Dr Abdul Razak Abyad

Representing a new wave of physicians who combine medical expertise with public health and management skills, A.Abyad has been working in the Primary health Care Department, General Authority for Health Services for the Emirate Of Abu Dhabi-UAE since 2004. His job scope is to handle all matters pertaining to the development, implementation, operation and administration of the family medicine model of care for primary health care centers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dr Abyad was born in Tripoli-Lebanon on April 7, 1959. He joined the American University of Beirut (AUB) in 1979 where he earned a degree in B.Sc. Biology (with Distinction) and Doctor of Medicine in 1986. After completing his speciality training in Family Medicine in 1990 at AUB, he joined the University of Arizona Medical Center, in the USA. In Arizona he did Fellowship Program in Faculty Development, during 1991-1992, and a Fellowship in Geriatrics between 1991-1993. He received the degree of Advanced Postgraduate Geriatrics and Medical Gerontology from the European Academy for Medicine of Ageing (EAMA) 2001, in Switzerland.

His extensive administrative and management training began with earning a Master's degree in Public Health, in 1988 from AUB. This was cultured by joining “The International Leadership Academy's: 2nd International Leadership Program, The United Nations University”, in 1998 in Amman. This was further complemented by joining an executive MBA program at the International University of Monaco Dec 2003-June 2005. He recently earned a Doctor of Science in Health Policy & Management from Rochville University, USA by assessment.

Following his residency, he was appointed as Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine at AUB. After returning from the States he was promoted to assistant professor. During the three years that he stayed in this post he developed a lot of experience in the academic field, in curriculum development and coordination of programs. After leaving AUB he established, Abyad Medical Center, Tripoli, Lebanon in 1997. Abyad Medical Center is a multi-speciality group with 15 physicians and paramedical staff. At Abyad Medical Centre, he supervised all administrative, financial and academic activities of the centre.

Dr. Abyad served as a Coordinator, AinWaZein, Geriatric Program Chouf, Lebanon, between 1995-2003. At Ain Wazein Elderly Care Centre, he created a comprehensive health care program for the elderly starting from building an extensive team, and a model program for Lebanon and the region. He was responsible for the academic, research and overall patient care, in addition to training of the residents. All through his career, He served as frequent consultant and advisor to various organisations including the World health Organisation, Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, and University of Amman in Jordan, in the field of Aging, Family Medicine, Health manpower education, and Development of services.

He has wide expertise in planning, running medical services, organizational development, quality improvement, research, and personnel development. He was instrumental in development of a number of academic organizations, training programs, curriculum, and clinical guidelines in Lebanon and the region. He has extensive teaching experience with medical students, postgraduates, residents, fellows, physicians, and paramedical staff. In addition Dr Abyad has organised a large numbers of workshops, CME, CPD programs, and conferences regionally and internationally.

He started in 2003 with the help of a number of dedicated professional from the region, and Europe the Middle-East Academy of Medicine of Ageing (MEAMA). He is acting as the chairman of the academy and as a member of the executive board. The aim of the Academy is to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals, physicians, nurses and health care officers, in health related problems in older people. He started in 2005 The Middle-East Association on Aging and Alzheimer's where he is currently the president. He is a member of a large number of international committees and professional societies. He was elected as fellow to the American Society of Geriatrics, and Royal Society of Medicine. Dr Abyad serves as a member of the board of the Voluntary Islamic hospital in Tripoli Lebanon.

Dr Abyad has an extensive list of publication, book chapters, and large number of editorial. He has published about aging issues, primary health care issues, health manpower development, public health, healthcare systems, management, and others. He acts as peer reviewer of Manuscripts and Abstracts for a large number of organisations. He is on the international editorial board of International Journal of Medicine; Journal of the Association of Health Care Professionals, Geriatrics Today, and board member of World CME http://www.worldcme.com. Dr Abyad was instrumental in establishing as well three online journals, The Middle East Journal of Family Medicine (MEJFM) was started in 2003 http://www.mejfm.com, Middle-East Journal of Age & Ageing started in 2004 http://www.me-jaa.com, and the Middle East Journal of Business http://www.mejb.com. He is currently the chief editor of these three journals. All these journals are peer-reviewed journal that meet the needs of scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and the patients and communities they serve in the Middle-East. These journals have an extensive Editorial Regional and International Board. During his career he have received a number of rewards and honours. He was listed lately in the "Arab Population and Development Experts Database",PPMD, League of Arab States.