Speakers

Dr. Abed Al-Lehibi, is a certified Gastroenterologist and Advanced therapeutic Endoscopist with clinical and research expertise in endoscopy and advanced therapeutic endoscopy procedures. Dr. Al-lehibi completed his Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship and completed Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at Washington University of St. Louis- (Wash U), Missouri USA 2010. He is currently the Chairman of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Department and Endoscopy Director at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh. Associate Professor of Medicine at Dar Al Uloom University . Dr. Al-Lehibi has helped established the Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy since 2010 at KFMC , including EUS, Therapeutic EUS, ERCP, Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures and third space endoscopy procedures. Also started and established the Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship Program at KFMC 2016 and he is the Program Director, with full accreditation by Saudi council of Health Specialty -SCHS 2020.He is the founder of Saudi Live Endoscopy Symposium at KFMC in 2014. clinical interests include pancreatic disorders, and biliary disease, POEM and GPOEM and novel endoscopy procedures. And research interests. He has authored in many papers, book chapters, abstracts lectures in national and international conferences. He is an active member of several affiliations and hospital wide committees and also he is engaged into many community services. He has passion for teaching and actively involved in teaching and training for the medical students, residents and fellows at KFMC.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Rifai, M.R.C.P., B.S.G., E.A.S.L., is a distinguished consultant in hepatology and gastroenterology, currently serving as the chair of the department of medicine at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the field, Dr. Al-Rifai is recognised for his expertise and contributions to medical research. Dr. Al-Rifai is fluent in both Arabic and English, enabling him to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population. With a robust clinical background and a commitment to advancing the field of gastroenterology and hepatology, Dr. Ahmad Al-Rifai is a leading consultant dedicated to providing exceptional care at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. His extensive experience and involvement in medical research make him a valuable resource for patients facing complex gastrointestinal and liver health issues.

Dr. Ahmad Jazzar is a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Director of Jazzar Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Centre and chief of the Gastroenterology Division at Burjeel Holdings, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Dr. Jazzar is American Board Certified in Internal medicine and Gastroenterology; He completed his residency and fellowship training at the University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Centre, in Oklahoma City, USA. He is a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Jazzar has authored and published over 39 papers and presented at numerous national and international conferences and educational events in the UAE, US and Europe.

Dr. Ahmad Madkour is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with extensive expertise in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. His clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), advanced endoscopic procedures, and hepatology. Dr. Madkour has been actively involved in clinical research, medical education, and regional gastroenterology initiatives. He has participated in numerous national and international conferences as a speaker and panelist, contributing to the advancement of gastroenterology practice across the region. He is recognized for his commitment to improving patient care through evidence-based medicine and his active role in fostering collaboration among professionals in the field of digestive health.

He received his MD degree in 2006, then specialized in internal medicine, and was awarded the Oman medical specialty board certification in 2012. Dr. Al-Darmaki completed an adult gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Calgary in Canada, followed by an advanced fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He is the Head of the Gastroenterology Unit at Royal Hospital and a faculty member of the OMSB internal medicine residency program. He is well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of all gastrointestinal disorders. He is skilled in both diagnostic and therapeutic GI endoscopies, including the management of GI bleeding, peptic ulcers, esophageal and colonic strictures, polyp removal in the gastrointestinal tract, and colon cancer screening and surveillance. He is the author of numerous publications and has presented research abstracts at numerous conferences, including Digestive Disease Week and the ECCO meeting.

​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.​​

Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, AGAF, FACG, holds the James F. Heady Endowed Chair and is Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, where she serves as Executive Vice Chair of Internal Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer. A board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Dr. Afzali previously founded the region's first standalone multidisciplinary IBD Center at Ohio State University. She earned advanced degrees in public health and health care management, and is renowned for her leadership in clinical operations, research, and public health advocacy. Dr. Afzali has published extensively and serves on key national and international committees.

Bincy P. Abraham, M.D., M.S., AGAF, FACG, FASGE, FCCF is the Distinguished Professor and Director of the Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at the Underwood Digestive Diseases Center of Houston Methodist Hospital. She is also the Program Director for the Gastroenterology Fellowship and Associate Program Director of the Advanced IBD Fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital. She earned her medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, where she continued with internal medicine residency and fellowship in gastroenterology, and a Masters of Clinical Investigation. She is trained in and passionate about intestinal ultrasound in IBD patient care.

Professor Dr. med. Daniel Pohl is a board-certified Internist and Gastroenterologist at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. He started his career as a fellow of the GI Functional Diagnostic Center in 2005, Zurich, emphasizing on clinics and research of upper gut motility and later, disorders of brain-gut interaction. Daniel Pohl was a research fellow at the Esophageal Disorders Clinic with Prof. Castell at the Medical University of South Carolina, USA. Currently he is a Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, Visiting Professor at the University of Riejka, Croatia, Head of the Gastroenterology Unit at the University Hospital Branch at Zurich Airport “The Circle”, as well as Head of the Neurogastroenterology and Motility division. He is founding member and Past-President of the Swiss Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SwissNGM) and member of the Executive Committee in his position as treasurer/general secretary of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) as well as the European Foregut Society (EFS).

Dr. David Robbins earned his medical degree with Distinction in Research from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and was inducted into the prestigious national honor medical society, AΩA. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and returned to The Mount Sinai Hospital for his general GI fellowship, followed by an advanced endoscopy year at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He also completed a master’s degree (MSc) in clinical research and biostatistics from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Robbins was recruited by Dr. Gregory Haber in 2008 to join him at Lenox Hill (now part of Northwell Health) and has been the GI training Program Director and Associate Chief there for the past 13 years. He is also the Medical Director of Manhattan Endoscopy, a seven room ASC in the heart of midtown used by over 20 physicians. He has a special interest in gastrointestinal cancer prevention, diagnosis and staging as well as routine digestive disorders and advanced endoscopy. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine. Dr. Robbins has been inducted as a fellow in the three major US GI professional societies (ASGE, AGA and ACG), served as an ASGE Ambassador (Cairo) and has for over the last decade been recognized as one of New York Magazine's Top Doctors. He has lectured nationally and internationally on ways to improve endoscopy unit quality and has been featured as a medical expert for major television and news outlets. Not surprisingly, he also considers himself a professional musician since his neighbors pay him not to play his saxophone.

Doug Simonetto is a Transplant Hepatologist and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Dr. Simonetto leads a clinical research laboratory on data analytics and artificial intelligence for advanced liver disease. His research laboratory applies digital solutions and innovation to predict, prevent and manage complications of alcohol-associated liver disease and portal hypertension. He also leads multiple clinical trials at Mayo, including two federally funded multicenter trials in alcohol-associated hepatitis and compensated cirrhosis. He is the medical director for REMODI (Reimagining Medical Oversight Through Digital Innovation) in the Department of Medicine and he serves as the Director of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship Program at Mayo. He is a member of several national and international research consortia, AASLD steering committees as well as guideline writing working groups for ACG and AASLD. Dr. Simonetto currently serves as the AI and bioinformatics topic editor for AGA’s GastroHep Advances journal. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, editorials, and book chapters in journals such as Hepatology, Journal of Hepatology, NEJM, BMJ, and American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Eyad Alakrad is currently serving as a Consultant Gastroenterologist and the director of the GI motility disorders and endoscopy at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Alakrad has extensive expertise in the fields of Gastroenterology and Hepatology with a significant training background in renowned hospitals and universities in the UK and the USA. Prior to joining SSMC, he worked as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He was a key member of a robust gastroenterology motility disorder group. During his work over there, he introduced a cutting-edge gastroparesis program which was unique to the state of Florida and neighboring states . He instituted a program for endoscopic placement of temporary gastric electric stimulators in the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. Dr. Alakrad has successfully established a comprehensive state-of-the-art GI Motility Lab at SSMC which has made an impact to the management of the GI Motility Services in UAE and competing with other international centers of excellent in that filed . In addition to the knowledge he brought to the region, Dr.Alakrad prides himself on introducing the latest technology like Enoflip, which its applications have revolutionized the management of certain motility disorders. His research work has been focusing on foregut motility disorders and Eosinophilic Esophagitis, for which has been a key speaker on multiple platforms.

Dr. Fatma Alshamsi is a consultant gastroenterologist at Tawam Hospital. Dr. Alshamsi is a Canadian-trained physician and has completed her Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Ottawa, followed by advanced fellowships in the fields of inflammatory bowel diseases and advanced endoscopy. She then pursued ERCP and Endoscopic Ultrasound fellowships at the University of McGill and completed her training by the end of 2021. Dr. Alshamsi has a special interest in medical education and has joined Johns Hopkins University for Masters of Education in the Health Professions. She is also an assessor and examiner for the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Dr. Heba Al Farhan is the President of the Kuwait Gastroenterology Association and a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, specializing in Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at Thunayan Al Ghanim Gastroenterology Center, Al Amiri Hospital, Kuwait. She completed her Internal Medicine training and received board certification from the Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialization (KIMS). Dr. Al Farhan is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP-UK) and holds board certification in Adult Gastroenterology and Hepatology from the Saudi Board of Gastroenterology Program. She pursued a fellowship in Advanced IBD at the University of Calgary, Canada, where she also trained in bowel imaging and point-of-care ultrasound for IBD assessment. Dr. Al Farhan serves as an Executive Board Member and Chair of the Collaboration Committee for the International Bowel Ultrasound Group (IBUS) and is an accredited international trainer in bowel ultrasound. Her research focuses on the clinical application of bowel ultrasound in IBD, with several publications in international journals, including Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis (Autumn 2021). She is a co-founder and two-term elected President of the Kuwait Gastroenterology Association.

Dr. Hironori Yamamoto serves as Professor of the Department of Endoscopic Research and International Education at Jichi Medical University in Japan. He invented double-balloon endoscopy in 1998. He is one of the pioneers of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). He started ESD in 1998 and he is the first reporter of complete ESD cases in the stomach and colon (Yamamoto, et al. Successful en bloc resection of a large superficial gastric cancer by using sodium hyaluronate and electrocautery incision forceps. Gastrointest Endosc. 2001;54:629-32.) He currently serve as a director of Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, responsible for International Committee of the society.

Dr. Ibrahim Mostafa is a distinguished Professor of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Wadi El Nile Hospital. He previously served as Vice President of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (2004–2013) and is a Fellow of the ACG, ESGE, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow). A Master of the World Gastroenterology Organization, he has held leadership roles including President of the Pan Arab Association of Gastroenterology and Past Vice President of ESGE. He is Director of the WGO Cairo Training Center and recipient of Egypt’s State Merit Award and the Medal of Science and Arts.

Senior Healthcare Executive & Strategic Leader with 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare system transformation, academic medicine, and international healthcare management. Currently serving as Chief Academic Officer at King Saud University Medical City and Full Professor of Medicine with dual appointments at King Saud University (Saudi Arabia) and McGill University (Canada).

Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Director with over 19 years of groundbreaking experience in advanced gastroenterology procedures. Recognized for transforming the Endoscopy Department at the Hospital of the Technical University of Munich into a leading European center, pioneering cutting-edge techniques such as interventional EUS, third-space, and bariatric endoscopy. Adept in building robust professional networks, significantly increasing advanced procedure referrals. Committed to medical education and mentorship, leading top-tier training courses and advancing gastroenterology research.

Dr. Mohan Ramchandani is the Director of Interventional Endoscopy at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, with over 19 years of experience. A graduate of Gandhi Medical College and an alumnus of Banaras Hindu University, he is internationally trained in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, including in Japan and China. Specializing in third-space endoscopy, he is recognized globally for pioneering work and training efforts. Passionate about reducing GI cancer mortality, Dr. Ramchandani has published over 200 research papers and serves on editorial boards. He is joint secretary of the Society of GI Endoscopy of India and an honorary fellow of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.

Dr D Nageshwar Reddy is currently the Chairman of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India. Past President of World Endoscopy Organization. He graduated from Kurnool Medical College obtaining internal medicine, Masters in Madras Medical College and D.M in Gastroenterology from PGIMER, Chandigarh. He subsequently worked as a Professor of Gastroenterology in Andhra Pradesh Health Sciences before setting up Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, a tertiary care Gastro intestinal Specialties Hospital. His main area of research interest has been in G.I. Endoscopy particularly in Therapeutic Pancreatio Biliary Endoscopy and Innovations in Transgastric Endoscopic Surgery. He has published over 900 papers in National & International Peer review journals and has contributed chapters in 23 International Text Books of Gastroenterology and has edited 8 G.I. Endoscopy Text Books. He is on the Editorial Board of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Digestive Endoscopy, World Journal of Gastroenterology, World Gastroenterology News, Gastroenterology Today, The Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine, and Recent Patents on Medical Imaging, Indian Journal of Gastroenterology and Gastro-Hep.com. He is the peer reviewer of the Journals like Lancet, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Endoscopy, World Journal of Gastroenterology, Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. He was the President of Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India in 2001. He has been a visiting faculty for 112 international endoscopy workshops and forum member of Asian Endoscopy Masters Forum.

Dr. Nirmala Gonsalves is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a member of Northwestern’s Esophageal Center. Her research career is dedicated to improving the care of patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), a rare group of disorders. Her work focuses on developing novel therapeutic approaches and establishing reliable methods to assess disease activity, particularly in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Dr. Gonsalves serves as Vice Chair for the EoE section of the American Gastroenterological Association and is a founding and steering committee member of The International Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Researchers (TIGERS), which has published multiple international consensus guidelines on EoE management and diagnosis. She is also a co-investigator and site principal investigator for the NIH-funded Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR). At Northwestern, Dr. Gonsalves directs the Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Program and serves as GI Division Director of Wellness and Faculty Development, as well as a peer coach within the Department of Medicine. She has co-authored more than 130 publications and frequently lectures at national and international meetings.

Dr. Saif Khamis Alnuaimi is a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Advanced Endoscopist specializing in EUS and ERCP. He practices at Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammad Medical City (STMC) and Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, UAE. His clinical work focuses on pancreaticobiliary disorders, advanced therapeutic endoscopy, and quality improvement in GI services. Dr. Alnuaimi obtained his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and completed advanced endoscopy training with a focus on EUS and ERCP. He is also completing an MSc in Healthcare Innovation in Toronto, Canada, with academic interest in digital health, care redesign, and innovation in service delivery models.

Samuel B. Ho obtained his undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College and his medical degree at the Mayo Clinic, both in Minnesota, USA. He completed internal medicine training at the University of Minnesota, and a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of California, San Francisco. He most recently was Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and Chief of Gastroenterology at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System in California, USA. In 2018 he relocated to Dubai, UAE, as the Chair of Clinical Sciences and Professor of Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and also is working at Mediclinic City Hospital as a Consultant Gastroenterologist. He is interested in medical education and translational research related to the effect of the intestinal microbiome on liver disease, the use of medical informatics to improve medical care, and clinical trials related to chronic hepatitis, obesity, and cancer screening.

Sara Al Bastaki is a Colorectal surgeon from UAE. She completed her medical school at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI). She continued her Surgical Residency program in Germany she subsequently completed her 3 years fellowship in Colorectal Surgery between Germany and London. She joined Sheikh Khalifa medical City, Abu Dhabi as a consultant Colorectal surgeon and in addition to that she is the founder and the president of Emirates Society of Colon & Rectal Surgery (ESCRS). Dr Sara was appointed as Division head of General Surgery in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi. Dr Al Bastaki , provided a unique service in SEHA, pelvic floor disorder clinic, involving MDT decisions from specialities such as colorectal, urology and physiotherapy to deliver the best care for the patients with pelvic floor disorders. In December 2023, She joined mediclinic city hospital and Airport road as a consultant colorectal surgeon. Dr. Al Bastaki is specialized in laparoscopic surgery for benign and malignant colorectal diseases, management of Low rectal cancer like TATME/TAMIS and proctology. Also introduced new techniques of minimal invasive approaches for pilonidal sinuses and complex anal fistulas by performing VAAFT and EPSIT.

Seth A. Gross, MD, is Professor of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Clinical Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at NYU Langone Health. As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Gross specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures. His clinical practice is focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal pre-cancerous conditions and cancers, such as esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Gross’ research interests lie in the area of gastrointestinal malignancies as well as quality and innovation in endoscopy. Dr. Gross oversees the clinical programming and quality initiatives for the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at NYU Langone Health. He is a member of U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer He is a board of trustee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), reimbursement advisor to the American Medical Association for the ASGE, and an associate editor for the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr Shiva Kumar currently serves as Chair of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Medical Director of Liver Transplantation at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE. He completed fellowship training in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and a clinical fellowship in Hepatology & Liver Transplant medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Dallas Jindal School of Business.

Sundeep Lakhtakia is the Director of Endoscopy & EUS, at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. He is an adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. He is the Governing Council Member, ISG; vice-chair of ASGE; and Treasurer & steering committee member of ‘Asian EUS Group’. He served as President & Secretary General of SGEI. He received prestigious “Crystal Award for International Service” from ASGE, 2024.

Dr Vivek Kaul is the Segal-Watson Professor of Medicine (and former Division Chief) in the Gastroenterology & Hepatology Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His clinical, research and medical education efforts are focused in Therapeutic Endoscopy/Endosurgery, Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound and advanced ERCP. He also specializes in esophageal endotherapy for Barrett’s & Esophageal Cancer. He has specific expertise in complex interventional endoscopy, especially in the patient with GI-cancer. He is a PI and/or co-investigator on several national and international trials in endoscopy, pancreatic and esophageal disease. Dr Kaul serves on several national committees with the ASGE and the ACG and is a past Governor of the ACG for Northern NY. He is chair of the ACG Innovation & Technology Committee and also chairs the EUS special interest group (SIG) for the ASGE. He is also Chair of the World Gastroenterology Organization’s Endoscopy Committee and serves on the WGO Governing council. In addition, he is Co-Chair of the AGA national GI division Chief’s consortium. Dr Kaul also serves as the alternate ASGE RUC advisor to the AMA and serves on several national and international task forces such as the ACG GI-On Demand task force and the WGO Global Climate Change Working Group. Dr Kaul is a reviewer for several journals, is a sought after speaker and has published extensively in the field of interventional endoscopy and several other aspects of Gastroenterology. Dr Kaul regularly lectures and shares his endoscopy expertise at centers in the USA and around the world.