AGENDA
CONFERENCE LINKS
Monday, January 26, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early Arrival Welcome Reception
For those arriving on Monday, you can get a head start on meeting other attendees at an early arrival reception at a location near the host hotel. (Additional details to be announced)
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Conference Golf Outing - Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
6:30 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Welcome Remarks and Program Preview
speakers:
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Mike Ferguson
President & CEO
Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA)
Greg Arms
Conference Program Chairman
Senior Advisor, Frontline Healthcare Partners
8:45 a.m.– 9:45 a.m.
Multicultural Challenges in Global Benefits Programs
This session explores how employers can use global benefits—especially captives—as tools to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across multicultural populations. We’ll focus on the MENA region, highlighting local health risks, inclusive benefit design, digitally delivered healthcare, and practical data-driven strategies.
moderator/coordinator:
Jaqueline Oliveira-Cella
Founder
WellBe Consulting
speaker:
Neil F. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.C.
CEO and Medical Director
INTERVENT USA
Leena Johns, MD
Chief Health and Wellness Officer
(Head of Health and Wellness)
MAXIS Global Benefits Network
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Specialty Rx Challenges and Opportunities – An International Perspective
Join us for an engaging session that delves into the management of specialty patients in the US, strategies for improving patient access, and opportunities for global export capabilities in the pharmaceutical industry. Learn about targeted interventions, market expansion strategies, and real-world examples of successful patient care and global market reach.
moderator/coordinator:
Alexis Moss
EU/UK Director of Business Development
Ascella Health (London)
speaker:
Greg Arms
Senior Advisor
Frontline Healthcare Partners
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Spouse/Guest Tour
Details to be announced
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Captive Insurance Developments in the Middle East
Specialized regulations and a favorable environment have encouraged the growth of captives in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Initially supporting mostly energy exposures as well as property and political violence, captives in the Middle East are now attracting more risk exposure sectors, including employee benefits and pensions. Learn about efficient, multi-country captive structures for robust risk management and strategic growth - and the regulatory practices in the insurance-free zones of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, contrasted to the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions.
moderator/coordinator:
John Capasso
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Captive Planning Associates
speakers:
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Andrew Brody
Senior Vice President
Mercer Marsh Benefits Consulting (Dubai)
Doug Butler
Partner
Womble Bond Dickinson
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hosted Lunch with Presentation - The Gulf Region as a Destination
for Healthcare
Learn why the UAE and the Middle East are leading global destinations for medical value travel, where cutting-edge healthcare meets compassionate hospitality. Discover the unique blend of innovation, precision, and empathy that makes the region a true haven for healing and well-being. Register now to learn more about the transformative healthcare experiences awaiting patients and providers in this dynamic region.
featured speaker:
Alisha Moopen
Managing Director
Aster DM Healthcare (Dubai)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Healthcare Access for Expatriates and Third Country Nationals: Navigating Medical Services Abroad
Gain valuable insights into the diverse coverage designs for expatriates and third-country nationals, as well as the implications of dual-tier systems on cost management and care quality. Register now to explore best practices, challenges, and opportunities in providing healthcare access to global workforces.
moderator/coordinator:
Gavin Richards
Director of Accident & Health and Contingency
Price Forbes
speakers:
David Howells
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Price Forbes (Dubai)
Sabah Siddiqui, MD
Head of Health and Medical
Price Forbes (MENA) Limited
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Optimizing Access to Quality Healthcare for International Patients
Explore the integration of Centers of Excellence with health interventions and showcases innovative case examples with measurable outcomes. Discover how specialized care and innovative approaches can drive positive results in healthcare delivery. Register now to gain insights, inspiration, and practical strategies for advancing healthcare excellence through innovation and outcomes measurement.
moderator/coordinator:
Ashley Hume
President
Emerging Therapy Solutions®
speaker:
Jonathan Vineyard, M.H.A.
Senior Director of International
Mayo Clinic
Additional speaker to be announced.
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
International Best Practices for TPAs
This session explores how third-party administrators (TPAs) are evolving through the integration of advanced digital platforms and AI. Learn how automation is accelerating claims adjudication, unlocking faster turnaround times and driving cost efficiencies for self-insured programs. We’ll also examine how AI is being deployed to detect fraud, waste, and abuse with greater precision—improving accuracy and protecting plan assets. From eligibility management to patient navigation, technology is reshaping the role of TPAs as strategic enablers of smarter, more sustainable health benefits.
moderator/coordinator:
Andrew Brody
Senior Vice President
Mercer Marsh Benefits Consulting (Dubai)
speaker:
Devang Mody
Chairman
Vidal Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd.
Additional speaker to be announced.
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Intersection of Wellness and Cost Containment in Healthcare
This session will delve into the considerations of utilizing local services and cultural norms versus international referrals, as well as the impact of telemedicine practices on healthcare delivery and cost management. Gain valuable insights, best practices, and practical strategies for optimizing healthcare outcomes while managing costs effectively.
moderator/coordinator:
Sherif Elhassan
Director, International Contracting
Mayo Clinic
speakers:
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Chris Burns
President
CRB Consulting Group
Ashley Hume
President
Emerging Therapy Solutions®
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted Reception and Dinner
All attendees are invited to join for what promises to be an amazing reception and dinner at a premier venue in Downtown Dubai. SIIA thanks its friends at Aster DM Healthcare for hosting/sponsoring this evening's activities.
