Speakers

Dr. Afshan Chaudary is Principal Clinical Psychologist with Maudsley Health at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai. Her supplied biography reports 17 years of experience across the UK and UAE, including work in NHS, private and international settings. She works with children, adolescents and adults experiencing trauma, neurodevelopmental conditions, severe mental illness and family difficulties. Her evidence-based, culturally responsive approach includes cognitive behavioural therapy, family/systemic therapy and EMDR, alongside clinical leadership and professional training.

Ahmad Muneer is a registered nurse and Service Manager for the Addictions Clinical Academic Group at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai. He holds nursing qualifications and postgraduate training in addiction science and critical care, and is an Internationally Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP II). He has more than 20 years of mental health experience spanning addiction, adult and forensic services, with a focus on nursing leadership, clinical pathways and quality of care.

Aiden Ward is a Mental Health Service Manager with Maudsley Health, working at Al Amal Hospital, part of Emirates Health Services (EHS) in the UAE, with a background in mental health nursing, clinical leadership and healthcare service management. Having worked across mental health services in Ireland, UK, Australia, and the UAE. Aiden brings experience in multidisciplinary team leadership, clinical governance, service development and operational management. His professional interests include improving the quality and safety of mental health care, workforce development and supporting the delivery of effective, patient-centered services. He also holds a master’s degree in finance and Investment Management, complementing his clinical experience with an interest in strategic healthcare leadership and sustainable service development”

Dr Alice Ashby has joined Maudsley Health as a CAG Lead for Adults, at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. Dr Alice is a UK-trained Consultant Psychiatrist with extensive clinical and senior leadership experience across the NHS and independent healthcare sectors. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and holds full GMC specialist registration in General Adult Psychiatry with endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry. She has a Masters in Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College London. Dr Ashby has over a decade of experience working at consultant level, specialising in the assessment and treatment of complex mental health conditions at the interface of physical and psychological health. She has a particular interest in women’s mental health, including fertility, pregnancy, perinatal mental health, PMDD and menopause, and is currently completing advanced training in hormone prescribing. Alongside her clinical work, Dr Ashby has held several senior medical leadership roles, including Associate Medical Director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She has been responsible for large multidisciplinary services, significant budgets, clinical governance, quality and safety, and service transformation in line with national strategy. She played a key role in developing award-recognised perinatal and maternity trauma services and contributed to emergency response and staff wellbeing initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Ashby adopts a holistic, biopsychosocial and preventative approach to mental healthcare, integrating lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, physical health and psychosocial factors into treatment. She is also an experienced educator, published author, and medicolegal expert witness.

Dr. Ammar Humaid Albanna is Director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services, and a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. He trained in psychiatry at McGill University in Canada and completed a fellowship in pediatric neuropsychiatry at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. His work spans clinical services, mental health research, medical education and healthcare leadership. He is a founding leader of the Emirates Society for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and has contributed to the development of child and adolescent mental health services in the UAE.

Anu Shitta is the Service Manager for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services nursing at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai. She trained in mental health nursing at King’s College London and has additional training in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis. She spent more than a decade with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust across inpatient, crisis and community mental health pathways. Her professional interests include early intervention, crisis services and improving care for children, young people and their families.

Dr. Ayesha Irshad Mian is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Synapse – Pakistan Neuroscience Institute and President of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) for 2026–2030. A US-trained adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist, she completed medical training at Aga Khan University followed by psychiatry training in Texas. Her work focuses on mental health service development, medical education, leadership, training and strengthening child and adolescent mental health care in Pakistan.

Dr. Basma Hussein is a Specialist Psychiatrist working with Maudsley Health’s Intellectual Disability Clinical Academic Group in Dubai. She is a psychiatry board qualifications, membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an active role in psychiatry resident education. Her professional interests include the management of complex psychiatric conditions, mental health governance, clinical quality improvement and emerging therapies.

Dr. Fatima Yousif Al-Ali is an Emirati, double board-certified Specialist Psychiatrist with expertise in general and addiction psychiatry. She has extensive clinical experience in addiction treatment, inpatient care, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Alongside her clinical practice, she is actively involved in medical education, residency training, and clinical research. She is passionate about advancing mental healthcare, promoting evidence-based practice, and improving patient outcomes.

Giovanni Martinotti is Full Professor of Psychiatry at the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti–Pescara and Lecturer in Psychiatry at UniCamillus – Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences in Rome, LUMSA University in Rome, and the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. His research focuses on treatment-resistant depression, psychedelic therapies, brain stimulation techniques, and substance use disorders. He is the author of more than 500 scientific publications, with an H-index of 70, and ranks among the top 2% of the world’s most influential scientists according to Stanford University. In 2024, he received the CINP Brain Health Award.

Professor Hamid is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. He is Director of Research for the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care in the UK. He has worked in the UK for over 20 years, both academically and clinically and his most recent roles included being Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Medical Education at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, PLAB Examiner for the General Medical Council (UK) and Foundation Training Programme Director for Health Education England. Professor Hamid obtained his MD from Aleppo University and PhD in psychiatry from Newcastle University. His clinical research interests are focussed on understanding common and severe mental health problems such as mood and psychotic disorders and developing innovative approaches to manage them. His academic distinction has been recognised by a number of awards, including the Erwin Stengel Memorial Prize for academic excellence in psychiatry and Royal College of Psychiatrists Margaret Slack Fellowship.

With over 13 years of experience in pediatric healthcare, currently serve as the Medical Director at Khorfakkan Hospital under EHS UAE. Her professional journey has been driven by a commitment to improving pediatric and neonatal care, supported by expertise in neonatology and medical ultrasound, as well as certifications such as IBCLC and CPHQ.

A highly experienced Family Physician with 16 years’ experience, currently serving as Head of Policies and Standards at the Mental Health Department, EHSUAE. I bring a comprehensive clinical perspective as a Consultant Family Physician, complemented by a strong background in health policy, program development, and strategic leadership. Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and fostering effective teamwork, I have successfully supported key health initiatives including communicable disease control, immunization programs, and mental health service integration. Additionally, serve as a Government Accelerator Coach, guiding cross-sector projects and policy implementation to accelerate sustainable development.

Hessa Abdulqader is Assistant Director of Nursing Affairs at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services. Her professional experience spans nursing leadership across psychiatric care, primary healthcare, public health and vaccination services. At Al Amal, she supports clinical governance, patient safety, nursing workforce development, quality improvement and the delivery of safe mental health services. She has also contributed to nursing education, hospital accreditation and multidisciplinary quality initiatives.

Emirati legal professional with over 10 years of experience across the judicial and legislative fields. Currently Legislation Specialist at the Ministry of Health and Prevention and previously Judicial Authority Assistant at Sharjah Public Prosecution. Experienced in drafting laws, regulations and executive resolutions, preparing comparative legal research and studies, and reviewing contracts and agreements for legislative compliance. Holds a Master of Philosophy in Private Law and is currently completing a PhD in Private Law at the University of Sharjah.

Jennifer Meehan is Service Manager for the Mental Health of Older Adults Clinical Academic Group at Maudsley Health in the UAE. She has over 18 years of clinical and operational experience in mental health nursing across Ireland, the United Kingdom and the UAE, and holds an MSc in Advanced Care in Dementia from King’s College London. Her interests include dementia care, reducing restrictive practices, workforce education, quality improvement and safe, person-centred older adult mental health services.

Jenny Moriarty is a nurse and Service Manager for Intellectual Disability services with Maudsley Health in Dubai. She trained in intellectual disability nursing and pediatric nursing in Ireland, including qualifications from Dublin City University. Her experience spans inpatient and community healthcare, with particular emphasis on person-centred support for people with intellectual disabilities. She is committed to improving quality of life, promoting inclusion and reducing stigma around intellectual disability and mental health.

Dr. Kareema Alraeesi is a Family Medicine Consultant and Director of Primary Health Care at Emirates Health Services in the UAE. She has lead system-wide initiatives across a large network of primary health care centers, with a strong focus on prevention, quality, digital transformation, and people-centered care.Her work is driven by a deep belief in primary health care as the foundation of sustainable health systems and community well-being. She has actively contributed to national and international platforms through policy development, innovation, research, and scientific engagement. Her approach integrates strategic leadership, frontline clinical insight, and community partnership, aligned with the UAE’s vision to advance a resilient, high-quality, and future-ready health system.

Dr. Madhusudan Deepak Thalitaya is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Lead of the Intellectual Disability Clinical Academic Group at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai. He has substantial clinical, academic and leadership experience in UK psychiatry, including the training and supervision of medical students and specialist trainees. His professional contributions include work with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, clinical governance, research and professional examinations. He is also involved in teaching and supervision in the UAE.

Dr. Mariam Alhosani is an Emirati Specialist Psychiatrist at Al-Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, where she serves as the Intern Psychiatry Program Director and leads educational initiatives for psychiatry residents. She completed her medical degree at the University of Sharjah, graduating with excellence, followed by her internship at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and her psychiatry residency at Al-Amal Psychiatric Hospital. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychiatry. Dr. Mariam is actively involved in medical education, clinical research, and quality improvement, with published work in psychiatry and participation in various mental health conferences. She is passionate about advancing mental health awareness, supporting the development of future psychiatrists, and improving patient care. Her contributions to humanitarian work and community service have been recognized through several awards, including the UAE Red Crescent’s Best Volunteer of the Year in 2017.

Dr. Meshal Abdulkarim Sultan is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services. He holds academic appointments at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the University of Sharjah. He completed psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training at the University of Ottawa and is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. His research and educational work focuses on ADHD, autism, other neurodevelopmental conditions, early intervention and collaborative mental health care.

Dr. Mohamed ElKhair is a psychiatry resident at Al-Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, UAE, with a particular interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy. He graduated from the University of Gezira, Sudan, and has presented internationally, including at the 2024 International Psychiatric Conference of Asia. His work spans clinical psychiatry, community health initiatives, and social accountability. Beyond medicine, he is passionate about filmmaking and music as creative approaches to understanding human experience.

No Bio Available

Nadia Essa AlShammar is a licensed Clinical Psychologist working with the Intellectual Disability Service at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai through Maudsley Health. She holds undergraduate and postgraduate psychology qualifications from United Arab Emirates University. Her clinical work includes cognitive and adaptive assessments, functional behaviour assessment, positive behaviour support planning and adapted cognitive behavioural interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs.

Nariman is a mental health strategist and researcher at Emirates Health Services (EHS) with expertise in organizational performance, research governance, and health system innovation. She leads the development of institutional research frameworks, national workforce studies, and multi-sector mental health initiatives aligned with UAE strategic priorities. Nariman is the Project Manager of the EHS International Mental Health Conference and has published WHO-funded and national studies on healthcare worker wellbeing, stigma, and post-pandemic child mental health. Her work focuses on translating data into policy-relevant insights while strengthening ethical research capacity and sustainable system impact.

No Bio Available

Dr. Norah Abukhamsin is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the Clinical Academic Group (CAG) Lead for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at Maudsley Health, based at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai. She holds the Saudi and Arab Boards in Psychiatry, a Canadian Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from Queen’s University, Canada, and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Swiss Business School. With over 12 years of clinical and leadership experience, she previously served as Director of Psychiatry Services at Erada and Mental Health Complex in Saudi Arabia, where she established and led CAMHS, developing multidisciplinary outpatient and specialized inpatient services alongside school-based mental health initiatives. Her areas of interest include autism spectrum disorder, early intervention, family-centred care, community mental health, and the development of accessible, evidence-based mental health services.

Dr. Norbert Skokauskas, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Child Protection at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Norway. Dr. Skokauskas serves as the Secretary for Education and Scientific Publications at the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and is also an editor of “Education and Psychiatry”. In 2018, Professor Skokauskas worked as a consultant at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Previously, he held a Senior Lecturer position in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist at Temple Street Children's University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Noura Alabrach is a graduate of the EHS Psychiatry Residency Program at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. She has been actively involved in the implementation of the UAE Mental Health Law through committee work, educational initiatives, and co-authoring A Practical Guide to UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 2023 on Mental Health. She has a strong interest in medical education, evidence-based psychiatric practice, and research, with scientific publications and contributions to various academic initiatives.

Dr. Omar is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Academic Group Lead for Addictions Service with extensive international expertise spanning child, adolescent, and adult mental health. An Oxford University medical graduate, he specializes in the interface between ADHD and substance use disorders, utilizing a holistic, trauma-informed approach that blends pharmacotherapy with advanced psychological therapies like CBT and family therapy. His distinguished career includes spending eight years in Qatar establishing an innovative adolescent substance misuse service, working within psychiatric intensive care units, and practicing as a Sports Psychiatrist for elite athletes in affiliation with the International Society of Sports Psychiatrists (ISSP) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Dr. Omar remains deeply committed to medical education and clinical research, having published work on traumatic brain injuries in young offenders and presented his findings globally at the World Congress of Psychiatry.

Dr. Ruchita Shah is a Specialist Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, and an Adjunct Clinical Faculty member at Gulf Medical University. She serves on Al Amal’s research and innovation committee and is involved in professional organizations focused on child and adolescent mental health. Her clinical and research interests include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental psychopathology, psychopharmacology and culturally responsive family-centred interventions.

Dr. Sara Al Ammour is a specialist psychiatrist at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services (EHS), where she currently works in the Older Adult Psychiatry Department. She obtained her MBBS from the University of Sharjah and completed her specialist training in psychiatry at Al Amal Hospital, receiving her Specialty Certificate from the National Institute for Health Specialties in 2025.

Dr. Sariah Daouk is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with Maudsley Health at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, where she joined in 2026. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University and has trained in clinical services in the United States and Lebanon. Her professional experience includes clinical psychology practice, university teaching, a clinical internship at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital and a postdoctoral fellowship at Stony Brook University Medical Center. She holds professional clinical psychology licensure in the UAE and New York State.

Dr. Sarmad Nadeem is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital and Maudsley Health, with over 20 years of experience in mental healthcare and medical leadership. Before relocating to the UAE, he held several senior leadership roles within the NHS, including Deputy Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, and Clinical Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. He also led community mental health transformation initiatives across Greater Manchester. Dr. Nadeem holds FRCPsych, an MSc from the University of Manchester, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education. His expertise includes clinical leadership, service transformation, governance, workforce development, health inequalities, and community mental health.

Shamma Al Ketbi is a Clinical Psychologist at Emirates Health Services – Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai. She has eight years of experience delivering evidence-based care in hospital and community settings. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD, anxiety, depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD, and has additional training in trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based interventions, and autism screening (M-CHAT-R/F™). She is experienced in psychological assessment using the Arabic and English WISC and the Leiter, writes comprehensive assessment reports, and works closely with schools through feedback meetings. She also facilitates group therapy for adults. Shamma contributes to the national team developing the UAE Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of ADHD in Children and Adolescents. She serves on the national ASD Taskforce and is a member of ESCAM. She is also a member of “Speak, We Are Listening,” the psychological consultation service. She is an approved examiner for the MOHAP Psychology Licensure Examinations, mentors postgraduate and undergraduate psychology students, and leads bilingual mindfulness and well-being programs across EHS. As a trainer and speaker, Shamma is a certified Trainer of Trainers in Mental Health for School Children (Public Health Department, 2022). She delivered the workshop “Best Practices and Considerations for Mental Health Screening” at the HEAL Conference 2025. She also speaks regularly on mental health in national media, with more than 15 television, radio, and press interviews on topics including OCD, hoarding, and the impact of social media. She holds an MSc in Clinical Psychology from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, and a BSc in Psychology & Human Services from Zayed University.

Sheena Gohal is a senior healthcare leader and UK-trained mental health nurse with 22 years of experience in clinical leadership, organisational transformation and workforce development. She is currently Director of Education and Training at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, having previously held senior leadership roles at NHS England, the Royal College of Nursing and University College London.  She has published on healthcare leadership, workforce transformation, and patient safety. Her professional interests include compassionate leadership, psychological safety, and organisational culture, with a particular focus on supporting healthcare workforces through innovation and change while maintaining safe, high-quality patient care.

Dr. Suad Alawar is a distinguished Public Health Expert and Family Medicine Consultant with over 29 years of experience in clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and national health program development. She holds the Arab Board in Family Medicine and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the United Arab Emirates University. She currently serves as the Head of the Family Health Section at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, where she leads several national health programs and initiatives covering family, maternal, child, school, adolescent, and elderly health. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in shaping national health policies, representing the UAE at regional and international forums, and leading strategic healthcare projects and committees. Dr. Alawar is widely recognized for her strategic leadership, dedication to public health excellence, and commitment to improving population health outcomes through evidence-based policies, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Suhib Abbadi is an Occupational Therapist with Maudsley Health in Dubai. He graduated in occupational therapy from the Arab American University in Palestine and has more than 17 years of experience across public and private healthcare services in the Middle East. His practice has included rehabilitation for children and adults with physical, developmental and mental health needs. He focuses on evidence-based, person-centred interventions that support everyday functioning, participation and independence.

Dr. Syed Ali Bokhari is a Specialist Psychiatrist with the Mental Health of Older Adults Clinical Academic Group at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Dubai. He graduated from the University of Sharjah College of Medicine and completed psychiatric residency training leading to the Emirati Board in Psychiatry. His work includes psychiatric research, with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications reported in his supplied biography, and contributions to regional guidance on dementia-related behavioural symptoms and the UAE Mental Health Law.

Dr. Tareq Qassem is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Lead of the Older Adults Clinical Academic Group at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, working with Maudsley Health. He trained in Egypt and the United Kingdom, with a focus on old age psychiatry and neurocognitive disorders. His academic appointments have included Ain Shams University and teaching affiliations in the UAE. He has led research and innovation initiatives and published work across multiple areas of psychiatry.

Dr. Victoria Mountford is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Joint Head of the Eating Disorder Service at Maudsley Health in the UAE, and Director of Research at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. She holds an honorary academic appointment at King’s College London and has more than 20 years of experience in eating disorder assessment, treatment and research. She was part of the founding team behind the UK’s FREED early-intervention model and has authored books and numerous research publications on eating disorders, body image and cognitive behavioural therapy.