Convention Leadership

The organizing and scientific committees behind the NAAMA 48th National Medical Convention

Organizing Committee

Rabab Al-Lahham
Rabab Al-Lahham
MD
Convention Chair

Physician-scientist at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) specializing in cardiometabolic disease and Arab American health disparities. The driving force behind the 48th National Convention, Dr. Al-Lahham brings together clinical expertise and community commitment to advance health equity for Arab Americans.

Sadeer Al-Kindi
Sadeer Al-Kindi
MD
Scientific Committee Chair

Associate Professor and Jerold B. Katz Endowed Investigator at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. Fellowship-trained preventive cardiologist with over 200 peer-reviewed publications on cardiometabolic disease and cardiovascular risk disparities.

Nidal Moukaddam
Nidal Moukaddam
MD, PhD
Organizing Committee

NAAMA President-Elect and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. A specialist in emergency psychiatry and psychosis, Dr. Moukaddam brings national leadership experience and deep roots in the Arab American medical community to the convention's organizing efforts.

Chadi Calarge
Chadi Calarge
MD
Organizing Committee

Professor of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, and a leading expert in child and adolescent psychopharmacology. His research on pediatric mental health and pharmacogenomics informs the convention's focus on Arab American youth wellbeing.

Ahmed Abdou
Ahmed Abdou
Organizing Committee

A dedicated member of the organizing team contributing to the planning and coordination of the 48th National Convention. His commitment to Arab American health advocacy and community engagement helps bring this convention to life.


Scientific Committee

Sadeer Al-Kindi
Sadeer Al-Kindi
MD
Scientific Committee Chair

Leading the scientific program with expertise spanning preventive cardiology, cardiometabolic disease, and cardiovascular disparities. He oversees speaker selection, abstract review, and session design to ensure a rigorous, high-impact scientific program.

Ahmed Thabet
Ahmed Thabet
MD
Scientific Committee

Orthopedic surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) specializing in fracture care and trauma surgery. His clinical and research expertise adds a surgical perspective to the convention's breadth of clinical topics and abstract review process.

Jamla Rizek
Jamla Rizek
DNP, MBA, RN, FAAN, FAEN
Scientific Committee

Faculty at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized leader in emergency and disaster nursing. A Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the American Academy of Emergency Nursing, her expertise in global health emergencies and Arab American communities informs the convention's interdisciplinary approach.

Sarah Hamad
Sarah Hamad
PharmD
Scientific Committee

Pharmacist and healthcare professional contributing her expertise in clinical pharmacy and medication management to the scientific committee's review and program development efforts.

Bader Abdeen
Bader Abdeen
DDS
Dental Track Lead

Houston-based periodontist and organizer of the convention's Dental Track — a dedicated concurrent program bringing oral health into the Arab American health conversation. Dr. Abdeen's leadership expands the convention's scope beyond medicine to encompass comprehensive community health.

Nora Abdullah
Nora Abdullah
MD
Scientific Committee

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Yale University and an active member of the NAAMA North Texas chapter. Her expertise in pediatric mental health and her engagement with the next generation of Arab American clinicians enriches both the scientific program and NAAMA's future leadership pipeline.

Convention Partners

Organizations and professionals whose expertise helps bring the NAAMA 48th National Convention to life.

Event Production Partner

Events by Rula

Events by Rula serves as the official event planning and production partner for the NAAMA 48th National Medical Convention. With broad experience coordinating galas, conferences, and large-scale entertainment across the United States, they bring professional logistics, vendor coordination, and meticulous on-site management — ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for every attendee.

Contact
Rula S. Khoury
832.878.5211 Rulask3@gmail.com