Abdirisak Ahmed, MD, DDS, PhD, completed dentistry in 2013, earned his PhD in dentistry in 2016, and graduated from medical school in 2019. He is currently a neurosurgery resident at Helsinki University Hospital in Finland and is also pursuing a PhD in neurosurgery. Passionate about improving healthcare quality and accessibility, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities, he serves as a board member of the Finnish Somali Medical Association. Abdirisak has also volunteered as a doctor in Hargeisa, Somaliland, demonstrating his dedication to addressing healthcare disparities and contributing to global health initiatives.

Najma Yusuf, BSc, MD, graduated with a degree in Medicine from the University of Eastern Finland. She is currently specializing in Emergency Medicine at Helsinki University Hospital. Najma began her academic journey by earning her first degree in science in England before pursuing her medical studies in Finland. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to improving local and global health, actively engaging with various NGOs. Najma is a founding member and active participant in the Finnish Somali Medical Association. Additionally, she dedicates her time to lecturing and training medical students and physicians on issues related to racism and discrimination in healthcare and medical education.

Mohamed Ahmed, MD, is a dedicated medical doctor and entrepreneur with a passion for advancing healthcare. He works at Laatupäivystys, a leading organisation in Finland’s healthcare sector renowned for its commitment to quality care, professional development, and collaboration with public healthcare systems. As the Primary Healthcare Lead Physician and Entrepreneur, Dr. Ahmed brings extensive expertise in primary healthcare and emergency medicine. He is deeply committed to mentoring junior doctors and fostering their professional growth. With a strong focus on healthcare development, he aspires to drive impactful initiatives in Somalia. Additionally, he serves as Vice-President of the Finnish Somali Medical Association, playing a key role in shaping its mission since its founding.

Khaliif Awad, MD, is an orthopedic and traumatology resident at Kymeenlakso Central Hospital in Finland and a two-term president of the Finnish Somali Medical Association (SSLY). His leadership has been pivotal in driving the SSLY’s growth and success, making a significant impact on the Somali community in Finland. Through his hard work and dedication, he has improved healthcare access, fostered collaboration, and created opportunities for both medical professionals and for the Somali diaspora. Khaliif’s commitment to his community and his visionary efforts are key reasons why events like this are possible, showcasing his role as a true leader and changemaker.

Mohamed Abdi, MD, M.Ed, FRCPC, serves as the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Shenandoah Medical Center in Iowa, United States. He currently holds the position of Vice President of the Somali American Medical Association and is actively working to establish the Canadian Somali Medical Association with residents and medical students. Previously, he founded the Somali Students Association at McMaster University in Canada, which facilitated the delivery of medical supplies to the Dadaab Refugee Camp for several years. Additionally, he is engaged with the University of Minnesota Alumni Board, where he previously served as president and student chair, focusing on increasing the enrollment of Somali students into medical schools.

Zakariye Ashkir, MD, PhD, is a cardiology resident at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, United Kingdom. He is a recent PhD graduate in cardiovascular imaging from the University of Oxford. He is the founder the British Somali Medical Association, which supports Somali medics and students through networking, mentoring, and health advocacy, while addressing healthcare challenges and creating opportunities for Somali and BAME communities in medicine.

Selma Ibrahim, MD, is a pediatric specialist at the Pediatric Clinic of Västmanland Hospital in Västerås, Sweden. With a passion for child health and community service, she has been actively involved in the Swedish Somali Doctors Association, where she currently holds the role of president. Selma’s commitment to global health is evident through her volunteer work at the Edna Adan University Hospital in Hargeisa, where she spent two weeks in 2022 supporting the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) team. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving pediatric care both locally and internationally.

Warsan Ismail, MD, is a resident in gastrointestinal surgery and traumatology at Stavanger University Hospital in Norway. She earned her medical degree from the University of Oslo in 2018. During her studies, she worked as a columnist for several Norwegian, national newspapers, shedding light on minority issues, with a particular focus on the Somali community in Norway. In 2023, she co-founded the Norwegian Somali Doctors’ Association, where she currently serves as vice president.

Mahamud Abdirahman, MD, is a cardiothoracic surgery resident at the University Hospital of Essen in Germany. This year, he took the initiative to establish the German Somali Doctors Association, an organisation dedicated to fostering collaboration among medical professionals. Currently serving as its president, he is committed to strengthening ties between the medical communities of Germany and Somalia while contributing to the advancement of healthcare.

Roda Abdulkadir Mohamed, MD, PhD fellow, is a junior cardiology resident at Odense University Hospital in Denmark. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a key role in developing Danish Health Authority awareness campaigns aimed at Somali-speaking communities to enhance public health communication and engagement. Additionally, she serves as the president of the Danish Somali Medical Association, further contributing to bridging healthcare gaps and fostering community involvement.

Prof. Khalif Bile Mohamud, MD, is a distinguished public health expert and medical professional who graduated in Medicine from Sofia University, Bulgaria, and specialized in gastroenterology and tropical diseases at the University of Rome, Italy. He earned his PhD in Epidemiology from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, focusing on Hepatitis Viral Infections in Somalia. With a career spanning over five decades, Dr. Bile has held prominent roles, including Professor and Dean at the Somali National University, WHO Country Representative in Iran and Pakistan, and consultant for health system strengthening and communicable diseases. He has contributed significantly to public health by establishing over 300 village-based health posts, training community health workers, and publishing over 95 research publications. Currently, he is an advisor to the Ministry of Health of Somalia, editor-in-chief of the Somali Health Action Journal (SHAJ), and focuses on capacity building, health workforce development, and achieving universal health coverage in Somalia.

Guled Abdijalil Ali, MD, is the Director General at the Federal Ministry of Health in Somalia. He assumed this role at a critical time, when Somalia was experiencing the worst drought in its history. Prior to this, Dr. Guled served as the Head of the Emergency Department at the Federal Ministry of Health. He has worked with several humanitarian partners, including United Nations agencies and various NGOs. Dr. Guled has been instrumental in formulating and implementing health policies aimed at enhancing the accessibility of healthcare services in Somalia. He is a medical doctor and has specialised in nephrology. His work focuses on healthcare policy development, strengthening public health systems, and promoting health environment sustainability.

Saara Parkkali is the MIDA FINNSOM Coordinator at IOM Finland, a program funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She works to strengthen Somalia’s healthcare and education systems by leveraging the expertise of the Somali diaspora. Advocating for sustainable development and gender equality, she highlights women’s role in building resilient communities. Saara mobilises diaspora professionals to address resource gaps, improve services, and foster collaboration among diaspora experts, local institutions, and international partners to drive development and resilience.

Mohamed Guled, MD, completed his cardiology residency in 2021 at the University of Tampere, Finland, and is now a specialist in the field with a focus on interventional cardiology. He is one of the founders of the Finnish Somali Medical Association and has played a key role in its development. Dr. Guled has returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, where he provides healthcare services and lectures at Banadir University, teaching both medical and postgraduate students. He has also established a modern cardiology department at Guled Specialist Hospital, offering advanced treatments such as coronary interventions, pacemaker implantation, and pediatric congenital heart disease procedures, including device closures and balloon valvuloplasty.

Abdiwahid Alibeto MD is a urologist who completed his residency in 2021 at the University of Kuopio, Finland. A dedicated medical professional, he is one of the founders of the Finnish Somali Medical Association and has actively engaged in community outreach programs in Finland. In 2023, Dr. Alibeto established the Somali European Hospital, a privately-owned referral and teaching hospital in Garowe, Puntland, where he serves as the medical director and provides specialized urological care, particularly minimally invasive procedures, to the local community.

Idil Hussein is a researcher and PhD candidate in epidemiology, working as a Senior Planning Officer at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Passionate about infectious diseases and vaccinations, she has conducted research at both the Finnish national level and within Somali communities in Finland and Somalia. She also has experience in non-communicable disease research and leads a lifestyle intervention to reduce diabetes and CVD risk among Somalis. Additionally, she actively promotes health education among Somalis in Finland through voluntary initiatives.

Ayan Bashir Sheikh-Mohamed, MD, PhD candidate, has been a strong advocate for improving health literacy in the Somali community, focusing on accessible, oral-based formats. Before the pandemic, she created a YouTube channel to share health content in Somali, catering to the community's preference for audio-visual information. During COVID-19, she played a key role in disseminating vital health information, collaborating with governments, and advocating for inclusive health policies. Her efforts included engaging in numerous panel discussions and interviews, where she shared her expertise and views. In recognition of these contributions, Ayan was awarded a prize for her work and later appointed to the National Corona Committee by the Prime Minister's office. She now also focuses on understanding social determinants of health in the Somali diaspora population in Norway.