Grand Rounds Speaker Series

Ali Mokdad, PhD

Ali H. Mokdad, PhD, is Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and Chief Strategy Officer for Population Health at the University of Washington. Prior to IHME, Dr. Mokdad worked at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has published groundbreaking research on local-level disease trends and leading risk factors for poor health. His work on obesity is among the most highly cited in the field.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the burden of disease in the US and its forecast for 2050.

2. Discuss the drivers of health disparities.

3. Discuss some strategies to improve health in the US.

View Dr. Mokdad's presentation slides (PDF).

H.E. Treefa Aziz

Treefa Aziz is the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States of America, serving as a vital link between the two nations. Taking office in July 2023, she holds the distinction of being the first Kurdish American to assume this esteemed role.

With a rich background in advocacy and diplomacy, Ms. Aziz recently served as a senior advisor to the KRG Prime Minister, H.E. Masrour Barzani, in Erbil. Aziz has over 25 years of experience in various positions in the public and private sectors in the United States. She also represented the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Washington, D.C., during the 1990s.

Objectives:

1. To provide attendees with a foundational understanding of Iraqi Kurdistan’s history, particularly emphasizing transformations and key events post the Saddam era.
2. To shed light on the challenges faced by displaced individuals and highlight the unique struggles of the Yazidi and Christian minorities in the region.
3. To explore the current healthcare infrastructure and needs in the Kurdistan Region, identifying gaps and potential areas for intervention and improvement.