Atlantic Humanitarian Relief (AHR)
Atlantic Humanitarian Relief (AHR) is an international humanitarian nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Humam Akbik, driven by a commitment to provide dignified, equitable healthcare to communities affected by conflict and limited access to medical services.
Since its founding, AHR has focused on delivering free
medical, surgical, dental, and humanitarian care through collaborative missions and sustainable health interventions. In Syria, AHR works closely with local hospitals and healthcare professionals to fill critical gaps in the healthcare system, supporting overstretched facilities, expanding access to specialized care, and reaching patients who would otherwise go untreated.
Through global volunteer engagement and local partnerships, AHR strives to strengthen healthcare systems while responding to urgent humanitarian needs.
Our Vision & 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 Team
Humam Akbik
MD, FIPP, General Surgery, Chairman & Mission Director
Beth Tammaro
RN Vice-Chair
Nadeem M. Khan
DDS, Dental Surgeon
Mouhammad Jumaa
MD, Neurologist
Abdalmajid Katranji
MD, Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgeon
Maher Suede
MD, General Surgeon
Khaled Issa
MD, Gastroenterologist
Aiman Rifai
MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
Samir Tammous
B.S. in Pharmacy
Dr. 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.
Nadeem M. Khan
DDS, Dental Surgeon
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.
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.
Mouhammad Jumaa
MD, Neurologist
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.
Abdalmajid Katranji
MD, Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgeon
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, General Surgeon
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, Gastroenterologist
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.
Aiman Rifai
MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
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
B.S. in Pharmacy
A New Jersey-based pharmacist, I earned my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Temple University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. I joined AHR in 2019, bringing a strong combination of clinical expertise and business acumen to support healthcare and pharmacy initiatives
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.
