About Atlantic Humanitarian Relief
Our Mission
Atlantic Humanitarian Relief’s (AHR) mission is to provide humanitarian support and healthcare with dignity and equity while enhancing rapid crisis response for lasting impact.
AHR believes that giving is a responsibility and that every human being has the right to healthcare and humanitarian support. Since our establishment, we have extended a helping hand to those in need through medical and relief projects that address real challenges and create a meaningful impact.
Our Objectives
- Provide free preventative and restorative dental care.
- Raise local, national and international awareness about the Syrian medical Crisis
- Target areas that lack access to healthcare
- Provide free non-urgent surgical care.
- Identify and fill gaps in medical, surgical, dental, rehabilitative and Psychosocial care
- Collaborate with other organizations to provide healthcare.
About Our Work
Our story began in 2013 with the team founder, Dr. Humam Akbik, Beth Tammaro and a number of volunteers from various specialties. The team’s tasks grew and the humanitarian crisis continued. Today, we are proud of a more than 2260 volunteers from various countries of the world, united by a common humanitarian goal of providing support and humanitarian assistance to those in need from inside and outside Syria.
AHR is a large family of volunteers who have dedicated their efforts to implementing multiple humanitarian projects by providing medical and surgical assistance to Syrians and refugees. The team also provides various humanitarian aid through an organized work mechanism.
We believe that volunteer work is the path to a better future, and is keen to cooperate with various humanitarian organizations and local partners to ensure the largest possible number of beneficiaries to achieve a sustainable impact, and contribute to alleviating the suffering of those affected.
Atlantic Humanitarian Relief (AHR) is proud to be one of the first NGOs to introduce an offline Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system in remote and underserved areas. In April 2025, during our medical mission in Syria, we successfully deployed this technology in regions with little to no internet access. The EMR enabled doctors, pharmacists, and volunteers to securely record, store, and access patient data on the spot—without relying on connectivity. This innovation ensured accurate diagnoses, proper medication tracking, and continuity of care across clinics, setting a new benchmark for how humanitarian missions can combine technology and compassion to deliver life-saving care in the most challenging environments.
Atlantic Humanitarian Relief, Inc. (AHR) is a non-political, Boston-based 501(c)(3) non-profit and Jordan registered non-governmental organization (NGO). Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 461749616.
Our Team
Executive Officers
Humam Akbik, MD, FIPP, General Surgery, Chairman & Mission Director
Dr. Akbik is a nationally-ranked and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. Dr. Akbik is an independent practitioner and president of Cincinnati Comprehensive Pain Center. He formerly served as Medical Director, Department of Pain Management at Mercy Health Hospitals. He is dedicated to his practice, is a member of many renowned pain management organizations and has received several prestigious honors in his field, including the Excellence in Pain Practice Award from the World Institute of Pain designation as a Top Pain Management Physician in Cincinnati by Cincinnati Magazine, and is rated a Top Pain Management Specialist by U.S. News. Since 2011, Dr. Akbik has led numerous medical and humanitarian missions to Jordan to aid displaced Syrians. He serves as AHR International Mission Director.
Beth Tammaro, RN Vice-Chair
Beth Tammaro is a Registered Nurse at the VA Boston Healthcare System with a specialization in Spinal Cord Injury rehabilitative nursing since 1985. Beth has been involved in medical missions to support displaced Syrians since 2012 and is actively involved in community and international volunteerism involving persons with disabilities.
Board Members
Nadeem M. Khan, DDS.
Dr. Nadeem Khan, DDS studies Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and received his doctorate degree in Dental Surgery from the University of Detroit Mercy. He complete a general practice residency at the Medical College of Ohio in 1996. Currently, he manages four clinics in a private practice. Nadeem is on the Board of Director for the Toledo Dental Society and is an Executive Board Member of Halim Clinic, which provides basic dental services free-of-charge to patients who cannot afford treatment.
Mouhammad Jumaa, MD
Dr. Jumaa is an Interventional Neurologist, UTMC. Dr. Mouhammad Jumaa, MD is a vascular neurologist in Toledo, OH and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Damascus University School of Medicine. Dr. Jumaa is a Program Director for Vascular Neurology and Fellowship Professor of Neurology at the University of Toledo.
Aiman Rifai, MD
Dr. Aiman Rifai was born in England and raised in New Jersey and is an Orthopedic Surgeon with specialization in adult hip and knee replacements. He is an associate professor of orthopedics at Hackensack Meridian School and Director Total Hip and revision surgery St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Dr. Rifai is the Associate Program Director of the residency program at St Joseph’s University Medical Center. He is also Medical Director of North Jersey Hip and Knee Center. He has many journal and book chapter publications and academy poster presentations and has been a member of NAAMA since 1990. Dr. Rifai has been on several medical missions in the past to Jordan and is founder of Damascus Hope a 501(c) 3 with goal of assisting poor Syrians.
Samir Tammous, PharmD
Abdalmajid Katranji, MD
Dr. Katranji is a Hand, Wrist, and Elbow surgeon whose skills also include peripheral nerve surgery and tissue reconstruction. Dr. Katranji’s practice offers x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, nerve conduction studies, platelet rich plasma injections, occupational therapy and functional capacity evaluations. As a board member of Atlantic Humanitarian Relief and a board member of Syrian American Council, Dr. Katranji is active with several local and national community service organizations. He currently serves on the board of Carefree Medical and Dental, which provides medical care to underserved populations, the Ingham Regional Refugee Council, providing social services to refugee populations, and Emgage-USA, a national advocacy organization for the Muslim American Community. He also serves on the national board of the Syrian American Council as the national community outreach coordinator. As a board certified surgeon, Katranji has traveled the globe providing surgical services for humanitarian missions, and is active in several initiatives promoting interfaith dialogue and community-based action.
Maher Suede, MD
Dr. Suede graduated from the Damascus University School of Medicine with honors. He completed his general surgery residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Monmouth, New Jersey, and New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Also received post graduate fellowship training in surgical intensive care at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Suede currently serves as the Chairman of the department of surgery and previously served as the president of medical staff at Eastern Connecticut Health Network.
He has surgical experience with more than 3000 robotic surgeries.
He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and in surgical critical care, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
Dr. Suede is privileged to practice surgery at Manchester Hospital.
He is actively involved in developing and maintaining the highest standards of patient centered surgical care, in order to achieve excellent outcomes.
Dr. Suede was chosen by his peers and Connecticut Magazine, as one of Connecticut Top Doctors from 2012 through 2018.
Khaled Issa, MD
Dr. Khaled Issa is a gastroenterologist in Cleveland, Ohio and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Khaled Issa has expertise in treating colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), among other conditions.
Our Partners
Over the years, AHR has developed strong bonds with other organizations striving to accomplish the same goals. We appreciate the ongoing and utter support of our partners and sponsors because our missions would not be as successful without them.
