Samah A. Ishak

Experience

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  National Foreign Language Center

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  Freelance Translator & Transcriber

  Provided language services to the National Foreign Language Center (NFLC) at the University of Maryland in the State of Maryland in the USA on a part-time / freelance basis. Provided transcription / translation services to multiple departments within NFLC.

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  Saudi Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Group (SMSAG)

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  Saudi Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Group Coordinator

  Working with the SMSAG where I coordinated the educational efforts for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, their families, healthcare professionals, and the community at large through a multidimensional approach and working with a highly qualified multidisciplinary team. I have managed and coordinated the complete re-design and content development of the SMSAG website (targeted at patients and practitioners). I also managed and coordinated the development of social media MS related health messages. I also coordinated academic and social awareness events. Developed a study proposal to evaluate the availability and usefulness of MS related educational resources in Arabic which was submitted to King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) and was reviewed and approved by the IRB. Show less

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  Itkan Health Consulting

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2018

  Led multiple national public health / healthcare projects such as the “Balanced Distribution of Healthcare Facilities and Services” commisioned by the Saudi Health Council (SHC) in 2017-2018 aiming to evaluate the current state of the distribution and utilization of healthcare facilities and services and develop a national strategy and roadmap for optimal distribution of health resources.I also led the national strategic project “Public Health Protection Program” for the SHC (2016-2017) in collaboration with global partners such as InterHealth Canada, IMS Health, and Imperial College. This program aimed to develop a robust national public health protection program to improve and strengthen the existing public health system in KSA. The program came as part of the Council’s National Healthcare Strategy for the Kingdom and is in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. Show less

  • Project Manager

    Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

  • Research Associate

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2016
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  Saudi Ministry of Health - Non-Communicable Diseases Department

  Apr 2014 - Sept 2014

  Public Health Consultant

  As part of the Saudi MOH Breast Cancer Screening / Early Detection Program, I was involved in creating a study protocol / Proposal for Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) - on the assessment of Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Saudi Women with the objective to inform the strategy for disease awareness and assessment of such risk factors. Along with being part of the proposal writing team, I was also involved in reviewing and modifying the data collection form that was used for data collection. Furthermore, I created the SPSS data entry spreadsheet along with data coding. Show less

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  Itkan Health Consulting

  Jul 2018 - now

  Senior Public Health Consultant

  National Public Health Strategies and Programs: I have worked as a Public Health consultant with Itkan Health Consulting on multiple large-scale strategic national public health projects in KSA. In this capacity, I've been supporting in building proposals, providing technical input and contributing to all relevant activities such as designing methodologies and approaches, tools and material to support the planning and development process (workshops, discussion guides, surveys, risk assessment tool, etc.). In addition, I contributed to the write up of the final deliverables / documents. Real-World Evidence Studies: With Itkan Health Consulting, I contributed to the planning, design, and creation of Real-World Evidence studies, such as national patient registries, where I contributed with the scientific steering committee to setting the goals and objectives of the registry, identified the data elements to be collected and methodology of data collection. I contributed to the development of the registry materials including the study protocols, Case Report Forms [CRF], Informed Consent Forms [ICF], data analysis and data management plans, .etc. I also worked with the IT teams to support in design, development, enhancement, and testing (UAT) of website and electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs). Show less

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  Ascend Solutions

  Jan 2020 - Jan 2022

  Senior Public Health Consultant

  Serving as a senior Public Health advisor on multiple strategic programs such as the Saudi COVID-19 Mass Testing and COVID-19 Vaccination & Immunization Programs. My contribution included the development of the testing guidelines and blueprints for the national testing plans (including governance structure, risk management, capacity planning, allocation and distribution of testing capacity, and global benchmarking). Upon release of the COVID-19 vaccine, I contributed to the vaccination strategy & operational plan by monitoring the rapidly changing global pandemic guidelines & providing recommendations based on best practice. Show less