Our Advisory Board comprises a community of global leaders that bring a breadth of experience and multifaceted expertise - in strategy, policy, operations and administration, care delivery, regulatory management, investment and financial management, tech innovation, capacity building, partnerships, and advocacy - to EHI solutions, research and policy recommendations, insights, and the delivery of clinical and non-clinical training.

Dr. Dilshaad Ali
President and Chief Executive Officer, Makkah Healthcare Cluster - Saudi Arabia

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Dr. Karen Haller
Former Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Affairs, Johns Hopkins Medicine International

Dr. Karen Haller served as Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Affairs for Johns Hopkins Medicine International (JHI) from 2015-2020.  She oversaw nursing and clinical quality and developed the structure and resources needed to collaborate with health care organizations around the world. 

Dr. Haller provided leadership and strategic oversight for clinical, consulting, and knowledge-transfer activities, and worked with colleagues to support international patients seeking care at Johns Hopkins.

Before joining JHI, she served as Vice President for Nursing and Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for The Johns Hopkins Hospital, leading a nursing staff of more than 3,000 and managing activities for the offices of Social Work, Regulatory Affairs, Admitting and Patient/Visitor Services. She also served as associate professor and associate dean for clinical affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Dr. Haller has published more than one hundred articles and editorials on subjects ranging from leadership and management in patient care delivery systems to end-of-life decision-making and patient safety. She has also conducted NIH-funded research on end-of-life issues and served as editor of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing for ten years. Dr. Haller was elected to the American Academy of Nursing, been awarded fellowships in nursing and nursing management, and received the National Caring Award from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses for her outstanding contributions to nursing and nursing research.

In recognition of her promotion of patient-centered care to the forefront of health care reform, The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s department of nursing and the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing established the Karen B. Haller Endowed Scholarship in 2015.

Dr. Zeina Khouri-Stevens
Chief Clinical Executive, Clemenceau Medical Center - UAE

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Sinan Sanvar
Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development, Stanford Medicine

Sinan Sanvar serves as the Executive Director of Strategy and Business development for Stanford Medicine, comprised of Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health, leading key strategic and business development initiatives for the integrated enterprise. He previously served as the Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development at MD Anderson Cancer in Houston, Texas responsible for national and global expansion efforts of MD Anderson Cancer Network. He has more than 20 years of healthcare experience having worked in various strategy, finance, operations and business development roles. Prior to joining MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sinan led Johns Hopkins Medicine’s global projects and business development initiatives contributing to global growth of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Asia and the Middle East. As part of his tenure at Johns Hopkins Medicine, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of joint ventures in Abu Dhabi and Singapore where he was responsible for the growth and day-to-day management of hospitals operated by Johns Hopkins Hospital. He began his career at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where he completed his administrative fellowship and served as the Finance Director. He earned his Master’s in Health Administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bilkent University. 

Dr. John A. Ulatowski
Vice President & Executive Medical Director, Johns Hopkins Medicine International

Dr. John A. Ulatowski serves as the Vice President and Executive Medical Director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine International Leadership Team.

He is a distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Neurological Surgery, and Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ulatowski is a clinician expert in Anesthesiology, Neuroscience Critical Care Medicine, and Neurology, with research expertise in cerebral blood flow and metabolism, blood substitutes, sedation and disorders of consciousness, perioperative medicine, and patient safety.  He is also one of the world’s leading investigators into the regulatory mechanisms of cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.

During his time as anesthesiologist-in-chief for The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) under his oversight emerged as an institutional leader in patient safety, culminating in the founding of the Armstrong Institute. He has facilitated telemedicine initiatives in the adult and pediatric ICUs to improve patient care, and with his support, Johns Hopkins faculty members are now viewed as national and international leaders in the field.

Asma Bajawa
Founder and Managing Director, PeopleFirst HR Consultancy

Asma Bajawa is the Founder and Managing Director of PeopleFirst HR Consultancy which is one of the leading HR consultancies across the GCC and wider Middle East region. Born and bred in the UK, Asma is a seasoned HR professional with more than 37 ye…

Asma Bajawa is the Founder and Managing Director of PeopleFirst HR Consultancy which is one of the leading HR consultancies across the GCC and wider Middle East region. Born and bred in the UK, Asma is a seasoned HR professional with more than 37 years of international experience gained in the UK, Middle East, and South Asia region.

 

Asma has extensive experience across all aspects of HR and has successfully led several large-scale transformation projects for high profile organisations across different industries within government, semi-government, and the private sector. Asma started her career in the UK where she spent 25 years working with large blue-chip companies prior to moving to the UAE where she has held several HR Directorship roles. Since setting up PeopleFirst, Asma has spearheaded the company to become an international award-winning consultancy which has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) UK, in the category of Best HR Consultancy.  

 

Asma’s business acumen, enthusiasm, and ability to understand and work successfully with different cultures has helped her to build a strong reputation across the region and has gained the respect of many Senior Executives and Board members. Asma is respected as an HR professional who is able to challenge and influence critical strategic decisions and is now an Advisory Board member for several reputable companies. Her ability to raise HR’s profile and promote the HR profession is testimony to her ability demonstrate how HR really does add value to any organisation.

Asma is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development UK (FCIPD) and has an MBA from Kingston University UK.

Salman Khalid
Senior Director of M&A Advisory, BNP Paribas

Salman is a seasoned Emerging Markets M&A and Private Equity specialist with over 15 years of experience. He is currently a Senior Director in the M&A Advisory arm of BNP Paribas for the Middle East & Africa region (MEA) with a specific …

Salman is a seasoned Emerging Markets M&A and Private Equity specialist with over 15 years of experience. He is currently a Senior Director in the M&A Advisory arm of BNP Paribas for the Middle East & Africa region (MEA) with a specific focus on consumer/retail/healthcare where he has led and executed some of the largest and most complex transactions in the region in recent years. 

During his career, Salman has worked across the entire Private Equity/M&A value chain from fund raising and deal origination to due-diligence, deal structuring, execution and post-acquisition management with significant transaction experience in MEA region, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia across a variety of sectors. His transactions won the Mergermarket Consumer M&A advisor of the year award for MENA region in 2018 and 2019 respectively. 

Prior to his current role, Salman worked as a Partner and Board Member for the BNP Paribas MENA Private Equity Fund 1. Prior to that he spent several years with 3i-backed Manara Equity Partners and EMP Global in Bahrain and Washington D.C. 

Salman graduated with an MPP from Georgetown University where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar as well as an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences where he graduated on the Dean's Honor List. He holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from UET Lahore.

Dr. Linda Lee
Former Chief of Staff, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, and Associate Professor

Dr. Linda Lee is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Chicago, graduating with honors. Dr. Lee attended the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. After finishing her internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991, she completed a gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 1994 she joined the Hopkins faculty, and has remained involved in gastrointestinal and cancer research, teaching, and clinical care. In addition, she is a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and is the Administrative Editor for Practical Reviews in Gastroenterology. Dr. Lee lectures frequently in the community and to medical students and practitioners.

Dr. Lee spent 13 years in basic science research, studying the function of a cancer protein called Myc in liver cancer. She has published several articles and reviews on her findings. During this time, Dr. Lee led a clinical practice that included the care of complex cancer patients who had liver or gastrointestinal issues. She worked closely with her colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center to develop expertise in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal complications of stem cell transplantation. 

It was her interactions with cancer patients and other individuals with chronic digestive problems that allowed her to recognize the value of integrative medicine. Unfortunately, many chronic conditions exist for which there are presently no cures. But the lack of a cure for these disorders should not prevent a patient from achieving an improved quality of life and sense of well-being. This is how integrative medicine is most helpful, because it is where conventional medical practices and the best of other healing modalities intersect to bring a comprehensive approach to the patient's condition.

Dr. Lee was appointed as Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) chief of staff on September 1, 2017. Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Company is the result of a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, a world leader in energy, and Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the world’s leading academic health systems.

Gregory F. Schaffer, LFACHE
Healthcare Consultant & Former President & CEO, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Greg Schaffer is an independent healthcare consultant who previously served as the CEO of Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE on a contract with Johns Hopkins Medicine International who managed the hospital for Abu Dhabi Health Services. Before joining Tawam, Schaffer served as the president and CEO of the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Prior to his Hopkins career, Schaffer was vice president of support services at Saint Vincent's Medical Center, Staten Island, New York. He also held executive positions at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Connecticut, and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Schaffer also served as director of emergency medical services in New Britain, Connecticut, and as director of emergency medical services for eastern Connecticut.

Schaffer earned a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University. A Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Schaffer also served as a member and officer of numerous community boards in the Baltimore region including a term as the chairman of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. He also served as chairman of the Southeast Community Development Corporation, as a trustee of the Institute of Notre Dame, as a Lifeboard member of the Chesapeake & Potomac Region of the American Red Cross, and as a trustee of the American Kidney Fund.

Schaffer also served as an associate faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and as a preceptor for the master’s program in healthcare administration at George Washington University.

Dr. Deb Baker
Senior Vice President of Nursing, Johns Hopkins Health System & Vice President

 Dr. Deborah Baker, DNP, ACNP, NEA-BC, is the senior vice president for nursing for the Johns Hopkins Health System. She also serves as the vice president of nursing and patient care services for The Johns Hopkins Hospital. As the health system…


 Dr. Deborah Baker, DNP, ACNP, NEA-BC, is the senior vice president for nursing for the Johns Hopkins Health System. She also serves as the vice president of nursing and patient care services for The Johns Hopkins Hospital. As the health system’s first senior vice president for nursing, Dr. Baker partners with the chief nursing officers and leaders at our other hospitals and outpatient care settings to ensure integration of services and alignment with the health system’s strategic goals and objectives. She is accountable for enhancing a clinical practice environment that is patient centered, with unsurpassed clinical quality and patient safety, while also providing significant contributions to education and research, ensuring nursing practice at the highest scope of licensure. Dr. Baker first came to Johns Hopkins as a student, earning her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She joined the staff of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1992 as a clinical nurse in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Baker has served in a variety of nursing leadership roles at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, including her most recent position as the Director of Nursing for Surgery, Wilmer Ophthalmology and the Comprehensive Acute Care Rehabilitation Unit (2008- 2015). She is DNP faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and Associate Dean for Health Systems Partnership and Innovation. 

Sarmad Khan
Director, Academic Council on the UN System. Chair of Programmes

Sarmad has served as an international policy, sustainable development, and learning professional for over 18 years in the areas of development cooperation, fragility, and executive leadership learning and capabilities.

He is currently in the UAE as Head of RC Office, Strategic Advisor and Senior Advisor on the UN’s engagement in Expo 2020. Prior to this, Sarmad headed global leadership policy and development for the Resident Coordinator System at the UN Development Operations Coordination Office in New York and led its work on leadership solutions and reform.

At UN HQ, he lent his expertise on UN leadership strategy and policy, building senior leadership capabilities, curriculum content, and learning strategies targeting global UN field leadership teams and next-generation leaders. He served as one of the lead authors of the UN's first Leadership Model promoting systems and collaborative leadership, and a member of the senior UN committee charged to develop a system-wide leadership framework. In addition, he designed and launched the UN's field-focussed SDG Leadership Labs promoting experiential learning and systems thinking. He later conceptualized and managed the establishment of the high-level UN Learning Advisory Council (LAC) bringing UN and eminent global experts together to promote collaboration. The LAC was launched by the Deputy Secretary-General. To implement the work of the Council, Sarmad was appointed as Project Manager for the development of the SDG Primer.

Earlier, he worked with the UN System Staff College as Coordinator of its flagship programme on UN Leadership targeting leaders across the UN system, including designing and launching the UN's first Emerging Leaders programme. At the College, he advised global UN Country Teams on their multi-stakeholder consultations with governments and national partners on development planning and analyses.

Steven J. Thompson
Senior Global Healthcare Consultant & Principal, NorthStar Advisors

Steven J. Thompson is a senior healthcare advisor, consultant and executive with extensive experience in academic and community healthcare systems leadership and management. Prior to his role with NorthStar Healthcare Advisors, he has held numerous executive leadership roles in leading academic health systems (Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania and Brigham & Women’s Health / Harvard). He has held roles that include operating unit leadership, operations, planning, strategy, health system design, hospital M&A, payer models, academic physician practice leadership, marketing, external business development and strategic alliance activities. 

He has experience and expertise as a pioneer and international business leader as the founder and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, a global healthcare consulting, management and services organization. Founded and led the international consulting and services organization from start-up through the development of business activities in more than 30 countries worldwide.

He has leadership and experience working with academic healthcare organizations globally. This includes the strategy, planning, development and integration of large regional academic, community and ambulatory networks. He has a particular focus on the development of novel approaches to monetize the capabilities of academic healthcare organizations through the development of business enterprises and alliances that improve health status and healthcare delivery locally, regionally and globally. Mr. Thompson has expertise in the structure, governance and management of hospitals and health systems (public & private) internationally. He has served on the boards of several healthcare organizations in India, Singapore, UAE, Turkey and Malaysia.

Mr. Thompson obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Minnesota. He also earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola University.