Our History
During a holiday party in 1994, two doctors and an instructional designer were discussing how to ensure that their patients have understood their diagnoses and home-care instructions. They brainstormed ways to simplify the content and verify comprehension.
Few days later, Dr. Souheil Haddad and Dr. Dean Gesme asked Moe Ajam to start the Patient Education Institute (PEI). In June of 1995, they tested the first X-Plain tutorials at the University of Iowa and Bloomington Hospital in Indiana. Twenty-seven years later, more than 300 million patients all over the world have watched thousands of X-Plain tutorials, videos, and illustrated handouts.
Few days later, Dr. Souheil Haddad and Dr. Dean Gesme asked Moe Ajam to start the Patient Education Institute (PEI). In June of 1995, they tested the first X-Plain tutorials at the University of Iowa and Bloomington Hospital in Indiana. Twenty-seven years later, more than 300 million patients all over the world have watched thousands of X-Plain tutorials, videos, and illustrated handouts.
Leadership
Moe A. Ajam, Ph.D.
Dr. Moe Ajam is co-founder and president of the Patient Education Institute. Dr. Ajam has more than 32 years of experience designing educational software for startup companies. In 1991, Dr. Ajam pioneered the implementation of subscription-based computer software services for managing risk through the documentation of training and education.
Dr. Ajam received Bachelor of Science degrees in biology in 1982 and computer science programming in 1984. He received his Ph.D. in computer-based instruction from the University of Iowa in 1990.
Dr. Moe Ajam is co-founder and president of the Patient Education Institute. Dr. Ajam has more than 32 years of experience designing educational software for startup companies. In 1991, Dr. Ajam pioneered the implementation of subscription-based computer software services for managing risk through the documentation of training and education.
Dr. Ajam received Bachelor of Science degrees in biology in 1982 and computer science programming in 1984. He received his Ph.D. in computer-based instruction from the University of Iowa in 1990.
Souheil F. Haddad, M.D.
Dr. Souheil Haddad is co-founder and medical director of the Patient Education Institute. Dr. Haddad practices neurosurgery at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Bloomington in Indiana. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Neurosurgery and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Medical Association, American Association of Neurological Surgery, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Indiana State Medical Association.
Dr. Haddad received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of Beirut in 1986. He received his neurosurgical training at the University of Iowa from 1986 to 1992.
Dr. Souheil Haddad is co-founder and medical director of the Patient Education Institute. Dr. Haddad practices neurosurgery at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Bloomington in Indiana. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Neurosurgery and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Medical Association, American Association of Neurological Surgery, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Indiana State Medical Association.
Dr. Haddad received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of Beirut in 1986. He received his neurosurgical training at the University of Iowa from 1986 to 1992.
Dean Gesme, M.D., FASCO, FACP, FACPE
Dr. Dean H. Gesme, Jr. is co-founder of the Patient Education Institute and is on the board of directors. Dr. Gesme is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and medical management. He has been the assistant principal investigator for multi-million dollar grants from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Gesme serves as president of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and past president of the Iowa Division of the American Cancer Society. He has also served on the board of directors for the National Cancer Society Organization.
Dr. Gesme completed medical training at the University of Iowa in 1977. He completed his internal medical residency in San Francisco. Then he finished his medical oncology fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Dean H. Gesme, Jr. is co-founder of the Patient Education Institute and is on the board of directors. Dr. Gesme is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and medical management. He has been the assistant principal investigator for multi-million dollar grants from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Gesme serves as president of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and past president of the Iowa Division of the American Cancer Society. He has also served on the board of directors for the National Cancer Society Organization.
Dr. Gesme completed medical training at the University of Iowa in 1977. He completed his internal medical residency in San Francisco. Then he finished his medical oncology fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
