Medical Doctor, NCD/Onco Medical Coordinator, Butaro Hospital, Burera, Rwanda

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: egidem1@gmail.com

Dr. Egide Mpanumusingo is Coordinator of the Oncology Department and works in the NCD clinic of Butaro Hospital in Burera, Rwanda. He treats those patients with chronic conditions, which are sometimes incurable. He works with them not only as his clients, but also as his best friends, caring for them and demonstrating empathy. Dr. Mpanumusingo is eager to expand the provision of palliative care in his setting.

Other Appointments:

• Head of Internal Medicine, Butaro Hospital
• Mentor to nurses in health centers

Key Accomplishments:

• Since March 2012, the implementation of a Palliative Care unit at Butaro Hospital, and implementation of continuous education and supervision of palliative care health care providers.

Education / Honors:

• Medical Degree, Universite de Ngozi, Burundi, 2000-2007
• Training, Palliative Care and Pain Management, Palliative Care Association of Rwanda with support of DFID and Help the Hospices, February 2012
• Other trainings including cancer care, HIV/AIDS management, and Tuberculosis

Palliative Care Manager, Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT), Arusha, Tanzania

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: mmbandozebs@yahoo.com

Dr. Paul Mmbando manages the Palliative Care Program at the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT) in Arusha, Tanzania, which provides health services to 15% of the Tanzanian population (approx. 40m people), through a network of 24 hospitals and 146 lower health facilities. He provides capacity building/training for clinicians and professionals who provide Palliative Care provision within ELCT and Tanzania at large.

Other Appointments:

• Deputy Chairperson, Board of Directors, Tanzania Palliative Care Association

Key Accomplishments:

• Developed Palliative Care teams for 17 ELCT hospitals which are currently involved in the provision of Palliative Care in rural Tanzania.
• In 2011, led an advocacy campaign at a national level which enabled 16 ELCT hospitals to acquire their first permits from the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) to procure and use morphine in the treatment of severe pain.
• Involvement in a national committee for the development of Palliative Care, which has drafted a curriculum in Palliative Care that is now being considered by the Ministry of Health for official adaptation and accreditation.
• Authored several publications which have been published by internationally-recognized Palliative Care and HIV/AIDS journals.
• Successfully headed a United States Government (USG) funded program which provided clinical support to more than 14,000 people living with HIV and more than 13,000 orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.

Education / Honors:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010
  Postgraduate diploma Reproductive Health (PGDRH), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 2007
• Medical Degree, MB ChB, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda, 2002

Key Publications:

• Achieving a morphine breakthrough. Mmbando, P. APCA Newsletter, 2011; Issue 1.
• Scaling up a Community-Based Palliative Care Program Among Faith-Based Hospitals in Tanzania. Hartwig, K.N., Hartwig, K., DiSorbo, P., Hofgren, B., Motz-Storey, L., Mmbando, P., Msurri, M., Mwangi-Powell F., Powell, R., Smith, S., Jacobson, M. Journal of Palliative Care. 2010; 26 (3): 194-201.
• Scaling up Palliative Care Services in Rural Tanzania. Nanney, E., Smith, S., Hartwig, K., Mmbando, P. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2010; 40 (1): 15-18.
• Care for the Most Vulnerable Children in Tanzania: A Faith-Based Model of Care and Support for Children Affected by HIV. Mmbando, P., Hartwig, K., Hofgren, B., DiSorbo, P., Smith, S., Hartwig, K.N. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2009 November; 20 (4): 13-21.

Key Presentations:

• Hartwig, K., Mmbando, P., Powell, R., Nanney, E., Frimpong, N. Measuring the Quality of Palliative Care Services using an APCA Palliative Care Outcome Scale, Poster Presentation, APCA conference, Windhoek, Namibia, September 15-17, 2010
• Hartwig, K., Mmbando, P., Powell, R., Nanney, E., Frimpong, N. Provision of Palliative Care Services to Cancer Patients Without Access to Oral Morphine in Rural Tanzania, Poster Presentation, APCA conference, Windhoek, Namibia, September 15-17, 2010

Resources:

• Evangelical Lutheran Church health department: http://health.elct.org/
• Tanzania Palliative care Association (TPCA): www.tpca.or.tz
• A life changing hospice visit

Physician, Emergency Department, Ceglie Messapica

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: mariaritapepemilizia@libero.it
Skype: mariaritapm

Dr. Mariarita Pepe Milizia completed her medical study in 2002 at Rome’s “La Sapienza” University. She received a Master’s Degree in Radiation Therapy in 2006.

Dr. Milizia worked as a Radiation Therapist in Naples from 2006 to 2007. She then went on to be a medical doctor at the National Cancer Association Foundation (ANT), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free palliative care for cancer patients in their homes. Dr. Milizia works in the Emergency Department at Ceglie Messapica (Br) in southern Italy. She is very interested in expanding her expertise for the improvement of palliative care in her country.

Education / Honors

• Suitable Working Certificate in Emergency, 2011
• Completion of training course for directors and managers of palliative care centers, Floriani Foundation, Labos Foundation, Foundation for the South, Palermo, Italy, 2009
• Completion of training course in assistance at home, Foundation ANT Italia-Onlus, Delegazione di Taranto, Italy, 2008
• Master’s Degree, Radiation Therapy, La Sapienza University Medical School, Rome, Italy, 2006
• Medical Degree, La Sapienza University Medical School, Rome, Italy, 2002
• Hematology training, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy, 2000-2002

Key Abstracts

• The Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Thymoma. Pepe Milizia M., Lisi R., Rollo A., Pagliaro E., Raffetto N., Banelli E Tumori XVI Congresso AIRO, Volume 5, No. 3, page S145, 2006.
• Acute Side Effects in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients Treated with Short Course Radiotheraphy and a New Technique of TEM Surgery. Ciriello F., Santuari L., Bressi C., Pepe Milizia M., Papaleo A., Caiazzo R., Vitturini A., Raffetto N., Banelli E. Tumori, XVI Congresso AIRO; Volume 5, No. 3, page S114, 2006.
• Neo-Adyuvant Hormonal Therapy and Exclusive Conformal Radiotherapy in the Management of T1-T3 Prostate Cancer.
• Soldà D., Caiazzo R., Lisi R., Pepe Milizia M., Vitturini A., Banelli E. Tumori, XV Congresso AIRO, Volume 4, No. 5, page S145, 2005.
• Anemia and Fatigue-Related in Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotheraphy and/or Radiochemotherapy. De Sanctis V., Papaleo A., Musio D., Pepe Milizia M., Santuari L., Banelli E., Vitturini A., Maurizi Enrici R. Tumori, XIV Congresso Airo, page S74, 2004.

Physician, Palliative Care Unit, Cancer Prevention Center, Tbilisi, Georgia

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: giometive@yahoo.com
Skype: giometive

Dr. Metivishvili is a physician, providing palliative care in the Palliative Care unit of the National Cancer Center. Prior to this post, he worked as a surgeon oncologist at the National Cancer Center. He teaches palliative care issues at Tbilisi State Medical University. Dr. Metivishvili is a member of the European Society for Medical Oncology.

Education / Honors:

• ESMO Palliative Care Fellowship, Rambam Medical Center, Department of Oncology, Haifa, Israel, 2011
  Family Medicine Residency, Tbilisi Family Medicine Clinical and Training Center, 2011
• Open Society Foundation Seminar in Palliative Care for Cancer Patients, Salzburg Open Medical Institute, September 26-October 2, 2010
• Oncology Residency, Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), 2004-2008
• Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of General Medicine, Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), 1996-2002

Key Publications:

• G. Abesadze, I. Abesadze, M. Savdia, R. Gvamichava, G. Metivishvili, N. Shavdia. (September 20-24, 2009). Cancer patients and distribution of information regarding the diagnoses. ECCO ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress, Berlin.
• R. Gvamichava, I. Abesadze, M. Savdia, G. Metivishvili. (2007). The First Experience of Palliative Care for Cancer Patients in Georgia. European Journal of Palliative Care, p 112.
• R. Gvamichava, I. Abesadze, M. Savdia, G. Metivishvili, T. Aroshidze. (September 28 – October 1, 2006). Our Experience of Special Palliative Care of Onco-Incurable Patients. IV Meeting of Oncologists and Radiologists of IRU, Baku.
• M. Shavdia, R. Gvamichava, I. Abesadze , T. Aroshidze, G. Metivishvili, G. Khachaxidze, N. Shavdia. (2006). Symptom Prevalence in Patients with Advanced Cancer. Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 27, 60-64.
• I. Abesadze , M. Shavdia T. Aroshidze, G. Metivishvili, (June 2-4, 2005). Gastrointestinal tract symptom control by palliative care of cancer patients. VIII International Eurasian Congress of Surgeons and Gastroenterologists, Tbilisi.

Physician, Specialist, Gharbiah Cancer Society, Tanta, Egypt

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: mhablas1982@hotmail.com
Skype: ma.hablas

Dr. Hablas is a Specialist of Clinical Oncology at the Gharbia Cancer Society in Tanta, Egypt. Previously, Dr. Hablas was a Specialist of Medical Oncology at Tanta Cancer Center and Tanta University in Tanta, Egypt. Dr. Hablas is interested in further expanding the Palliative Care Unit at Gharbia Cancer Society to serve Egypt’s Nile River Delta.

Key Accomplishments:

• In 2011, Dr. Hablas was part of a team that established a Palliative Care Unit at Gharbia Cancer Society, the first Palliative Care unit in Egypt.

Education / Honors:

• International Visiting Scholar, Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice, 2010
• Master’s Degree, Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Tanta University Medical School, Tanta, Egypt, 2010
• Resident of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Tanta University Medical School, Tanta, Egypt, 2007 – 2010
• Medical Degree, Tanta University Medical School, Tanta, Egypt, 2005
• Oncology training, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy, 2003
• Surgery training, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary, 2002

Key Presentations:

• Palliative Care in Tanta: Challenges and Opportunities, Cancer Prevention Conference, University of Nicosia, Nicosa, Cyprus, July 18 – 22, 2011.

Physician, Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: sylvia.lazaridou@bococ.org.cy

Dr. Lazaridou is Chief of Inpatient Care at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre. She has taught junior internal medicine residents and 5th and 6th year medical students at the University of Crete Medical School. She is interested in integrating Palliative Care into the care of her patients as early as possible in their journeys through their illness. She strongly believes that further training in palliative care is essential to mentoring junior doctors and nurses, as well as other staff members. Her goal is to organize the first palliative care multidisciplinary team at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center and serve the growing population of elderly in Cyprus, as well as relieve suffering from other chronic illness.

Key Accomplishments

• Member, Hellenic Association of Atherosclerosis
• Member, Hellenic Association of Heraklion, Crete Island
• Member, Association of Cyprus Doctors
• Member, Cyprus Association of Internists

Education / Honors

• International Visiting Scholar, San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine, 2011
• Certified as Advanced Life Support Provider, European Resuscitation Council, 2011
• Certificate in Essential Palliative Care Medicine, Princess Alice Hospice, United Kingdom, 2008
• Postgraduate Residency Training, Internal Medicine, University of Crete Medical School, Greece, 2005
• Internship, awarded the title of Medical Practitioner ( GP), University of Khartoum Medical Teaching Hospital, Sudan, 1995
• Medical Degree, Moscow Medical Academy, Moscow, Russia, 1992

Key Publications

• Mazokopakis E, Lazaridou S, Tzardi M, Mixaki J, Diamantis I, Ganotakis E., ‘Acute cholestatic hepatitis caused by Teucrium Polium L., Phytomedicine. 2004 Jan;11(1): 83-4, PMID: 14971726[PubMed-Indexed for MEDLINE]
• Μαζοκοπάκης Η, Λαζαρίδου Σ, Τζαρδή Μ, Μιξάκη Ι, Διαμαντής Ι, Γανωτάκης Ε.
  ‘Χολοστατική ηπατίτιδα από Teucrium Polium L Περιγραφή μιας ενδιαφέρουσας
  περίπτωσης’ στην Ιατρική Επιθεώρηση Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων.(Υπό Δημοσίευση)
• Diamantis P Kofterides, Eva Papadimitraki, Silvia Lazaridou, E Ganotakis
  ‘Urinary Tract Infections in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus’
• Καζάκου Ειρήνη, Παπαδημητράκη Εύα, Μιξάκη Ιωάννα, Σαριδάκη Ζαχαρένια, Καφαράκης Παναγιώτης, Λαζαρίδου Σύλβια, Ρέππα Δέσποινα, Κοφτερίδης Διαμαντής. ‘Ανάλυση 91 περιπτώσεων με οξύ διαρροϊκό σύνδρομο’
  Abstract: Περιλήψεις εργασιών 8ου Πανελλήνιου Συνεδρίου Παθολογίας 1-5 Οκτωβρίου 2002 –Αθήνα
  Νοσοκομειακά Χρονικά, Συμπλήρωμα2002, Τόμος 64, Ειδική Εκδοση
• Prinianakis G, Alexopoulou C, Mamidakis E, Lazaridou S, Hatzakis G, Anastasaki M, Georgopoulos D. Department of ICU University Hospital Heraklion Crete. ‘Cuff leak test-effects of methods of leak measurement and respiratory system mechanics’
• Poster: Clinical Microbiology and Infection . 14th European Congress of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases Prague, Czech Republic 1-4 May 2004.
• Abstract: 8th State of the Art ‘Interdisciplinary Review Course on Thoracic,Critical Care & Emergency Medicine’ at Megaron May 7-9 , 2004, Athens
• Kondili E, Xirouchaki N , Lazaridou S , Gisis H, Daliani A, Fortsis S, Mavroidi V, Georgopoulos D. Department of ICU University Hospital Heraklion Crete.
• ‘Effect assisted modes of mechanical ventilation on hemodynamic parameters and pulmonary gas exchange in patients with acute lung injury due to sepsis. Proportional assist vs pressure support ventilation.’
• Abstract: 8th State of the Art ‘Interdisciplinary Review Course on Thoracic, Critical Care & Emergency Medicine’ at Megaron May 7-9 , 2004, Athens
• Abstract : 17th Annual Congress, Berlin, Germany 10-13 October 2004 by European Society of Intensive Care
• D. Kofteridis, S.Lazaridou, G.Roditakis, D.Alegakis, V.Lathourakis, G.Samonis
  ‘Rhodotorula rubra fungaemia in an immunocompetent patient successfully treated with fluconazole’ R2209 in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Volume 10, Supplement 3, 2004
• Διαμαντής Κοφτερίδης, Ειρήνη Καζάκου, Δημήτριος Αλεγκάκης, Εμμανουήλ Σαλούστρος, Γεωργία Μηλάκη, Γεώργιος Ροδιτάκης, Σύλβια Λαζαρίδου ‘Ανάλυση 116 Περιπτώσεων με οξύ Διαρροϊκό Σύνδρομο’
  Abstract : Περιλήψεις Εργασιών 10ου Πανελλήνιου Συνέδριου Παθολογίας 4-9 Οκτωβρίου 2004, Αθήνα
• Βρέντζος Γεώργιος, Παπαδάκης Ιωάννης, Μαλλιαράκη Νίκη, Ζάχαρης Ευάγγελος, Ποτολίδης Ευάγγελος, Λαζαρίδου Σύλβια, Γανωτάκης Εμμανουήλ
  ‘Επίδραση της Μεσογειακού Τύπου Διαίτης στα Επίπεδα της Ομοκυστείνης σε Ασθενείς Με Ισχαιμική Καρδιακή Νόσο’
  Abstract : Περιλήψεις Εργασιών Πανελλήνιου Συνέδριου της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Αθηροσκλήρωσης 2-4 Δεκεμβρίου 2004, Αθήνα
• John A Papadakis, George Vrentzos, Irene Kazakou, Sylvia Lazaridou, Argino Repa, Emmanouel S Ganotakis. Dept of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion Creece, ‘Lipid Profile of Patients with isolated systolic hypertension.’ American Journal of Hypertension’ ABSTRACT ISSUE: American Society of Hypertension , Twentieth Annual Meeting May 14-18 2005 . Volume 18 Number 5, part 2 of 2.
• J.A.Papadakis, G. Vrentzos, I. Kazakou, E.E.Mazokopakis, S. Lazaridou, E.S.Ganotakis, University Hospital Of Heraklion Greece. ‘Metabolic Parameters in Isolated Systolic Hypertension’. European Society of Hypertension: Fifteenth European Meeting on Hypertension 2005 – Abstract Book.
• Diamantis P.Kofteridis, Z.Saridaki, I.Kazakou, S. Lazaridou, D. Alegakis, G.Milaki, A.Gikas Dept of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion Creece
• Letter to the Editor: ‘Idiopathic CD44 T lymphocytopenia disclosed by recurrent cryptococcal meningitis. First case report from Greece’ International Journal of Infectious Diseases(2005)
• D.Kofteridis, S.Lazaridou, S.Panagiotakis, A.Repa, K.Vrontakis, G.Milaki, E.kontopodis, G.Samonis. Gemella Morbillorum Endocarditis. 11th Conference of the European society of General Practice/Family Medicine.
• Spanakis I, S.Lazaridou , Mazokopakis I, Liopirakis A, Diamantis I, Vrentzos G.
• Eosinophillic Gastrenteritis. PanCretean Medical Conference.

Resources

• Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center

Geriatrician, OncoSalud, Lima, Peru

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

Email: lhidalgor@oncosalud.pe
Twitter: @paliativosperu

Lilian Hidalgo, MD is a Geriatrician at OncoSalud in Lima, Peru. She provides technical assistance on palliative care to healthcare professionals throughout Peru. She is committed to establishing Palliative Care units in Peru’s major hospitals, and is particularly interested in increasing the understanding of palliative care among healthcare professionals in Peru.

Other Appointments:

• Coordinator of Geriatric Course, School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
• Chair, Scientific Committee in Spanish, International Palliative Care Network
• Invited Professor, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
• Invited Professor, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru

Key Accomplishments:

• Founding Partner and Past President of the Peruvian Naval Medical Corps, the first medical corps in a military institution in Peru
• Vice President, Peruvian Society of Palliative Care
• Head, Palliative Medicine Chapter of the Peruvian Society of Geriatricians

Education / Honors:

• International Visiting Scholar, Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice, 2010
• Post-graduate training, Palliative Care, Gabinete de Asesoramiento y Formación Sanitaria (GAFOS), Canary Islands, Spain, 2006
• Post-graduate training, Palliative Care, Pain and Palliative Care Unit, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Peru, 2006
• Fellowship, Geriatrics, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru, 1996
• Medical Degree, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos Medical School, Lima, Peru, 1991

Key Publications:

• Hidalgo, L., Fernandez, J., Lisigurski, M., Runzer, F., Ruiz, P. 2010, “Perception of Palliative Care in Patient´s Relatives in a Military Hospital in Lima, Peru”, International Palliative Care Network Poster Exhibition.

Key Abstracts:

• Hidalgo, L., Gomezese, O., Duarte, E., Borges, M. 2012, “International Programs at San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine: A Personal and Professional Experience,” VI Congress of the Latin American Association of Palliative Care, Curitiba, Brazil.
• Hidalgo, L. 2006, “Portrait of the terminally-ill elderly patient”, XIV National Congress and XXVIII International Course of Internal Medicine, Lima, Peru.
• Hidalgo, L., Fernandez, J., Parodi, J., Godoy, V. 2010, “Medical opinion regarding terminally ill patients. Naval Medical Center “CMST”, V Congress of the Latin-American Association of Palliative Care, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Fernandez, J., Hidalgo, L., Parodi, J., Lisigurski, M. 2008, “Pilot study on the opinion of the care given to the terminally-ill elderly patients at the Geriatric Center of the Naval Medical Center “CMST”, IV Congress of the Latin-American Association of Palliative Care; Congress of the Peruvian Society of Palliative Care, Lima, Peru.
• Hidalgo, L., 1996, “Cerebrovascular disorder of the elderly patient”, First Intercontinental Congress of Gerontologists and Geriatrics of Latin language – Fourth Peruvian Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics – Third Gerontologic Journey of South Pacific, Lima, Peru.

Key Presentations:

• Palliative Care in the Elderly Patient- International Palliative Care Network Lecture Series 2011
• Dignity Therapy for International Palliative Care Network- Spanish Conferences, 2012

Resources:

• Palliative Care Network Community
• www.paliativosperu.org

Specialist Primary Care, Family Medicine and Public Health, Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana

International Palliative Medicine Fellow

E-mail: mawuli_gyakobo@yahoo.com, mgyakobo@hotmail.com
Skype: yaw_mensah
Internet: www.dhrc-ghs.org

Dr. Gyakobo works with the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (DHDSS), one of the three HDSS sites of the Ghana Health Service. The Centre is a member of the INDEPTH network. He evaluates verbal post mortem (VPM) forms and assigns causes of death. He is a member of the institutional ethics review committee and the various arms of INDEPTH EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY STUDIES (INESS) in the centre. Dr. Gyakobo is leading the institutionalization of palliative care into the existing health care system as well as the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons as a sub-specialty in family medicine.

Other Appointments:

• Family Physician, Dangme West District Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Dodowa, Greater Accra Region
• Family Physician, Ridge Regional Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Accra
• Trainer, The West African College of Physicians, Faculty of Family Medicine
• Trainer, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Faculty of Family Medicine

Key Accomplishments:

• Convener and speaker, pre-conference workshop on palliative care in the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, December 2011. About eighty physicians, surgeons and nurses educated on key topics in palliative care.
• Lead author on a proposal to develop palliative care in Ghana, including integrating palliative care into the existing health system in the country and institutionalize palliative care in the curriculum of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Faculty of Family Medicine. This proposal has been adopted by the College and Faculty.
• Secured funding for the training of the first cohort of palliative care physicians.
• Initiated the platform for dialogue on palliative care by key stakeholders including Ghana Food and Drugs Board, National Health Insurance Authority, Ministry of Health, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, The Ministry of Defense, the pharmaceutical companies, and development partners.
• Facilitating the integration of palliative care into the National Catholic Health Services

Education / Honors:

• Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Global Health, University of Michigan, 2011
• Fellow, West African College of Physicians, Family Medicin (FWACP), 2009
• PhD in Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, 2009
• MSc in Health Services Planning and Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 2001
• MB, ChB, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 1996
• BSc in Human Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 1992

Key Publications:

• Kruk ME, JC. Johnson, M Gyakobo, P. Agyei-Baffour, K. Asabir, S. Rani Kotha, J. Kwansah, E. Nakua, RC. Snow, M. Dzodzomenyo. “Preferences for rural practice incentives among medical students in Ghana: a discrete choice experiment” Bull World Health Organ 2010; 88: 333-341
• Agyei-Baffour P, S. Rani Kotha, JC. Johnson, M Gyakobo, K. Asabir, J. Kwansah, E. Nakua, M. Dzodzomenyo, RC. Snow, ME Kruk. “Willingness to work in rural areas and the role of intrinsic versus extrinsic professional motivations – a survey of medical students in Ghana”. BMC Medical Education 2011, 11:56 doi:10.1186/1472-6920-11-56
• Johnson JC, E. Nakua, M. Dzodzomenyo, P. Agyei-Baffour, M. Gyakobo, K. Asabir, J. Kwansah, S. Rani Kotha, RC Snow, ME Kruk. “For money or service? A cross-sectional survey of preference for financial versus non-financial rural practice characteristics among Ghanaian medical students”. BMC Health Services Research 2011, 11:300 doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-300

Key Presentations:

• Gyakobo Mawuli (2011), “Overview of Palliative Care Drugs”. Faculty of Family Medicine Preconference Workshop, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Annual General and Scientific Meeting 2011, Accra, Ghana
• Gyakobo Mawuli (2011), “Withholding/Withdrawing Treatment”. Faculty of Family Medicine Preconference Workshop, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Annual General and Scientific Meeting 2011, Accra, Ghana
• Gyakobo Mawuli (2011), “Palliative Care Model for Ghana”, Faculty of Family Medicine Preconference Workshop, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Annual General and Scientific Meeting 2011, Accra, Ghana
• TEDxUofM: “The Voice of the Dying: The Untold Story”; April 8th, 2011 (“Reflections on the TEDxUofM Conference”, The Michigan Daily, Monday April 25, 2011)
• Public Health Students of African Descent (PHSAD): University of Michigan; 2010
• Gyakobo K. M., Gemegah A., Enyimayew N., Kunfaa E., Adei S. (2009). “Caesarean Section and Health Insurance in the Kwahu Districts of Ghana”. Book of Abstracts: 3rd Annual Scientific Conference, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. P. 50.
• Gyakobo K. M., Gemegah A., Enyimayew N., Kunfaa E., Adei S. (2009). “Rational drug prescribing and health insurance: a case study in the Kwahu Districts of Ghana”. Book of Abstracts: 3rd Annual Scientific Conference, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. .P 52.
• Gyakobo K. M., Gemegah A., Enyimayew N., Kunfaa E., Adei S. (2009). “Financial Viability of Health Insurance Schemes: Is Surplus and Deficit enough? A case study of the Okwawuman Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (OMHIS)”. Book of Abstracts: 3rd Annual Scientific Conference, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. P. 51.
• Gyakobo K. M., Amoah G. B. A., Martey-Marbell D (2009). “Anthropometric Proxies of Selected Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome in Rural Practice in Ghana”. 2nd WONCA Africa Regional Conference, Rustenburg, South Africa. P. 29.
• Gyakobo K. M., Amoah G. B. A., Martey-Marbell D (2009). “Determinants and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) among Type 2 Diabetics and a Healthy Population in Rural Ghana”. 2nd WONCA Africa Regional Conference, Rustenburg, South Africa. P. 31.
• Gyakobo MK., AGB. Amoah, D. Martey-Marbell, R. Snow. “Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a rural population in Ghana.” STEM conference, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. May 2010.

Resources:

• Dodowa Health Research Centre
• Ghana Medical Association
• West African College of Physicians
• Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
• African Studies Center, University of Michigan
• University of Michigan
• University of Michigan
• University of Michigan

Physician, The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF)

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: katergeo@gmail.com
Skype: katerina.georgiade

Dr. Katerina Georgiade graduated from the University of Thessaloniki Medical School in 2008. She has worked in different posts in the United Kingdom and Cyprus, including a post in palliative care at Marie Cure Hospice in Edinburgh. She recognizes the importance of introducing palliative care in the early management of patients, as well as giving patients the opportunity to live their life to the fullest, with dignity, and without distressing symptoms before their death. She believes in a holistic approach to patients and families, and wants to develop the skills to introduce this philosophy to other professionals in Cyprus, where palliative care is still in its early stages.

Education / Honors

• Palliative Care Principles in Practice training, San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine In-Country Training, 2011
• Advanced Life Support Course, 2010
• Foundation Year 2 Training Post, Queen Margaret Hospital, Fife, Edinburgh Dean, United Kingdom, 2009-2011
• Medical Degree, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2008

Resources

• PASYKAF

Director, Pain Clinic, Fundación Cardiovascular De Colombia

Professor, Universidad Industrial de Santander

Fellow, International Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, OhioHealth

E-mail: oma4@yahoo.com, omargomezese@gmail.com
Skype: omar.fernando.gomezese.ribero

Dr. Gomezese is the Director of the Pain Clinic at Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide the best quality care for patients in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Dr. Gomezese is interested in the development of pain and palliative care throughout the northeast of Colombia, particularly in patients with terminal cancer and cardiovascular diseases. He is also interested in educating medical professionals in palliative care and in the development of policies that address pain and palliative care.

Other Appointments

• Professor, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander
  Professor, Associated with Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá

Key Accomplishments

• Past Vice-President and Member, Colombian Association for Study of Pain
• Past Vice-President and Member, Colombian Association for Interventional Pain

Education / Honors

Key Publications

• Manejo de Angina Refractaria con Estimulación Eléctrica Espinal . Rev Colombiana de Cardiología. Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiología V15 pág 127 133. 2008
• Coeditor de la Revista Mediunab en su número especial de dolor. Mediunab Vol 4 No 10 2001
• Dolor: Una mirada Introductoria. Gomezese, Gonzalez, et al. Meidunab , Vol 4 No 10 , 2001
• Analgesia Controlada por el Paciente en cirugía Cardiotoraxica, Una experiencia de 3 anos de la Fundación Cardiovascular de el Oriente Colombiano. Mediunab, Vol 4, No 10 2001
• Estimulación eléctrica espinal para el manejo de la angina de pecho refractaria , Revisión de la literatura, Artículo de revisión. Gomezese, Aranda et al. Neurotarget. May junion 2008 vol 15 No 3 127-133
• Estimulación eléctrica de la Medual Espinal Como Terapia Intervencionista de Salvamento en la isquemia Critica de las extremidades inferiores: Una revisión. Gomezese, Castellanos et al. Neurotarget.. Vol 5 Mayo 2010
• Manejo Paliativo de las complicaciones orales de el Paciente con Cancer. Gomezese . Meza. Capítulo de el Libro Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo. Corporación para investigaciones Biológicas, v p249 255. 2006
• Coautor, Capítulo de Dolor. Libro: Anestesia Y Reanimación, de Aguilera.
• Radiofrecuencia para manejo de la neuroalgia de el trigemino. Revi Colombiana de Dolor. 2010
  Estimulación eléctrica espinal para manejo de la falla cardiaca, a propósito de un caso, Neurotarget. 2012. (Waiting for acceptance)

Key Presentations

• Side effects of chronic administration of opioids in cancer, Panama, 2012
• Managing invasive pain to prevent chronicity, Venezuelan Pain Congress, 2012
• Education in pain, Colombian Congress of Pain, 2005
• Manejo de la angina refractaria no revascularizable con estimulación eléctrica espinal, Congreso Colombiano de Cardiologia, 1999

Resources

• Fundacion Cardiovascular de Colombia
• Sociedad Colombiana de Anestesiología y Reanimación
• Asociación Colombiana para el Estudio del Dolor
• Asociación Latinoamericana de Cuidados Paliativos
• International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care
• International Neuromodulation Society
• The World Institute of Pain