Doha, Qatar - Sidra Medicine, a specialty children’s, young people and women’s healthcare organization and member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has appointed Prof. Christof von Kalle as its new Chief Research Officer (CRO).

In his capacity as CRO, Prof. Kalle will oversee all aspects of research conducted at the institution. Working with a team of international and local experts, his goal will be to align the activities of the clinical and research branches towards breakthroughs in patient care. Under Prof. Kalle’s leadership, the research team at Sidra Medicine will become a beacon of excellence in healthcare research, new therapeutic developments, and world-class education with the ultimate goal of making significant contributions to Qatar’s healthcare and education system.

Commenting on the high-profile appointment, Chief Executive Officer Peter Morris stated: “The Research conducted at Sidra Medicine is one of the key foundation that will advance precision medicine and personalized care for women, children and young people in Qatar and beyond. We are pleased to welcome Prof. Kalle to Sidra Medicine and are certain that his extensive experience will contribute to the acceleration of our research goals, all of which support the wider national priorities and health care needs of the people of Qatar.”

As a physician scientist with a clinical background in cancer research, Prof. Kalle is an internationally renowned scientific leader in stem cell research and the treatment of rare genetic diseases. He has published over 150 high impact publications and is an elected member of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences.

Prof. Kalle joined Sidra Medicine from the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) where he held the position of Director. At the NCT, Prof. Kalle facilitated translational and clinical research by working with colleagues to build internationally renowned research groups for stem‐cell research, applied functional genomics, lymphoma research, molecular diagnostics and gene therapy. He is the co-founder of two Biotech companies, Lifecodexx and GeneWerk.

Prof. Kalle has been the recipient of several prestigious awards over the years, including the Pioneer Series Award for Human Gene Therapy in 2011, the Eva Luise Köhler Award for Rare Diseases in 2005, and the Langen Research Award from Paul-Ehrlich-Institute in Langen, Germany in 2004.

“Ours is an exciting field that is filled with countless possibilities that could transform people’s lives. With a state-of-the-art facility and an ambitious vision to become one of the top academic medical centers in the world, Sidra Medicine is well-equipped to foster impactful scientific and clinical research both in Qatar and beyond,” said Prof. Kalle. “Through our collaboration with Qatar Biobank and its Qatar Genome Programme as well as other healthcare organizations in the country, Sidra Medicine will provide unique and valuable research results for the benefit of women and children. Our work will be highly relevant for establishing the right diagnosis and providing effective treatments for genetic, immunological, and metabolic diseases. We will seek to develop and support patient centered, personalized therapies geared toward the specific needs of Qatari women and children, as well as patients in general.”

Sidra Medicine’s investment in research highlights its commitment to growing Qatar’s scientific profile and advancing personalized medicine in the country, the region and internationally. Just recently, it unveiled an ambitious partnership with ENIGMA, the world’s largest brain mapping project, to study brain health and disease among the Qatari population. This followed an announcement of Sidra Medicine’s plans to launch a program aimed at creating a long-term National Resource for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research.

For more information about Sidra Medicine’s research endeavors, please visit: http://www.sidra.org/research-center/

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The top five things Qatar needs to know about Sidra Medicine: 

  • Sidra Medicine is a specialty children’s, young people and women’s healthcare organization based in Qatar. It provides comprehensive specialist healthcare services for children and young people and maternity and gynecology care for the women of Qatar. It includes an outpatient clinic, a main hospital and a research institution. It is also an academic medical center.

  • Sidra Medicine forms an integral part of the dynamic education, research, and community development environment at Qatar Foundation (QF). Through strong partnerships with leading institutions in Qatar and around the world, Sidra Medicine helps to position Qatar as a leading center of excellence for healthcare globally.

  • Sidra Medicine’s currently accepts children’s admissions BY REFERRAL and APPOINTMENT ONLY. The Pediatric Emergency Department at Sidra Medicine will open in mid-2018. Until an official announcement has been made, all children’s emergency cases should continue to present at pediatric emergency centers in Doha to ensure care is provided on time.

  • Sidra Medicine currently accepts self-referrals for obstetrics, gynecology and maternal mental health services ONLY. For more information, please call 4003 33333. Female obstetrics and gynecology patients registered with Sidra Medicine, can also visit the women’s urgent care services. Please call: 40031401 or 40031402 for more details.

  • For more information about Sidra Medicine, including the referral process or services, please call 4003-3333.

Note

  • Sidra Medicine’s mission is to be a beacon of learning, discovery and exceptional care, ranked among the top academic medical centers in the world.

  • Sidra Medicine will provide world-class healthcare services for children, young people and women in Qatar and internationally.

  • Sidra Medicine includes an outpatient clinic, a main hospital and a research institution. It is also an academic medical center.

  • Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who serves as its Chairperson.

  • Sidra Medicine’s values are trust, care, teamwork, transparency, innovation and efficiency

  • Sidra Medicine’s research program will help develop ground-breaking treatments, technologies and techniques, especially in the areas of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Genetics and Genomics and Maternal Diabetes and Metabolic Syndromes

  • Once fully operational, Sidra Medicine:

  • Will become the leading children’s hospital in Qatar.

  • Will be the only specialist center treating pregnant women with fetal complications.

  • Will handle 275,000 outpatient appointments, 11,000 procedures, 100,000 emergency attendances and deliver over 9,000 babies.

  • Will feature 140 clinic rooms, 10 operating theatres, 400 beds, 100 per cent single rooms with a private bathroom, a birthing center and emergency department.

  • Will employ 2,000 nurses, 600 doctors and 800 other health care professionals, as well as administrative staff.

  • Sidra Medicine outpatient services launched on 1 May 2016 and now operates 47 clinics and services for children, young people including maternity care for the women of Qatar.

  • Sidra Medicine is located in Education City, Doha.

  • For further information, please visit http://www.sidra.org/

© Press Release 2018