BOLDtalks's video: The Happy Genes Latest in the Space of Genetics - H E Dr Maryam Matar - BOLDtalks Innovation 2015

Dr. Matar is the founder and Executive Director of two non-profit civil associations, “UAE Down’s Syndrome Association” and “UAE Genetic Diseases Association”, which support families from 17 different nationalities. H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar is the former Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), which undertakes to formulate social policies and deliver social services that are in line with and contribute to the achievement of the social development objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan 2007 – 2015, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 3rd, 2007. In 2005, Dr. Matar was the leader of the executive team that set up social development strategies for Dubai Strategic Plan. Dr. Matar is the founder and Executive Director of two non-profit civil associations, “UAE Down’s Syndrome Association” and “UAE Genetic Diseases Association”, which support families from 17 different nationalities. In addition, she has initiated several national community outreach programs such as “UAE Free of Thalassemia by 2012” and established a number of Wellness Centers in Higher Colleges of Technology and Dubai Ladies Club. Before joining CDA, Dr. Matar was the first Emirati woman to bear the title of Undersecretary to the Minister of Health in 2006, designing blueprints for Public Health and Primary Health Care for year 2011. Moreover, she launched a number of initiatives to deliver Primary Health Care (PHC) services in the Northern Emirates and increase the number of PHC centers from 52 to 97. From 1990 to 2005, Dr. Matarhas received many awards on a yearly basis, including the H.H. Sheikh Rashid “Academic Excellence” Award in the Faculty of Medicine (1999); “Best Healthcare Project” Award among all UAE Higher Colleges of Technology (2002);“Distinguished Employee” Award from Dubai Government Excellence Program in the Department of Health and Medical Services (2003);“Best Community Project” Award from the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development (2004) and Emirates Businesswomen Award for “Professional Excellence” (2004). Dr. Matar also assumed the position of Head of Community Studies and Programs Section, Primary Health Care – DOHMS, besides being the Executive Director of UAE Free of Thalassemia Project and the Medical Advisor for the Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee (Customs and Free Zone Corporation). Today, Dr. Matar holds several posts including Executive Director of UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Deputy Chairperson of Dubai Cares and a Board Member of the Marriage Fund, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Dubai Women Establishment, Damas International Limited and the Canadian University of Dubai.