Advisory Board
The Advisory Board advises SAMA’s Board of Directors.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Bakersfield, CA, USA
Dr. Amir Elhassan is a highly skilled Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist with expertise in critical care medicine and TEE certification/training. He has extensive experience in medical mission organizations, showcasing his commitment to global health and humanitarian work. Currently based in Bakersfield, CA, Dr. Elhassan serves as the Vice President of the Sudanese American Medical Association (SAMA), where he actively contributes to its initiatives and supports community outreach. His dedication extends to guiding residency applications and fostering advancements in anesthesiology and critical care.
Finance
Mr. Thomas Feige
Brussels, Belgium
Mr. Thomas Feige is a development economist with extensive experience in macroeconomics, public finance management, and development policy. His expertise includes budget support operations, country cooperation strategies, and project management across Africa, with a strong focus on food security, primary healthcare, and education. He has considerable experience working and living in fragile and conflict-affected countries. From 2021 to 2025, he served as Team Leader for Economic and Social Development at the EU Delegation to Sudan, based in Khartoum and Cairo, where he led programs that strengthened economic resilience and supported sustainable development.
Public Health
Marseille, Bouche de Rhone, France
Dr. Manal Shams Eldin is an epidemiologist and mixed-methods researcher with MSF/Epicentre, bringing extensive experience in managing and evaluating humanitarian health projects. A qualified medical doctor, she holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Master’s in Public Health and Tropical Disease Control, and a diploma in qualitative health research. Dr. Shams Eldin has served in multiple humanitarian roles, including medical doctor, medical referent, project coordinator, and country medical coordinator. She also worked as a Medical Nutrition Advisor with Médecins Sans Frontières in Paris. She is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, with intermediate proficiency (B1) in German.
Medical Student, Brown University
North Chelmsford, MA, USA
Navin Ramesh is a student in Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education, studying Business Economics and Biology. His academic and professional interests include the neuroscience of pain, global health equity, health policy, entrepreneurship, and business operations. Navin has been a dedicated SAMA volunteer since 2019, supporting the WASH UNICEF–SAMA partnership, contributing to annual reports, and representing SAMA at the 2023 MetaECHO conference. He is a leader within the Brown Healthcare Investment Group and the Brown Entrepreneurship Program’s Venture Team, and supports addiction research at Brown’s School of Public Health. Navin is also active in raising awareness and fundraising for Sudan in New England and on campus.
Governance
Chandler, AZ, USA
Dr. Mohammed Elseed is a past president of SAMA and a recipient of the SAMA Leadership Award, the organization’s highest honor. He joined the Board of Directors in 2014 and served as President from 2019 to 2020, providing steady leadership during a critical period in SAMA’s history.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Elseed has led SAMA’s local fundraising efforts since 2019, helping build one of the organization’s strongest community hubs. He is widely respected for his integrity, consistency, and lifelong commitment to serving Sudanese communities in the diaspora and beyond.
Governance
Chicago, IL, USA
Dr. Salaheldin Abusin is a cardiologist and a central leader in the growth of the Sudanese American Medical Association (SAMA). From 2009 to 2025, he served within the organization’s leadership guiding SAMA through expansion, transition, and periods of crisis.
He led SAMA’s professional development, educational, and humanitarian efforts, building mentorship and training pathways, supporting medical missions and emergency response in Sudan.
Dr. Abusin continues to advise SAMA through the Strategic Operations and Finance Committee and currently chairs the Youth Mentorship Committee, reflecting his ongoing commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening the organization.