Dr. Ahmad Matalkah, MD, FACS is a Staff Physician in the Breast Surgery Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. He specializes in breast, thyroid, parathyroid, and pancreatic cancer, with prior fellowship training in Surgical Oncology at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan.

A graduate of Jordan University of Science and Technology, Dr. Matalkah was honored as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Teacher of the Year in 2018 and currently serves as a member of the Emirati Surgery Committee.

Dr. Asif Quadri is a Consultant Anatomical and Cytopathologist at the National Reference Laboratory, with prior leadership roles at Tawam Hospital, UAE, and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, UK. He specializes in biomarkers, gynecological pathology, breast pathology, and lung tumors.

A graduate of the University of Baghdad, Dr. Quadri completed his pathology training in the UK, earning CCT certification and Fellowship with the Royal College of Pathologists. He also holds a postgraduate qualification in medical education. A recognized expert in diagnostic immunochemistry for PDL1 biomarkers, he actively contributes to CAP accreditation and frequently presents at regional conferences.

Dr. Aydah Alawadhi, M.B.B.S. is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with specialized expertise in breast cancer and sarcoma. With nine years of clinical experience and advanced training from leading institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center, she is known for delivering compassionate, personalized oncology care.

A graduate of UAE University, Dr. Alawadhi completed her residency at Saint Vincent Hospital and fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at MD Anderson. She has received multiple honors, including Women in Oncology of the Year (EOS, 2022) and the Healthcare Research Excellence Award (Pure Health, 2023), and has contributed extensively to oncology research.

She currently serves as Scientific Chairperson of the Emirates Oncology Society and leads its Breast Cancer Working Group, championing excellence in cancer care and research across the region.

Dr. Bassel Jallad, MD, CPE is a triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology, currently serving at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Cancer Institute. He specializes in breast cancer and hematological disorders, with numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading medical journals.

Prior to this role, Dr. Jallad held key leadership positions in the U.S., including Associate Director of the Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at St. Louis University and Medical Director of Oncology at Blessing Health System. His medical training spans Jordan University of Science and Technology, University of Illinois Chicago, and Henry Ford Hospital at Wayne State University.

Dr. Carla Hajj, MD is a Staff Physician in the Radiation Oncology Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Cancer Institute. She brings extensive expertise in treating a broad spectrum of cancers, with a focus on hematologic and gastrointestinal malignancies.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Hajj served at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, where she led the proton therapy program at the New York Proton Center. She earned her medical degree from Université Saint Joseph in Beirut and completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Radiation Oncology at the American University of Beirut and MSKCC, respectively, along with fellowships in lymphoma and research.

Dr. Hajj specializes in advanced radiation techniques including IMRT, SRS/SBRT, IGRT, proton therapy, and MRI-LINAC. Her clinical research aims to enhance cancer outcomes and quality of life through innovative therapies and technologies, with a commitment to minimizing long-term treatment side effects for survivors

Dr. Dima Abdul Jabbar, MD is a staff physician at the Oncology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She brings extensive expertise in chemotherapy and immunotherapy, with a clinical focus on breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal neoplasms.Before joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Dima served as Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of South Florida and practiced as a Consultant Medical Oncologist in both Florida and the UAE.

She earned her medical degree from Al Mustansiryiah University in Iraq, completed her Internal Medicine residency at St. John Hospital/Wayne State University, and her fellowship in Medical Oncology at the University of Nevada. She is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.

Dr. Dima has contributed to numerous clinical trials and has several peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations to her name

Dr. Fady Geara, MD, PhD is Division Chair of Radiation Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Cancer Institute. He previously held leadership roles at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Geara earned his medical degree from the University of Paris XI and completed advanced training in Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson. He is recognized internationally for pioneering radiation oncology techniques and has established a longstanding legacy of excellence in cancer care.

Dr. Fathi Azribi graduated from Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya, then completed his specialty training in Oncology in the UK and obtained a Certificate of Completion of Training in Medical Oncology. He has an extensive medical knowledge and experience in medical oncology. His main interest is in thoracic, breast, gynecological, and gastrointestinal malignancies with expertise in all types of systemic treatments including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal, and targeted therapy. He took several positions as a consultant Medical Oncologist in the UK and UAE and had been the Chief of the Medical Oncology Division at Tawam Hospital, UAE over the past 5 years. Dr. Fathi also has a special interest in medical education and has established the first Medical Oncology Fellowship Program in the UAE.

Dr. Fawad Khan, MBBS is a Staff Physician at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Cancer Institute, specializing in Family Medicine, Medical Breast care, and High-Risk Oncology. He leads the Hereditary High-Risk and Longevity Medicine Programs, focusing on cancer prevention and survivorship through personalized, multidisciplinary care.

He completed a fellowship in Cancer Genomics at Cleveland Clinic Ohio and launched the innovative Hereditary High-Risk Program in 2022. Previously, Dr. Khan served as Medical Director at Mediclinic Group, overseeing 22 clinics across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and contributed significantly to clinical governance and healthcare strategy development. He also held leadership roles in the UK before relocating to the UAE in 2013.

Dr. Ghada O. Odeh, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician within the Breast Surgery Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Odeh was a General Surgeon in the Private Sector in Jordan. She also held the position of Instructor & Lecturer at School of Medicine, University of Jordan.

Dr. Odeh received her medical degree from Jordan University of Science & Technology. She completed her residency at Jordan University Hospital. Dr. Odeh is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), and an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provider & instructor. She has published numerous articles in the field of breast and general Surgery.

Dr. Husam Marashi is a dedicated Consultant Medical Oncologist based at Tawam-Oncology Clinic, he has practiced oncology for more than 15 years, based before at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, United Kingdom before moving to UAE, he has vast experience in various oncology domains with special interest in managing breast and GI cancers. He was an educational supervisor and clinical oncology trainer with the West of Scotland Deanery before taking part in Tawam Medical affairs at Tawam Hospital. He has been a principal investigator for several clinics’ trials in UK and UAE, He has many publications in the oncology fields.

Iryna Makhnevych is a Clinical Psychologist and Psycho-Oncology Researcher at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, specializing in psychosocial support for patients with complex cancer and neurological conditions. She holds dual Master's degrees in psychology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at UAE University, with research focused on breast cancer survivorship and psychological adaptation.

Ms. Makhnevych has authored multiple studies in leading journals and is certified in trauma-informed psychotherapy approaches, including CBT and mindfulness. She is an active member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and is dedicated to integrating mental health into patient-centered cancer care through research and clinical practice.

Dr. Kadri Altundag is a distinguished Professor of Medical Oncology with a primary focus on breast cancer. From 2004 to 2006, he served as a visiting scientist at the Breast Medical Oncology Department of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, USA, where he further honed his expertise in the field. In 2007, he was recognized by Elsevier-Scopus as one of the top ten scientists in Turkey.

Dr. Altundag has delivered numerous presentations on breast cancer at both international and national conferences and has led over 30 global clinical studies in the field. His prolific academic contributions include more than 800 international publications and over 200 abstracts, with nearly 10,000 citations to date. Since 2017, he has been serving at the MKA Breast Cancer Clinic in Ankara, Turkey, continuing his commitment to advancing breast cancer research and patient care.

Katherine is dedicated to providing compassionate care to oncology patients. With a strong focus on team leadership and patient advocacy, Katherine strives to enhance the quality of care in her department.

Dr. Ansari graduated from Sindh Medical College, Karachi, before undergoing her internship, residency and gaining a fellowship in Internal Medicine as well as Medical Oncology/Haematology, from St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Boston, USA.

Prior to joining Mediclinic, she also worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston within the field of bone marrow transplantation, at the University of Texas, Memorial Hermann Hospital and as Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, where she was US board certified in Medical Oncology

Dr. Mario Cherubino, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Plastic Surgery Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute.Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Cherubino was a consultant in a medical center in Dubai, UAE. Before that, he was an Associate Professor in the University of Insubria, Department of Biotechnology and Science of Life in Varese, Italy. He has also been the director of the Microsurgery and Surgery of the lymphatic's Research Center and Chief of Microsurgery and Hand Surgery Unit at the A.S.S.T. Settelaghi Varese, Italy. He focuses his activities on microsurgery reconstruction and hand surgery, lower extremities, and Head & Neck and breast reconstruction.

Dr. Mona Tareen, MD, MS is a Staff Physician in the Palliative Care Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Cancer Institute. With extensive training in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine from leading institutions in the U.S., she brings over 14 years of clinical experience from Chicago and the UAE.

Dr. Tareen is the region’s first physician formally trained in medical cannabis, having earned a Master’s in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Palliative Care, with research interests focusing on end-of-life cannabis use and cultural barriers in care.

Dr. Naghma Nawaz, MBBS, is a Staff Physician within the Diagnostic Radiology & Imaging Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Diagnostics Institute.Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Nawaz was a Consultant Breast Radiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Abu Dhabi for the past twelve years. At Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Dr. Nawaz was the Deputy Chair of the Radiology Department from 2008 to 2016, the Program Director of the Radiology Residency Program from 2011 to 2015 and the Chair of the Breast Imaging Subcommittee of Radiology Council at SEHA. Dr. Nawaz was also a member of the Research Ethics Committee at Sheikh Khalifa medical City from 2007 to 2019.

Dr. Paul Ramia is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist specializing in advanced and conventional radiation therapies for a wide range of benign and malignant conditions. He currently serves as a Staff Physician in the Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Ramia practiced at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, and held a faculty lecturer position at McGill University. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, followed by a fellowship in Stereotactic Radiotherapy at McGill University.

Dr. Ramia brings extensive expertise and a global perspective to cancer care, contributing to Cleveland Clinic's commitment to excellence in oncology treatment.

Pedro Gouveia, MD, PhD, graduated in Medicine in 2004 at NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (NMS|FCM), Portugal. He completed his General Surgery residency program in 2013at Hospital de Matosinhos, after an Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Fellowship at the Paris Breast Center (2012/2013). During his residency program he has successfully designed and implemented a Walking Clinic and a Fast-Track program applied for upper GI and colorectal surgery. He is a board certified breast surgeon by the European Society of Surgical Oncology since 2015. In 2021 he has received a PhD degree at Lisbon Medical School with the theme: 3D Digital Breast Cancer Surgery with Augmented Reality. Invited Assistant Professor at Lisbon Medical School since September 2022. Member of the European Society of Surgical Oncology Education and Training Committee - Breast working group - since October 2022. Head of the new Digital Surgery LAB at Champalimaud Foundation.

Dr. Rafal Badri Iskanderian, MD is a Staff Physician in the Breast Surgery Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, specializing in breast and axillary cancer surgery, gynecomastia correction, thyroid/parathyroid procedures, and reconstructive surgery for hidradenitis suppurativa.

He previously served as a Surgical Oncologist at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan and holds multiple certifications, including the Arab, Jordanian, and European Boards in General and Surgical Oncology. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and other prominent surgical societies, Dr. Iskanderian is actively engaged in clinical research, with numerous publications and ongoing projects in oncology.

Dr. Sana Al Sukhun is an Adjunct Professor of Medical Oncology and President of the Jordanian Society of American Medical Graduates. She previously served as President of the Jordanian Oncology Society and Director of Breast and Gynecology Services at King Hussein Cancer Centre.

Dr. Al Sukhun is deeply engaged in global oncology initiatives, serving on key committees within ASCO, ESMO, NCCN, and the European School of Oncology. She has contributed to national and international cancer guidelines, including the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and the MENA edition of NCCN breast cancer guidelines.

Board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology, she earned her MD with honors from the University of Jordan and completed her oncology training at Wayne State University in Michigan. Her research focuses on biological and immune-based therapies for breast, ovarian, and other solid tumors, with a strong commitment to advancing cancer care and awareness across the region.

Dr. Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP, FASCO is the Associate Dean for Research Development at Georgetown University Medical Center and Vice President of MedStar Genetic Medicine, with additional academic appointments at Georgetown University and the University of Oxford. A renowned oncologist and researcher, Dr. Swain has held leadership roles at the NIH and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, with a career dedicated to advancing breast cancer research, clinical trials, and healthcare equity.

She has published over 300 articles and received numerous accolades for her contributions, including honors from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, NIH, and the Washington Business Journal. A past President of ASCO, she continues to serve on prominent oncology boards and committees, and is actively involved in shaping cancer research programs worldwide.

Dr. Sara Jimenez, MD is a Staff Physician in the Diagnostic Radiology & Imaging Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Diagnostics Institute. She brings extensive expertise in breast imaging, having previously served as Head of Breast Radiology at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre and Co-head at Hospital Ruber Internacional in Madrid, Spain.

Dr. Jimenez earned her medical degree and doctorate from Universidad Complutense, Madrid, and completed her residency at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, with international training in Washington DC and Barcelona. A frequent speaker at global breast imaging conferences, she has contributed to numerous clinical trials and scientific publications, and served on the Organizing Committee of the Spanish Breast Congress.

An enthusiastic Medical Scientist with 15 years of progressive experience in Clinical Laboratory. Shilpa is a Clinical Instructor under Nursing Education and has been with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) for more than 10 years. Her passion for wellness led Shilpa to study and graduate from Functional Medicine Coaching Academy; Institute for Functional Medicine (FMCA; IFM) in 2023 and is now a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. In 2024, she completed her Advanced Sound Alchemy training and is now a Certified Sound Alchemist (IPHM). In the same year, Shilpa founded ‘Tribe of Warrior Women: Spirited, Thriving, Conquering’ support group for her beautiful Oncology patients and is in the process of building a community. Her journey titled ‘Farasha’, based on healing through holistic interventions, was published as a chapter in Dr. Randall Hansen’s book the “Healing Revolution Diet”. Shilpa’s cover story was featured in Passion Vista magazine titled ‘Women Leaders to look up to in 2025’. Currently, she is aspiring to be a Breathwork Instructor from the SOMA Institute and is also studying to be a Certified Advanced Integrative Metabolic Specialist. Shilpa has been on a lifelong journey with Reiki and as an intuitive Reiki Master Teacher Practitioner of 25 years; she deeply expresses her gratitude for getting a chance to learn, experience and share this serene energy healing modality with her cancer patients, their families, caregivers and community.

SIMON N. POWELL, MD, PhD is the Enid A. Haupt Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Member of the Molecular Biology Program of the Sloan-Kettering Institute, and Professor of Molecular Biology at the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. His major research interests are DNA repair and breast cancer. Powell has highlighted cancer specific defects in DNA repair and the DNA damage response, which provide an opportunity for therapeutic exploitation. He has a long-standing interest in homologous recombination and its role in DNA repair in human cells, which led to investigating the roles of the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. His current focus is how BRCA1 is recruited to double strand breaks and to blocked replication forks and the subsequent engagement of BRCA2 and other proteins. Powell and his collaborators have developed functional and genomic assays of homologous recombination to identify cancers with defects in this type of repair. He also identified that human RAD52 was synthetically lethal in cancer cells lacking the function of the BRCA1-BRCA2 pathway, which had led to therapeutic strategies for targeting RAD52. Powell has also contributed significantly to the development of radiation techniques used in the treatment of breast cancer, including a variety of methods of delivering partial breast irradiation and using inverse planned IMRT or proton therapy for delivering comprehensive nodal irradiation. He is also championing the use of combination therapies of radiation with platinum, PARP-inhibitors or new agents for treating homologous recombination deficient breast cancers, currently in clinical trials. He is Principal Investigator of the Breast Cancer SPORE at MSK, which is focused on genomic instability, plus has many other funded research projects from NCI and other agencies. He is a Fellow and Gold Medalist of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Stephen R. Grobmyer, MD is a renowned Surgical Oncologist and Institute Chief of the Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He previously served as Professor of Surgery and Co-Director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus in Ohio, USA.

A graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dr. Grobmyer completed his residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. His pioneering work in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment has led to over 196 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and an edited textbook on cancer therapies.

Recognized annually in Best Doctors in America since 2007, Dr. Grobmyer has received numerous accolades and has been widely featured in major media outlets including NBC, NPR, and The New York Times.

Terry Mamounas is Medical Director of the Breast Program and Research Activities at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Professor of Surgery at University of Central Florida and Clinical Professor of Clinical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine. He is Chair of the NRG Oncology Breast Committee and past Chair of the NSABP Breast Committee.

He received his medical degree from the University in Athens in Greece, and a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) from the University of Pittsburgh. Following his general surgery residency, he completed an oncology research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh and a surgical oncology fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.

He has authored or co-authored over 500 abstracts, manuscripts, and book chapters, and he has given numerous presentations on breast cancer at various regional, national, and international symposia. His clinical research has focused on the surgical and adjuvant/neoadjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer.

Dr. Tibor G. Kovacs, MD is a Staff Physician in the Breast Surgery Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. A European Board Certified Surgical Oncologist and Breast Surgeon, he brings extensive expertise in breast cancer treatment, oncoplastic surgery, and reconstruction.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Kovacs held leadership roles in Shanghai as Director of Breast Health and Chief of Breast Surgery at Jiahui International Hospital, and served as Honorary Professor at Fudan University Cancer Centre. He has also worked at Guy’s Hospital, London, as Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College.

Dr. Kovacs has pioneered advanced surgical techniques, authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications, and edited key textbooks in breast surgery. Internationally, he has served as President of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and currently chairs BRESO, promoting certified breast cancer surgical care across Europe. He is recognized for establishing the Jiahui Breast Institute in Shanghai and is committed to multidisciplinary, patient-centered care from diagnosis through rehabilitation.