Visiting Physicians Programme

As part of how care is delivered at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), specialist teams work closely together to support patients with serious and complex conditions.

The Visiting Physician programme builds on this approach by bringing world-class doctors from a range of medical specialties to work alongside SSMC teams, offering additional clinical expertise where it adds value to patient care.

Visiting physicians contribute within their specific field of practice and work in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across the hospital. Their involvement supports careful clinical decision-making and allows patients to benefit from international medical expertise within the SSMC care setting.

Whether you are a patient seeking a specialist opinion, or a clinician looking to support a patient through collaborative care, the programme helps connect patients with experienced specialists working alongside SSMC teams.

Doctor Consultation

How the programme works

Visiting physicians engage with SSMC through defined clinical activities that align with hospital policies and patient needs. The programme is designed to provide patients with broader access to international medical experts, supporting care for both acute and long-term conditions within a coordinated clinical framework.

Visiting physicians may be involved in:

  • Specialist consultations and clinical reviews
  • Participation in multidisciplinary case discussions
  • Knowledge-sharing with SSMC clinical teams
  • Joint clinical decision-making with treating physicians

Appointments with visiting physicians can be arranged through referral or by clicking here.

Why it matters

The Visiting Physician programme supports patient care by extending access to specialist expertise where it is most needed. By combining international clinical experience with local multidisciplinary care, the programme helps ensure treatment planning is well-informed, coordinated, and tailored to individual patient needs.

It also encourages professional exchange across institutions and disciplines, supporting shared learning and thoughtful clinical practice.

Our visiting physicians

Dr. Mohammed Emam

Dr. Mohammed Emam

Consultant Physician, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine

Languages spoken: English, Arabic

Years of experience: 15+

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Mohammed Emam, MBBS, is a Consultant Physician with the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Emam’s clinical practice focuses on the assessment and management of musculoskeletal and spine conditions, sports-related injuries and rehabilitation. He also has experience in regenerative medicine approaches aimed at supporting function, mobility and recovery. His work includes the care of physically active individuals and athletes, with an emphasis on safe return-to-activity planning.

Dr. Emam can help with:

  • Musculoskeletal and spine conditions
  • Sports injuries and rehabilitation
  • Regenerative medicine therapies
  • Return-to-activity and functional recovery planning
Dr. Guido Pieles

Dr. Guido Pieles

Consultant Physician, Paediatric & Adult Congenital and Sports Cardiology

Languages spoken: English, German

Years of experience: 20

Department of Cardiology

Professor Dr. Guido Ehrenfried Pieles, FRCPCH, MD, PhD, DPhil, MScHE, is a Consultant Physician in Paediatric, Adult Congenital and Sports Cardiology with the Department of Cardiology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Pieles has clinical expertise in sports cardiology, congenital heart disease and inherited cardiac conditions in both paediatric and adult patients. His work includes the assessment and management of athletes and physically active individuals, as well as patients with congenital and genetic cardiac conditions.

Dr. Pieles can help with:

  • Sports cardiology assessment and exercise recommendations
  • Cardiac screening for athletes and physically active individuals
  • Pre-competition and sports event cardiac clearance
  • Return-to-play assessment and second opinions
  • Management of inherited cardiac conditions
  • Paediatric and adult congenital heart disease

Previous Visiting Physicians

SSMC has welcomed visiting physicians from a range of international institutions, contributing specialist expertise across multiple medical disciplines, including:

Dr. Aymeric Lim

Hand and Reconstructive Surgery Consultant

Visiting dates: February 11–14, 2025; August 11–15, 2025

Dr. Lim is a hand and reconstructive surgery consultant with clinical expertise in peripheral nerve surgery, brachial plexus surgery and reconstructive procedures of the upper limb. His practice also includes the management of thoracic outlet syndrome and spasticity related to cerebral palsy and stroke. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow and the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lim has participated in medical missions in Taiwan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Zambia and Indonesia.

Dr. John Meara

Craniofacial and Plastic Surgeon

Visiting dates: October 28, 2024; June 25–26, 2025

Dr. Meara is a craniofacial and plastic surgeon with experience in the management of craniofacial anomalies, including cleft lip and palate conditions. He serves as Director of the Global Surgery and Social Change Programme at Harvard Medical School, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Harvard Plastic Surgery Training Programme, and Plastic Surgeon-in-Chief at Boston Children’s Hospital. His clinical interests focus on the treatment of craniofacial anomalies and cleft conditions, alongside his involvement in global surgery initiatives.

Dr. David Kulber

Hand and Plastic Surgeon

Visiting dates: November 7–8, 2024; April 14–18, 2025

Dr. Kulber is a hand and plastic surgeon whose clinical practice focuses on hand reconstruction and rehabilitation, soft tissue regeneration and reconstruction, peripheral nerve surgery, and paediatric reconstructive surgery. He treats both adult and paediatric patients across a range of reconstructive and functional conditions.

Dr. Philip Brazio

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Visiting dates: February 3–4, 2025

Dr. Brazio is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, United States. His clinical practice focuses on microsurgery, breast reconstruction, lymphedema surgery and limb salvage procedures.

Dr. Austin Fragomen

Orthopaedic Consultant and Limb Lengthening Surgeon

Visiting dates: September 17–19, 2024

Dr. Fragomen is an orthopaedic consultant and limb lengthening surgeon with experience in skeletal reconstruction surgery, deformity correction and bone lengthening procedures. His clinical work also includes the management of bone infections and fracture care, as well as the use of external fixation techniques such as the Ilizarov apparatus.

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