The Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry of the Medical University of Vienna is proud to host MedUni Vienna meets ISMA, a special event that brings together cutting-edge medical innovation and international collaboration.
With its expertise in academic event planning and a strong commitment to scientific excellence, the Medical University of Vienna takes the lead in organizing this unique gathering. This year, we are also excited to celebrate ISMA’s 15th anniversary – a milestone that adds an extra layer of significance to the occasion.
We are delighted to invite you to join the scientific programme, taking place from
24th to the 26th October 2025 at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Over the past fifteen years, ISMA has grown into a strong international network of healthcare professionals dedicated to medical excellence and humanitarian engagement. To celebrate this milestone, we are hosting a multi-day event featuring presentations across various medical disciplines, showcasing scientific achievements and the collaborative spirit of our community.
We warmly invite you to contribute by presenting your work during the scientific sessions. Speakers will have the opportunity to share insights in a 5- to 15-minute talk, followed by discussion.
If you are interested in giving a talk or presenting a poster,
please submit your abstract here by October 1, 2025 at the latest.
We look forward to welcoming you to Vienna for this special occasion.
Warm regards,
Prof. Stefan Sacu
President, International Syriac Medical Association
Interim Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology
Program MedUni Vienna meets ISMA
To get an overview of the planned program for the MedUni Vienna meets ISMA Congress from October 24 to 26, 2025, you can find the
current status here.
Please note that there may still be changes.
This event will be approved by the Austrian Medical Chamber
with 9 DFP-Points.
11:00-16:00: Social program for Speakers: Vienna Tour (Cost contribution 50€)
18:00: Opening of the event in the Jugendstilhörsaal of the Medical University of Vienna
- Opening-ISMA: Prof. Dr. Amir Kurtaran (AT)
- Welcome - MedUni Vienna: Rector Prof. Dr. Markus Müller (AT)
- Welcome - ISMA: Prof.Dr. Stefan Sacu (AT)
- Syriac Medicine in the Mirror of Manuscripts: Dr. Grigory Kessel (AT)
- Music performance: Dr. Gorgis Simon (AT)
- Intangible and Tangible Heritage of the Suryoye: Prof. Dr. Aho Shemunkasho (AT)
- Suryoye in the Present: Yausef Beth Turo (SE)
19:30: Music Performance & Get-together with a cocktail reception in the foyer of the
Jugendstilhörsaal
- Opportunity for networking and informal exchange
9:00-11:00: Oral Presentations (Part 1) in the Jugendstilhörsaal
Session I
Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefan Sacu, Dr. Hala Gourieh, Dr. Samir Afram, Prof. Dr. Elian Shepherd
- Introduction: Prof. Dr. Stefan Sacu (AT)
- Thyroid Diseases: Prof. Dr. Amir Kurtaran (AT)
- Effect of Conflict on Atrial Fibrillation Outcomes in the Middle East: Dr. Ibrahim Antoun (LB)
- Neuromodulation in Pain Management: Dr. Yakup Özsezer (TR)
- Cardiac Amyloidosis: Dr. Salim Daikh (GER)
- In Vitro Fertilization: Dr. Flora Çitgez (TR)
- Forensic Radiology and Malpractice: Dr. Sibel Çağlar Atacan (TR)
- Gut Flora and You: Past Lessons and Future Strategies: Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK)
- When Bronchoscopy Reveals More Than Expected - A Case Report: Dr. Yasmin Elias (AT)
11:00-11:30: Break
11:30-13:10: Oral Presentations (Part 2) in the Jugendstilhörsaal
Session II
Chair: Prof. Dr. Amir Kurtaran, Dr. Maria Bahhady-Hardo, Dr. Tony Elkhoury,
Prof. Dr. Wilson Abdo
- Case of the Day: Theology of Human Life: Fr. Dr. Yousif Al-Banna (UK)
- Sagittal Imbalance of the Spine: Prof. Dr. Elian Shepherd (USA)
- Intensive Care Medicine: Outcomes of Critical Illnesses: Prof. Dr. Wilson Abdo (NL)
- Kidney Stone Removal Techniques in Modern Endourology: Dr. Walid Mike Harik (AT)
- Emergency Cases in Ophthalmology: Dr. Sarah Thaler-Saliba (AT)
- The Future of Smiles: Unlocking the Science and Art of Orthodontics: Dr. Shadi Loutfi (AT)
- Acute Dizziness – ENT or Neurology?: Dr. Roham Mathay (GER)
- Ocular Adverse Drug Reactions Clinical Manifestations and Mechanisms: Dr. Mina Ashjaei (AT)
13:10-14:00: Lunch Break
14:00-15:00: Oral & Poster Presentations (Part 3) in the Jugendstilhörsaal
Session III
Chair: Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez, Dr. Fouad Roham, Dr. Fawaz Saumi, Dr. Farid Assad
- ISMA India: Metropolitan Dr. Kuriakose Theopilose (I)
- ISMA Syria: Dr. Michel Assad (S)
- ISMA Germany: Dr. Samir Afram (GER)
- ISMA Sweden: Dr. Fawaz Saumi (SE)
- ISMA Turkey: Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez, Dr. Sibel Çağlar Atacan (TR)
- ISMA UK: Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK)
- ISMA USA: Dr. Tony Bashar (USA)
- International Relations in Health - Health Tourism: Ferit Sag CEO (TR)
Poster
- Syriac League’s Work: St. Ephrem Dispensary, Lebanon: Habib Ephrem (LB)
- Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAP)
and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Understanding the Connection:
Dr. Melanie Paslanmaz (TR) - Faith, Family, Future – The Importance of Large Syriac Families:
Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK) - The Value of ISMA-UK: A Model for National Satellites:
Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK) - The ISMA Covenant: Hippocratic Wisdom and Christ’s Compassion:
Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK) - Why in a church?: Dr. Duane Kingdon (UK)
- The journey of living beyond BREAST CANCER: Rouba Syriani-Bahhadi (USA)
- Oral Health: Dr. Hala Touchan (UK)
- Endometriosis Re-imagined :Challenging old myths with new data:
Dr. Faraj Touchan (USA)
15:00-15:15: Coffee Break
15:15-16:00: ISMA Global Strategy Meeting
19:30: Gala Dinner in the Van Swieten Saal (Cost contribution 50€)
09:30: Holly Mass, St. Ephrem, Stefan-Fadinger-Platz 1, 1100 Vienna
Fr. Dr. Yousif Al-Banna (UK)
Fr. Prof. Emanuel Aydin (AT)
Rev. Fr. Afrem Kourieh (AT)
12:00-12:30: ISMA Health Day, St. Ephrem, Stefan-Fadinger-Platz 1, 1100 Vienna
- St. Ephrem Children Choir
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea: Dr. Tony Elkhoury (SE)
- Faith, Family, Future – The Importance of Large Syriac Families:
Dr. Philip Hardo, FRCP (UK)
Site plan Jugendstilhörsaal
Site plan Van Swieten Saal
Scientific Committee
- Prof. Dr. Wilson Farid Abdo, PhD – Netherlands
- Dr. Samir Afram, Germany
- Dr. Farid Assad, Austria
- Dr. Sibel Çağlar Atacan, Turkey
- Dr. Stefan Cevik, Austria
- Prof. Dr. Bülent Citgez, Turkey
- Dr. Antoine Tony Elkhoury, Sweden
- Dr. Phillip Hardo, UK
- Prof. Dr. Amir Kurtaran, Austria
- Dr. Fouad Roham, Austria
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Sacu, Austria
- Dr. Fawaz Saumi, Sweden
- Prof. Dr. Elian M. Shepherd, FACS – USA
- Dr. Hanna Yousef, Syria
- We have pre-reserved some rooms in each of the hotels listed under special conditions.
- Please book the rooms independently and early using the password provided.
- Registration password “ISMA”:
Hotel Regina
Rooseveltplatz 15, 1090 Vienna
(Reservation by October 02nd, 2025 at the latest)
Hotel Boltzmann
Boltzmanngasse 8, 1090 Vienna
(Reservation by October 02nd, 2025 at the latest)
Bellevue Hotel Vienna
Althanstraße 5, 1090 Vienna
(Reservation by October 02nd, 2025 at the latest)
Leonardo Hotels
Linke Wienzeile 224, 1150 Vienna
(Reservation by September 12th, 2025 at the latest)
Registration
The registration is already closed.