
Dr. Anastasios Hantzakos, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Otolaryngology (ENT) Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. He is also Program Director of the Otolaryngology Residency.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Hantzakos was a Consultant at the Hellenic National Health System, followed by a fellowship in Phonosurgery and Laryngeal Laser Surgery. He also served as Consultant and Director of the Voice Clinic at NUKA and as a Clinical Associate Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, US.
Dr. Hantzakos received his medical degree from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (NUKA) in 1991. He completed his basic surgical training at Emory University, Atlanta, US and received his specialist certification in Otorhinolaryngology from NUKA at Hippocration General Hospital of Athens. Subsequently, he received additional training as a Senior Registrar in the UK, with special interest in Rhinology and Otology. He went on to receive a PhD from the NUKA in 2003, as well as a master’s degree in Health Administration (MHA) from the Hellenic Open University in 2015.
Dr. Hantzakos has been featured in numerous papers in international journals and textbooks. He is an active member of member of various study groups within the European Laryngological Society (ELS) and an examiner and fellow of the European Board Examinations in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery since 2010. He is also a member of the International Association of Phenosurgeons, the Voice Foundation and European Society for Swallowing Disorders.
Dr. Hantzakos enjoys spending his free time with his family. He is an avid long distance runner and triathlete and enjoys playing the guitar and drums.

Dr. Cesare Piazza is Full Professor and Chief of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Brescia, School of Medicine, since 2020. He received his MD degree at the University of Pavia, Italy in 1996 and completed his Residency Program in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in Brescia in 2001. He became Assistant Professor in 2007 and Associate Professor – Chief of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maxillofacial, and Thyroid Surgery of the National Cancer Institute, University of Milan, Italy in 2017.
His clinical and research activities are focused on head and neck oncology, with special emphasis to laryngo-hypopharyngeal, tracheal, oral, thyroid, parotid, sarcoma, laser, and reconstructive microsurgery.

Dr. Jessica Schwarts is a Venezuelan-born ENT surgeon specializing in Sleep Medicine and Sleep Surgery, with extensive expertise in the surgical management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
She completed her Otolaryngology residency in Caracas, Venezuela, followed by subspecialty training in Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico, and earned a Diploma in Sleep Medicine from Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
Dr. Schwarts serves as Director of the Sleep Laboratory at American Hospital Dubai – Science Park and was the first female surgeon in the Middle East to perform hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea. She is also a peer reviewer for leading international medical journals and a Founding Board Member of the Ibero-American Sleep Surgery Society (SIBECS).
An active member of the International Sleep Surgery Society (ISSS), Dr. Schwarts contributes to the advancement of sleep surgery through her involvement in the Program Committee and as an Adjunct Professor in the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. John Victor P. is an accomplished ENT Consultant with over 21 years of post-specialization experience in advanced rhinology, skull base surgery, otology, laryngology and sialendoscopy. He currently serves at NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, and holds qualifications including MRCS (London), FACS (USA), EBEORL & HNS, and DOHNS. A recipient of three Gold Medals, he is recognized for clinical excellence and international training.

Dr. Hussain Alsaffar is a distinguished Otolaryngologist and Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in oncology and complex microvascular reconstruction. After earning his medical degree from King Faisal University, he completed his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Western University, London, Ontario, followed by a two-year fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at the University of Toronto.
He previously served as Program Director for the Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program and Fellowship Director for Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at the University of Ottawa, where he also chaired the weekly Head and Neck Mucosal Oncology Tumor Board.
In 2023, Dr. Alsaffar returned to Saudi Arabia to join King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh. Renowned for his commitment to excellence in patient care and education, he continues to advance innovation in surgical oncology and reconstruction.
Dr. Alsaffar brings his wealth of expertise and engaging leadership to guide meaningful clinical discussions and knowledge exchange.

Dr. Khoula Basahel is an Associate Staff Physician in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She is an Arab Board- and NIHS-certified Otolaryngologist and a faculty member of the Otolaryngology Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where she contributes to the education and training of future otolaryngologists.

Dr. Kurt Schlemmer, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Otolaryngology (ENT) Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Schlemmer worked as a Consultant ENT Head and Neck Surgeon at Harley Street Medical Centre and Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi.
Prior to this he worked as a Consultant ENT Head and Neck Surgeon at Hillcrest Private Hospital, Durban, South Africa, and was the Director of the Durban Cochlear Implant Program.
Dr. Schlemmer received his medical degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He completed a masters degree (MMED ENT) at the University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban and a fellowship in Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa FCORL (SA) with distinction.
Dr. Schlemmer has had further training in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery in Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, the UK and many others.
Dr. Schlemmer has delivered more than 40 academic presentations and has published numerous articles in peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Laryngology and Otology and the Journal of International Advanced Otology. He is a recognised reviewer for the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology and serves on the international editorial board of Cochlear Implants International.
Dr. Schlemmer resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two children and enjoys camping in the desert and cycling in his spare time.

Dr. Lubna Alhourani, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine within Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Hospital Care Institute.
Before joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alhourani served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, USA. She earned her medical degree from the University of Jordan School of Medicine in Amman, Jordan, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Sleep Medicine, at the University of Florida.
Throughout her career, Dr. Alhourani has developed extensive expertise in sleep medicine, with a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders and their impact on overall health and quality of life. She remains actively engaged in advancing patient care through evidence
based clinical practice and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Alhourani currently resides in Abu Dhabi with her husband and four children. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Maryam Ali AlQaydi is a Consultant Otolaryngologist–Head & Neck Surgeon and Laryngologist at Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, Fujairah, UAE, where she serves as Head of the ENT Department and previously led Medical Education. She is a former ENT Residency Program Director at Tawam Hospital and serves on national NIHS accreditation and specialty committees and the ACGME International Review Committee for Surgical Specialties.
She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at UAE University and Ajman University, actively teaching medical students, interns, and residents. Her clinical and academic interests include laryngology, voice and airway disorders, medical education, accreditation, leadership, and surgical training.

Prof. Mohamad EL Bitar is a Consultant ENT Surgeon and Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE. He is a clinical professor with MBRU, Dubai, and the Director of Research & Audit at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. Prof. Bitar did his training at both the American University of Beirut and the George Washington University and its Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of several international specialty societies, including ASPO, AAP and SENTAC. Prof. Bitar established the Section of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the American University of Beirut, which he leaded between 2002 and 2015. He then joined the staff of the Department of ENT Surgery at the Children Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia (2013 & 2014). Prof. Bitar has been involved in teaching and researching pediatric otolaryngology. He has published many articles pertinent to his field. He has also participated in several national, regional, and international meetings and workshops.

Dr. Mondy Hammad is a Consultant ENT surgeon who is well-known both nationally and internationally as an experienced ear and cochlear implant surgeon. He is German Board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery. He helped in founding the cochlear implant program in Cairo University, Egypt in 1998. He then founded the first governmental cochlear implant program in UAE in Mafraq hospital in 2008. He was involved in doing almost 1000 implants in Germany, Egypt, and UAE.

Dr. Muaaz Tarabichi is recognized around the world as the father of endoscopic ear surgery. He is a world-renowned Ear and Sinus Surgeon, and the Co-Founder of Tarabichi Stammberger Ear and Sinus Institute (TSESI) in Dubai, UAE. Under his leadership and guidance, the Institute holds a group of ENT surgeons and healthcare research personnels whose sole mission is to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medical interventions in Ear, Nose and Throat surgeries in the middle east region.
For the last 30 years, as a pioneer in Endoscopic Ear and Sinus Surgery and American Board-certified ENT Surgeon, Dr. Tarabichi has spearheaded and established groundbreaking and revolutionary medical techniques in the field, including the Tarabichi Stitch for Endoscopic Ear Surgery, as well as the Eustachian Tuboplasty Technique known as Endoscopic Transtympanic Eustachian Tube Dilatation.

Dr. Shailesh Khode is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Snoring-Sleep Surgeon,at Tarabichi Stammberger Ear and Sinus Institute, Dubai, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. With over 20 years of experience in otolaryngology and more than a decade dedicated to sleep apnea surgery, he has developed a focused expertise in the multidisciplinary management of sleep-disordered breathing. He holds international qualifications including FACS, FEBORL-HNS, MRCS and DOHNS (UK), and has undertaken advanced fellowships in sleep surgery in Singapore and International Sleep Breathing Disorders fellowship in Rome, New York and Mexico. An active clinician, researcher and educator, Dr. Khode has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and contributed a chapter on barbed pharyngoplasty to the 3rd edition of Snoring and Sleep Apnea.

Dr. Tamer Sayed Ebaied is an Otologist and Neurotologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi, with extensive expertise in endoscopic ear surgery, otology, and neurotology.
He earned his MD in Medicine from Alexandria University, Egypt, where he also serves as a Lecturer in the Department of ENT. He completed a Fellowship at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), Italy, specializing in endoscopic ear surgery (EES) and lateral skull base interventions.
Dr. Ebaied is a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCS-ENT) and an active member of the International Working Group on Endoscopic Ear Surgery (IWGEES). He is also a Founding Member of the Pan Arab Endoscopic Ear Surgery Society (PAEES).
With his academic and clinical contributions, Dr. Ebaied continues to advance minimally invasive techniques in otology and neurotology while actively training the next generation of ENT specialists.

Dr. Redwan Kalash is a Specialist in Otolaryngology and Laryngology with an MD and Master’s degree from Damascus University. He is a former teaching staff member at Damascus University and Kalamoon University, with extensive academic and clinical experience in the field of ENT and laryngology.
Dr. Kalash has also served as a Visiting Laryngologist at several hospitals in the UAE and Syria. His experience combines clinical expertise with a strong background in medical education and academic practice.
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Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for Continuing Education In accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence issued by Accreditation Council for continuing Medical Education (ACCME), has mitigated all faculty conflicts of interest to ensure CME activities are free of commercial bias.
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