Candidates ISSM Board of Directors 2024

Motivation Statement for Presidential Nomination

I am writing to formally nominate myself for the position of President of International Society for sexual medicine . With a profound commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient care, I believe that my experience, vision, and passion for the field make me an ideal candidate for this esteemed role.

In addition, the position of president-elect which was never represented by a member from the Middle East and Africa. My previous experience practicing sexual medicine in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and as a founder and past president of the MESSM can help me greatly together with my long experience working in different ISSM facilities.

Leadership Experience and Vision

Over the past 35 years, I have been actively involved in various capacities within our medical community. My journey has encompassed roles starting from being an ISSM member since 1998. I have served the ISSM in a number of different capacities including: ISSM List manager, member of the ISSM PE Guidelines Committee in 2010, member of the Pharmacotherapy of Erectile Dysfunction Committee at the Consultation Meetings (2009 and 2015). I served as a member of ISSM Expert Panel Meeting on Hypogonadism in 2014. I served as chairman of the ISSM Public Policy Committee (2016-2018). I also have regularly been a member of Scientific Committees for several ISSM Meetings. I served as the co chairman the scientific committee for WMSM 2023 held in Dubai. I am currently co-chairing the disorders of ejaculation and orgasm committee for the Mardid 2024 ICSM meeting.

I have been the founder and the 1st president of the Middle East Society for Sexual Medicine.

I was proudly awarded an ISSM service pin award in December 2023

These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of our society's strengths, challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

I believe in the power of a united and inclusive community. My presidency will focus on enhancing member engagement, promoting diversity, and creating opportunities for all members to contribute and benefit from our society. By building a stronger, more connected community, we can leverage our collective expertise to achieve greater impact and innovation.

In conclusion, I am deeply honored to put forth my candidacy for the presidency of ISSM. I am confident that, with your support, we can achieve remarkable advancements and elevate our society to new heights. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the field of medicine and in the lives of the patients we serve.

Thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to the opportunity to lead and serve our esteemed society.

Sincerely

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Amr El Meliegy, MD, FECSM, Professor

Dr. El Meliegy was born and raised in Egypt. He graduated from Medical School, Cairo University, Egypt, 1984 and completed the residency-training program in Andrology, Sexology & STDs. He trained as a fellow in Male Sexual Function, Reproduction, and micro-surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA 1991 and later visiting clinician, male sexual dysfunction, Urology Department, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA 1991.

Dr. El Meliegy obtained a doctorate degree 1993 in Andrology, Sexology and STDs from Cairo University, Egypt. In 2012, he passed FECSM exam offered by European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM).

He was granted service pin award by the ISSM in December 2023 as an appreciation for his dedication to ISSM.

 He is a Professor in the department of Andrology, Sexology & STDs in Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

He is the founder and the 1st president of the Middle East Society for Sexual Medicine (www.messm.org).

Dr. El Meliegy’s publications included over 100 research articles in various medical journals, mainly in the International Journal of Impotence Research, Sexologies and the Journal of Sexual Medicine. He is also a member of the international society for sexual medicine (ISSM) since 1998.

I have a Dream. I dream that, at all levels, it will be understood that psychology and medicine without Sexual Medicine are not psychology and medicine. I dream that Sexual Medicine will finally be recognized as a fundamental part of healthcare and education, as demonstrated by the countless publications and outstanding discoveries in our field. I dream that worldwide, all members of the ISSM might feel at home in our Society and that they might feel more and more like true protagonists. I dream that the ISSM will continue to grow more and more with respect for the various expressions of sexualities, genders, and orientations to build a society free of discrimination and gender violence. I dream that all researchers, scientists, and clinicians working in sexual health might feel like they belong to the same family, regardless of their background – psychosexual science, surgical science, or medical science. I dream that every geographical reality considered peripheral feels increasingly at the center of our ISSM. I dream that scientific merit and clinical competence are increasingly valued, supported, and improved.

I, therefore, dream of being able to serve the ISSM as president because Sexual Medicine is the job that I have always loved with passion and dedication and because I am convinced that, by working together, these dreams will become increasingly solid and robust realities, in the interest of the sexual health of our patients.

Emmanuele A. Jannini

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Emmanuele A. Jannini, MD, OMRI, KSG, KHS, SMOCG, a Full Professor of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX) and director of the Postgraduate School of Endocrinology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, was a guest researcher and fellow at the Clinical Endocrinology Branch, NIDDK/NIH, Bethesda, and lecturer at St Catherine’s College, Oxford on courses of the European Academy of Sexual Medicine. He is or has been a visiting professor of Andrology or Urology at the Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou), Anhui Medical University (Hefei), Jiao Tong University (Shanghai), Daxin Hospital (Xi’an), and Academic Advisor of the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; moreover, he is currently an Honorary Professor of Andrology & Sexual Medicine at the Hanoi School of Medicine. Prof. Jannini is chairperson of the Education Committee of the European Academy of Andrology, of the Multidisciplinary Joint Committee on Sexual Medicine of the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes, and of the Italian Academy for Couple Health; he is also past president and past general secretary of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine and the Italian Society of Endocrinology, respectively. He is an international expert in Andrology and Sexual Medicine, having published about 400 well-recognized scientific studies and books on premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, paraphilias, homophobia, gender incongruence, thyroid hormone receptor, and female sexual function and dysfunction, which produced a Hirsch (H) index of 67 (Scopus). Prof. Jannini received the Gold Medal of the European Federation of Sexology and the Career Award of the European Society of Sexual Medicine. He served the ISSM as co-chairperson of the committee “Infections and Inflammations” at the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine, chairperson of the Education Committee (ISSM Educom) and of the Publication Committee (ISSM Pubcom), member of the University Committee of the Open Online University, and member-at-large of the ISSM Board of Directors ORCHID ID: 0000-0002-5874-039X, Scopus ID: 7003885125

Dear friends, colleagues, and fellow members of the ISSM,

I am honoured and thankful for the opportunity to run for the post of President-elect ISSM.

I have been an active ISSM member for many years and had the privilege of serving as the Chairperson in various ISSM committees including the Surgical Committee, Scientific Committee, and Membership Committee, as well as Member-at-Large at the ISSM Board of Directors. Additionally, I am on the newly designated ISSM Leadership Committee and the 5th ICSM Taskforce. I have the qualifications and qualities to be an effective President-elect, ensuring ISSM remains the foremost authority in human sexual health.

I am honoured to receive the ISSM Special Service Pin Award in 2021 and highlighted below some of my recent contributions to ISSM.

1.    Chair of the Scientific Committee for the 22nd World Meeting on Sexual Medicine (Japan). This meeting was postponed (twice) from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID pandemic and became the first virtual (hybrid) ISSM meeting. The scientific program was constantly updated over the 3 years to remain relevant and forefront of new scientific advances. Several initiatives introduced include engaging non-ISSM speakers on contentious contemporary topics, a combined multi-organizational WAS/WPATH/ISSM workshop, and the inclusion of more gender-diverse and geographical representations from regional affiliated sexual medicine societies in this unique hybrid meeting.

2.    Chair of the Membership Committee in 2021-2022 and together with my committee, we managed to significantly increase ISSM membership from 2089 (in 2020) to 2641 (in 2021) and 2618 (in 2022) members (translating to 25% increase in membership numbers).

3.    As members of the ICSM Taskforce and ISSM Leadership Committee, I strongly advocate equitable representation from various countries and regional sexual medicine societies. Through my role as past Secretary-General of APSSM and current Member-at-Large of ISSM, I realised that many ISSM members possess the right credentials and mindsets to serve effectively in various capacities within ISSM but might not be forthright in seeking positions or aware of such an opportunity, hence, I always proactively nominate these “hidden” talents to serve in various ISSM committees, ICSM subcommittees and editorial board of ISSM journals.     

It would be a privilege and honour to serve you, my fellow ISSM members, as your next President-elect. I embrace and uphold the ISSM values, visions, and missions, and committed to safeguarding the various interests of each regional affiliate sexual medicine society within ISSM. I respect and will seek wisdom and valuable guidance from senior ISSM members while at the same time, actively listening and connecting with our younger generation of ISSM members. I would like to propose the following initiatives – ERIC  

Empower and energise the younger members of ISSM to engage and contribute to ISSM, to work with established ISSM members to strive together towards a more robust and encompassing scientific organisation. 

Research collaboration and dissemination of educational activities in a more personalised manner with scientific content tailored to the locoregional and sociocultural relevancy amongst ISSM members and regional affiliated societies.

Inclusivity, diversity, equity, and measured equality to ensure all members regardless of profession, gender, age, nationality, and regional society affiliation can actively contribute to existing and new ISSM initiatives.

Corporate sponsorship through strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and device companies and other non-sexual medicine organizations, professional bodies, and public health agencies (such as Movember and charitable trusts) to enhance our current financial health and foster stronger international collegial networks with mutual scientific advancements.

Thank you for taking the time to read my statement and considering my nomination. It has been a rewarding experience for me to be part of this wonderful society and I hope I have convinced you about my motivation and passion towards ISSM.

Please support and vote for me to be your President-elect of ISSM.  

Eric Chung

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Personal Statement for Nomination as Secretary General of ISSM

With great enthusiasm, I present my candidacy for Secretary General of the ISSM. My journey with ISSM, including roles as Member-at-Large and Co-Chair of the Communication Committee, has been transformative and inspiring. Additionally, my roles with the Middle East Society for Sexual Medicine (MESSM) as Treasurer, Secretary General, and Ordinary Director have enriched my understanding of the organizational, financial, and strategic aspects of managing a scientific society. I aim to broaden our membership base to include a diverse range of professionals within sexual medicine, enriching our organization with varied perspectives. Increasing our network of affiliated societies will foster global knowledge exchange and benefit our members and the communities they serve. I believe in the power of sexual medicine to transform lives and am committed to advancing this field globally. As Secretary General, I pledge to lead with integrity, innovation, and inclusiveness, elevating ISSM to new heights of success and influence. I humbly seek your support, confident that together, we can achieve remarkable milestones for ISSM.

Click here for the full CV.

I am a consultant in sexual medicine and a certified psychosexologist.

I graduated as a Medical Doctor from the Saint Joseph medical Faculty (2004). I then obtained my degree in clinical sexology from René Descartes University, Paris V, Faculty of Medicine (2007). I am also a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (2014) and a EFS & ESSM Certified Psycho-Sexologist (2016).

Along with my private medical practice in sexology in Beirut at La Clinique du Levant and at AUBMC, I teach Clinical Sexology at several Lebanese universities (Saint Joseph medical Faculty in Beirut and the Lebanese American University)

Memmber of the MESSM (Middle East Society of Sexual Medicine: https://messm.org/, I was its Secretary general (2019-2023), treasurer (2017- 2019) and the chairman of its Public Awareness Committee (2011-2017).

Member at large of the ISSM (International Society for Sexual Medicine), I am also a board member of the Société Francophone de Médecine Sexuelle (SFMS). I was the social media coeditor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. I was the chair of the ISSM Communication Committee (2018-2022) and the social media editor of the MESSM and its public website (2011-2018).

Fernando Facio Jr. MD. PhD.

Statement and motivations:

Position for Secretary-General of ISSM.

1- I am interested in this position because it aligns perfectly with my skills, experiences, and career aspirations. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my expertise to ISSM and make a meaningful impact in our Society.

2- As a Secretary-General, I am drawn to the role because it allows me to utilize my organizational skills and attention to detail to support others in achieving their goals.

3- Running the technical, administrative, and organization work of the Council, under the supervision of the President of ISSM.

4- Helping with the organization and communication between members of the ISSM Board of Directors, facilitating the knowledge of correspondences addressed to the ISSM, contributing actively to the implementation of the responsibility through good work on issues related to early warning and conflicts.

5- Listening to suggestions and collaborating with the increase in new members of the ISSM together with BoD of ISSM in the areas of urology, psychology, sexology, physiotherapy, endocrinology, gynecology and family medicine.

6- Contributing to the affiliated societies for the acquisition of knowledge in the area of ​​sexual medicine by discussing with the ISSM Board of Directors and the ISSM committees.

7- Collaborating and encouraging the establishment of a policy for the defaulting members of the ISSM who have stopped paying their dues, can return to ISSM.

8- Engaging the members of the ISSM to participate in decision-making at local and international levels, including management committees.

9- Facilitating and enabling an increase in members who access the website and/or social media of the ISSM services with new complementary information working together with the communications committee.

10- Help ISSM grow with equal opportunities and always respecting social, religious and gender diversity.

Dr. Fernando Facio is a Professor of Urology of undergraduate course in Medicine and postgraduate course in Health Sciences at at Medical School of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil. He received his M.D. (1987), M.Sc (1996), Ph.D. (2006) and Post-Doctorate at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA. (2009). Dr. Facio is Coordinator of the Sexual Medicine Research Group at Brazilian National Council of Research (CNPq). Dr. Facio is currently the President of the Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), Vice-Chair of the ISSM Publication Committee, Co-Chair of ICSM - The Infection, Inflammation and Sexual Function in Male and Female Patients Committee. Professor Facio has published more than 120 papers, editorials and book chapters in the field of urology and male sexual medicine. At present, Dr. Facio is Associate Editor of the Sexual Medicine Open Access (SMOA).

Main Reasons for Running for the Position

1- Contribution aiming consolidation and expansion of the sexual medicine regarding educational and scientific activities in the affiliated societies.

2- Improvement of quality in the management, communication, policies development and support to the ISSM directory.

3- Promote and stimulate the increase of the quantity of new members of ISSM.

PERSONAL STATEMENT 

John P. Mulhall, MD MSc FECSM FACS FRCSI 

Our society is one of the most important organizations supporting and advocating for sexual health across the globe. The Secretary-General plays a pivotal role and requires, among other attributes: commitment, experience, leadership qualities and team building skills.   

Over my 30-year career, I have been a committed sexual medicine clinician and researcher. This is the field that I love. I am committed to the growth of our specialty, especially in parts of the world where sexual medicine has, to date, been under-represented. During my tenure as Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM), the journal has grown to be more inclusive of all areas of sexual medicine and we have become one of the most important journals for manuscripts from historically under-published areas.

Furthermore, I am committed to diversity and inclusion within our organization and to the development of future leaders from all four corners of the globe, to ensure their involvement in ISSM committees, the board of directors and ultimately the executive committee, a commitment manifested in the make-up of the JSM editorial board under my leadership.

My trainees will attest to the fact that I am committed to education and mentorship, always willing to make myself available to young sexual medicine clinicians to discuss research ideas or career challenges.

My clinical and research experience in the field is extensive and through my roles as JSM EIC, Past-President of SMSNA, past Co-Chair and current Committee chair of the ICSM meetings, I have a deep appreciation for the breadth of our field and its participants. I have been involved in chairing national (SMSNA, AUA) and international (ISSM, ICSM) committees for two decades and have led medical societies with success in the past.  

My leadership roles have taught me how to lead teams, to make tough decisions but also how to arrive at a consensus among ethnoculturally diverse groups of people, which is essential to the success of ISSM. My three-decade presence within this field and my long-time involvement with ISSM, gives me a significant organizational memory, permitting a unique perspective on the history of our society, facilitating more informed decision making for any executive committee member. 

Finally, I have worked with all of the current members of the board of directors and the executive office staff, some of whom I have worked with in various capacities for more than two decades. I prize the concept of teams and camaraderie and I have always believed that the best plans are constructed by the best teams.  

In summary, I believe that I have the commitment, experience, leadership qualities and team building skills to excel in this position and to advance the mission of ISSM and facilitate its growth over the next 4 years. 

Click here for the full CV.

Biography

John P. Mulhall, MD MSc FECSM FACS FRCSI, is a native of Dublin, Ireland. He completed medical school at University College Dublin (UCD, graduated 1985). After his internship, he pursued a MSc Degree in Anatomy at UCD (1987). After a few years of general surgery training in Dublin, he emigrated to the USA in 1989 to pursue Urology residency, which he completed at University of Connecticut (1995). His Sexual & Reproductive Medicine Fellowship was conducted at Boston University (1996). He is recognized as a passionate sexual medicine clinician and researcher. He was one of the first North Americans to take the FECSM examination, which he did the first time that the exam was offered (2012).

He is currently the Director of the Male Sexual & Reproductive Medicine Program, Director of the Sexual Medicine Fellowship and Director of the Sexual & Reproductive Medicine Research Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. He holds an adjunct position as Professor of Urology in the Department of Urology at Cornell University Medical Center.

Dr. Mulhall has been a member of ISSM (formerly known as the International Society for the Study of Impotence) since 1994, the year he first attended the biennial meeting in Singapore, during his training as a urology resident. Over the past 30 years, he has had extensive involvement with the ISSM, being awarded a Young Investigator Award in 2000 to support clinical research and the Jean Francois Ginestié Award for basic science research in 2002. He has held the following leadership positions within the society: Member and then co-chair of the (now defunct) Standards Committee (2004-2010); Chairman of the Registry Committee (2006-2008); SMSNA liaison to the ISSM Board of Directors (as SMSNA President in 2011); Co-Scientific Chair of the World Meeting on Sexual Medicine (Chicago 2012). In 2023, for his services to the society, he was awarded the ISSM Distinguished Service award.

He has participated in four International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) meetings and was on the steering committee for the meeting in 2016 and a committee chair for three of these meetings. Most notably, he has been on the editorial board of The Journal of Sexual Medicine since its inception in 2000 and is its current Editor-in-Chief (EIC). He will finish his 10-year EIC tenure at the end of this coming September, permitting him the time that will be required to participate as an ISSM Executive Committee member.

Dr. Mulhall has almost 400 papers published in peer-reviewed journals (H-index 71, >16,500 citations), and has published 58 book chapters and 10 books to date, including: Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide For Men With Prostate Cancer (2008), Sexual Function In The Prostate Cancer Patient (editor in chief, 2009), Cancer & Sexual Health (editor in chief, 2011), Fertility Preservation In The Male Cancer Patient, (editor in chief, 2012).  He was editor-in-chief of the review journal Current Sexual Health Reports until 2007 and has served on the editorial board of The Journal of Urology and Reviews in Urology. He is currently editing the new textbook Oncosexology: Sexual Health in the Patient with Pelvic Cancer.

Dr. Mulhall has been heavily involved in research activities throughout his almost three decades in academic practice. Dr Mulhall’s basic research interests have included defining the pathobiology of Peyronie’s disease fibroblasts, erectile function preservation in cavernous nerve injury models and the elucidation of endothelial cell response to radiation therapy. His clinical research interests are varied and cover the spectrum of male sexual health, including erectile function, Peyronie’s disease, ejaculatory/orgasmic dysfunction and testosterone deficiency. His current research interests include (among others): defining predictors of post-prostatectomy erectile function recovery and pelvic radiation erectile function preservation, quality of life in Peyronie’s disease patients and their partners, the pathophysiology of sexual incontinence after radical prostatectomy, development of novel instruments for evaluating sexual function in patients, having recently published the first English language sexual satisfaction tool for men after penile implant surgery (SSIPI) and the first questionnaire assessing the impact of prostate cancer therapy on female partner sexual function and quality of life (SCIPPP-F). He is recognized an authority on the design, conduct and interpretation of sexual medicine trials.

Beside leadership roles in ISSM, he has held senior positions within other medical organizations including: Secretary of the SMSNA (2007-10); President of SMSNA (2011); Chairman of the Core Curriculum Committee of the American Urological Association (AUA, 2012-15); the written examination of committee of the AUA (2005-2008); Member, AUA education council (2012-2015); AUA Practice Guideline committee (2016-2024), chairing the testosterone deficiency guideline committee and sitting on the AUA guideline committees for Priapism, Ejaculatory Dysfunction and Male Infertility between 2018-2022. He currently sits on the American Board of Urology’s oral examination committee.

Besides the aforementioned awards, he has also been awarded a Career Development Award for basic science research from the US Veterans Administration (1998-2001); the Robert P. Nelson Award for clinical research from SMSNA (2001); the Distinguished Service Award from SMSNA (2022). In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious Gold Cystoscope Award from the AUA. Recently, he was awarded a Lifetime Honorary Membership in the Irish Society of Urology, an honor of great importance to him, given his European heritage.

He has run a fellowship program, training future leaders in the field of sexual medicine, for 20 years, and to date, has trained 33 fellows (clinical and research), many of whom are women. He is renowned for his commitment to education and mentorship and is a regular speaker on related topics, such as, academic success and publication ethics.

His extended family still live in Ireland and he visits regularly. He has two sons who live in the US and does his best to make time for his favorite hobbies – scuba diving, underwater photography and martial arts. He is a certified rugby fanatic, having represented his country in this sport (Combined Irish Universities) and was honored with the captaincy of this team in 1987 during his first trip to Asia (Korea and Japan).

Finally, he is a world traveler, a long-time passion of his, and he has traveled extensively to all inhabited continents and has many colleagues and friends across the globe. If he has not met you to date, he looks forward to doing so in the future and hearing about your passion for the wonderful field of sexual medicine.

Dr. Shindel is committed to advancing ISSM’s influence amongst both medical practitioners and lay communities.  His work with Sexual Medicine has focused on publishing articles of interest to lay communities to provide interesting and actional information that our patients can turn to while dispelling common myths and misperceptions.  He is also committed to expanding content in non-English languages to better accommodate the needs of our membership from around the world. 

ISSM experts really are the best in the world and we need to make sure that non-sexual medicine specialists around the world know that so that they turn to our organization for guidance.  This should take the form of engagement with other professional organizations  whose interests align with our own.  As a member of the board of directors for ISSM Dr. Shindel is confident he can work with colleagues from numerous disciplines and from around the world to achieve these goals.

Alan Shindel, MD MAS, completed medical school and residency at Washington University in Saint Louis in the United States. He completed his fellowship in andrology and sexual health at the University of California, San Francisco under the guidance of Drs. Tom Lue and Ira Sharlip. He is currently a Professor of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Shindel has been a member of ISSM for almost twenty years; during that time he has served as a member of the 2014 ISSM Consultation on Premature Ejaculation which led to publication of the ISSM guidelines on Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation. He was the inaugural Editor-in-Chief for Sexual Medicine, the open access journal of ISSM, from 2012 to 2015 and resumed duties as Editor-in-Chief for Sexual Medicine in 2020. He has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Sexual Medicine and is currently the Chair of the ISSM Education Committee. He was a member of the 2015 ICSM Committee on Education and is Coo-Chair of the 2024 ICSM Committee on Disorders of Ejaculation and Orgasm in men. He was scientific program chair for the 2022 combined SMSNA/ISSM meeting in Miami, Florida.

Outside of ISSM he holds and has held leadership roles with the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (previously member-at-large, currently Co-Chair of the Grants/Fellowship committee), the American Urological Association (member of two guideline panels and chair of a third on disorders of ejaculation, currently Chair of the AUA Core Curriculum Committee), and his home institution of UCSF (Medical Student Coach for our Longitudinal Curriculum, Associate Program Director for Medical Student Education).

Dear Esteemed Members of the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM),

I am excited to express my keen interest in the Member at Large position within the esteemed International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM). With a steadfast commitment to advancing the field of sexual medicine, I am fully committed and driven by a vision to foster global collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

Over the past 8 years, I have dedicated myself to enhancing patient care, advocating for evidence-based practices, and conducting groundbreaking research in sexual medicine. My extensive clinical experience in high-volume medical centers worldwide has provided me with expertise in managing diverse sexual, reproductive, and urological conditions. Additionally, my academic contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters in sexual medicine and reproductive health. Serving as Associate Editor for esteemed journals like Sexual Medicine Reviews, Sexual Medicine and Video Journal of Sexual Medicine, I have gained a deep understanding of the current challenges and opportunities in our sexual medicine field.

Recently, I have actively contributed to the ISSM educational committee, chairing webinars and co-chairing the educational initiatives. I am eager to leverage my skills and insights to further the society's mission of promoting global sexual health, education, and research. By collaborating with diverse experts and stakeholders, I am confident that together we can drive significant advancements and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

I am sincerely grateful for considering my application for the Member at Large position within ISSM. I am eager to contribute to the society’s impactful initiatives and advance our shared goals.

I very much appreciative for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Omer Raheem MD, MSc, MCh Urol, MRCSI, FACS

Staff Urologist, Director of Mens Health, Glickman Urological Institute, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here for the full CV.

Dr. Omer Raheem, an accomplished urologist and Associate Professor, specializes in men’s sexual health, male infertility, and male genitourinary reconstruction. He recently joined the Glickman Urological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Previously, he held a dual appointment as an Associate Professor of Urology and Gynecology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he also directed the Men’s Health Program and Clinics.

At the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Raheem collaborates closely with the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility, focusing on male factor infertility. He also supports cancer survivors at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Comprehensive Cancer Center, enhancing erectile, urinary, and reproductive health in men.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Raheem is actively engaged in clinical and translational research, particularly in prosthetics and reproductive urology. His research aims to identify biomarkers and develop therapies in sexual and reproductive medicine. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to several book chapters, including recent works such as "Male Factor Infertility: What Every OB/GYN Should Know" (Elsevier, 2023) and "Manual of Sperm Retrieval and Preparation in Human Assisted Reproduction" (Cambridge University Press, 2021).

Dr. Raheem serves as Associate Editor for several prestigious journals including Sexual Medicine Reviews, Sexual Medicine, and Video Journal of Sexual Medicine, affiliated with the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. He also holds editorial roles at the Journal of Urology Open Plus and Journal of Urology, publications associated with the American Urologic Association.

Dr. Raheem completed his urology residency at the University of California, San Diego, and a fellowship at the University of Washington. He received his training in general surgery and urology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, and holds Master of Surgery (MCh) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees from Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Raheem websites:

https://profiles.uchicago.edu/profiles/display/23820258

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3YG0b0obIw8AnJJnhYD7uA

https://twitter.com/OmerRaheemMD

https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-a-raheem-5997b8a7/

https://www.facebook.com/omer.a.raheem.3?mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=raheem+o&sort=pubdate

Dear ISSM Members,

I am writing this letter to support my candidacy for Director-at-Large on the International Society for Sexual Medicine's Board of Directors. I believe I have the correct combination of personal passion, dedication to sexual medicine, and clinical and educational expertise to represent our membership on the Board. Additionally, I represent a much-needed voice for ISSM—the voice of female sexual medicine.

Clinically, as a board-certified OBGYN, I have dedicated my life to improving and saving women's lives. When I started my own private practice 10 years ago, I carved out my gynecology practice to meet the needs of my patients with sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain and menopause concerns. I have since honed my practice to include pelvic floor therapy and sexual counseling and work with my husband who is interventional pain, for spine related issues.

I also teach medical students and residents at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in my office and have incorporated a sexual medicine lecture into the curriculum as well as a problem based learning segment for 3rd year students. I have also expanded my work internationally and take at least one student a year from the American Medical Opportunity organization. With them, I have taught students from many countries in Africa, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico, UK, and the Middle East. My students have been so inspired that many of them have been inspired to submit publications and abstracts through ISSM, ISSWSH, WSSM, and the menopause society. Additionally, I hear from them all the time how much learning about sexual medicine in my office has helped them with patients internationally and has helped their preceptors as well.

My own research has been around the influence of religion on sexuality and implicit bias in medicine and I have authored a number of reviews and research around sexual dysfunction in Muslim women. In the past few years, I have been recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in female sexual medicine and menopause and am often asked to lecture or comment on current events.

Additionally, my work and engagement with ISSWSH, SMSNA and ISSM speaks to my dedication to the organizations of sexual medicine and my desire to continue to expand female sexual medicine knowledge on an international level. With ISSWSH, after becoming a fellow, I have worked on the social media committee, the educational committee, fellowship committee, outreach committee, and was previously the Director-at-Large on the Board of Directors. Now, I serve as Scientific Co-Chair and will be the Chair of Scientific Committee next year. With ISSM, I have served on the educational committee, scientific committee, and have worked with the Podcast subcommittee on raising more awareness through the podcast.

Finally, on a personal note, sexual medicine is a calling for me and I am extremely passionate about the field and have encouraged and mentored so many others to follow in my footsteps. I have a social media presence and podcast and work to actively amplify the voices of patients who have suffered in silence for too long. I believe I can help to amplify the voice of ISSM, collaborate well with other societies including ISSWSH, SMSNA and all the international societies I have come to know through WSM. If given the opportunity, I will broaden the impact of ISSM across the world and help disseminate the society’s mission and improve the sexspan of people around the world through our efforts.

Thank you for the consideration.

Sameena Rahman, M.D., FACOG, IF, MSCP

Click here for the full CV.

Dr. Sameena Rahman is a board-certified OB/GYN, founder of the Center for Gynecology and Cosmetics, Clinical Assistant Professor of OBGYN and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and podcast host of Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones.  After years of practicing obstetrics and gynecology in various large academic settings and locations, Dr Rahman opened a practice to focus on her special areas of interest - sexmed gynecology and menopause medicine – and ensure patients have the best quality of life. 

She has been an active member and fellow of the International Society for The Study of Women's Sexual Health for eight years, serving on the social media committees, fellowship committees, Board of Directors as Director at Large, and Educational Committees, and now she is Scientific Co-chair for the ISSM/ISSWSH meeting in 2025. She is also on the faculty of the fall course for ISSWSH and is a prolific speaker for issues regarding female sexual medicine and menopause. She has also been an active member of ISSM and is involved with the educational committee, podcast committee, and abstract reviewer. Additionally, she has been a member of SMSNA as well.

She has published multiple review articles on religion and sexuality, specifically Islam and Sexuality, and has many abstracts that have been accepted to ISSWSH, ISSM/WSM, and SMSNA meetings. She has spoken at many annual conferences for ISSWSH, including Implicit Bias in Sexual Medicine, Myths about Islam and Sexuality, and Starting up a private sexual medicine practice. She was also a speaker for the last ISSM WSM meeting Additionally, Dr. Rahman has been a member of the Menopause Society for the last eight years and is a certified menopause physician. She enjoys teaching medical students at Northwestern and worldwide through American Medical Opportunities and has received numerous teaching awards. She is a faculty advisor for the Medical Student Forum for Female Sexual Medicine. She has integrated a variety of courses on female sexual medicine into the curriculum at Northwestern Feinberg Medical School. She also serves as a medical advisor for several patient advocacy groups, including Let's Talk Menopause and National Menopause Foundation.

Dr. Rahman was raised ‘in the south’ in North Carolina and understands what good ole southern hospitality means. She is also the daughter of immigrants from Pakistan, so she understands the implication of culture on sexuality. She attended Duke University for her B.S. degree in Biology, where she also specialized in Women’s Studies. She then continued in her home state at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her M.D.  As women’s health care and women’s issues have always been at the forefront of her concerns, she moved up north for her residency in Massachusetts in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Massachusetts. 

After completing her residency, Dr. Rahman made her way out west to California, where she spent four years at the faculty of the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine.  While in Los Angeles, she spent much time on resident and medical student education with simulation training in obstetrics and surgery.  Additionally, Dr. Rahman spent her time performing medical missions internationally with various international women’s organizations and working with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Switzerland.

Dr. Rahman serves on the medical advisory board for the Flo Menstrual app, Evvy, and Forbes Health.

She is also the mother of three children, ages 5, 12, and 14, and married to an interventional pain physician. In her spare time, she enjoys running, boxing, and traveling.

Why am I running for the Member-at-Large position

Dear Colleagues,

It is my great honor to have the chance to run for the position of Member-at-Large in this esteemed Society. I am Dr. Yan Zhang from Sun Yat-sen University, China.

Why am I running for the Member-at-Large position?

Firstly, my deep passion for sexual medicine drives my candidacy. With over 20 years of dedication to this field, I have authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, ranging from behavioral therapy for premature ejaculation to pioneering the concept of MPEDT. My work spans from sexual counseling to penile prosthesis implantation, encompassing both basic and clinical research. The foundation of my achievements lies in my genuine love for sexual medicine. Notably, I have contributed to the refinement of two microsurgical procedures, with the surgical videos featured in the AUA Surgical Video Library.

Secondly, I aspire to support fellow professionals and patients, particularly those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, in enhancing academic communication, fostering innovation, and promoting education. Being a sexual medicine expert whose first language is not English, I understand the challenges posed by language barriers and limited cultural familiarity on career progression. Recognizing the added difficulties faced by individuals from non-English-speaking countries in accessing international sexual medicine knowledge, I have personally navigated these obstacles through self-motivation and continuous learning. This journey has propelled me from a passive observer to an engaged member of ISSM, currently serving on the Education Committee and the ICSM Committee.

Lastly, I am well-prepared, both mentally and physically, to fulfill the responsibilities of this role. For over three decades, I have maintained a disciplined regimen of regular long-distance running and strength training. This commitment has not only fortified my mental resilience but also bolstered my physical endurance, enabling me to execute my committee duties effectively.

I firmly believe that my fervor for sexual medicine, dedication to self-improvement, and unwavering perseverance can advance innovation, education, collaboration, communication, inclusivity, and diversity within the realm of sexual medicine. I trust that these qualities uniquely qualify me to excel in the role of a Member-at-Large.

Short Biography of Yan Zhang

Prof. Yan Zhang is Director of the Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Professor, Chief Physician,Guangzhou, China. He has special interests in sexual dysfunction and male infertility, and is also an expert in urological microsurgery and prosthetic surgery. He obtained three research grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

As a fully dedicated clinician and surgeon, working with one of the busiest departments in China with more than 25,000 outpatient visits per year, He has been genuinely passionated in the research that focused on sexual medicine and andrology for over 20 years. He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles in sexual medicine and male infertility microsurgeries.

He independently and in collaboration with others, successively introduced the new behavioral therapy of "Regular penile root masturbation training for premature ejaculation" and the diagnostic tool for premature ejaculation through masturbation parameters, known as “The masturbatory premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (MPEDT)”.

He also reported on vasal vessels preserving vasoepididymostomy, varicocelectomy with transfixing of the periarterial vein and the vasoepididymostomy video has been presented at the AUA Surgical Video Library.

Through self-motivation and continuous learning, he has overcome the language barriers and limited cultural familiarity, and gradually transitioned from a “silent” member to an “active” member of ISSM. Currently, he serves as a member of Education Committee and the ICSM Committee (Disorders of Orgasm and Ejaculation in Men). He also serves as Vice Chairman of Sexual Medicine Branch of China Sexology Association.