Speakers

Dr. Benedict Raj Rajkumar

Consultant, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon

Dr. Benedict Raj Rajkumar is a Consultant Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), one of the UAE’s leading tertiary healthcare institutions. SKMC is recognized as a national referral center and houses the only pediatric cardiac surgery program in Abu Dhabi, performing a high volume of congenital heart surgeries annually.

He specializes in the surgical management of congenital heart diseases in infants and children, contributing to advanced cardiac care within a multidisciplinary pediatric cardiac team. His clinical work involves complex corrective and palliative cardiac procedures, as well as perioperative care for critically ill pediatric patients.

At SKMC, Dr. Rajkumar is part of a highly specialized cardiac sciences program that provides comprehensive heart care for both pediatric and adult patients, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative expertise

Dr. Musaab Ali Al Ramsi

Consultant Critical Care

Dr. Musaab Alramsi earned his medical degree from UAE University, Al Ain in 2006. He was subsequently trained in general pediatrics at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, and followed by training in pediatric critical care medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in general pediatrics and in pediatric critical care medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is currently the Chairman of Critical Care Medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, and Local Principal investigator of PROSpect trial in UAE, has multiple publications in the field of pediatric critical care medicine.

Dr. Benedict Thomas Griffiths

Consultant Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care

Dr. Benedict Griffiths, a Pediatrics specialist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, focuses on pediatric intensive care medicine, congenital heart disease, airway management, ECMO, and advanced hemodynamic monitoring. His expertise ensures optimal care for critically ill pediatric patients.

Ms. Seddiqa Al Mansoori

Congress Chair, Respiratory Therapist

Seddiqa is a graduate student of respiratory therapy through Fanshawe College. She has trained within a large teaching hospital with experience in providing cardio-respiratory care in variety setting, including the intensive care unit, operating suites, wards and emergency departments. Currently, she is working at Sheik Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC and joins respiratory therapy department in March 2015.

Dr. Manjush Karthika

Associate Professor, Respiratory Care

Dr. Manjush Karthika holds doctoral and postdoctoral qualifications in Respiratory Care, with advanced certifications in Emergency Medical Care and Academic Practice. His clinical expertise spans adult and pediatric respiratory care, extracorporeal life support, and critical care ultrasonography, supported by extensive acute care experience. He is certified across multiple advanced life-support and critical care instructor pathways and integrates clinical practice with innovation in health professions education. He has contributed extensively to the scholarly field through several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in respiratory and critical care.
Dr. Manjush is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA, UK) and a Fellow of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (FISQua, Ireland) and the Indian Association of Respiratory Care (FIARC, India).
He currently serves as Associate Professor of Respiratory and Emergency Care at Liwa University and President of the Respiratory Care Special Interest Group at the Emirates Thoracic Society, leading key initiatives to advance clinical education and professional practice across the UAE and beyond.

Mr. Afzal Mohamad Ali

Respiratory Therapist

Afzal Mohamad Ali is a dedicated Respiratory Therapy Supervisor at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. A registered Respiratory Therapist certified by the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care, Afzal brings a wealth of clinical expertise and leadership to his role. He is known for his commitment to advancing respiratory care through education and professional development. Afzal has delivered numerous talks and conducted workshops on ventilator management at regional and international conferences, sharing his insights and promoting best practices in critical care settings.

Mr. Sriharsha Tatineni

Congress Co-Chair, Respiratory Therapist

Sriharsha Tatineni (Harsha), FIARC is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in respiratory care and clinical management. He currently serves as the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, where he directs critical clinical operations within the SEHA network.

Beyond his clinical role, Harsha is a global advocate for the profession, serving as the Vice President of the Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC). A distinguished Fellow of the IARC (FIARC), he has been instrumental in establishing the organization’s structural bylaws and advancing respiratory education across India and the UAE. Harsha holds a PGDM in Hospital and Health Management and is NBRC (USA) certified, combining frontline bedside excellence with strategic healthcare innovation to elevate international standards of patient care..

Mr. Umesh Kumar Bylappa

Respiratory Therapist

Umesh Kumar is a Senior Respiratory Therapist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with over 22 years of experience in respiratory care and critical care medicine. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India. His clinical expertise includes mechanical ventilation management in ICU, NICU, PICU, and CCU settings.
He is the author of” Handbook of Mechanical Ventilation,” now in its third edition. In addition to his book, Umesh has contributed significantly to academic literature with numerous research and review publications. Notable works include:

Adaptive Support Ventilation – A Way Different from Traditional Ventilation
Update in ARDS Clinical Ventilator Management & Prone Ventilation
Ultrasound vs. Bronchoscopy-Guided Percutaneous Tracheostomy, among others.

Mr. Sidy Niang

Scientific Committee Co-Chair, Respiratory Therapist

Sidy Niang is a Senior Respiratory Therapist with over 19 years of experience in critical care respiratory medicine, specializing in the management of complex respiratory conditions across pediatric and adult populations. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in advanced ventilatory support, acute respiratory failure management, and multidisciplinary critical care practice.
He spent five years practicing in New York, USA, where he worked in high-acuity hospital environments and gained significant experience managing critically ill patients requiring advanced respiratory interventions. He currently serves as a Senior Respiratory Therapist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, where he has been practicing for the past fourteen years.

Deeply committed to professional education and clinical excellence, he actively contributes to staff training, mentorship, and the advancement of respiratory therapy practice through evidence-based care and continuous professional development.

Dr. Rizwan Ahmed

Consultant Adult Cardiologist

Dr. Rizwan Ahmed is the Division Chief of Adult Cardiology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, specializing in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Inherited Cardiac Conditions, and Advanced Cardiac Imaging. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a member of the European Society of Cardiology. Dr. Ahmed trained in Cardiology in East of England and pursued specialized training in Adult Congenital Heart Disease at leading London hospitals. He holds a PhD in cardiovascular genomics from Imperial College London and has published extensively. His expertise includes advanced cardiovascular imaging and hemodynamics in Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Dr. Jayachandran Ramchandran Panickar

Consultant Pediatric Pulmonologist

Dr. Jayachandran Ramchandran Panickar is a leading pediatrician at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, specializing in respiratory health for children. With a focus on conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Panickar employs a compassionate approach in his practice. Known for his dedication to pediatric lung function, he ensures a child-centric experience, employing advanced methods for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. With a commitment to child wellness, Dr. Panickar stands out for his expertise and caring approach, making him a trusted figure in pediatric respiratory care.

Mr. Aaron Thrush

Manager, Inpatient Therapies & Rehabilitation

Aaron Thrush is a critical care physical therapist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where he is also the Rehabilitation Education Specialist, and a clinical researcher. He is board-certified as a cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Aaron serves as a Clinical Content Expert and Research and Evidence Based Practice Chair for the Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in the United States. He earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Arcadia University, a Master of Public Health (Global Health concentration) from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and is currently a student in the Movement Science Ph.D. program at Arcadia University (USA).

Dr. Majid Aziz

Consultant Neurologist

Dr. Majid Aziz is an accomplished pediatric neurologist and epileptologist, recognized for his expertise in complex epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, ketogenic diet, and EEG. He further specializes in movement disorders, neuroinflammatory conditions, headaches, and stroke.
Dr. Aziz completed his pediatrics and child neurology training in the United Kingdom. He then undertook a fellowship in movement disorders at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, followed by a second fellowship in pediatric epilepsy surgery and EEG at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. In 2019, Dr. Aziz joined Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, where he currently serves as the division chief of Paediatric Neurology and leads the epilepsy surgery program, collaborating with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Previously, he was a consultant neurologist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, UK, and clinical lead for the Northern Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service from 2015.

Mr. Sanjay Sasi Kumar

Respiratory Therapist

An experienced Respiratory Therapist with graduate and postgraduate training in Respiratory Therapy,
specializing in Adult Cardio-Respiratory Critical Care from Manipal University, India. Since 2016, He have been
working at Rashid Hospital under the Dubai Health Authority, where he contribute extensively to
multidisciplinary care across intensive care units, emergency services, and trauma departments. His role also
includes active involvement in staff development, clinical education, and competency-based training programs.
He is an American Heart Association–certified ACLS and BLS Instructor and currently affiliated with the
Mohammed Bin Rashid University (MBRU) Training Center, where he regularly teach life-support courses to
healthcare professionals. Prior to his current position, he served as a Lecturer and Clinical Instructor at the
University of Dammam, Khobar, Saudi Arabia, which strengthened his academic foundation and passion for
teaching.
He serve as an Executive Member of the Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC) and as a reviewer
for the Indian Journal of Respiratory Care (IJRC), contributing to the professional and scientific
advancement of the field. His key areas of interest include invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive
ventilation strategies, and inhalation therapy techniques.

Ms. Fatima Mohamed Bani Hashim

Clinical Dietitian

Ms. Fatima Al Hashmi is a competent professional with 19 years of experience in Dietetics, Nutrition Assessment,
and Patient Consultancy Operations, with extensive expertise in promoting dietary health and managing medical
conditions through evidence-based nutrition planning and individualized dietary interventions. She is skilled in
advising patients on specialized diets, educating healthcare professionals and the public on nutrition-related
matters, and identifying and addressing key health needs to support overall patient wellbeing.
Ms. Al Hashmi is a member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association)
and is actively involved in the Patient Care JCI Chapter. She is also certified as an Adult Weight Management
Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR-ADA). In addition, she is experienced in conducting
teaching sessions, inductions, peer reviews, case studies, and delivering clinical presentations.

Ms. Marilou Panganiban

Respiratory Therapist

Ms. Marilou Panganiban is a highly experienced Respiratory Therapist with nearly 25 years of clinical expertise in
neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care, as well as Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) and Long-Term Ventilator
Unit (LTVU) settings. She joined Amana Healthcare in 2018 as a Senior Respiratory Therapist, overseeing the Al
Ain facilities and SSBZH. Prior to this, she served for 13 years at King Abdulaziz Hospital under NGHA, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, from 2005 to 2018, where she worked as one of the senior Respiratory Therapists and also spent one
year as a locum academic instructor at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Ms. Panganiban
began her Respiratory Therapy career at Philippine Children’s Medical Center before pursuing her professional
career overseas. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she is also a certified Pediatric Advanced Life Support
(PALS) Instructor accredited by the American Heart Association.

Mr. Vijoe Thomas

Respiratory Therapist

He is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive experience in neonatal, pediatric, and adult care. He currently serves in a senior respiratory therapist (RT) role, focused on elevating standards of practice within specialized respiratory environments. His career is defined by a strong commitment to patient safety and quality in respiratory care. He is passionate about bridging the gap between theoretical guidelines and frontline clinical application, ensuring that teams—from senior to junior staff—operate with precision and clarity.

Mr. Didier Moens

Senior International Leader in Medical Ventilation Technology

Didier Moens is a senior international leader in medical ventilation technology, specializing in HFOV. His career combines industry leadership, innovation, and global clinical engagement, particularly in advancing life-saving respiratory support systems for neonatal and critical care.

Dr. Fares Chedid

Consultant Neonatologist

Dr. Fares Chedid is Consultant Neonatologist and Chief of Department at Kanad Hospital. He studied Medicine and Pediatrics at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and Specialized in Neonatology at the Catholic University of Leuven and Flinders University in South Australia. Dr. Chedid has over thirty years-experience in Neonatology, he worked at internationally accredited teaching hospitals in Belgium, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Dr. Chedid has more than eighty publications and is a recipient of multiple awards in education and research. His main interests are assisted ventilation, perinatology, biostatistics, and evidence-based medicine.

Mr. Jacob Philip

Scientific Committee Chair, Respiratory Therapist

Jacob Philip is a healthcare professional with more than 25 years of clinical experience across a broad spectrum of critical care environments. He holds a Master of Science as a Physician Assistant, a Post Graduate Diploma in Perfusion Technology, and subsequently completed the Respiratory Therapy program with Neonatal/paediatric Specialty (RRT NPS) certification.

He is currently working as a Senior Respiratory Therapist at SKMC, where he provides compassionate, patient centred care. His extensive multidisciplinary background enables effective management of complex respiratory conditions across all age groups.

Jacob is known for his strong commitment to clinical excellence, compassion, and evidence based practice in respiratory care.

Mr. Niyas Parappurath

Respiratory Therapist

Niyas is a Senior Respiratory Therapist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with over 17 years of experience in respiratory care, with a strong focus on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and advanced pulmonary diagnostics. He played a key role in establishing the Pulmonary Function Laboratory and CPAP Clinic at CCAD, contributing to the development of workflows, quality standards, and clinical services.
He is credentialed as a Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), and Certified Respiratory Function Scientist (CRFS). His clinical expertise includes comprehensive pulmonary function testing, sleep-disordered breathing management and has a strong passion for exercise physiology and CPET, with a particular interest in ventilatory efficiency, gas exchange abnormalities, and identifying patterns of exercise limitation
He is currently involved in an ongoing CPET reference value study in the UAE population, aiming to improve the clinical applicability and accuracy of CPET testing and interpretation.
In this session, “CPET in Action,” he will focus on the key numbers to look for and provide a simple, structured approach to basic CPET interpretation, enabling Respiratory care practitioners to quickly identify patterns and apply findings confidently in clinical practice.

Dr. Hesham Tawakol

Consultant Neonatologist

Hesham Tawakol, MD, FAAP, is a distinguished Consultant Neonatologist and the Program Director of the Neonatal Fellowship Program based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. With a career dedicated to advancing neonatal care, he serves as the Chairman of the Neonatal Committee of the NHS, playing a pivotal role in shaping clinical standards and educational excellence across multiple healthcare systems.

A recognized leader in medical education and programs development. He is a prominent figure in the international medical community, frequently chairing high-impact conferences and workshops, including the International Pediatric and Neonatal Multispecialty Conference and advanced neonatal mechanical ventilation sessions.

Beyond his clinical and administrative leadership, he is a dedicated advocate for the integration of Artificial Intelligence in medicine to enhance patient outcomes. He is also a novel writer and he published his first novel in 2022 His diverse intellectual pursuits also include a passion for classical art, the history of science, and archaeology.

Ms. Glasiele Alcala

Researcher, Critical Care & Mechanical Ventilation

Glasiele Alcala is a researcher in critical care and mechanical ventilation, with a focus on lung physiology and bedside monitoring. Her work centers on the application of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to guide ventilatory strategies and improve the understanding of regional lung mechanics in patients with acute respiratory failure

Mr. Benjamin Philipp Barnhill

Clinical Application Specialist Leader EMEA

Benjamin Barnhill is a Clinical Application Specialist Leader for the EMEA region at Cytiva (Pall Medical division). He specializes in clinical education and application support for medical filtration technologies used in healthcare settings, including infusion therapy, mechanical ventilation, and hospital water and infection control systems.
In his role, he works closely with clinicians, biomedical engineers, and healthcare institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to support the safe and effective use of Pall Medical filtration solutions. His expertise focuses on improving patient safety, optimizing clinical workflows, and promoting best practices in medical filtration and contamination control.
He also contributes to educational initiatives and training programs aimed at increasing awareness of filtration technologies in critical care and hospital environments.