The University of Nebraska Medical Center is one of the organizers of an international conference on “COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: Lessons Learned in Research, Policy, Public Health and Clinical Practices,” which will be held on May 30-31, in Gaziantep, Turkey. Registration now is open for the event.
An impressive lineup of local and international scholars and practitioners will speak on topics related to COVID-19 in the MENA region. Other conference organizers are Global Health Research, Management and Solutions, Michigan; the American University of Beirut, Lebanon; and Gaziantep University, Turkey.
The conference will offer a vibrant scientific program that addresses the impact of COVID-19 on health and well-being globally and in the MENA region; regional and global equity gaps; preparedness for future pandemics and global health challenges; implications for research, policy, teaching and training; and opportunities for regional and international collaborations.
Among the UNMC participants will be:
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Jeffrey P. Gold, MD: Conference opening/welcome remarks
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Jane Meza, PhD: Conference co-chair
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Ali Khan, MD, MPH: Keynote speaker
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Chris Kratochvil, MD: Keynote speaker
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Pamela Boyers, PhD: Featured speaker
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Wael ElRayes, MD, PhD: Panelist and moderator
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Sharon Medcalf, PhD: Panelist and workshop leader
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Ted Cieslak, MD: Panelist and workshop leader
In addition, the conference will provide a platform to connect health professionals and researchers from more than 110 participating organizations from 25 countries. There will be ample opportunities to exchange experiences and information, build research collaborations and share best practices related to COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, the social determinants of health and much more.
Speakers and panelists will focus on the following topics as they relate to the pandemic:
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Policies and governmental interventions
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Public health systems
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Health equity and disparities of care
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Mental health
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Innovation and technology
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Challenges to and opportunities for health research in the MENA region
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Communicable and non-communicable diseases
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Global warming and infectious diseases
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Global health security collaboration
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Refugees and migrants
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The educational system
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Community health and integrated care
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Emergency preparedness planning and risk management
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Capacity building for non-governmental organizations
The conference will serve as a powerful platform to share best practices and strategic solutions to improve health on a global scale and build lasting collaborative relationships in public health, research, and patient and community care.
The two-day agenda, the full lineup of speakers and more are available at the conference website. Early registration is open from Feb. 25 to April 1, with special pricing for students and an option to add continuing medical education and continuing education unit credits.
Sponsors
The “COVID-19 in the MENA Region: Lessons Learned” Conference’s sponsoring partners include: UNMC, Gaziantep University, Michigan State University Institute of Global Health, ACCESS, Gaziantep Governate, ANERA (American Near East for Refugee Aid), Pure Hands, Henry Ford Health System, United Palestinian Appeal, Gaziantep City Hall, Muslim Mental Health, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Michigan Health and Hospital Association and National Arab American Medical Association.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.