A concise overview of how the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ensures safe aviation through medical governance and global standards.
The session highlights managing human performance limits while maintaining operational safety.
It also touches on the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) framework for coordinated public health response in aviation.

1. Fit to Care: Crew Psychological Readiness and Resilience in Aeromedical Missions

   This session explores how psychological fitness, mental health, and resilience underpin safe performance in aeromedical aviation. It addresses risk assessment, hiring evaluations, and psychological screening in high-stakes environments.
   Participants will gain practical tools for post-incident stress coaching and trauma-informed support, enhancing crew readiness, decision-making, and overall safety outcomes.

   Speaker: Dr. Edma Naddaf, Clinical and Aviation Psychologist, co-founder of EMIRATES, Aeromedical Examiner (AME), UAE

    

2. Reframing Safety in Aeromedical Transport: A Complex Systems Approach to Risk Stratification

   Traditional safety metrics look backward—this session looks ahead.
   Aeromedical transport is a high-risk field where traditional safety measures often overlook dynamic, interconnected risks. This presentation proposes a systems-based approach to redefining performance metrics. It draws on research into pre-transport risk stratification and the interplay of clinical, operational, and environmental factors.

   Speaker: Dr Almien Smith, University of Pretoria, Universal Air Evac, RSA

    

3. Who Decides? Accountability and Authority in Aeromedical Transport

   In high-stakes aeromedical missions, who ultimately owns the decision to fly—and the risk that comes with it? This session examines the intersection of medical judgment, operational control, aviation and regulatory frameworks, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and liability. Through real-world scenarios, it highlights how clear decision authority strengthens safety and reduces conflict under pressure.

   Speaker: Dr Charlotte Stehn, Deputy Medical Director, Malteser Assistance

    

4. Operating Under Pressure: Aeromedical Missions in a Conflict-Affected GCC

   What does it take to maintain operations in a region shaped by conflict?
   This update offers real-world insights from the GCC, where volatility, coordination, and rapid decision-making are critical.
   Learn how teams adapt, mitigate risk, and ensure continuity in high-pressure environments.

   Speaker: Barbara Baumgartner, Managing Director FAI DMCC Dubai

    

1. From Data to Duty Limits: Defining Measurable Fatigue ThresholdsThe session examines methods for integrating fatigue-related thresholds into safety management systems, emphasizing the transition from subjective assessment to objective, evidence-based decision frameworks. The speaker analyzes how fatigue science, biometrics, and performance metrics can be operationalized into quantifiable duty limits within aeromedical contexts. Drawing on research conducted with NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the United States Department of Defense, the session demonstrates how data-driven models can be used to optimize alertness and mitigate operational risk.

   Speaker: Dr Daniel Mollicone, CEO Pulsar Informatics, USA

    

2. Bridging Theory and Reality: The Science of Implementing Fatigue Risk ManagementBuilding on the science of measurable limits, this session explores how fatigue risk management is translated into real-world operations.
   It focuses on practical implementation, organizational challenges, and how data-driven models can be effectively embedded into everyday decision-making.
   Gain insights into turning theory into actionable, sustainable practice across aviation environments.

   Speaker: Daniel Maerz, Director of Safety, Sunwest Aviation Canada

    

3. Live Demonstration: Cognitive Performance Testing in ActionExperience a real-time demonstration as volunteer participants complete a short cognitive assessment on a laptop.
   See firsthand how performance data is captured, analyzed, and interpreted to inform fatigue and alertness management.
   This interactive session highlights practical applications of monitoring tools in operational settings.

   Speakers: Meredith Hedwall, Pulsar Informatics and Daniel Maerz, Sunwest Aviation