Pfizer-sponsored symposium

Dr. Dalia Al-Abdulrazzaq is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, and a Pediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics. She also serves as a Pediatric Diabetologist with the Population Health Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Dr. Al-Abdulrazzaq graduated with her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University’s Faculty of Medicine. She then completed her residency in pediatrics as well as a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology and metabolism at the Hospital for Sick Children, a teaching hospital at Toronto, Canada. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Since joining DDI, her research has been focused on studying diabetes in children in Kuwait (type 1, type 2, neonatal, and others) using data from Kuwaiti diabetes registries. Her most recent research projects included examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with type 1 diabetes in Kuwait.

Professor Abdullah Sulaiman Al Herbish is the Senior Vice President for Physician Affairs, a Professor and Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Endocrinologist at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Professor Al Herbish has previously held positions on the Board of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Board of Pediatrics for the American Board Association, USA.

Professor Al Herbish is a member of various international societies and organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association and International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. He is also a Board Member and the Secretary General of the Saudi Pediatric Association.

An experienced speaker, Professor Al Herbish has presented many pediatric preparatory courses for the Arab Board and Saudi Board of Pediatrics and over 100 lectures on pediatrics, diabetes and endocrinology for multiple internationa conferences and symposia. He has also published over 90 peer-reviewed papers and five books.

Dr. Aqeel Ahmed Farooque is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and Head of the Diabetes & Endocrinology Unit at Al Qassimi Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Sharjah, UAE. He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, where he teaches students in the MSc in Diabetes Management course.

Dr. Farooque’s journey in medicine began with an MBBS degree from Bangalore, India. He then underwent his training in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology in the United Kingdom and worked as a Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist in both the UK and Saudi Arabia before moving to the UAE in 2017.

Dr. Farooque is affiliated with several national and international pediatric endocrinology societies, including DPEC, EPEC, ASPED, BSPED and ESPE, which reflects his dedication to staying up to date with the latest research and advancements in the field. He is fluent in three languages, including English, Arabic, and Urdu, which allows him to effectively communicate with a diverse range of patients and families from diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Bassam Saleh Bin-Abbas is a Consultant and Head Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and Professor of Pediatrics and Endocrinology at Al-Faisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Bin-Abbas graduated from the MBBS program at King Saud University Medical School before obtaining his certification by the American Board of Pediatrics at Yale University, USA, and subsequently the American Board of Pediatric Endocrinology at Stanford University (UCSF).

An expert in endocrinology, Dr. Bin-Abbas has served on various committees in the field, including the KFSHRC Diabetes Advisory Committee, SCFHS Fellowship Educational Committee and KFSHRC Point of Care Testing Committee.

Dr. Bin-Abbas has spoken at numerous national and international conferences on endocrinology, and he has contributed to the publication of more than 70 peer-reviewed studies and co-wrote three books on the management of diabetes.

Professor Feyza Darendeliler is a Professor of Pediatrics at University of Istanbul’s Department of Pediatrics, where she previously served as the Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology Unit until 2022, and Vice Dean of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine responsible from education and training.

Professor Darendeliler is highly regarded in her field, and previously served as the President of the Turkish Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Society (2014–2021). She has also worked in study groups in collaboration with Türkiye’s Ministry of Health to address public health problems and led the initiation of CAH screening program.

Professor Darendeliler has collaborated in several international and national multicenter studies. She has 215 publications in SCI and SCI expanded journals, with around 5,000 citations (H index 29). She is also the editor of Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, the official journal of the Society, since 2008.

Among her contributions to ESPE, Professor Darendeliler has been a Council Member, editor of the ESPE Newsletter, chair of the Accreditation and Syllabus Committee and member in the Sabbatical leave program. She acted as the secretary of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Working Group for 6 years. She has worked in the steering Committee in International DSD Working Group. She has also worked in the Consensus meetings, namely, Safety of Growth Hormone (ESPE, PES, GRS) and recently participated in PCOS Guidelines (ESPE, PES). In recognition of her contributions, she received the Outstanding Clinician Award from ESPE in 2017.

Professor Mehul Dattani is currently a Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH), and an Honorary Consultant in Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) and University College London Hospital (UCLH), London, UK.

Professor Dattani qualified in Medicine at the Middlesex Hospital, London. He trained in pediatric endocrinology and was awarded an MD at UCL. He then obtained postdoctoral experience at the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Institute for Medical Research. Subsequently, he was appointed as a Lecturer in Pediatric Endocrinology at the Institute of Child Health, promoted to Reader in 2004, and then to Professor in 2006.

Professor Dattani is involved in various international societies and previously served as Chair of the British Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED; 2010–2013), and Chair of the Program Organizing Committee of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE; 2013– 2019), with a position on the Council of ESPE.

Professor Dattani’s main research interests lie in hypothalamopituitary disorders, tumours, disorders of gonadotrophin secretion and hypothalamic obesity, and his work has been recognized internationally. His other research interests include identification of the molecular basis of rare endocrine disorders affecting the thyroid, adrenals and gonads. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for Hormone Research and the Journal of Paediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism

Professor Asma Deeb is currently the Chair of Pediatric Endocrinology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Gulf University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. She is also President of the Arab Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ASPED), and an Executive Board Member at the Global Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ESPE).

Dr. Deeb has 25 years of extensive experience in the field of Pediatric Endocrinology, working in renowned medical facilities across the UAE. She has authored over 120 publications and research papers and contributed to the development multiple international and regional guidelines and consensus statements. She has also received numerous awards such as the Mayo Clinic Visiting Professorship Award and SSMC distinguished researcher award in 2021, as well as the Distinguished Research Investigator Award by the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinology in 2013.

Dr. Sarah Ehtisham is a Consultant in Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes at Mediclinic City Hospital and an Adjunct Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology Mohammed Bin Rashid University, Dubai, UAE.

Dr. Ehtisham graduated from the University of Cambridge in the UK. She then obtained her MRCP (Peds) at the Royal College of Physicians, and subsequently her MRCPCH at the Royal College of Pediatrics & Child Health, UK. She then received her CCST in Pediatric Endocrinology in 2007. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australia (FRACP) and the Royal College of Pediatrics & Child Health, UK (FRCPCH).

Dr. Ehtisham is an exceptionally experienced pediatric endocrinologist who has received many research awards for her investigations into childhood diabetes. Prior to joining Mediclinic City Hospital, Dr. Ehtisham served as the Clinical Lead for Diabetes at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and she was also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Endocrinology at the University of Manchester.

Dr. Ehtisham actively holds various positions of responsibility in international societies and is currently the Newsletter Editor and serves on the Communication Committee of ESPE. She is also on the Board of Advisors of MEEDA, She was also a member of the Royal College of Physicians Working Party on Obesity which published its report in 2013 and is part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity which meets regularly at the House of Commons in the UK.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Twaim is a Consultant Pediatric aEndocrinologist at the International Diabetes Care Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is also the current Vice President of the Saudi Pediatric Association.

Dr. Al Twaim graduated from the MD program at King Abdulaziz University Medical College. He then completed his Residency in Pediatrics at National Guard King Khalid Hospital, Saudi Arabia and then at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Canada. Subsequently, he completed 4 years of Residency Program at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is a Fellow (Pediatrics) of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, Canada (FRCP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).

Dr. Al Twaim is highly regarded in the field of endocrinology, and his interest lies in community health and diabetes education, as well as the effect of media on population health. He is a member of the Advisory Group of Saudi Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes (ASPED) and serves as the current Chairman of Saudi Pediatric Endocrinology Group (SPEG). He also sits on the board of the Pediatric Scientific Committee, Saudi Council for Health Specialties. An experienced speaker, he has been invited to speak at many national and international symposiums. He has also published numerous peer-reviewed articles in different journals.

Professor Rasha Tarif Hamza is the Head of Pediatric Endocrinology and Obesity Unit at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. She is also Chair of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Education and Training Committee and Vice President of the Arab Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Professor Hamza is a member of the Editorial Board for journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism and Frontiers Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare. She has co-authored over 50 journal articles and two books. Her ongoing research projects include the Study of Fibroscan and Serum Visfatin in Obese Children and Adolescents with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Parameters in Egyptian Girls with Premature Adrenarche.

Professor Hamza has spoken at numerous national and international conferences on pediatric endocrinology, as well as led, supervised and collaborated with a number of national and international research projects in various aspects of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes.

Professor Walid Kaplan is a Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He previously held the position of Assistant Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism at The Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas, USA, and Adjunct Associate Professor at UAE University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Professor Kaplan received his MD from Damascus University, School of Medicine. He is a member of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, the Endocrine Society, the Emirates Diabetes Society and UAE Endocrine Club.

Professor Kaplan has received several awards for outstanding achievements, such as two Certificates of Excellence from Port Arthur Community Health Center, Texas in 2000, the National Diabetes Guidelines Appreciation Award by the UAE Ministry of Health in 2009, listed among America’s Top Pediatricians in 2010, and award for invaluable services in the field of diabetes and endocrinology from The Gulf Medical University in 2014.

Dr. Nandu Thalange is Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, UAE. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at Mohammed Bin Rashid University.

After graduating from King’s College London in 1988, Dr. Thalange moved to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to take up a research training post in pediatric endocrinology. During this time, he published several significant articles on normal and abnormal childhood growth in high-ranking journals.

In 2002–2017, Dr. Thalange served as a Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in East Anglia, where he participated in numerous university and industry-funded research trials, including being Chief Investigator for two multinational trials for Novo Nordisk, which led to the worldwide approval of Levemir (2010) and Tresiba (2015).

In 2017, Dr. Thalange relocated to Dubai to establish the endocrine service in the new Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. He now leads a large endocrine team of six consultants and three specialists, and his efforts have led to the implementation of a number of advances in care, including implementation of Artificial Intelligence reading of bone age in the endocrine clinic, introduction of new and safer dynamic tests in endocrinology, advances in the approach to diabetes care and new therapies in diabetes, endocrinology, rare bone disease and obesity.

His other research interests include hypertension, psychological impacts of disease, epidemiology, and child public health, particularly avoidable child mortality. He is a public speaker and frequently presents to international audiences.

Dr. Cecilia Camacho-Hübner is a pediatric endocrinologist, currently Medical Cluster Lead, Rare Disease for Latin America, Pfizer, and the Scientific Matter Expert in Endocrinology for Emerging Markets, Rare Disease at Pfizer. She is a Professorial Lecturer in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics at Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

She is a member of the Endocrine Society, the Latin American Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, the Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the IGF Society.

Dr. Camacho-Hübner is the author of more than 150 international peer-review articles, and book chapters primarily related to growth disorders. She has presented over 200 abstracts at national and international scientific meetings. Her main research interests include the role of GH and IGF in health and disease, and disorders of growth and puberty in children and adolescents.