5 March 2015 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates): Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, one of the region's leading specialist eye care providers, has appointed Associate Professor Dr. Vinod Gauba, FRCOphth (UK), PAMEd (UK), MBBS (Hons, UK), as Director of Education and Research for the Middle East region. Dr Vinod, who grew up in the UAE, is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon and also has substantial experience as a clinical educator and international researcher. 

Dr Vinod Gauba has been appointed to lead the educational and research programmes in the Middle East region, for Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. Dr. Gauba undertook his medical training in the UK; after completing his medical degree (with honours) from Guy's King's and St.Thomas' School of Medicine in London, he trained for seven years in Ophthalmology, completing the full UK training programme including specialising in paediatric ophthalmology and medical ophthalmology. He also completed three fellowship programmes - in Oculofacial Surgery, Orbital and Lacrimal Surgery during which he also worked and trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital London. He undertook dedicated Refractive Surgery training before taking up a consultant position at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin (Ireland) prior to returning to Dubai in 2008.

Dr. Gauba's Higher Degree in Medical Research from the University of Oxford and Leeds and his post-graduate qualification in Medical Education from the University of Warwick, together with his extensive surgical experience, create a unique combination as a clinical educator, experienced clinician and international researcher. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, where he has been responsible for organizing

and supervising educational activities. He has also researched and published extensively including authoring textbooks and peer review articles.

Dr Gauba is the recipient of the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal, presented at the House of Lords, London in 2014, in recognition of his dedication to global advancement and achievement in ophthalmology. He was also the winner of the Cleveland Clinic Clinician of the Year Award (Arab Health Awards 2013) and the Young Surgeon of the Year Award (Arab Health Awards 2012) along with several other accolades. Dr. Gauba speaks English, French, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and has a post-graduate qualification in Arabic, along with fluent spoken Khaleeji Arabic.

Commenting on the new appointment, Mr Mariano Gonzalez, Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said: "We are delighted to welcome Dr Gauba to the Moorfields team in Dubai, where his exceptional experience and skills will be a tremendous asset, as we continue to develop our services in the region. Our mission in the Middle East is to offer the best eye care and treatments available to patients here; but we also plan to focus on the other two key aspects of our mission - clinical education for medical professionals, from eye care professionals to school nurses; and clinical research. These combine to create the really unique impact of Moorfields and mirrors the work we have undertaken in London for more than 200 years."

About Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai
Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) is the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in the world. Located at the Al Razi Medical Complex in Dubai Health Care City, the facility provides day case surgery and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions. MEHD will also raise standards for research and teaching in the region. MEHD is owned and managed by the NHS Foundation Trust, and maintains close links with London, to ensure that patients in the GCC receive the best eye care treatment in the world.

www.moorfields.ae

Issued on behalf of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai by WPR.

Media contact:Jonathan Walsh, WPR Limited, Dubai, +971 50 4588610, jon@wprme.com

© Press Release 2015