is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). Christine brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience within the clinical research field.
Hala Shazia Bhat
Senior Executive, Marketing
Hala Shazia Bhat has over 9 years of experience in the field of Marketing and Information Technology. Her roles have included specialization in Graphic Design, Animation and Event Management. At HMSDC, Hala Shazia manages the website and is also responsible for branding and creating the marketing collaterals in house. She also actively participates in the Event management. In the past, Hala Shazia has coordinated the marketing and post-production for media companies
Dr. Maher Musallam manages the planning and implementation of continuing medical and professional education programs at HMSDC, and oversees the system for reviewing, approving, and accrediting CME programs offered within Dubai Healthcare City and the community. He has over 10 years of experience in the health care industry, serving as the Pharmaceutical Division Manager at Unigreg Pharmaceutical and Key account manger for Fine Hygienic Medical Division and most recently served the clinical team in DHCC sales department as Senior executive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science major in Zoology and bachelor degree in Medicine from Fatema College of Medicine, Manila (Philippines) and holding also Master degree in International Business from Wollongong University.
Marlene Hilal, PharmD
Senior Executive, CPD
Marlene Hilal works on planning, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of CPD activities for health care professionals. This involves assessment of educational needs in the community, faculty liaison, monitoring compliance and evaluation of all activities. Marlene holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Lebanese American University in Beirut. She joined us from a global pharmaceutical company where she used to work as a professional medical representative. She has also worked both as a community and a clinical pharmacist. Marlene brings with her a wealth of knowledge in pharmacy.
Mart Carlo Ellasos
Executive, Health Education
Mart Carlo Ellasos holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. He is professionally trained as EMT with 3-years solid experience in the Philippines prior to joining Tawam Hospital, Al Ain as an Assistant Officer Life Support in 2006. He was in-charge of teaching life support courses such as BLS and ACLS and coordinated regular courses such as PALS, ATLS, Safe Sedation, NRP and various Medical short courses. He is recognized as BLS, ACLS and PALS Instructor by the American Heart Association (AHA) in addition to being an International Coordinator for ATLS. His work encompasses identifying tenant and community education needs, coordinating programs as well as teaching health related programs and assisting in the Medical Simulation Center.
Nagham Kaouk
Manager, Marketing
Nagham Kaouk manages the marketing and communication department at HMSDC which involves the development and implementation of a strategic alignment with Dubai Healthcare City to compliment its vision: a world class destination in healthcare, education and medical research. Prior to joining HMSDC, she worked with The Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE) and LaSalle College International Group (Montreal). She has over 8 years of experience in promoting education as well as managing educational events and marketing activities. In addition to her studies in Visual Communication and Design from LaSalle College Group, she completed a program in Advertising from Concordia University.
Nazanin Khodadoust
Manager, Medical Simulation Center
Nazanin is responsible for planning, development,
and implementation of the HMSDC
Medical Simulation Center, and also coordinating and providing life support courses for
health care professionals. She is a Registered Nurse (RN) in Canada with over eleven
years of experience in Canada, Iran, and UAE. Her work experience encompasses both
clinical nursing in Cardiac ICU, ICU step-down, and NICU as well as health education.
Nazanin holds a Master of Science degree
in Health Care Management from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
Nivine Abbas
Senior Executive, Academic Affairs
Nivine holds Bachelors degree in Medical Diagnostic Imaging from University of Sharjah, UAE. She further completed her postgraduate diploma in Medical Ultrasound, Burwin Institute, Canada. She worked over six years as a Teaching Assistant and Clinical Tutor in Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department at University of Sharjah providing instruction to develop the practical skills of the students as well as delivering laboratory sessions in Radiographic Imaging, Processing and Quality Assurance. At HMSDC Nivine works on designing and developing policies, procedures manual and academic compliance to ensure implementation of education regulations, rules and processes in Dubai Healthcare city.
Rhonda Walmsley
Manager, Operations
Rhonda Walmsley joined Harvard Medical School Dubai Center as Operations Manager. Her responsibilities include supervising and monitoring all operational support activities for the department, including accounting, budgeting, performance reporting, Human Resorce and procurement / Information Technology. Before joining Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, Rhonda worked for the previous 16 years as Division Manager for the Child Cancer Foundation in New Zealand.
Saba Abu Seini
Personal Assistant
Ms. Saba Abu Seini is the Personal Assistant to the Chief Academic Officer and Director of Education of HMSDC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Jordan. Prior to joining HMSDC she worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Dubai International Finance Center.
Sulaiman Baharoun
Executive, CPD
Mr. Sulaiman Baharoun assists in planning and implementation of continuing medical and professional education programs at HMSDC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from UAE University. He is a graduate of the trainee program with Tatweer. Sulaiman participates in all activities at HMSDC.
