Palliative Care Speakers

Dr Amanj Ahmad had completed his higher medical training in London. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Medicine of England and was awarded his certificate of completion of training (Board Certification) in Geriatric /General internal medicine in 2016. He completed the prestigious National Fellowship in Geriatric medicine at the London teaching Hospital. Dr Ahmad was appointed as Geriatric Consultant in Ipswich Hospital in 2016 which is a Cambridge Hospital affiliated teaching and research center. It is one of the top 10 NHS Hospital in UK where he ran inpatient, outpatient and community home care for complex cases referred from east of England. Dr Ahmad has over 6 years of experience as a consultant in treating complex patients with multiple comorbidities, dementia, Parkinson’s, polypharmacy and other common problems in geriatric medicine both inpatient and in community. He believes in patient centered care and compassionate care; his value is to make the care of your patient your first concern. As a consultant, he advanced and developed many services with his team of professionals to get the best world class care for frail elderly individuals. He has been part of multi-disciplinary team in supporting and improving care for patients with dementia, falls, and end of life care. He utilizes comprehensive geriatric assessment protocols to manage elderly patients holistically and tie up all aspects of patient’s care, especially in old patients who receive care from multispecialty he can bring all the care under one umbrella of geriatric care and thought everything through to make sure the patient had a safe and balanced care. Dr Ahmad placed vital importance on communication, support and detailed discussion with patients, family and career. He proposed medical treatment, potential alternatives to any medical treatment and expected outcomes following treatment. He works alongside an excellent multi-disciplinary team including Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation medicine, Occupational therapist, speech and swallow therapist and other stake holder in health system so that our patient’s best interest be in the heart of all what we do. Dr Ahmad is MRCP tutor and examiner. He has interest in medical education and has extensive background in teaching and examining medical students of UCL London and Cambridge University. He organized national and regional teaching programme and presented in national programme at the international conferences. He is an advocate for frail patients and does his best with his time to make sure everything will be in the best interest of the patients. He works to protects elderly patient from any harm as result of medical or surgical intervention.

Dr. Amar Salti, MD, is a staff Physician in Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Salti spent 4 years at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and 12 years at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Salti studied Medicine at Rene Descartes University, Paris, France and did his fellowship in Anesthesia and Intensive Care at Bichat Hospital Paris, France. Dr. Salti is French board certified in both Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. He also obtained the European diploma of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, organized by the European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ESRA). In his 20 years as a consultant, Dr. Salti has worked in numerous hospitals in Paris where he developed the acute pain services within their anesthesia departments. Dr. Salti is passionate about educational activities which is reflected in his active participation, presentations, workshops and publications in major text books as well as journal articles. At Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Dr Salti was the Head of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine division. He was involved in the development of the post-operative pain management program and running the chronic pain clinic. Dr. Salti is a frequent national and international speaker and has received many professional and academic awards. He is the chairman of the New York School of Regional Anesthesia Middle East. Dr. Salti resides in Abu Dhabi with his family and enjoys playing volleyball and exercising 4 times a week. ​​​​​

Gisha Paul, a certified wound care nurse. She has completed her post graduation in wound mangement from MacEwan University, Canada. She is an ex ICU nurse with great experience and currently, working as a wound care nurse at American Hospital Dubai. She has solid experience in managing cancer, vascular, diabetic, surgical wounds including negative pressure wound therapy.

Dr. Katie completed specialist training in London and South East England to become a consultant in palliative medicine in 2009, working in both acute hospital and hospice settings. She has extensive experience of managing symptoms, concerns and expectations of patients with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. She is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians (UK) as both an educational supervisor and mentor.

Mary Lynn McPherson, Pharm.D., MA, MDE, BCPS, is Professor and Executive Director, Advanced Post-Graduate Education in Palliative Care in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. In addition to a PharmD degree, Dr. McPherson has a master’s degree in Instructional Systems Development, and a Masters in Distance Education and e-Learning. She is the Executive Program Director of the Online Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science and Graduate Certificate Program in Palliative Care at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. McPherson has maintained a practice in both hospice (local and national) her entire career. Dr. McPherson is particularly interested in the safe and effective use of medications in patients with a life-limiting illness, ranging from drug selection, deprescribing, and risk mitigation. Dr. McPherson developed the first palliative care pharmacy residency in the U.S. Dr. McPherson has won numerous awards for teaching, and her innovative practice in end of life care. She has published numerous articles, chapters, and five books including the second edition of the best-selling “Demystifying Opioid Conversion Calculations: A Guide for Effective Dosing.”

Dr Melanie Schlatter (PhD) is a Clinical Health Psychologist from New Zealand who has lived and worked in Dubai for over 15 years. She came here because she saw a great need for psychological support services in the health and medical community, and she currently works in both departments of Oncology and Psychiatry at the American Hospital Dubai. Melanie is trained in the psychology of health, disease and treatment processes. She has post-graduate qualifications in psychology, pharmacology and rehabilitation; doctoral research in psychoneuroimmunology; she helps to run psychosocial support groups for cancer patients; has past university teaching experience, as well as publications in several leading international journals. She aims to normalize seeing a psychologist, and emphasizes psychological wellbeing and support as part of the overall standardized care plan in hospitals.

Dr. Mona Tareen is a Consultant in Palliative, Geriatric and Internal Medicine. She obtained her basic medical degree from Dhow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan and completed her US Board Certification in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Board Certification and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has worked as Palliative Medicine Consultant and Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Care Program in the US and also served the Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, as Consultant Geriatrician.

Sebastiano Mercadante obtained his doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Palermo, Italy, in 1979, having specialized in Anesthesiology and Science of Nutrition. He is Adjunct Professor of Palliative Medicine at the University of Texas, Houston, and the Director of the Main Regional Center for Pain Relief and Palliative/Supportive Care at La Maddalena Clinic for Cancer, Italy. He has published more than 500 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and is the author of more than 40 chapters and books.