The National Arab American Medical Association held a two-day International Medical Convention on Oct. 24-25 on “Surviving the Global Pandemic.”

Experts from the United States and around the world shared their experience dealing with the coronavirus and their expectations for the future. The convention covered multiple areas including mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, medical education, student life, public health and research.

The keynote speaker was international economic expert Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and founder of the international Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization.

Michael Nyenhuis, president and chief executive officer of UNICEF USA, and Ahmed Al-Mandhari, program management director of the World Health Organization’s Middle East and North African region, enriched the convention with their views. Experts from Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon and Australia participated alongside prominent physicians from the U.S.

Wayne State University had a strong presence at the convention, represented by Mark Schweitzer, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine; Wael Sakr, M.D., professor and chair of Pathology; Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., assistant vice president of Translational Science and Clinical Research Innovation, and professor of Emergency Medicine; Michele Cote, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor of Oncology; Vijaya Arun Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of Emergency Medicine; and Suma Alzouhayli, NAAMA Nextgen Leader and medical student.

The convention was led by Rouba Ali-Fehmi, M.D., professor and vice chair of Pathology at Wayne State University.