Dubai-19 November 2018: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences has announced the names of 16 winners in its 10th term (2017-2018), which is centered on Musculoskeletal Disorders. The awards, with a total value of AED 2.8 million, include 3 categories; the International awards, the Arab World Awards, and the UAE awards. 

 

This announcement came during a press conference held today afternoon at the Roda Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai, in the presence of members of the Award’s Board of Trustees and the Scientific Committee, alongside media representatives from the UAE.  Also attending the press conference, were the representatives of the winning organizations and authorities, and the consuls and ambassadors for the countries of the winners.

 

At the beginning of the press conference, H. E. Dr. Ahmed Al Hashemi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Makotum Award for Medical Sciences, extended the greetings of the board members to the all attendees.  He also thanked H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance for his continued support for the award, which could otherwise not have reached such a prestigious international status.

 

Dr. Al Hashemi  said, “The process of selecting winners requires huge efforts exerted by members of numerous primary and secondary committees.  As you are aware, the focus of this term is on Musculoskeletal disorders and we have had excellent specialists in this field of medicine on board in order to achieve the highest level of professionalism throughout all rounds of selection for the awards”.  

 

Dr. Al Hashemi announced that King Salman Humanitarian & Relief Centre will be awarded  with this the “the Year of Zayed Personality Award”,  in recognition of their unlimited efforts in both medical and human services. This honor comes under the directions of H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as part of the commemoration of the year of Zayed, which is a year in which the country celebrated the Founder’s benefits and his great heritage that paved the way for his descendants and the upcoming generations to live a time full of prosperity.  

 

Dr. Al Hashemi expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award, HE Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, and members of the Board of Trustees of the Award and all the participants in this important meeting, especially the media people who play a key role in supporting the development and construction process. 

 

Prof. Yousuf Abdel Rezzak then announced the names of the winners of the Award for the 10th term, which are as follow:

The International Awards:

 

The winner of the Zayed Personality of the Year Award:  King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center was established in 2015 under the patronage and guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Center’s work is based on noble humanitarian values and principles, and is responsible for ensuring the provision of assistance to those in need and relief to those in suffering with strict monitoring mechanisms and advanced aid delivery. This is done in cooperation with highly trusted organizations affiliated with the United Nations and reliable international and local non-profit organizations in countries suffering from distress. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief center has offered humanitarian relief as well as developmental and medical assistance to more than 37 countries around the world with the participation of international, regional and local partners in recipient countries. Several humanitarian programs and initiatives have been implemented to deliver relief assistance to millions of beneficiaries worldwide.

 

Grand Hamdan Award (Musculoskeletal Disorders):  Prof. Frederick S Kaplan, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Professor Frederick S Kaplan is the Isaac and Rose Nassau Professor of Orthopedic Molecular Medicine and Chief of the Division of Molecular Orthopedic Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine under University of Pennsylvania Health System. He is an alumnus of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania Orthopedics Residency Program.

Kaplan and colleagues’ investigations of the rare diseases FOP and POH have uncovered mechanisms so pathogenetically fundamental to tissue metamorphosis that they have challenged existing dogma far outside the usual realm of musculoskeletal medicine. For example, Kaplan and colleagues challenged the existing dogma that calcific aortic stenosis was caused by a “senile degenerative” process and discovered that aortic stenosis is caused by an inflammatory process that triggers re-activation of the developmental process of skeletal formation. This work has led to the discovery of heterotopic ossification in atherosclerosis, with therapeutic implications for millions.

 

Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence (Rheumatology): Prof. Graham Hughes, the London Lupus Centre, London Bridge Hospital, United Kingdom

Prof. Graham Hughes is the Head of the London Lupus Centre at the London Bridge Hospital. He has been trained and qualified at the London Hospital. In 1969 and 1970, he spent two years working with a Postgraduate Fellowship in New York at the Rheumatology and Lupus Centre of Dr. Charles Christian. Prof. Hughes became a Consultant Physician at Hammersmith Hospital where he set up Europe’s first dedicated Lupus Clinic in 1973. He described the clotting disorder now known as Hughes Syndrome in 1983, and set up the Lupus Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1985. In 1993, he received the World Rheumatology (ILAR) Research Prize for the description of Hughes Syndrome. He is a member of the American Lupus “Hall of Fame, and Doctor Honoris Causa at the Universities of Marseille and Barcelona, a Master of the “American College of Rheumatology” and founder and editor of the International Journal “LUPUS”.

 

Prof. Miquel Vilardell, Dean of the University of Barcelona, highlighted the importance of Hughes Syndrome, saying: “There are two new diseases of the late 20th Century, namely ‘AIDS’ and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome now known as ‘Hughes Syndrome’.

Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence  (Orthopedic Surgery): Prof. Franklin Sim & Team, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA

Dr. Franklin Sim is an orthopedic surgeon in Rochester, Minnesota and is affiliated with Mayo Clinic. He received his medical degree from Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for over 54 years with diverse experiences in the orthopedic field, especially in surgery. Dr. Sim is an outstanding scientist and one of the leaders in the field of musculoskeletal oncology with a career span of 48 years at Mayo Clinic. He is world renowned in the area of bone and soft tissue sarcoma management and has authored a number of landmark publications in the field. One of Dr. Sim’s major interests has been the restoration of function following limb-sparing procedures, and his work has significantly improved the current practice of orthopedic oncology worldwide. His innovative work in complex sacro-pelvic surgery has extended the indications for successful limb salvage reconstruction and patient outcomes. 

 

Dr. Sim and his team have been selected for this award is on the research that has been carried out on challenging sacral tumors. This research has provided new paradigms in understanding and treating these complex tumors. His team consists of Dr. Michael Yaszemski and Dr. Peter Rose.

Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence (Orthopedic Mechanics): Prof. Vijay Goel, College of Engineering & Medicine- University of Toledo USA

Prof. Vijay K Goel is a Distinguished University Professor, Endowed Chair, and McMaster Gardner Professor of Orthopaedic Bioengineering, as well as the Co-Director of Engineering Center for Orthopaedic Research Excellence (E-Core) in the University of Toledo, Ohio, United States of America. Dr. Goel made a significant leap in 3D finite element (FE) model development of the spine by identifying and adapting cutting edge technology from a completely different discipline, stereophotogrammetry used in aerial surveying, to determine load displacement behavior of intact, injured, and stabilized spinal segments. Dr. Goel used these techniques to generate highly-accurate 3D mapping of the spine in the FE models. 

 

The ability to rapidly and accurately map 3D coordinates of the spine under loading conditions dramatically increased the utility of the models as a tool for analysis of spine biomechanics. Dr. Goel made the next major leap in model development by including muscle forces in the spine models, greatly increasing their predictive ability, despite significant opposition to the use of FE models as predictive tools. 

 

Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:  International Committee of the Red Cross

The International committee of the Red Cross  (ICRC) was established in 1863 as an independent, neutral organization. Its sole objective has been to ensure the protection of victims of armed conflict and situations of violence and instability. The ICRC operates directly around the world, and has encouraged the development, and promotes respect of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The IHL was the result of a long journey started by the adoption of the first Geneva Convention in 1864. This treaty obliged armies to care for wounded soldiers, whichever side they were on, and introduced a unified emblem for the medical services: a red cross on a white background. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent movements have emerged from this.

 

The ICRC has been helping people around the world for over 150 years, and they have a staff workforce spanning 80 countries around the world. The ICRC’s actions aim at protecting the lives, health and dignity of people affected by violence. The ICRC efficiently meets the first aid, treatment needs, and required care for managing the wounded and sick affected by armed conflict, major violence, and natural disasters. The ICRC programs provide primary health care, prevention services, and hospital care, in addition to emergency transport to medical facilities during conflicts and for people in detention. They also provide Physical Rehabilitation, and empower disabled people in accordance with the international standards. The ICRC additionally responds to the humanitarian needs of migrants and their families and provides psychological support. The ICRC ensures the provision of a sustainable living environment, and is most importantly involved in controlling the effects and risks of weaponry pollution such as mines and other remnants of war.

 

The Arab World Awards:

Hamdan Awards for best Medical College, Institute, or Centre in the Arab World: King Hussein Cancer Center Jordan

The King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), originally named Al-Amal Center, was founded by a Royal Decree by the late King Hussein in 1997 in Amman, Jordan. In 2002, the Center was renamed in honor of the late King who died from cancer complications. KHCC is an independent, non-government, non-profit institution, whose aim is to combat cancer in Jordan and the Middle East region, and to provide the most advanced cancer care. KHCC is the largest organization in Jordan that is fully dedicated to combating cancer, and is providing adult and pediatric patients with state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer care for all types of cancer. 

 

The King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) is the legal umbrella organization responsible for KHCC. It is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of a dedicated group of prominent volunteers and is chaired by HRH Princess Ghida Talal. KHCC is led by Dr. Asem Mansour, who is the CEO/Director General of the Centre. 

 

Hamdan Award for Honoring Distinguished Personalities from Arab World is for three individuals: 

Prof. Qutayba Hamid Al-Heialy, Sharjah, UAE

Professor Qutayba Hamid is a distinguished medical scientist who currently holds the position of Vice Chancellor for Medical and Health Sciences Colleges and Dean of the College of Medicine in the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Professor Hamid received his MD from Mosul University, Iraq, and his PhD from the University of London, UK. He is a Professor of Medicine at McGill University, and is Director of the Meakins-Christie Laboratories since 1993.

 

He is also an Associate Director at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center. He holds the prestigious James McGill Chair and clinical Strauss Chair in Respiratory Medicine, and was recently elected to be a fellow of the Royal Society. 

He has published over 450 scientific articles in prominent international journals and was the editor of 2 textbooks, ‘Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology’, and ‘Respiratory Physiology’.

 

Prof. Ahmed M El Hassan 

Prof. Ahmed M El Hassan is an Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum. He was the Minster of Higher Education in Sudan. Prof. Ahmed M El Hassan acquired his Diploma in Medicine with distinction from the Kitchener School of Medicine in 1955, and has won the Kitchener Memorial Prize. In 1958, he joined the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum as a Research Assistant in the Pathology Department. He received a Diploma (DCP) in Pathology from the University of London and his PhD from the University of Edinburgh. In 1966 he has become the first Sudanese Professor of pathology (Department of Pathology, University of Khartoum), and he was elected in 1969 as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and subsequently as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Khartoum in 1971.

 

Prof. El Hassan has established several autonomous academic bodies in Sudan and KSA. He has to his credit the foundation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Sudan, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology (later the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Technology), Sudan Cancer Registry, Bilharzias Society, Sudanese Society of Tropical Medicine and the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences. He was the chair of the Medical Research Council of Sudan. Last but not least, Prof. EL Hassan has established the Pathology Museum in Sudan. 

 

Dr. Faisal Shaheen, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

He is among the most prominent Arab scientists in the field of organ transplantation. Most importantly, he has contributed to the development of scientific and research guidelines that cover the medical and ethical requirements as well as the regional and international policies for organ transplantation. He received his FVMA in Nephrology from the Vienna Medical Academy of post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Austria in 1987.

 

He established the Kidney Center in Jeddah in 1990, the largest kidney dialysis center in the Arab World. In 2001, he founded the Prince Salman Center for Nephrology in Riyadh. He is an outstanding contributor to regional and global organ transplantation training programs including organ transplant programs in the United States. Dr. Faisal Shaheen has held many positions in his career. He is the first elected Arab president of the Global Organization for Organ Donation (GOOD). He is also the former president of the Middle East Organ Transplantation Society 2004-2006. He served as Director General of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, which is an exemplary center for kidney, heart, liver and corneal transplant procedures in the Islamic world. Since 1994, he has been the Executive Director of the Saudi Journal of Nephrology and kidney Transplantation as well as the associate editor of the Scientific Journal of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation since 2002.

 

The UAE Awards:

Hamdan Award for outstanding Clinical Department in the public Sector in UAE: Department of Rheumatology, Dubai Hospital

The Rheumatology Unit in Dubai Hospital was established in 1987 as the first Rheumatology Unit in UAE. The unit initially looked after patients with rheumatic disease and a larger group of patients with non-rheumatic disorders.  In 2012, the unit had a major transformation of care from inpatient-based service to a predominantly outpatient-based service, which helped in doubling the number of patients. The number of patients seen in the clinic increased from 5709 in 2011 to 6948 in 2013, and 7992 in 2016. 

The unit is the main tertiary referral center for Dubai and Northern Emirates. The unit is staffed by two consultant adult rheumatologists, seven specialists and two nurses specialized in Rheumatology. One of the specialists is a certified musculoskeletal USS trainer by EULAR.

 

Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the field of Medical& Health awarded to three individuals: 

Dr. Abdul Wahab Yusuf Al Muhaideb

Dr. Abdul Wahab obtained his PhD in Bacteriology from the University of Leeds, UK in 1974. He joined the Ministry of Health and prevention in 1975 among an elite group of staff members who supervised the establishment of the Ministry. During his career in the MOH, Dr. Abdul Wahab supervised the comprehensive development of preventive medicine. 

 

He was a prominent member in many national and GCC committees including the Malaria Combat Committee, and the GCC Unified Medicine Purchase Committee. He played a major role in the establishment of the Environment Protection Program in the UAE and GCC, and contributed to the consolidation of environment joint working rules for the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment.

Dr. Abdul Wahab established the first technical team to monitor oil pollution across UAE coasts, the first environmental research lab in UAE and the first environment research ship. 

 

Dr. Abdul Razzaq Ali Al Madani

He is the first Emirati citizen to specialize in the field of endocrinology and diabetes, and has many outstanding achievements and contributions in this field in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council. 

Dr. Abdul Razzaq joined Dubai Health Authority as a practicing physician at Rashid Hospital, before obtaining the Fakh Arts Certificate in internal medicine and endocrinology, in addition to the honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh & Glasgow. He enhanced the position of the Emirates Diabetes Society at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as a consequence of which, the UAE was selected as the first country in the Middle East to host the IDF International Conferences in Dubai in 2011 and Abu Dhabi in 2017.

 

Dr. Al Madani has published several studies and delivered many lectures in the fields of diabetes. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the “Living Positively with Diabetes” Magazine, a social initiative launched by the Emirates Diabetes Society.

Dr. Arif Abdullah Al Noryani

Dr. Aref Abdullah Al- Noryani is a prominent Cardiologist, not only in the UAE, but also in the GCC. He is currently a Consultant of Interventional Cardiology and the chairman of the Cardiac Center.

Dr. Arif Al Noryani received his BSc in Medicine and Surgery from Ohm University, Germany in 1993, before joining the specialist program for internal medicine and cardiology in 1997. In 2003, he graduated from the Cardiology Center at Munich University Hospital and he joined work at the Ministry of Health and Prevention at Al Qasimi in 2004.

Dr. Arif has many achievements in the field of cardiac surgery. He has used the most modern technologies in all operations carried out at the Center; for instance, he used robots in cardiac surgeries for the first time outside USA.

Mr. Hussein Mohammed Hussein Qayed

Mr. Hussein Qayed, born in Dubai, has contributed, as the first Emirati nurse, to the provision of many valuable services in support of the people of his country. In 1952, while he was only 16 years old, he joined Al Maktoum Hospital in Dubai, less than one year after the hospital’s inauguration, where he received his professional training from specialized practitioners. After that he relocated to work at Rashid Hospital in 1971, as a translator between physicians and patients, and as an assistant to the nursing team. His career focused on patients’ affairs including following up on their appointments with their physicians. He participated in the training of many of his fellow colleagues on how to deal with patient’s affairs.

 

Subsequently Mr. Hussein shifted to work at Dubai Hospital which launched in 1985, where he inaugurated the Public Relations Division with all the necessary services and activities. The division was used as a training center for all preliminary health staff regarding patients and customer care in Dubai. 

Mr. Hussein was an exemplary leader who exerted all efforts to support the community, patients and the country as a whole, and finally as a nurse and administrator at the Public Relations Division, till his retirement in 2010.

 

The Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in the Hamdan Medical Journal: Sehamuddin Galadari,  Siraj Pallichankandy, Anees Rahman, and Faisal Thayyullathil: Sphingosine analogue FTY720 sensitizes arsenic trioxide-induced autophagic cell death in human malignant glioma cells.

Malignant gliomas are known to be resistant to therapies that induce apoptosis. Recently, several lines of evidence indicate that glioblastoma cells may be less resistant to therapies that induce autophagy. This study investigates the antitumour potential of FTY720, a novel sphingosine analogue, and it discloses the molecular mechanism of its cytotoxic effects on malignant glioma cells. The findings provide a possible base for combinatorial therapeutic application of FTY720-ATO in the management of malignant gliomas.

 

Dr. Yousif Abdul Razzaq said that the winners will be honored at the ceremony held on the 12th of  December 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Health Authority.

In addition, the 10th Dubai International Medical Science Conference, which is the subject of the musculoskeletal system, will be held in conjunction with the winners of the Hamdan International Grand Prize and the Hamdan Award for Outstanding Medical Research as keynote speakers.