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SAMS 11th Annual Medical Convention “Updates on Treatments and Techniques in Medicine”

July 4-7, 2010 Sheraton Hotel Damascus, Syria

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

SSYYRRIIAANN AAMMEERRIICCAANN MMEEDDIICCAALL SSOOCCIIEETTYY

July 4-7, 2010 DAMASCUS, SYRIA

CONVENTION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Hassan Abbass, MD SAMS President

Nasser Ani, MD Convention Chairperson

Maher Adi, MD CME Committee Coordinator

Shafik Hashim, MD Scientific Co-Chair

Mounzer Kassab, MD Scientific Co-Chair

Tarek Kteleh, MD Scientific Co-Chair

Salam Rajjoub, MD Scientific Co-Chair

Ayman Saleh, MD Scientific Co-Chair

Lucine Saleh, MBA Executive Coordinator

Syrian American Medical Society P.O. Box 1015 Canfield, OH 44406 USA Tel: (866) 809-9039 Fax: (330) 286-0325 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.sams-usa.net

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CONVENTION CHAIRPERSON MESSAGE

Dear Colleagues and friends: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hassan Abbass, MD President Naim Farhat, MD Past President With great pride we would like to invite you to attend the SAMS 11th Nizar Zein, MD Vice President annual convention, which will be held on July 4, through July 7, 2010, at Ayman Saleh, MD Treasurer the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus, Syria. Wadah Atassi, MD We are fortunate again this year to have the Cleveland Clinic as a Bassel Mousa, MD joint sponsor and provider of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Fadi Bashour, MD The convention theme this year will be “Updates on Treatments and Techniques in Medicine”. The conference will offer CME and non- PAST PRESIDENTS CME lectures and workshops. The first day of the convention will focus Mazen Daoud, MD on orthopedic, spine & pain management. The second day will Rami Akhrass, MD concentrate on oncology conditions and their treatment. The third day will Thabet Alsheikh, MD offer cardiac, pulmonary and critical care lectures. The fourth day will Naim Farhat, MD address miscellaneous subspecialties in internal medicine and surgery.

EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR In addition to the scientific part of our convention, SAMS has Lucine Saleh, MBA traditionally played a humanitarian role and provided medical care to the needy patients in Syria. The humanitarian role will be providing consultation, medical, and surgical care to the needy. Your assistance and participation in this matter will be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

Additionally the Gala dinner will give the attendee the chance to meet and network with their colleagues in the United States and Syria, and enjoy the entertainment during this event at the Sheraton Hotel in

Damascus, Syria.

We are looking forward to your active participation in the meeting. With your support, we are looking to have a successful 11th annual convention in Damascus, Syria.

We look forward to see you in Damascus.

Nasser Ani, MD Hassan Abbass, MD Convention Chairperson President

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

OVERVIEW

Opening Ceremony

Sheraton Hotel, Damascus Sunday, July 4th, 2010

CME Program

Sunday, July 4 10:00 am – 7:30 pm Monday, July 5 8:30 am – 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 6 8:30 am – 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 7 8:30 am – 7:30 pm

Gala Dinner & Life Achievement Award Ceremony

th Mark your calendars to join us for the 11th Annual SAMS Gala Dinner on Monday, July 5 , 2010 at 9:00 pm. A gourmet dinner will be served accompanied by entertainment and special Life Time Achievement Award ceremony honoring one of the pioneering Syrian physicians.

* Scheduled on Monday, July 5th at 9:00 pm * Price for two tickets is included in the registration, $100 for extra tickets * Presentation of Life Achievement Award * SAMS President’s review of last year, the conference activities and plan for the future * Rich and exciting program * Elegant dinner

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

June 28th – July 1st, 2010 Electrophysiology, Bradyarrhythmia &Tachyarrhythmia 8:30am – 4:00pm Al Bassel-Heart Institute Courses (Non –CME)

Sunday July 4th, 2010 Registration 9:00am – 10:00am Opening Ceremony 10:00am -12:00am Sheraton Hotel Room A Orthopedics & Spine Session (CME) 12:30pm -7:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room A Healthcare Session (CME) 3:30pm -7:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room B

Monday July 5th, 2010 Oncology Session (CME) 8:30am -4:00pm Sheraton Hotel Room A Oncology Workshop (Non-CME) 4:00pm -7:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room A Orthopedics Workshop (Non-CME) 9:00am -1:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room B Nephrology Session (CME) 2:30pm -6:00pm Sheraton Hotel Room B

Tuesday July 6th, 2010 Pulmonary Session (CME) 8:30am -10:30am Sheraton Hotel Room A Cardiology Session (CME) 10:30am -7:00pm Sheraton Hotel Room A Pediatric Session (CME) 8:30am -1:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room B Neurology & Neurosurgery Session (CME) 2:30pm -7:00pm Sheraton Hotel Room B Pulmonary Workshop (Non CME) 3:00pm -5:00pm Al-Assad Hospital

Wednesday July 7th, 2010 General Medicine Session (CME) 8:30am -1:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room A GI Session (CME) 2:30pm -7:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room A Rheumatology Session (CME) 8:30am -10:30am Sheraton Hotel Room B Endocrinology Session (CME) 10:30am -12:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room B Psychiatry Session (CME) 12:30pm -3:30pm Sheraton Hotel Room B Medical Education Session (Non-CME) 3:30pm -6:00pm Sheraton Hotel Room B

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

CME Lectures

Sunday July 4th, 2010

10:00–11:00 Opening Ceremony Sheraton Hotel Room A 11:00-11:30 Ibn Al Nafis Lecture Elias Traboulsi, MD 11:30-12:00 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Patient Selection & Technique E. Murat Tuzcu, MD 12:00-12:30 Coffee Break

Orthopedics & Spine Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderators: Nasser Ani, MD & Shafik Hashim , MD Sheraton Hotel

12:30-1:00 Biomechanics of Aging Spine Hassan Serhan, PHD 1:00-1:30 Treatment Options for Lumber Degerative Disc Disease Nasser Ani, MD 1:30-2:00 Minimally Invasive Applications in Aging Spine Tony Tannoury, MD 2:00-2:30 Live Cadavers for Laboratory Surgical Training Emad Abboud, MD 2:30-3:30 Lunch Break

3:30-4:00 Update on Burst Fracture Treatment Tony Tannoury, MD 4:00-4:30 Kyphoplasty for Compression Fractures Abdul Barakat, MD 4:30-5:00 Custom Total Knee Replacements Aiman Rifai, MD 5:00-5:30 Applications of Interventional Pain Management Rami Rustum, MD 5:30-6:00 Coffee Break

6:00-6:30 Ultrasound Guided Regional Block for Acute Pain Management Shafik Hashim, MD 6:30-7:00 Update on the Treatment & Prevention of Osteoporosis Ferial Walid, MD 7:00-7:30 Advanced Musculoskeletal Imaging Yazan Kaakaji, MD

Healthcare Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderators: Reem Akhras, DDS & Elias Traboulsi, MD Sheraton Hotel

3:30-4:00 Understanding the Importance of Organizational Change Management Feras Akhras, MD in the Health Sector: Why? Who? How? 4:00-4:30 Graduate Medical Education in 2010- Competent, not Certified Elias Traboulsi, MD 4:30-5:00 Health Management & Hospital Administration in Syria: Reem Akhras, DDS Current Status & Future Aspirations 5:00-5:30 Coffee Break

5:30-6:00 Business as a Field of Healthcare Badr Idbies,MD 6:00-6:30 The culture of Engaging our Workforce to Deliver World Class Al Stubblefield Patient Satisfaction 6:30-7:00 Health Care Efficiency in 21 Century Joe Sam Robinson, MD 7:00-7:30 An Introduction to Quality Improvement Movement in Medicine: Ahmed Absi, MD Its History, Background, Principles, Aims, Goals & Tools

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CME Lectures (Continued)

Monday July 5th, 2010

Oncology Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderator: Ayman Saleh, MD Sheraton Hotel

8:30-9:00 Management of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in the Molecular Era A. Samer Al-Homsi, MD 9:00-9:30 Genetics & Biotherapy Update in Leukemia Aref Al-Kali, MD 9:30-10:00 Treatment Strategies in Childhood Leukemia Ammar Hayani, MD 10:00-10:30 Myeloproliferative Disorders: Classification & Management Ammar Alzoubi, MD 10:30-11:00 Burkitt's Lymphoma Oumaya Fawaz, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-12:00 Breast Cancer: New Concepts, New Directions & New Hope with its Suheil Simaan, MD Status in Syria 12:00-12:30 New Perspectives in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Husain Saleh, MD Molecular Approach for the Diagnosis & Treatment 12:30-1:00 Urinary Tract Cancer Detection Randah Al-Kana, MD 1:00-1:30 Update on Colorectal Cancer Screening Mouhanad Bismar, MD 1:30-2:30 Lunch Break

2:30-3:00 Mast Cell Disease Rabei Bdeir, MD 3:00-3:30 Transfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease Suzanne Bakdash, MD 3:30-4:00 Interventional Techniques in Interventional Oncology: Souheil Saddakni, MD Hepatic Chemoembolization

Nephrology Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderator: Wadah Atassi, MD & Bassam Saeed , MD Sheraton Hotel

2:30-3:00 Diabetes & CKD: What Do the New Guidelines Tell Us? Bassam Saeed, MD 3:00-3:30 Vascular Access in Nephrology & Catheter Lock Solution Akram Makki, MD 3:30-4:00 Update on KDOQI Guidelines Bashar Mourad, MD 4:00-4:30 Secondary Hypertension: The Under Diagnosed Entity Loay Salman, MD 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break

5:00-5:30 Cystacin C in The Early Detection of CKD Imad Ossman, MD 5:30-6:00 Hepato-Renal Syndrome Sami Al-Bitar, MD

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CME Lectures (Continued)

Tuesday July 6th, 2010

Pulmonary Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderator: Salam Rajjoub, MD & Maher Adi, MD Sheraton Hotel

8:30-9:00 Endobronchial Ultrasound-Transbronchial Bronchial Needle Aspiration Salam Rajjoub, MD 9:00-9:30 Update in Critical Care Medicine Nasser Zakieh, MD 9:30-10:00 Update on Evaluation & Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension Zaher Sahloul, MD 10:00-10:30 An Update on Sleep Medicine Naem Shahrour, MD

Cardiology Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderators: Maher Adi, MD & Salam Rajjoub, MD Sheraton Hotel

10:30-11:00 Women & Heart Disease Leslie Cho, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-12:00 Stem Cell Therapy & Cardiac Repair Safwan Kassas, MD 12:00-12:30 Reperfusion Strategy for Acute STEMI Ossama Abdul Rahman, MD 12:30-1:00 Heart Failure Mazen Hanna, MD 1:00-1:30 Advancement in Coronary Revascularization Rami Akhrass, MD 1:30-2:30 Lunch Break

2:30-3:00 Factor XII Indication & Comparison Michael Licina, MD 3:00-3:30 Carotid Disease Revascularization, Stenting vs. Surgery Safwan Kassas, MD 3:30-4:00 Would Cardiac CT Replace Heart Catheterization Hussam Farhoud, MD 4:00-4:30 Mini Invasive Surgery for Valve Repair Badr Idbeis, MD 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break

5:00-5:30 Atrial Fibrillation: Anticoagulation, Drug therapy and Radiofrequency Samer Siouffi, MD Ablation 5:30-6:00 Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia: Mechanism & Treatment M. Eyman Mortada, MD 6:00-6:30 Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Are There New Candidates? Oussama Wazni, MD 6:30-7:00 Guidelines for Treatment of STEMI Kais Yehyawi, MD

Pediatric Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderators: Ayman Saleh, MD & Firas Saker, MD Sheraton Hotel

8:30-9:00 What’s New in Pediatric Nephrology Samir Sayem El Dahr, MD 9:00-9:30 Aplastic Anemia in Childhood Mohammed Al-Rahawan, MD 9:30-10:00 Erythropoietin & the Brain Firas Saker, MD 10:00-10:30 Therapeutic Hypothermia for the Treatment of Hypoxic Moustafa Aouthmany, MD - Ischemic Encephalopathy 10:30-11:00 Underscended Testis: Pediatrician Point of View Shahed Swaid, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-12:00 Genetics for the Pediatrician Rand Ziadeh, MD 12:00-12:30 Childhood Immunization 2010 Ayman Khiami, MD 12:30-1:00 Youth Education for Living a Healthy Life, Free from Abuse Ahmad Muraywid, MD 1:00-1:30 Sudden Cardiac Death in High School Athletes Michael Saalouke, MD 1:30-2:30 Lunch Break

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CME Lectures (Continued)

Tuesday July 6th, 2010 (continued)

Neurology & Neurosurgery Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderator: Mounzer Kassab, MD Sheraton Hotel

2:30 -3:00 Neurology Update Yaman Daboul, MD 3:00-3:30 Neurological Complication of Cardiac Surgery Ahmad Khalifa, MD 3:30-4:00 Updates on Stroke & Epilepsy Mounzer Kassab, MD 4:00-4:30 Update on Epilepsy Investigation & Management Imad Najm, MD 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break

5:00-5:30 Idiopathic Autoimmune Encephalitis Souhel Najjar, MD 5:30-6:00 Update in Neurovascular Surgery Arthur Grigorian, MD 6:00-6:30 Establishing Thriving Hospital Stroke Care Program Aaron Barth, MBA 6:30-7:00 Medical Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Mohammad Ajjan, MD

Wednesday July 7th, 2010

General Medicine Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderators: Mounzer Kassab, MD & Tarek Kteleh, MD Sheraton Hotel

8:30-9:00 Update on Antimicrobial Treatment Mohammad Saed Ibrahim, MD 9:00-9:30 What Have We Learned from the H1N1 Pandemic? Wissam Sabbagh, MD 9:30-10:00 Geriatric Preventive Medicine & Vaccination Hend Azhary, MD 10:00-10:30 Diabetes Prevention Opada Alzohaili, MD 10:30-11:00 Preoperative Medical Evaluation for Non-Cardiac Surgery M. Hazem Hatahet, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-12:00 Weight Loss; Nonsurgical Management Mouhanad Bismar, MD 12:00-12:30 Mucosal Immunity in IBD; Therapeutic Implication Mousab Tabbaa, MD 12:30-1:00 Updates on Vascular Risks for Primary Physicians Haitham Jifi, MD 1:00-1:30 Preventing DVT in the Hospital Mahdi Ajjan, MD 1:30-2:30 Lunch Break

GI Session (CME) Location: Room A Moderator: Moussab Tabbaa, MD Sheraton Hotel

2:30-3:00 Fluid Collections in Pancreatitis Mousab Tabbaa, MD 3:00-3:30 Hepatitis C Therapy: Who, What & How Long? Mazen Al-Satie, MD 3:30-4:00 Proper Utilization of Biliary Modalities Mazen Jamal, MD 4:00-4:30 Cholangiocarcinoma & PSC: ERCP, MRCP & SpyGlass George Catinis, MD 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break

5:00-5:30 Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Omar Alsubee, MD 5:30-6:00 NASH : Across the ages Naim Alkhouri, MD 6:00-6:30 Zenker’s Diverticulotomy: A Gastroenterologist Domain Nofel Jajeh, MD 6:30-7:00 Balloon Enteroscopy: Syrian Experience Nazir Ibrahim, MD 7:00-7:30 EUS Update Abdul Monem Sweid, MD

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CME Lectures (Continued)

Wednesday July 7th, 2010 (continued)

Rheumatology Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderators: Ghiath Mitri, MD & Tarek Kteleh, MD Sheraton Hotel

8:30-9:00 HLA in Syrian Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis Salwa Al-Cheikh, MD 9:00-9:30 Update on Scleroderma & Associated Pulmonary Hypertension Firas Alkassab, MD 9:30-10:00 Management of Gout Tamer Alsebai, MD 10:00-10:30 Familial Mediterranean Fever Ghaith Mitri, MD

Endocrinology Session (CME) Location: Room B Moderators: Opada Alzohaili, MD Sheraton Hotel

10:30-11:00 Endocrine Disorders in Geriatric Population Younes Kabalan, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break 11:30-12:00 Update on Hyperthyroidism Management Ammar Bayrakdar, MD 12:00-12:30 Vitamin D Deficiency Nabeel Esseh, MD

Psychiatry Session (CME) Location: Room B

Moderator: Rachad Och , MD Sheraton Hotel

12:30-1:00 Update on the Innovative Treatment with TMS for Refractory Depression Rachid Och, MD 1:00-1:30 A New Once a Month Treatment for Schizophrenia Amjad Bahnasi, MD

1:30-2:30 Lunch Break 2:30-3:00 Update on Bipolar Disorder & Depression Treatment Bassam Awwa, MD 3:00-3:30 Clinical Diagnosis & Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Burnout Disorder Waleed A. Salameh, Ph.D. in Physicians: An Emokientic Approach

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

Workshops (Non- CME)

Electrophysiology, Bradyarrhythmia &Tachyarrhythmia Courses (Non –CME) Location: Al Bassel-Heart Institute, Dummar, Damascus

Date: June 28th – July 1st

Faculty: Thabet Alsheikh, MD Donna Cummings, RN, Technical Field Engineer

June 28th SAMS 2nd Annual Electrophysiology & Arrhythmia Management Course 8:30 am – 4:00 pm June 29th – June 30th SAMS 9th Annual Bradyarrhythmia & Pacing Course 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Daily July 1st SAMS 6th Annual ICD and Tachyarrhythmia Course 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Oncology Workshop (Non- CME)

Location: Sheraton Hotel – Room A Date: Monday July 5th Moderator: Ayman Saleh, MD

4:00-4:30 Towards a Safer Chemotherapy Prescribing-Administering System, Ahmed Absi. MD a Demonstration of a Successful QI Program 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break 5:00-5:30 Neurofibromatosis Tarek Al Khouri, MD 5:30-6:00 Myeloproliferative Disorders: Case review Ammar Alzoubi, MD 6:00-6:30 Case Review in Hematopathology Rabei Bdeir, MD 6:30-7:30 Case Review: Malignant Hematology Samer Al-Homsi, MD

Orthopedics & Spine Workshop (Non- CME) Location: Sheraton Hotel – Room B th Date: Monday July 5 Moderator: Nasser Ani, MD & Shafik Hashim, MD

9:00-10:00 Sedation guidelines for office based procedures Shafik Hashim, MD 10:00-11:00 Spinal Surgery Workshop /Saw Bone Surgery Nasser Ani, MD 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break 11:30-12:30 Total Knee Replacement /Saw Bone Surgery Aiman Rifai, DO 12:30-1:30 Kyphoplasty /Vertebroplasty Abdul Barakat, MD & Rami Rustum, MD 1:30-2:30 Lunch Break

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

Workshops (Non- CME) continued

Pulmonary Workshop (Non- CME) Location: Al-Assad Hospital - Damascus Date: Tuesday July 6th

3:00-5:00 Interventional Bronchoscopy Workshop Ismail Al-Ani. MD

Medical Education Session (Non- CME) Location: Sheraton Hotel – Room B Date: Wednesday, July 7th Moderator: Mazen Daoud, MD

3:30-4:00 Medical Education in Syria, Present & Future Mazen Daoud, MD 4:00-4:30 Revolutionary Change in the Syrian Education System Tarek Kteleh, MD 4:30-5:00 Coffee Break 5:00-5:30 Creation of a Scientific Infrastructure for research & development Safwan Kassas, MD is a Road Syria Must Take 5:30-6:00 History, Achievements & Challenges of the Syrian Community in America Wael Khoury, MD 6:00-6:30 The Medical Residency in the States & The Role of SAMS Mounzer Kassab, MD & Tarek Kteleh, MD

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

FACULTY LISTING

Emad Abboud, MD A. Samer Al-Homsi, MD Omar Alsubee, MD Neurosurgery Department Chief, Division of Hematological Malignancies Gastroenterologist Swaida National Hospital & Blood and Marrow Transplantation Jeddeh, Saudia Swaida, Syria Director Stem Cell Laboratory Associate Professor of Medicine Opada Alzohaili, MD, FACE Ossama Abdul Rahman, MD, FACC Boston University School of Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor Cardiologist Roger Williams Medical Center Wayne State University Adena Health System Providence, RI Detroit, MI Chillicothe, OH Aref Al-Kali, MD Ammar Alzoubi, MD Ahmed A Absi, MD FACP Leukemia Department, Fellow University of Michigan Hematology-Medical Oncology- BMT Anderson Cancer Center Division of Hematology/Oncology Princess Norah Oncology Center Houston, TX Ann Arbor, MI King Khaled National Guard Hospital Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Randah Al-Kana, MD Nasser Ani, MD, FACS, FRCS Lab Director Board Certified in Orthopedic & Spine Maher Adi, MD, FACA UGNJ Surgery Dept. of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Orange, NJ Chairman of Orthopedic Dept. Cleveland Clinic Bayshore Community Hospital Cleveland, OH Firas Alkassab, MD Raritan Bay Medical Center Assistant Professor of Medicine, Riverview Medical Center Mahdi Ajjan, MD., BC University of Massachusetts Medical School, Bayshore Community Hospital Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Worcestor, MA Ani Orthopedics Internal Medicine Hazlet, NJ Macon, GA Naim Alkhouri, MD Gastroenterology Fellow Thabet Alsheikh, MD, FACC Mohammed Ajjan, MD, BC Cleveland Clinic Pensacola Heart Institute Georgia Neurosurgical Institute Cleveland, OH Pensacola, FL Clinical Assistant professor *Speaker for non CME Session Dept.of Surgery Tarek Al Khousi, MD Mercer University School of Medicine Master in Oncology Moustafa Aouthmany, MD, FAAP, FACC Medical Center of Central Georgia BASMA Unit Director of Neonatal Services Macon, GA Beirouni Hospital Mercy Health Partners, Metro Division BASMA Unit for childhood cancer Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Feras Akhras, MD Damascus, Syria Ohio University Partner, NAA Group *Speaker for non CME Session Toledo, OH Damascus, Syria Akram Al-Makki, MD, FACP, FASN Bassam Awa, MD Reem Akhras, DDS Nephrologist, Clarian-Arnett Health Medical Director Director, Centre of Strategic Health Studies, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Connecticut Behavioral Health Ministry of Health Volunteer, Indiana University School of New London, CT Damascus, Syria Medicine, Adjunct Research Fellow, Rocky Mountain Hend Azhary, MD Rami Akhrass, MD, FACS University of Health Professions East Lansing, MI Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery Lafayette, IN Cleveland Clinic Amjad Bahnasi, MD Lake Hospitals System Mohamad M. Al-Rahawan, MD, MPH Psychiatrist Willoughby, OH Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Worcester, MA University of Illinois College of Medicine at Ismail Al-Ani, MD, FCCP Peoria Suzanne Bakdash, MD, MPH Pulmonary and critical care associates St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Section of Transfusion Medicine South Bend, IN Peoria, IL Department of Clinical Pathology Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute Sami Al-Bitar, MD Tamer Alsebai, MD Cleveland Clinic Nephrologist Rheumatologist, Cleveland, OH Damascus, Syria Pine Pluff, AR Abdul R. Barakat, MD Salwa Al-Cheikh, MD Mazen Alsatie, MD Chief of Anesthesia Former Dean Gastroenterologist Landmark Medical Center Prefoessor of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine Director of Pain Management Ocean State Damascus University, School of Medicine Indiana University Pain Management Damascus, Syria Muncie, IN Director of Critical Care Woonsocket, RI

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

FACULTY LISTING

Aaron Barth, MBA Arthur Grigorian, MD, Ph D, BC Haitham Jifi, MD Georgia Neuro Center & Emergency Center Georgia Neurosurgical Institute Internal Medicine Program Support Manager Clinical Assistant professor Spohn Health System Medical Center of Central Georgia Department of Surgery Corpus Christi, TX Macon, GA Mercer University School of Medicine Medical Center of Central Georgia Yazan Kaakaji, MD Ammar Bayrakdar, MD, FACE Macon, GA Radiologist Assistant Professor, Loyola University, Assistant Clinical Instructor Maywood, IL Mazen Hanna, MD Northwestern University School of Medicine Director, Heart Failure Special Care Unit Chicago, IL Rabei Bdeir, MD, FASCP, FACP Co-Director, Amyloid Center Director, Surgical Pathology Section of Heart Failure and Cardiac Younes Kabalan, MD. Dept. of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Transplant Medicine Professor, Chairman of Endocrine Division, Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center Cleveland Clinic Damascus University Detroit, MI Cleveland, OH Damascus, Syria

Mouhanad Bismar, MD, FACG Shafik Hashim, MD Safwan Kassas MD, FACC Vice Chairman Director of Ambulatory Anesthesia Michigan Cardiovascular Institute Dept. of Internal Medicine Maimonicles Medical Center Chief: Cardiology Dept. Huguley Memorial Medical Center Assistant Professor Director: Catheterization Laboratory Burleson, TX Mount Sinai School of Medicine Director: Regenerative Medicine Program New York, NY Detroit, MI George Catinis, MD, Gastroenterologist, Mohammad Hazem Hatahet, MD Mounzer Kassab, MD Metairie, LA Hospitalist & Primary Care physician Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neurology & Findlay, OH Ophthalmology Leslie Cho, MD Division of Cerebrovascular Disorders Section Head, Preventative Cardiology & Ammar Hayani, MD Michigan State University Rehabilitation Director, Pediatric Cancer Institute East Lansing, MI Director, Women’s Cardiovascular Center Hope Children's Hospital Cleveland Clinic Oak Lawn, IL Ahmad Khalifa, MD Cleveland, OH Damascus, Syria Mohammad Saed Ibrahim, MD Donna Cummings, RN, BS Infectious disease & endocrine specialist Ayman Khiami, MD FAAP Medtronics Technical Field Educator West Paterson, NJ Chairman of Pediatrics Pensacola, FL Raleigh General Hospital *Speaker for non CME Session Nizar Ibrahim, MD Beckley, WV Gastroenterologist Yaman Daboul, MD Damascus, Syria Tarek Kteleh, MD Damascus, Syria Assistant Professor of Medicine Badr Idbeis, MD, FACS Rheumatology Division Mazen Daoud, MD CEO, Kansas Medical Center Meritcare Heath Systems Advanced Dermatology Specialties Assistant Clinical Professor University of North Dakota Fort Myers, FL Kansas University Medical School Fargo, MD Wichita, KS Nabil Esseh, MD Ghaith M. Mitri, MD, MMM, FACR Professor of Medicine Mazen Jamal, MD, MPH Assistant Professor & Chief Damascus University Chief of Endoscopy and Outpatient Medicine University of Florida Damascus, Syria Long Beach VA HCS Department of Medicine Professor of Medicine Division of Rheumatology Hussam Farhoud MD, FACC, FSCAI, CCDS University of California, Irvine Jacksonville, FL Cypress Heart Irvine, CA Wichita, KS Bashar Mourad, MD Nofal Jajeh, MD Valley Nephrology Associates Oumaya Fawaz, MD Professor of Medicine Owensboro, KY Pediatric Hematology Oncology Chairman of Gastroenterology Department BASMA Unit for childhood cancer Damascus University M. Eyman Mortada, MD, FACC Al Bayroni Hospital University of Wisconsin Damascus, Syria School of Medicine & Public Health Milwaukee Clinical Campus, Aurora Sinai/St. Luke’s Medical Centers Milwaukee, WI

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

FACULTY LISTING

Ahmad Muraywid, MD, FACP Wissam Sabbagh, MD Hassan Serhan, Phd. Muraywid Pediatrics Assistant Professor of Medicine Distinguished 'Eng.' Fellow Mexico, MO Infectious Disease DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson Company Boonshoft School of Medicine Prestige Adjunct Professor Souhel Najjar MD Wright State University Bioengineering Dept. University of Toledo Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology Dayton, OH DePuyspine Inc. NYU School of Medicine Raynham, MA Director of EEG and Epilepsy Laboratory Bassam Saeed MD NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Program Head of Pediatric Nephrology Dept. Kidney Naem Shahrour, MD Director of Neuroscience Hospital in Damascus Chairman, Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine Staten Island University Hospital Chairman of Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship Alassad U. Hospital Staten Island, NY Program in Syria Damascus University Medical School Damascus, Syria Damascus, Syria Imad Najm, MD Director Epilepsy Center Zaher Sahloul, MD, FCCP Suheil Simaan, MD, FACS Neurological Institute Division of Assistant Professor Emeritus Professor of Surgery Neurosciences University of Illinois Damascus University Cleveland Clinic Chicago, IL President, Syrian Senology Society Cleveland, OH Damascus Syria Firas Saker, MD, FAAP Rachid Och, MD Associate professor of Pediatrics Samer Siouffi, MD, FACC Medical Director Director, NICU at Hillcrest Hospital Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Island Medical Center Vice Chairman, Department of Neonatology at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Worcester, MA Cleveland Clinic Plattsburgh, NY Imad Ossman, MD Cleveland, OH Professor of Medicine Al Stubblefield Chairman of Nephrology Dept. Waleed A. Salameh, PhD, ABPDC Lakeview Center, Inc. Damascus University, School of Medicine Clinical & Consulting Psychology Baptist Health Care Damascus, Syria San Diego, CA President, CEO Pensacola, FL Salam Rajjoub, MD, FCCP Ayman Saleh, MD, FAAP Chairman of Pulmonary & Critical Care Director, Akron Children's Center for Blood & Shahed Swaid,MD United Hospital Center Cancer General secretary for scientific affairs Clarksburg, WV Associate Professor of Pediatrics Syrian Pediatric society North East Ohio Universities College of Damascus,Syria Aiman Rifai, MD Medicine Associate Professor Boardman, OH Abdul-Monem Sweid, MD Seton Hall University Gastroenterologist West Orange, NJ Husain Saleh, MD, FIAC, MBA Damascus, Syria Chief, Department of Pathology Joe Sam Robinson, MD, BC Sinai Grace Hospital - DMC Mousab Tabbaa, MD Georgia Neurosurgical Institute Associate Professor of Pathology Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Chief of Neurosurgery Wayne State University Case Western Reserve University Chief of Surgery Detroit, MI President, North Shore Gastroenterology & Professor of Surgery Endoscopy Center Mercer University School of Medicine Loay Salman, MD Westlake, OH The Medical Center of Central Georgia Nephrology & Interventional Nephrology Macon, GA Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine Tony Tannoury, MD Division of Nephrology and Hypertension Assistant Professor, Rami Rustum, MD University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Boston University Medical Director, Miami, FL Director of Spine Division & Fellowship Merrimack Pain Associates program Merrimack Valley Hospital Samir Sayem El-Dahr, MD Dept. of Orthopedics Pain Management Professor & Chair of Pediatrics Boston, MA Center Pediatrics Nephrology Haverhill, MA Tulane University Health Sciences Center Elias Trabousli, MD New Orleans, LA Professor of Ophthalmology Souheil Saddekni, MD, FSIR, FAHA Cole Eye Institute Professor of Radiology & Medicine Chairman of Graduate Medical Education Director, Vascular/Interventional Radiology Cleveland Clinic The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cleveland, OH Birmingham, AL

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

FACULTY LISTING

E. Murat Tuzcu, M. D. Professor of Medicine Vice Chairman, Dept. of Cardiovascular Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH

Ferial Walid, MD, BC Primary Family Medicine Family Medicine Warner Robins, GA

Oussama Wazani, MD Dept. of Cardiac Electrophysiology Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH

Kais Yehyawi, MD Cardiologist Valparaiso, IN

Nasser Zakieh, MD, FCCP Clinical Instructor University of Illinois Chicago, IL

Rana Ziadeh, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Chairman of Pediatrics Director of Newborn & Special Care Nursery Excelahealth Westmoreland Hospital Pittsburg, PA

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

CONFERENCE LOCATION Sheraton Hotel, Damascus, Syria

CONFERENCE DATES Sunday, July 4th – Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

CONFERENCE THEME Updates on Treatments and Techniques in Medicine

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM OBJECTIVES  Identify novel surgical techniques & methods in patient care in the areas of orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, and pain management.  Identify & discuss new medical approaches in GI malignancies.  Review medical non surgical procedures in pulmonary, cardiology, GI & neurology  Discuss different approaches of medical and surgical patient care.  Identify some new medical issues and their means of prevention

PROGRAM FORMAT The scientific program will consist of formal presentations with audiovisual aids by experts in their respective fields. Question and answer periods will follow at the end of the sessions. Selected abstracts will also be chosen based on merit for presentations during the poster session.

CME ACCREDITATION This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education and the Syrian American Medical Society. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 32 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education for Category 2 credit.

TARGETED AUDIENCE The program is intended for practicing physicians in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN and other medical professionals, fellows, residents, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, paramedical practitioners and medical students.

OVERVIEW Educational activity to enhance exchange of knowledge between US and Syrian physicians.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education has implemented a policy to comply with the current Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Standards for Commercial Support requiring resolution of all faculty conflicts of interest. Faculty declaring a relevant commercial interest will be identified in the activity syllabus.

CANCELLATION STATEMENT The Syrian American Medical Society and Cleveland Clinic Foundation reserve the right to cancel this conference in the event of unforeseen or extenuating circumstances.

LIABILITY SAMS and all agents involved in arranging this medical convention shall not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any company or person engaged in conveying or providing transportation to the participants, or due to vehicle defect, nor accepts responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, sickness, weather, strikes, war or quarantine.

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

NEAREST AIRPORT Damascus International Airports

VISA REQUIREMENT & MILITARY SERVICE WAIVER The Syrian Embassy will provide immediate assistance to those individuals who may require special permission to enter Syria due to military service issues. Please call the Syrian Embassy in the US for details and arrangements. Consular Affairs, passport and Visa: Phone# (202) 265-4585

Visa is required for American non-Syrian citizens. 1-Passports must be submitted by mail or hand delivery to the Embassy with two copies of the visa application form 2- Photos: 2 passport photos Reminder: Please attach a photo to the application form. 3-Self addressed Envelope: When sending your visa request by mail please include a self-addressed return envelope (FedEx or Express mail). 4-Fees: Visa fees for American Citizens $131(one, two or multiple entries) payable to "Embassy of Syria". Visa fees can be paid in the following ways: a- If delivering fee in person to the Embassy, cash, cashier checks, and money orders are accepted. b- If sending through mail, cashier checks and money orders are the only methods accepted.  Visas are valid for three months from the date of issuance.  Passports must be valid for six months on submission. Please mail all documents to the following address: Embassy of Syira Attn: Mr. Hassan Fahmi 2215 Wyoming Ave. N.W. Washington, DC. 20008 Phone #: (202) 232-6313 Extension #106 for Visa requirements

AIRLINE TICKETS For booking airline tickets, SAMS members can contact the following travel agent

Transtour Express Corporation Manal Travel Consultant Bashar Al-Shama For all International travel specializing in the Middle East Phone: (703) 847-6000 Manal Arabji Massabni Fax: (703) 847-6034 Phone: (617) 834-7344 Email: [email protected] HOTEL RESERVATIONS The Sheraton Hotel, Damascus, is pleased to offer SAMS a special deal for the 11th annual medical convention that will be held in Damascus July 4-7, 2010. There is limited number of rooms so please act quickly if you want to reserve a room. Special room rates only for SAMS REGISTERED members. Deadline to take advantage of the discounted room rate is May 15th. For your hotel reservation at the Sheraton Hotel please contact Al Multaka International for Conferences & Exhibitions (Mrs. Randa Al Jaafari) by email [email protected]. No reservation will be taken directly by the Sheraton Hotel. The following information is pertinent to make your hotel reservation: 1- Register for the conference. Discounted rate for registration is available till April 15th. Membership for 2010 must be also included if not paid yet. 2- First name, Last name, Room Type (single or double) & Duration of Stay. 3- Credit Card is needed at time of reservation. Room Rates: Before May 15th: Classic Single or Double room (no breakfast included) = 115 Euro After May 15th: Classic Single room (no breakfast included) = 145 Euro Classic Double room (no breakfast included) = 165 Euro Remarks: · All rooms are subject to 13% governmental taxes. · Reservation is guaranteed by credit card · Payment is upon arrival · Cancellations should be made by June 15th; otherwise, there will be a one night charge · No shows are charged 2 nights

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

SAMS ONLINE For more information about the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), including membership application, updates about the annual conference, online registration and other events, please log onto our website at www.sams-usa.net

LANGUAGE Arabic and English.

AV EQUIPMENT All sites are equipped for computerized power point presentations

ADA EQUIPMENT Persons with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact Dr. Naim Farhat at least two week prior to this meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

REFUND STATEMENT Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by June 1th, 2010 to obtain a refund; thereafter, no refunds will be made. A $50.00 administrative fee will be charged for all cancellations.

WEATHER The average temperature in Damascus in June is 84F. The weather in Lattakia and in the coastal areas is humid, average temperature is 76F.

CURRENCY US dollars and traveler’s checks can be exchanged at private or government run banks. Credit cards are accepted in certain locations. ATM machines are available in Syrian currency.

ELECTRICITY The electricity supply in Syria is 220 volts. Transformers are needed for most US electric equipment(s). Electric outlets are different from those in the US and an international adapter will be needed.

Eleventh Annual SAMS Medical Convention

REGISTRATION FORM

SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY Damascus July 4th – 7th, 2010

Last Name: ______Middle Initial: ______First Name: ______Mailing Address: ______City: ______State: ______Zip Code: ______Home Phone: ______Work Phone: ______Fax:______Email: (required) ______Specialty: ______Degree: ______Year of Graduation: ______Present work: (please circle one) Private Practice Academic Resident Fellow Student Academic Title if any (Please include your title, affiliation, city & state) ______Deadline for Registration: June 1st, 2010 Registration fees Registration fees Registration fees Total before April 30th after April 30th On site National Membership Dues $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 $ ______Local Chapter Dues $ 50 $ 50 $ 50 $ ______

(Please specify chapter or group if you belong to one) □ Illiana □ Michigan □ Northeast □ Ohio □ SAMS New Group Members (including 2 Free gala dinner tickets) $ 425 $ 475 $525 $ ______Non Members $ 675 $ 725 $ 775 $ ______US Medical Residents/Fellows $ 100 $ 125 $ 125 $ ______Syrian Physicians 5000 Sy Pds. 5000 Sy Pds. 5000 Sy Pds. $ ______Syrian Medical Residents/Students Free Free Free $ ______Additional Gala Dinner Tickets $100 $100 $100 $ ______Donation to SAMS Foundation $ ______(Proceedings will go to local Syrian Charities) NGO Grand Total $ ______

PAYMENT METHOD Make Checks Payable to SAMS Mail Payment To : SAMS Credit Card Payment □ Please accept my check PO Box 1015 □ Visa □ MasterCard Canfield, OH. 44406 Credit Card Number: Amount : $ ______Check #: ______- ______- ______- ______By Fax: (330) 286-0325 Credit Card Exp. Date: ______Signature: □ Please bill myQuestions? credit card X ______Amount:Please $ ______contact SAMS

(866) 809-9039

[email protected]