Advisory Board – US Office
The Advisory Board—US office—advises SAMA’s Board of Directors. Click here to read more about its roles.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Springfield, IL, USA
Dr. Ezzeldin Saleh is an Associate Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, with over 7 years of experience at the institution. He completed his fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Duke University Medical Center (2013–2017) and his pediatric residency at Penn State University (2000–2003). Dr. Saleh is also the founder and past president of the Sudanese American Medical Association, serving for over 16 years. His professional and volunteer roles highlight his dedication to advancing pediatric care and supporting the Sudanese community through medical education and leadership.
Public Health
Paradise Valley, AZ, USA
Dr. Pamela DeLargy is a public health specialist with vast experience in managing reproductive and adolescent health programs in emergency and conflict zones, focusing on displaced populations. Her career includes significant work in Sudan, where she played a key role in health resource mobilization. Currently, she leads global refugee education initiatives at Arizona State University, promoting educational opportunities for vulnerable communities. Dr. DeLargy is committed to improving health and education access in crisis-affected regions through innovative programs and leadership.
Clinical Nurse
RN. Khadeja Eribi
Doha, Qatar
RN. Khadeja Eribi is a clinical nurse with 14 years of experience in the operating room and perioperative care, spanning multiple specialties including open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries in urology, general surgery, and cardiac fields. She is dedicated to sharing her expertise through education, practical training, and field-based instruction. Passionate about advancing nursing knowledge and skills, RN. Eribi aims to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals by imparting hands-on experience and best practices in surgical and perioperative care.
Health Economics
Richmond, VA, USA
Ashwag Abdulrahim is a health systems specialist with over 10 years of experience in health policies, management, and finance in Sudan. Holding a pharmacy degree and a master’s in health economics from the University of Khartoum, she was also a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ashwag has led initiatives promoting universal health coverage and developed Sudan’s first training manual on social accountability for primary healthcare. A co-founder of DAR Innovation, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Services Organizations and Research, bridging research and policy in public health.
Emergency Physician
Ras-Al Khaimah, UAE
Dr. Naeem Toosy is an Emergency Medicine Consultant at International SOS in Dubai, with prior leadership as Head of Department at Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital and Al Qassimi Hospital. He completed UK Emergency Medicine training (2004-2010) with pre-hospital care via Kent Surrey Sussex HEMS. A pioneer in trauma care, he developed hospital trauma policies and led the STEMI network in the UAE’s Northern Emirates. Active in medical education, Dr. Toosy has organized workshops, webinars, and conferences. He has been an ATLS instructor since 2003 and received the 2018 ‘Distinguished Specialist’ award by DHA.
Medical Student, Brown University
N Chelmsford, MA, USA
Ranjana Ramesh is a second-year student at Brown University in the Program in Liberal Medical Education, pursuing degrees in Computational Biology and contemplative studies, focusing on holistic medical care. Passionate about global health, empathetic medicine, computer science, and writing, Ranjana aspires to become a surgeon serving underprivileged communities in the U.S. and globally. Since 2019, she has volunteered for SAMA with her brother, Navin, and currently supports clinical research in neurosurgery and global health. She writes for Spirit Magazine and university publications, mentors students, and serves on SAMA’s Advisory Board, advocating for initiatives like Project ECHO.
Gastroenterology
Revere, MA, USA
Dr. Sami Elamin, trained at Harvard Medical School, is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist with expertise in AI applications in healthcare. He has served as Chief Medical Resident, enhancing educational programs and leading quality improvement in endoscopy and patient care. Co-founder of MD Zeyara, a platform improving healthcare access for minority groups, Dr. Elamin has a strong research background in AI-driven endoscopy and digital health, supported by his Connected Health Innovation Fellowship. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, he has led medical missions in Sudan, showcasing his dedication to global health and health equity.
Rheumatology
Roundrock, TX, USA
Dr. Nada Elmagboul is a rheumatologist at Baylor Scott & White Health and an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in Round Rock, TX. She holds an MBBS from the University of Khartoum and an MSPH in Applied Epidemiology from UAB School of Public Health. Dr. Elmagboul completed her MD at UAB School of Medicine and a rheumatology fellowship there from 2017 to 2019. Prior experience includes serving as Interim Medical Director at Methodist University Hospital’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (2013–2016) and an internal medicine residency at Penn State Health (2009–2012).
Oncoplastic, Endocrine and Pediatric Surgery
Galway, Ireland
Dr. Sami Abd Elwahab is a general surgeon specializing in oncoplastic, endocrine, and pediatric surgery. He pioneered the first specialized general pediatric surgery service outside of Children Health Ireland (CHI). Committed to clinical and quality-improvement research, Dr. Abd Elwahab actively leads multiple randomized controlled and innovative medical trials. He is an esteemed reviewer for several medical journals and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. His dedication to research and evidence-based medicine underscores his approach to advancing surgical care and clinical practice.
Transportation Consultant and Architecture Expert
Doha, Qatar
Mr. Hashim Ibnauf is a transportation consultant and architecture expert with extensive experience in infrastructure and design. He served as Federal Minister of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and was Stations Architectural Manager at Qatar Rail Company. His prior roles include BIM Expert at Hochtief Vicon and Senior Design Architect at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. In NYC, he worked as Virtual Design & Construction Manager at SHoP Construction and Digital Design Specialist at Skidmore Owings & Merrill. An academic contributor, Hashim lectured at Columbia University and Pratt Institute. He holds a B.S. in Architecture and an MSE in Mechanical Engineering.
Neurology
Manchester, MO, USA
Dr. Nazik Abuelgasim is a neurologist committed to humanitarian work and dedicated to supporting the Sudanese American Medical Association (SAMA). With extensive expertise in neurology, she aims to address critical neurological health challenges impacting the Sudanese community. Dr. Abuelgasim is focused on enhancing access to quality care, advocating for underserved populations, and fostering partnerships to improve healthcare delivery in Sudan. Her commitment to meaningful change aligns with SAMA’s mission, making her a valuable contributor to the association’s efforts to promote health and well-being for the Sudanese community.
Public Health, Public Policy and Administration
Cidade de Maputo, Mozambique
Ms. Elsara Badri is a seasoned professional specializing in strategic planning, program coordination, and organizational leadership in public health, conflict resolution, and development. She excels in designing and executing strategic workplans, coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, and organizing international conferences. Elsara is adept at capacity building through training, curriculum development, and research supervision, as well as proposal writing, grant applications, and donor engagement. With a strong academic background in public health and public policy, she is proficient in data analysis (R Studio, Stata, SPSS) and multilingual, fluent in English and Arabic, with working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
Internal Medicine
Dr. Marwan Abdelrahim
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Dr. Marwan Abdelrahim is a board-certified internal medicine physician with extensive experience in teaching and hospitalist leadership. He has served as a chief hospitalist and director at skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Dr. Abdelrahim completed a research fellowship at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he honed his skills in medical research. He is trained in bedside ultrasound techniques, including echocardiography (ECHO), volume status assessment, and abdominal examinations, and has also trained others in these areas. His contributions to medical literature include published papers, demonstrating his commitment to advancing clinical knowledge and practice.
Finance
Mesa, Arizona, USA
Mr. Ahmad Elmahi is a financial professional committed to promoting financial literacy and investment education. As the regional manager at Saturna Capital, he specializes in sharia-compliant investment solutions through Amana Mutual Funds. With significant experience supporting nonprofits across the U.S., Ahmad has assisted in establishing endowments and investment accounts that align with their long-term objectives. Beyond his professional work, he actively engages with the Sudanese and Muslim American communities, leading workshops, and presentations, and fostering strategic partnerships to empower individuals and organizations with financial knowledge and resources.
Critical Care
Maple Grove, MN, USA
Dr. Yasir Hamad is a medical professional with comprehensive training in infectious diseases and critical care, completed in the United States. His education and clinical experience equip him with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced in delivering healthcare services and aid across international borders. This perspective positions him to contribute valuable insights and solutions for enhancing healthcare delivery and supporting underserved populations, particularly in the context of cross-Atlantic medical collaborations and public health initiatives.
Infectious Diseases
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Dr. Lu’aie Kailani, a board-certified Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases specialist, holds an MPH from Dartmouth. He has extensive experience in global health, serving with Doctors Without Borders in Africa and earning the Queen Elizabeth Medal for his role in combating the Ebola outbreak (2014–2016). Dr. Kailani has contributed to medical education through the HRH program in Rwanda and currently works with AMPATH in Kenya, holding a joint academic position with Indiana University and Moi University.
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