International Medical Education & Research Conference - Maldives
Global Knowledge, Local Impact
Villa College, IGMH, Mayo Clinic Collaboration
Nov 3-5, 2025

251

Days

12

Hours

34

Minutes

54

Seconds

Poster Competition

Destination & Accomodation

Pre-Conference workshops

Conference Schedule

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and announcements.

About the conference

Strengthening healthcare through global collaboration, education, and training to empower local professionals and enhance patient care.

IMERC is dedicated to fostering global collaboration among medical professionals, creating invaluable opportunities for education, training, and knowledge exchange. Our mission is to bridge the gap in healthcare by connecting expert physicians and highly skilled allied health professionals with underserved regions. Through this initiative, we aim to elevate medical practice, enhance patient care, and drive sustainable healthcare development worldwide. Together, we can make a lasting impact on communities in need, ensuring better health outcomes for all.

Our inaugural meeting in November 2025 marks the beginning of this vision, bringing together physicians and allied health staff from the Mayo Clinic (USA), Villa College, and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. This collaboration sets the foundation for meaningful partnerships, knowledge sharing, and impactful healthcare advancements that will shape the future of global medicine. 

Important Dates

April 17, 2025

Registration Opens

August 1, 2025

Early Bird Registration Ends

July 15, 2025

Abstract Submission Deadline

Session Highlights

Key Speakers

Jay Adusumalli

M.B.B.S., M.P.H.

Assistant Professor of medicine, division of General internal medicine,  Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Adusumali specializes in Integrative medicine and Hyperbaric.

His areas of special interest include; diving and hyperbaric therapy, preventative care and emergency preparedness and is asked to management

Dr. Adusumali is the former practice chair for Executive Health - Department of Medicine, and a member of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical society and American College of Preventative Medicine.

Audrey N. Schuetz

M.D.

Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Schuetz, is a Pathologist and Clinical Microbiology with specialty expertise in bacterial antibiotic resistance, anaerobic bacteriology, and the pathology of infectious disease. Her clinical focus includes: examining histology and cytology preparations for evidence of infection, developing antibiotic resistance tests for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and partnering with patient-facing providers to guide proper specimen collection and test ordering.

In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Schuetz is active in international guidance development for antibiotic testing and reporting for bacteria and fungi. She authors expert content and publishes in high-impact scientific journals on the topics of clinical microbiology and the pathology of infectious diseases. She also enjoys mentoring laboratory technologists, residents, and fellows.

Marcia R. Venegas Pont

M.D.

Assistant Professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Venegas specializes in breast diseases. She is the Co-Director of the Mayo clinic Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Conference and is a member of the National consortium of breast Centers.

Christopher J. McLeod

Ch.B., Ph.D.,

Chair of the Heart Rhythm Division, department of Cardiology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Dr. McLeod is Board-Certified in Adult Congenital Heart Disease as well as Cardiac Electrophysiology. He uniquely straddles these disciplines to care for an ever-growing group of adult congenital heart disease survivors. His practice focuses on the management of complex heart rhythm disorders in adults.

Amindra S. Arora

M.B, B.Chair.

Professor of medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Arora has a special interest in esophageal disease.  Dr. Arora has multiple recognitions for Excellence in Clinical Teaching and is a reviewer of MKSAP 17.

Deanne T. Kashiwagi

M.D.

Assistant Professor of medicine, division of Hospital Medicine Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Kashiwagi as dual board-certified in Hospital Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 

She has special interest in Medical eduction, Perioperative care, Inpatient medical care & Care delivery systems and quality improvement.

She has received multiple Outstanding Faculty Award and was the Co-Course Director Complex Care at SSMC CME Course in Abu Dhabi.

James H. Bower

M.D.

Professor of Neurology,  Division Chair - Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Bower's special interest include; Movement disorder clinic setp, EMGs, Epidemiology of parkinsonism, Clinical trials in progressive supranuclear palsy and Global health research.

Ivana T. Croghan

Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Croghan has administered multisite and multi-country studies, including over 325 prospective clinical trials and more than 100 retrospective trials. She serves on the review board for several journals and has authored more than 138 peer-reviewed manuscripts.

One of her main interest is research education and holds several research related classes, including Research Bootcamp for physicians.

James C. Watson

M.D.

Professor of Anesthesiology & Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Former Chair of the Division of Pain Medicine. Dr. Watson specializes in periprocedural medicine, cancer-related pain management, and musculoskeletal and spine-related pain management, including spinal ablations and peripheral nerve blocks.

Samir Mardini

M.D.

Professor of Surgery,  Division Chair – Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Mardini is a global leader in the field of craniofacial surgery and facial paralysis and reanimation surgery in children and adults. Dr. Mardini was a major contributor to forming Mayo Clinic's groundbreaking face transplant program, and he led his team to perform Mayo Clinic's first-ever face transplant successfully.

His specialty in craniofacial surgery in children and adults includes helping those needing cleft lip and palate repair and those with craniosynostosis, vascular malformations, jaw malformations, congenital nevi, and facial injuries.

Newton B. Neidert, M.D.

M.D.

Assistant Professor of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Neidert specialized in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. He has a special interest in complex vascular procedures relating to thromboembolism.

Haraldur Bjarnason

M.D.

Professor of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

He is an active member of the Vascular & Interventional Division and the director of the Gonda Vascular Center, Mayo Clinic Rochester.

His main clinical interests include vascular disease in general with special interest in venous disease, (large vein endovascular reconstruction, thrombolysis and management of venous insufficiency) as well as peripheral arterial disease. 

Edward R. Laskowski

M.D.

Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Laskowski is a specialist in physical medicine was the former director of the Sports Medicine Center at Mayo.

His expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, from Sports Medicine, to Fitness and Strength and Stability Training.

Eric R. Leveille

M.D., M.P.H

Instructor in Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Leveille, provides family oriented comprehensive care, including obstetrical & well-woman care, newborn/pediatrics and geriatric care.

He has a special interest in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and its application in enhancing clinical decision-making—particularly in outpatient primary care, urgent bedside assessments in emergency settings, and inpatient evaluations.

Gary A. Croghan

M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Dr. Croghan specializes in Oncology

He has special interest in nicotine research especially as they relate to lung cancer development; tumor immunology and novel treatments for renal cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer and assessment of increased treatment toxicities in smoking cancer patients.

Main Conference Lecture Series

November 5, 2025

Local Students

MVR 500

Medical Professionals

MVR 1900

International (Inperson)

USD 300

International (Online)

USD 200

Early Bird Discount: Register before August 1, 2025 and get 15% off the main conference day fee.

Pre-Conference Workshops

November 3, 2025

CPR Workshop

MVR 900

Research Boot Camp

MVR 500

Hands-on Physical Exam Workshop

USD 1000

Dive Medicine Updates

USD 1500

Poster Presentation – November 4, 2025

  • Free participation
  • Students whose abstracts are accepted will receive an additional 15% discount on registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the adress of the conference venue?
The conference will be held at Villa College QI Campus, RahDhebai Hingun, 20373, Male', Maldives.
Who do I contact for any questions or issues related to the ocnfernce?
For any questions or issues related to the conference, please contact us at IMERC@villacollege.edu.mv.
What are the dates and location of the conference?
The conference will be held from November 3rd to 5th, 2025, at Villa College QI Campus, RahDhebai Hingun, 20373, Male', Maldives.
Is the event in-person, virtual, or hybrid?
All domestic participants are required to attend in person. International participants may choose to join either in person or virtually via our online platform.
What is the dress code for the conference?
Casual attire is appropriate; however, for the poster competition and the main conference lecture day, we recommend presentable clothing—such as trousers and button-down shirts for men, and dresses, skirts, or trousers paired with blouses for women.

Address

Villa College, VC QI Campus,
RahDhebai Hingun, 20373,
Male', Maldives.

Conference secretariat 

IMERC@villacollege.edu.mv

Phone

+960 330 32 00