to your health - American University of Beirut
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Fall 2012 Vol. XI, No. 1CHEERS<strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong> <strong>health</strong>
MainGate<strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong> Quarterly MagazinePresident’s viewViews from CampusReviewsDepartments:Letters 2Inside the GateRay R. Irani Oxy Engineering Complex wins 2012 Green GOOD Design Award; lifesavers: thank you, Brave Heart!;PhD student Dana Bazzoun awarded 2012 L’Oréal-UNESCO International Fellowship for Women in ScienceProtestant Missionaries in the Levant: Ungodly Puritans, 1820-60 by Samir Khalaf; Marketing Management:Arab World Edition by Philip Kotler, Kevin Lane Keller, Salah S. Hassan, Imad Baalbaki (BBA ’85, MBA ’87), andHamed M. ShammaBeyond Bliss StreetLeading Conversations Lodestar Dr. Karam Karam (BS ’62, MD ’67), clinical pr<strong>of</strong>essor and former minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>health</strong>, on how AUB 42can do even more <strong>to</strong> pioneer <strong>health</strong> care.Legends and Legacies Literary Light In 1866 Nassif al-Yaziji (1800-71) was widely recognized, along with Boutrus Bustani, as 43one <strong>of</strong> “two great figures who dominate the intellectual life <strong>of</strong> the period.”Reflections Wanted: Team Player, Grand Ambitions “Don’t make any little plans,” advises former FM Dean Craig 45S. Lichtenwalner. More than 40 years ago, Dr. Lichtenwalner played a key role in the planning and 1970inauguration <strong>of</strong> the AUB Medical Center, the largest expansion in <strong>health</strong> care infrastructure in AUB’s his<strong>to</strong>ry.Alumni Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Homeward Bound Joumana Kalot (BS ’89, MPH ’95) brings a wealth <strong>of</strong> experience from the UNDP and work 48in drug prevention and HIV/AIDS <strong>to</strong> her new position at the FHS Outreach and Practice Unit.Alumni Happenings WAAAUB Convention 2012; Legacy Ceremony 50Class Notes Meet siblings and spouses who dedicate their lives <strong>to</strong> <strong>health</strong> care. First up, triple threat: Ali Abu-Alfa (BS 54’85, MD ’85), Amer Abu Alfa (BS ’85, MD ’89), and Ghassan Abou-Alfa (BS ’88, MD ’92); published andproduced: Salah D. Salman (BS ’57, MD ’61) author <strong>of</strong> Scrubbed Out: Reviving the Doc<strong>to</strong>r’s Role in PatientCare; medically speaking: Dr. Alexander Geha (BS ’55, MD ’59)In Memoriam 668MainGate is published quarterly in<strong>Beirut</strong> by the <strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong> for distribution <strong>to</strong> alumni,former faculty, friends, andsupporters worldwide.Edi<strong>to</strong>rAda H. PorterDirec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> CommunicationsResponsible Direc<strong>to</strong>rNabil DajaniArt Direction and DesignOffice <strong>of</strong> CommunicationsNajib AttiehZeina TawilTomoko FurukawaProductionOffice <strong>of</strong> CommunicationsRanda ZaiterPho<strong>to</strong>graphyAUB Jafet Library ArchivesAhmad El ItaniHasan NisrNishan SimonianContributing WritersMaureen AliAndrew BossoneJean-Marie CookKathy DormanSusanne LaneJeffrey LotSierra MillmanJennifer MullerBarbara RosicaSafa Jafari Safa<strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong>Office <strong>of</strong> CommunicationsPO Box 11–0236Riad El Solh 1107 2020<strong>Beirut</strong>, LebanonTel: 961-1-353228Fax: 961-1-363234New York Office3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza8th FloorNew York, NY 10017–2303Tel: 212-583-7600Fax: 212-583-7651maingate@aub.edu.lbwww.aub.edu.lbCoverLooks like gross ana<strong>to</strong>my isn’tso gross after all. Cheers <strong>to</strong> ourfuture doc<strong>to</strong>rs!Printing53 dots (Dar El Ko<strong>to</strong>b)
Cheers <strong>to</strong> Your Health!MainGate Fall 201224 27 38Partnership for LifeIn the last 30 years, the 5,877 milesseparating the Cleveland Clinic and AUBMChave only become smaller.33Treating LebanonCatch cancer early. Love <strong>your</strong> heart.Diagnose diabetes. What you can do andwhat AUB is doing <strong>to</strong> protect against thegreatest <strong>health</strong> issues facing the region.Artistic LegacyAUB celebrates the Rose and ShaheenSaleeby Collection with an inauguralexhibition showcasing the work <strong>of</strong> KhalilSaleeby, a founder <strong>of</strong> modern art inLebanon.Building <strong>to</strong> HealAUBMC is embarking on the greatest transformation in its 110-year his<strong>to</strong>ry. MainGatelooks back at past builds, shares early plans for the2020 medical complex, and speaks <strong>to</strong> the architectural teams translating a vision <strong>of</strong> clarity and transparency in<strong>to</strong> steel and glass(and perhaps a <strong>to</strong>uch <strong>of</strong> local cedar).
P r e s i d e n t ' s v i e wThe president speaks with MainGateabout his journey through highereducation, finding men<strong>to</strong>rs, andrecommends a reading list that is notfor the faint <strong>of</strong> heart.In <strong>your</strong> Opening Ceremonyremarks in September, <strong>your</strong>eflected on the ways that AUBis a place where students, faculty,and staff can undertake personaljourneys <strong>of</strong> exploration. Canyou tell us something about <strong>your</strong>own personal journey in highereducation and what you gainedfrom the experience?What I remember in particular was themany options I had in choosing a major.Unlike the Lebanese system where youapply <strong>to</strong> get in<strong>to</strong> a major, at <strong>American</strong>schools you get two years <strong>to</strong> choose.After looking at fine arts, psychology,and others, I finally settled on anthropology.The program at Amherst Collegewas focused on cultural anthropologyand the way in which human civilizationsinteract. I also wound up doing a minorin psychology, exploring linguistics andhow conceptual thinking is intimatelytied <strong>to</strong> language. Ultimately, those twothings came <strong>to</strong>gether in my graduatework in Egyp<strong>to</strong>logy at the <strong>University</strong><strong>of</strong> Chicago, which was a way for me<strong>to</strong> explore ancient civilizations with afocus on language and the hieroglyphicwriting system.The other great opportunity I hadat Amherst was joining the Glee Club.Extracurricular activities outside theclassroom are something I feel is veryimportant for young people <strong>to</strong> explore.My most memorable experience withthe Glee Club was a world <strong>to</strong>ur wedid in the summer <strong>of</strong> 1969. One <strong>of</strong> ours<strong>to</strong>ps on this <strong>to</strong>ur was Lebanon, whereBoard Chairman Philip Khoury and President Peter Dorman greet AUB Chief Marshal,Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Huda Zuraykwe sang at the Baalbek Festival in theTemple <strong>of</strong> Bacchus. Music has been alife-long interest <strong>of</strong> mine.Looking back over my undergraduateexperience, if I had <strong>to</strong> doit over again, I would certainly do asemester abroad, because that can bea life-changing experience.Who were <strong>your</strong> academicmen<strong>to</strong>rs? Who does a universitypresident turn <strong>to</strong> for men<strong>to</strong>rship?I especially admired my undergraduatethesis adviser, Donald Pitkin, wh<strong>of</strong>ormed my interest in cultural anthropology.The other person at Amherstwas Rose Olver, who headed thePsychology Department and was thefirst female faculty member hired atwhat was then an all-men’s school.She was the one who really spurredmy interest in linguistics. In Egyp<strong>to</strong>logy,I had two extraordinary men<strong>to</strong>rs. Onewas Edward Wente, a brilliant philologistand expert in Egyptian religion.The other was Klaus Baer, who wasa fantastic linguist and also a superbhis<strong>to</strong>rian. Together they really shapedmy graduate career.As a university president, thereare two groups <strong>of</strong> people I have turned<strong>to</strong> for men<strong>to</strong>rship. First are our trustees,who have remarkable competenciesin different fields, from financeand government relations <strong>to</strong> hospitaladministration and academic affairs.They have been extremely important inbroadening my understanding <strong>of</strong> howa complex institution like AUB actuallyfunctions. The other important peopleare other university presidents I know—not just presidents <strong>of</strong> <strong>American</strong> universitieshere in the Middle East, but alsopresidents back in the United States,because one <strong>of</strong>ten learns as much bystark differences as by similarities.2 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
P r e s i d e n t ' s v i e wIn <strong>your</strong> opening ceremonyremarks, you noted that AUBwas “propelled” upward by 50places <strong>to</strong> number 250 in the worldin the international QS WorldRankings. Is AUB actively seeking<strong>to</strong> increase its ranking in this andother polls? If so, how?We are very happy that we rose quicklyin the QS World Rankings and do lookat ways in which organizations rankuniversities, but we are not trying <strong>to</strong>influence those rankings by embracingpriorities that are not part <strong>of</strong> our mission.You say that the worth <strong>of</strong> aneducation should be measurednot in the immediate outcome(graduation, a job), but in thejourney itself. Have you found itdifficult <strong>to</strong> persuade AUB studentsand parents <strong>of</strong> this?I think parents realize, broadlyspeaking, that AUB provides excellentpr<strong>of</strong>essional preparation as well as theopportunity <strong>to</strong> explore with peers fromdifferent backgrounds. But I wouldlike <strong>to</strong> persuade both parents andstudents <strong>of</strong> the value <strong>of</strong> what goeson outside the classroom. I believeAUB graduates are especially attuned<strong>to</strong> dealing with people <strong>of</strong> differentbackgrounds and beliefs, working ingroups and teams, treating peoplewith respect, and leading in theirchosen pr<strong>of</strong>essions. These are vitalaspects <strong>of</strong> an AUB education.You said, “pure curiosity is yetanother enabler <strong>of</strong> journeys, andan essential impulse in the searchfor knowledge.” What piques<strong>your</strong> interests when you openthe newspaper or turn on <strong>your</strong>computer in the morning?When I open a newspaper, usually onthe computer, I look first at opinionpieces that reflect as broadly as possibledifferent views on what is happeningin current Middle Eastern affairs. Itis important for me <strong>to</strong> keep informed <strong>of</strong>how events are being interpreted, bothin the region and back home. Whatpiques my interest in particular is thehuge range <strong>of</strong> opinions about eventsin the Middle East. This has becomeeven more critical in the days <strong>of</strong> theArab spring, as things change quicklyand unpredictably.Another aspect that is importantfor AUB is <strong>to</strong> understand what ishappening in Washing<strong>to</strong>n, and howthe role <strong>of</strong> <strong>American</strong> universities in theMiddle East is perceived.For fun, I also occasionally lookat reviews <strong>of</strong> musical events andnew books that have been recentlypublished.Are there particular books orauthors that have enriched<strong>your</strong> personal journey in highereducation or that you wouldrecommend <strong>to</strong> our readers?A book from high school that madea huge impression on me and thatI’ve reread several times is Melville’sMoby-Dick. But I wouldn’t necessarilyrecommend it <strong>to</strong> Lebanese readersbecause it’s hard reading, even forEnglish speakers. I also love readinghis<strong>to</strong>ry. One book that I found fascinatingis The Ornament <strong>of</strong> the Worldby the late Maria Rosa Menocal. I<strong>to</strong>utlines the remarkable centuries <strong>of</strong>Andalusian civilization and the intellectualflowering, huge diversity, and<strong>to</strong>lerance at that place and time, representinga unique mingling <strong>of</strong> Jewish,Christian, and Muslim culture in terms<strong>of</strong> architecture, poetry, arts, medicine,and more.Another book which I foundshattering <strong>to</strong> read, is Eleni by NicholasGage. It is a very personal anddisturbing memoir <strong>of</strong> how his motherwas murdered during the Greek civilwar and how she was able <strong>to</strong> savehim and his family.If you are looking for somethinglighter, I can recommend the 17 books<strong>of</strong> Patrick O’Brien’s Jack Aubrey adventurenovels about the British navy duringthe Napoleonic wars. Extraordinarily,they are based on actual, documentednaval battles, and the dialogue is accuratefor its time—not something youalways find in his<strong>to</strong>rical novels. Theyalso contain contemporary scientificinsights and sudden flashes <strong>of</strong>great humor.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 20123
f r o m / t o t h e e d i t o rIf I could just find an AUB alum practicing derma<strong>to</strong>logy nearby, every member <strong>of</strong> my family would be cared for by someonewith an AUB affiliation. The primary care physician I’ve seen for years was recently named <strong>to</strong> the AUB Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees.The popular pediatrician getting rave reviews near my home, it turns out, has an MD from AUB. I don’t seek out AUBgraduates. Like anyone, I just look for the doc<strong>to</strong>r with the best references. It seems that if you’re looking for a good doc<strong>to</strong>r,you can start, and s<strong>to</strong>p, with someone from the AUB Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine.We interviewed several FM alumni for this <strong>health</strong>-care themed issue. We were also pleased <strong>to</strong> speak with FHS MPHalumna Joumana Kalot, <strong>to</strong> learn how nursing students work within the community from Mary Arevian at HSON, and particularlyenjoyed the s<strong>to</strong>ries <strong>of</strong> AUB alumni couples and siblings who have gone on <strong>to</strong> stellar careers in a variety <strong>of</strong> <strong>health</strong>-carefields (see their s<strong>to</strong>ries in Class Notes).The AUBMC 2020 project continues apace as we learned when we checked in with the architects <strong>of</strong> NBBJ whoare designing the new medical complex. Their renderings as you will see—a few are featured in “Building <strong>to</strong> Heal”—areinspirational. The view from the Medical Gate will never be the same. While we look forward <strong>to</strong> the physical implementation<strong>of</strong> this grand project, we never forget that it’s the day-<strong>to</strong>-day outreach, research, and patient care that is the hallmark<strong>of</strong> AUBMC <strong>to</strong>day and will be its strength for years <strong>to</strong> come. In “Treating Lebanon,” we learn about the major <strong>health</strong>challenges facing the region and what AUBMC and other AUB faculties are doing <strong>to</strong> help win the fight.Ada H. PorterEdi<strong>to</strong>r, MainGateingate@aub.edu.lb write us maingate@aub.edu.lb write us maingate@auMainGate Spring 2012,Vol. X, No. 3: Last GlanceOn the back cover <strong>of</strong> the spring issuewas a 1955 pho<strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong> a gardener withthe tarboosh near the chapel. Malcolmand I used <strong>to</strong> walk past that gardenevery day, little knowing that that placewould one day be the site <strong>of</strong> his memorial.It is almost a surprise <strong>to</strong> me when Ipass the garden these days and don’tsee Al-Haj watering the flowers! PeterDorman was a youngster at the time,living with his missionary parents not<strong>to</strong>o far from campus. We junior yearabroad students, sponsored by thePresbyterian Church, always welcomedan invitation <strong>to</strong> their house for dinner.Hidden treasuresAUB’s Jafet Archives iscollecting items related <strong>to</strong>AUB his<strong>to</strong>ry. Do you have anything in<strong>your</strong> closet or in a box in the garagethat you would be willing <strong>to</strong> donate—old pho<strong>to</strong>graphs, commemorativeplates, personal diaries, etc.? If so,please email us at maingate@aub.edu.lb. We'd love <strong>to</strong> hear from you.I found the astrolabes [from theinside back cover] in the basement <strong>of</strong>the Observa<strong>to</strong>ry when I was gatheringitems <strong>of</strong> his<strong>to</strong>rical interest <strong>to</strong> display inMarquand House in 1983. They were inbad repair but some skillful craftsmenin the buildings and grounds workshopcleaned and repaired them. We hadthem in the living room, but now I thinkthey are on display in the Senate Roomwhere Howard Bliss had his library.Ann Kerr-AdamsLos Angeles, CaliforniaWynn Weidner, daughter <strong>of</strong> the formerdean <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> EngineeringC. Ken Weidner, sent these FEAcharms in response <strong>to</strong> our call for AUB“treasures.” Thanks!upcoming magazineAUBMENTORSDid you study with someone atAUB who changed <strong>your</strong> life, orfind an unlikely role model outside<strong>of</strong> class you’ll never forget? Writemaingate@aub.edu.lb so we can helptell <strong>your</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry.ErrataPage 54: Nadine Samara (BS ’02) isincorrectly listed as Nadim.Page 56: Recently Elected incorrectly listsmembers as part <strong>of</strong> the Jeddah Chapterinstead <strong>of</strong> the Riyadh Chapter.Thanks <strong>to</strong> Dr. SolangeG. Abunassar (BS ’60,MD ’65) for sendingus her posters fromAUB’s 125 anniversarycelebrations.4 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
At AUB, more than3,000 students receivedfinancial aid in 2011–12.Can you help one more?b.edu.lbWith two younger brothers and an oldersister, Assaad knew that his dream<strong>of</strong> attending AUB would be nearlyimpossible for his family because <strong>of</strong>the cost <strong>of</strong> tuition. Although his fatherworked hard and earned a decentincome, he had an accident and had <strong>to</strong>undergo many surgeries. He struggledfor two years with diabetes and cancerand passed away in February 2012.These last two years have been verydifficult for Assaad and his family.“But,” he says, “I always had hope thatin this vast world <strong>of</strong> pessimism therewere great people who appreciatedhard work and perseverance. Nowthat I have been given this scholarship,my will <strong>to</strong> succeed is even stronger. Iplan <strong>to</strong> continue my studies and get amaster’s degree in either aeronauticalengineering or energy sources andconversions. I pray that I will be able <strong>to</strong>return <strong>to</strong> AUB one day as a donor andbe able <strong>to</strong> change a student’s life andgive him the chance that I was given.”Hear more:www.aub.edu/development/scholarship_initiativeTo speak <strong>to</strong> someone aboutsupporting financial aid, contactus at giving(at)aub.edu.lb.SupportingStudents<strong>of</strong> Today and Tomorrow: Assaad HelouCan you help supportan AUB student?See what’s possible!
ViewfinderAUB picked up the pace this yearand became a major partner withthe Marathon Association, signingup 600 runners and 150 volunteersfor the BLOM <strong>Beirut</strong> Marathon heldunder s<strong>to</strong>rmy skies on November 11.Congratulations <strong>to</strong> all the partners andparticipants. RUN AUB RUN!2012 partners• AUBMC• The Brave Heart Fund• The Nature Conservation Center• Office <strong>of</strong> Student Affairs• <strong>University</strong> Sports• The AUB Wellness Program• Center for Civic Engagement andCommunity Service• AUBMC Multiple Sclerosis Center• AUB Tobacco Control Research Group• The Neighborhood Initiative6 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
www.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 20127
Seen and HeardIt’s a new academic year and there are a few things newcomers need<strong>to</strong> know. Hadi Aridi, a senior in sociology, has some sage advice.quick facts you need <strong>to</strong> know about AUB1. Don’t search for “AUB sis” and the “Moodle” building. Even if you’ve been <strong>to</strong>ld it’s on lowercampus, it’s not.2. Whether you like it or not, cats will follow you, annoy you, and want <strong>your</strong> food. Get over it.3. At AUB, you are au<strong>to</strong>matically registered in a sprint running course, especially when youhave a class in the lower campus right after another in the upper campus. The key is <strong>to</strong>run…and run fast.4. West Hall is the hangout capital <strong>of</strong> campus. Evidence shows that people who hang outthere the most end up skipping more classes.5. The garden area in front <strong>of</strong> the cafeteria is called the “zoo.” Go there once and you’ll know why.6. Students from the Department <strong>of</strong> Architecture and Design are rarely seen on upper campus.7. The majority <strong>of</strong> the students at the school <strong>of</strong> business are girls. At the other end <strong>of</strong> thespectrum, at electrical and computer engineering, girls are almost extinct.8. Running late <strong>to</strong> classes is an <strong>of</strong>ficially recognized sport at the <strong>University</strong>. A varsity teammust be initiated!9. New students look both sides before crossing Bliss Street. The third year, they start lookingleft, realizing the street is one way. The fourth year, they s<strong>to</strong>p looking, and just jump in<strong>to</strong>the street and resolve that it’s not their problem <strong>to</strong> look, it’s the driver’s duty <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p.10. The security guard at the Main Gate is rarely interested in checking <strong>your</strong> university ID. Theexception is when you're running late <strong>to</strong> class and carrying six bags in one hand and 10books in the other. Then they’ll insist that you unload all <strong>your</strong> stuff and show <strong>your</strong> ID.Welcome <strong>to</strong> the amazing AUB! :)<strong>University</strong> NewsTurning the TideA welcome new addition <strong>to</strong> the AUBFaculty <strong>of</strong> Arts and Sciences’ rich variety<strong>of</strong> academic centers, the FaroukK. Jabre Center for Arabic and IslamicScience and Philosophy will supportresearch and raise awareness aboutthese fields through outreach and education.Businessman, philanthropist,AUB alumnus, and trustee, Jabre (BA’58) made his generous donation <strong>to</strong>encourage new interest in the richlegacy <strong>of</strong> Arab and Islamic heritageamong young Lebanese. “Many youngArabs are under the misconceptionthat neither the Arabic language norits cultural environment is conducive <strong>to</strong>scientific thought, rational discourse,or knowledge production,” Jabre said.“Bright Arab minds end up leaving theregion, discouraged from making contributions<strong>to</strong> science and technology intheir native lands. This continuing cycle<strong>of</strong> emigration has perpetuated theendemic conditions <strong>of</strong> underdevelopmentand condemned Arab societies<strong>to</strong> passive consumerism in the globalknowledge economy.”The late Edward S. Kennedy, anAUB faculty member for 30 years, pioneeredresearch in<strong>to</strong> Arabic and Islamicscience. In addition <strong>to</strong> his own researchand the handful <strong>of</strong> scholars he trained,Kennedy’s legacy includes some <strong>of</strong>the 1,400 manuscripts held by AUB’s<strong>University</strong> Libraries, which provide a8 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
modest foundation for studies in thefield. “In view <strong>of</strong> AUB’s founding rolein establishing the field <strong>of</strong> Arabic andIslamic science, it is especially fitting thatthe Farouk K. Jabre Center for Arabicand Islamic Science and Philosophyfinds a home within our walls,” saidAUB President Peter Dorman.Welcoming the establishment <strong>of</strong>the center, AUB Provost Ahmad Dallalsaid, “Centers such as this energizeAUB’s intellectual environment,benefiting faculty, students, and thebroader community and increase ourability <strong>to</strong> educate students at all levelsfor the future.”Navigating the ArabUprisings—M.A.AUB’s commitment <strong>to</strong> generatingand disseminating serious academicanalysis <strong>of</strong> the ongoing events knownas the Arab uprisings was recentlyaugmented by the launch <strong>of</strong> the<strong>University</strong> Libraries’ "Arab UprisingsGuide," which provides a list <strong>of</strong>scholarly resources, news sites,and web archives as well as otheruseful internet sources related <strong>to</strong>these his<strong>to</strong>ric events. Launched inJanuary, the guide is available on-lineatcontent.www.aub.edu.lb.libguides.com/The libraries are collaborating withAUB's Issam Fares Institute for PublicPolicy and International Affairs (IFI),which is spearheading the <strong>University</strong>’sresearch on this <strong>to</strong>pic. As well asits Arab Uprisings Lecture Seriesorganized with the Provost’s Office, IFIhosted a two-day symposium in lateMay 2012 that brought <strong>to</strong>gether leadingacademics and analysts from the regionin what Provost Ahmad Dallal describedas a “truth seeing undertaking, bothacademic and pedagogical.” In six lively,in-depth sessions, participants, includinghis<strong>to</strong>rians, social scientists, writers,and other academicians, discussed<strong>to</strong>pics including “Motivations Behind theUprisings,” “Islamists, Coalitions, andGovernance,” and “The Evolving GCC”(Gulf Cooperation Council).You can find the schedule <strong>of</strong> IFI lectures,seminars, and research projectsat www.aub.edu.lb/ifi.More On-line—M.A.From the FacultiesFASMA Media BlitzThis fall, the first cohort <strong>of</strong> mediastudies students in AUB his<strong>to</strong>ry willstart working <strong>to</strong>wards their master’sdegrees. The new MA in Media Studies<strong>of</strong>ficially approved in March 2012 hasbeen long and eagerly anticipated.Although it was announced verylate last year, the two-year programexceeded its recruitment goals for thefall with an acceptance rate <strong>of</strong> lessthan 50 percent.Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Journalismand Media Studies Jad Melki says theprogram’s liberal arts curriculum andbalancing <strong>of</strong> research, theory, criticalskills, and digital media literacy makeit unique in the Arab region. Melki, theacting chair <strong>of</strong> AUB’s Department <strong>of</strong>Sociology, Anthropology, and MediaStudies, explains, “What sets thisprogram apart is its multidisciplinarycurriculum and grounding in the socialsciences—and in the region. Theprogram <strong>of</strong>fers four emphasis areasthat reflect local and regional needs.”In addition <strong>to</strong> selecting fromamong an attractive list <strong>of</strong> mediastudies, sociology, and anthropologyelectives, students may alsotake general electives in four generalcategories: political communication,<strong>health</strong> communication, visual literacy,and media management. The goal <strong>of</strong>the program is <strong>to</strong> ensure that by thetime they graduate, these men andwomen will have the research skillsand theoretical knowledge they needCommon Abbreviations found inMainGate (MG):ACS: <strong>American</strong> Community SchoolAUB: <strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong>AUBMC: <strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong> Medical CenterCAMES: Center for Arab and Middle Eastern StudiesCAMS: Center for Advanced Mathematical SciencesCASAR: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulazizAlsaud Center for <strong>American</strong> Studies andResearchCCECS: Center for Civic Engagement and CommunityServiceFAFS: Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agricultural and Food SciencesFAS: Faculty <strong>of</strong> Arts and SciencesFEA: Faculty <strong>of</strong> Engineering and ArchitectureFHS: Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health SciencesFM: Faculty <strong>of</strong> MedicineHSON: Rafic Hariri School <strong>of</strong> NursingIbsar: Nature Conservation Center for SustainableFuturesIC: International CollegeIFI: Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy andInternational AffairsKSA: Kingdom <strong>of</strong> Saudi ArabiaLDEM: Landscape Design and EcosystemManagementOSB: Suliman S. Olayan School <strong>of</strong> BusinessPSPA: Department <strong>of</strong> Political Studies and PublicAdministrationREP: Regional External ProgramsSPC: Syrian Protestant CollegeWAAAUB: Worldwide Alumni Association <strong>of</strong> AUBwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 20129
<strong>to</strong> effectively and critically access,analyze, utilize, evaluate, and createmedia messages—and developmedia policies and strategies as well.AUB’s MA in Media Studies also<strong>of</strong>fers students the flexibility <strong>to</strong> choosebetween a thesis and a non-thesisoption. Students interested in pursuingtheir doc<strong>to</strong>ral studies at somelater date are encouraged <strong>to</strong> selectthe thesis track, which requires sevenCore Required Courses• MCOM 300: Graduate ResearchMethods in Media Studies 3 cr.• MCOM 301 (SOAN 313): Seminarin Communication Theory andResearch 3 cr.• MCOM 302 (SOAN 317): Seminarin Mass Media in the Modern ArabSociety 3 cr.• MCOM 395: Comprehensive Exam0 cr.• MCOM 399: Thesis 9 cr.courses and a nine-credit researchintensivethesis. Those interested inworking in the industry, public sec<strong>to</strong>r,or with civil society organizationsare advised <strong>to</strong> take the non-thesisoption, which allows for nine coursesand requires instead <strong>of</strong> a thesis athree-credit research-based project.Top: IOEC transversal section; bot<strong>to</strong>m: south elevation; right: corridor viewFEAGoing GreenerBuildings generally dominate or blockviews, <strong>of</strong>ten both, but the Irani OxyEngineering Complex (IOEC) willinstead be a transparent corridorbetween two <strong>of</strong> the most appealingvistas in <strong>Beirut</strong>: AUB’s clock <strong>to</strong>werand the Mediterranean as glimpsedthrough the complex from the verdanthillsides that slope down <strong>to</strong>lower campus.For that and an abundance <strong>of</strong> otherclimate-friendly innovations IOEC is,according <strong>to</strong> the architects, the firstproject registered for LEED certificationin Lebanon. The EuropeanCentre for Architecture Art Designand Urban Studies and the ChicagoAthenaeum Museum <strong>of</strong> Architectureand Design have recognized NabilGholam Architects with the 2012Green GOOD Design Award forboth the complex and the Faculty<strong>of</strong> Engineering and Architecture’smaster plan.Gholam says that the awardaccentuates the sweetness <strong>of</strong> winningthe approval <strong>of</strong> AUB’s jury in 2006,which was sufficiently impressed <strong>to</strong>put its trust in an independent localfirm. “They could have gone with alarger international competi<strong>to</strong>r,” hepoints out, but they clearly found thefirm’s plan for a “specific” yet “highly10 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
adaptable” structure enticing.Although bigger isn’t necessarilybetter, the urban plan covers a lo<strong>to</strong>f ground (37,000 sqm) and aims<strong>to</strong> transform lower campus in<strong>to</strong> a“convivial, comfortable network <strong>of</strong>pedestrian flows and connectionsbetween the schools and the faculties,”Gholam says.“Because many <strong>of</strong> the peoplewho are going <strong>to</strong> use the buildingare people who are going <strong>to</strong> makebuildings,” explains Gholam, “it has<strong>to</strong> be exemplary.”Construction is expected <strong>to</strong> becompleted in fall 2013.—S.M.Spaces <strong>of</strong> ResistanceIn July and August AUB’s Departmen<strong>to</strong>f Architecture and Design hosted aten-day conference drawing pr<strong>of</strong>essorsand students from several disciplinesand areas <strong>of</strong> study <strong>to</strong> examine“Spaces <strong>of</strong> Resistance” and howLebanon has been a site <strong>of</strong> conflictand struggle.The conference, co-organizedwith the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> CaliforniaHumanities Research Institute, combinedtheoretical lectures and discussionswith visits <strong>to</strong> sites in <strong>Beirut</strong>and southern Lebanon <strong>to</strong> explorethe modern his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> these placesparticularly in the last two decades.They <strong>to</strong>ured examples <strong>of</strong> Solidere’sconstruction after the Lebanesecivil war, Hezbollah’s reconstructionpost-2006 war, developments along<strong>Beirut</strong>’s Green Line, and a Palestinianrefugee camp in the capital. Theparticipants not only played the role<strong>of</strong> scholars, but also <strong>to</strong>ok part in the<strong>Beirut</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> residents andvisi<strong>to</strong>rs alike.<strong>Beirut</strong> has many s<strong>to</strong>ries fromthe past, memories <strong>of</strong> its ancientheritage, and competing narratives<strong>of</strong> war. The participants consideredthese narratives as they navigatedthrough Lebanon’s complex his<strong>to</strong>ryand constant reorganizations andnegotiations <strong>of</strong> terri<strong>to</strong>ry becomingpart <strong>of</strong> the interactions between thecity and its inhabitants.“There are times when the builtenvironment speaks in lieu <strong>of</strong> itsinhabitants, where it conveys acapacity <strong>of</strong> assembled action, <strong>of</strong>which the residents are a part…” saidAbdou Maliq Simone, urbanist andpr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> sociology at GoldsmithsCollege, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> London.AUBSTOREWe’re featuring <strong>of</strong>ficiallybranded AUB itemssuch as polo shirts, kids clothing, deskaccessories, and more!Drop by the AUB S<strong>to</strong>re for theperfect AUB apparel,gifts, and memen<strong>to</strong>sfrom the <strong>University</strong>.■ The AUB S<strong>to</strong>re is located in the Visi<strong>to</strong>rs Bureau,Main Gate.■ Shop on-line and have it delivered worldwidewww.aub.edu.lb/aubs<strong>to</strong>rewww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201211
The Spaces <strong>of</strong> Resistance seminar examined strategies <strong>of</strong> non-violent popular resistance, explored materially and imaginatively “contested” spaces, and sought outresistance within the attempts <strong>of</strong> power <strong>to</strong> determine and control space.As individuals we <strong>of</strong>ten view ourselvesin direct relationship <strong>to</strong> ourimmediate surroundings, but thoserelationships are <strong>of</strong>ten determinedby someone else. Disputes over terri<strong>to</strong>ryand ideas play out in politicsand economics. To understand howwe as individuals can affect thatprocess, we have <strong>to</strong> first understandhow it occurred.—A.B.OSBPrerequisite: MultiskillingAssistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Fida Afiouni andCharlotte Karam stumbled in<strong>to</strong> genderresearch by chance two yearsago when a colleague enquired aboutinformation pertaining <strong>to</strong> women inengineering in the Middle East. Theirinitial research in<strong>to</strong> this query triggereda deeper interest; the pair switchedtheir focus <strong>to</strong> women in academia andsecured a research grant which led<strong>to</strong> their first paper in a body <strong>of</strong> workunder the title “Women in Academiain the Arab MENA Region.”“We wanted <strong>to</strong> explore gender froman organizational perspective,” the pairexplains. “We were looking at nationalpolicies as well as university policies,but it is hard <strong>to</strong> find data in our region;there is very little in the public domainor available on websites. We wanted<strong>to</strong> see how HR policies could becomemore indigenously family friendly andwhat improvements are needed.”Drawing on a qualitative survey<strong>of</strong> some 32 female academics fromEgypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia,Afiouni and Karam were surprised <strong>to</strong>discover that overall women in academiaseem <strong>to</strong> have a better situationin Islamic countries which draw onstate (and sharia) law. Here, they say,there are more family friendly policies,especially when it comes <strong>to</strong> maternityleave, childcare, and family <strong>health</strong> care.Qatar leads the field with child daycare centers on campus, an area inwhich, the researchers say, AUB’srecord is abysmal. This is also the casewith AUB’s policy for maternity leave,which while generous for pr<strong>of</strong>essors,12 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
follows the Lebanese labor law forall other employees and is woefullyinadequate when put in<strong>to</strong> the contex<strong>to</strong>f <strong>American</strong> higher education. Theyalso cite the fact that maternity leavewas only included in HIP coveragetwo years ago (thanks <strong>to</strong> PresidentDorman) and for academic staff takingmaternity leave, it was only recentlythat the seven-year “promotion clock”s<strong>to</strong>pped ticking during this leave.Their research also indicates thatthe role <strong>of</strong> the family remains central inthe MENA region. Many <strong>of</strong> the womenthey interviewed cited their families ascore <strong>to</strong> their conceptions <strong>of</strong> their success;almost without exception womenfrom the Gulf countries and Palestinemarried and had children before theypursued their advanced degrees.“We also discovered that especiallyin the Gulf and Palestine, the womenconsidered service <strong>to</strong> the community<strong>to</strong> be <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ound importance,”Karam explains. “Family, community,and work are all strongly interlinkedwith making a contribution or havingan impact. Success was definedin these terms which is quite differentand attractive compared <strong>to</strong> othercultural perspectives.” These womenwere heavily committed <strong>to</strong> a servicerole within their academic institutions,with extra curricular administrativeroles, committees, and volunteer workwhich, they say, falls more readily onfemale than male shoulders.Comparing their lot with that <strong>of</strong>their male colleagues, those womensurveyed felt they were penalizedin terms <strong>of</strong> promotion, recognitionfor service and in the allocation <strong>of</strong>resources—grants—where they saythe process lacks transparency.Perhaps in reaction <strong>to</strong> what theysee as the deck stacked againstthem, the women stressed the needfor solidarity, strong networks, andgood relationships with other women,as a key <strong>to</strong> success. The pernicious“Queen Bee” syndrome—thedominance <strong>of</strong> a successful femaleover other females—has yet <strong>to</strong> bedocumented within higher education,at least by Afiouni and Karam.—M.A.<strong>University</strong> LibrariesMany people have grown up familiar with the sights and sounds <strong>of</strong> Egyptian films. The golden era <strong>of</strong> Egyptian film and cinema was a periodwhen the country's stages not only s<strong>to</strong>od above its Arabic-speaking peers, but also held prestige in the world at large. Since the introduction<strong>of</strong> cameras in the 20th century, Egypt has been one <strong>of</strong> the leaders in the dramatic arts. Jafet Library’s Archives and Special CollectionsDepartment includes 20 pho<strong>to</strong> albums <strong>of</strong> Egyptian cinema and theater from 1915 <strong>to</strong> the 1950s that include highlights from this golden era.In addition <strong>to</strong> scenes from well-known dramas, the Jafet collection also contains portraits and signatures <strong>of</strong> prominent ac<strong>to</strong>rs andactresses as well as original press clippings from Egyptian newspapers such as Al Ahram and Rose Al-Youssef. Some <strong>of</strong> the performersfeatured in the collection include Layla Morad, Amina Sherif, Layla Fawzi, Naguib Al Rihani, Youssef Wahbi, Hussein Riyad, Ismail Yasmin,Tahia Karioka, Samia Gamal, Mary Munib, and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. There are also pho<strong>to</strong>s from various Egyptian plays and movies suchas Sittat Afareet, Masna’ Al-Zougat, Ghader Wa Azab, Awdat Al-Qafila, and Hukum Qaraqosh.—A.B.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201213
FHS Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Associate Dean Rima Afifi and Dr. Samer Jabbour, senior lecturer inthe Department <strong>of</strong> Health Management and Policy, recently co-facilitated a regional public<strong>health</strong> leadership program with Alastair Ager, PhD, and Dr. Jamie Eliades, <strong>of</strong> Columbia<strong>University</strong> Mailman School <strong>of</strong> Public Health (MSPH). Jointly organized and delivered byMSPH and FHS pr<strong>of</strong>essors, the program was given at the Columbia <strong>University</strong> MiddleEast Research Center (CUMERC) in Amman, Jordan, from September 21 <strong>to</strong> 26. It useda hands-on approach, regional and international case studies, and innovative deliverymethods <strong>to</strong> teach <strong>to</strong>ols and strategies <strong>to</strong> manage the development <strong>of</strong> public <strong>health</strong>programming in the Middle East.Afifi and Jabbour point <strong>to</strong> the program as a wonderful example <strong>of</strong> how internationaland regional academic institutions can work <strong>to</strong>gether. As for the collaboration withColumbia’s School <strong>of</strong> Public Health, they say, “we hope that this will be the beginning <strong>of</strong>more joint work <strong>to</strong>wards our common cause <strong>of</strong> promoting public <strong>health</strong> practice.”The Global Health InitiativeTools and Strategies for Managing the Development <strong>of</strong>Public Health Programming in the Middle EastPublic Health Leadership ProgramSeptember 21-26, 2012 | Amman, JordanSix days <strong>of</strong> intensive learning, practical experiences and simulations, designed andtailored <strong>to</strong> equip public <strong>health</strong> leaders in the Middle East with key skills and knowledge<strong>to</strong> design, implement and evaluate public <strong>health</strong> programs addressing the emergingpreventative priorities in the region.Course Objectives Use epidemiological data <strong>to</strong> identify andtrack key <strong>health</strong> trends Adopt consensus methods and othermeans <strong>of</strong> participa<strong>to</strong>ry engagement <strong>to</strong>establish shared priorities forinterventions Develop and implement robustevaluation processes <strong>to</strong> identifyoutcomes and impacts <strong>of</strong> interventions Establish effective program managementarrangements <strong>to</strong> promote effectiveness,efficiency and equity <strong>of</strong> provision fortargeted populationsFacilita<strong>to</strong>rsAlastair Ager, PhD Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> ClinicalPopulation and Family Health, MSPH/CUJamie Eliades, MD, MPH Assistant ClinicalPr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Population and Family Health,MSPH/CURima Afifi, PhD, MPH Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and AssociateDean, Department <strong>of</strong> Health Promotion andCommunity Health and Graduate Public HealthProgram Coordina<strong>to</strong>r Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health Sciences,AUBSamer Jabbour, MD, MPH Senior Lecturer,Department <strong>of</strong> Health Management and Policy,AUB and Edi<strong>to</strong>r, The Public Health in the ArabWorld (Cambridge <strong>University</strong> Press, 2012)Course Fee: USD 1,450Transportation <strong>to</strong> and from venue, lunch, c<strong>of</strong>fee bre aks, and course material areincluded in the fees. Participants should cover all extras and organize own travel.Who May Apply?Senior <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> governmental and nongovernmentalorganizations with leadership roles inTo register or for more information, pleasecontact Jonathan Peters atpublic <strong>health</strong> programs, such as:jp3293@columbia.edu or on Senior Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health staff Direc<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> public <strong>health</strong> programs+962 6 5777 955 ext. 21914 MainGate UN agencies Fall and donor 2012 organizations | www.aub.edu.lb/maingateFHSRenewed TrustFHS’s Graduate Public Health Programwas reaccredited in June 2012 bythe Council on Education for PublicHealth (CEPH) in the United States.The reaccreditation followed a two-year self-study involving students,alumni, practitioners, faculty, andothers. In 2006, the Graduate PublicHealth Program was the first <strong>to</strong> beaccredited by CEPH outside <strong>of</strong> NorthAmerica. According <strong>to</strong> Associate DeanRima Afifi, “The reaccreditation attests<strong>to</strong> the quality <strong>of</strong> the Graduate PublicHealth Program that is competitive withany such program in the US. Equallyimportantly, reaccreditation providesinternational recognition and allows us<strong>to</strong> be more visibly engaged in dialogueon public <strong>health</strong>. This brings in theArab voice and perspective, particularly<strong>to</strong> researchers seeking internationalexperience in the Arab region.”FM/AUBMCLife Savers—S.J.S.Looking back at the Brave Heart Fund’s(BHF) achievements during the last 12months Joumana Ghandour Atallah,one <strong>of</strong> the charity’s c<strong>of</strong>ounders, waskeen <strong>to</strong> emphasize the important roleindividuals play in raising lifesavingfunds for children suffering from congenitalheart disease. Even though thegala dinner in April was one <strong>of</strong> the mostsuccessful in the charity’s nine-year his<strong>to</strong>ry—nettingenough <strong>to</strong> cover 120 lifesavingoperations—for Atallah it was thegroup <strong>of</strong> fathers and sons that set out<strong>to</strong> conquer Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro <strong>to</strong>raise money for BHF that was especially
poignant and inspirational. Wassef andTarek Serhan; Naaman, Wassef, andMohamad Atallah; and Marwan andZeid Shehadeh braved altitude sicknessand the cold <strong>to</strong> reach the 5,895-metersummit on behalf <strong>of</strong> suffering children.“I want <strong>to</strong> emphasize that weshould not just rely on the big ticketevents, in spite <strong>of</strong> the amazing supportwe receive from them,” Atallah says.“These individual initiatives, whichrepresent personal commitment andinvolve the local community, also helpus <strong>to</strong> highlight the plight <strong>of</strong> childrenin need and their families. Take thecase <strong>of</strong> Shireen Dajani, who <strong>to</strong>ok theinitiative <strong>to</strong> participate in the Triathlonde Nyon in Switzerland a few monthsago along with a team <strong>of</strong> athletes fromthe World Economic Forum. They createda Facebook page entitled ForumTriathlon and invited friends, family, andcolleagues <strong>to</strong> support BHF by sponsoringthe athletes. They finished therace with flying colors… and all fundsraised by the athletes were matchedby the World Economic Forum.”Atallah also hails the enduring commitment<strong>to</strong> saving young lives <strong>of</strong> studentsfrom the International College (IC),headed by their teacher Riad Chirazi.Last year their combined fundraisingefforts paid for life-saving surgery forfive-year-old Maytham, whose parentshad no funds <strong>to</strong> pay for his medicalcare. One hundred students, along withChirazi, joined Lebanese desert runnerAli Wehbe in a fundraising coastalrun from Tripoli <strong>to</strong> Tyre, covering 220kilometers in less than 30 hours.The BHF “family” also turned outin force once again for the BLOM<strong>Beirut</strong> International Marathon whenan as<strong>to</strong>unding 2,200 runners wore theBrave Heart colors. “The more runnerswe have, the more sponsors weTheir hearts are dedicated <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong>s!BHF highlights from the last 12 months:■ In Switzerland, a BHF team ran the Triathlon de Nyonwith athletes from the World Economic Forum…■ One hundred IC students ran from Tripoli <strong>to</strong> Tyre…■ 2,200 runners wore the Brave Heart colors at theBLOM <strong>Beirut</strong> International Marathon, raising enoughmoney <strong>to</strong> pay for seven open-heart surgeries…■ The AUB Red Cross Club brought <strong>to</strong>getherstudents from six faculties for a trivianight <strong>to</strong> raise money for BHF.get, and the more funds we are able<strong>to</strong> provide for lifesaving operations.This year, with our marathon team <strong>of</strong>runners and sponsors, we coveredthe expenses <strong>of</strong> seven open-heartsurgeries. That is seven more livessaved,” explains Atallah.AUB students also get a specialmention. During a Trivia Night organizedby the AUB Red Cross Club,all six faculties competed in a fiercelycontested general knowledge competitionhosted by the talented NemrAbou Nassar. All funds raised duringthe event were donated <strong>to</strong> BHF.This November Brave-Hearters arelimbering up for the annual Blom <strong>Beirut</strong>Marathon where BHF holds a number<strong>of</strong> records including “Best AchievingNGO” 2010, “Best Fundraiser” 2009,and “Biggest Team” (3,000 runners).The 2012 event was BHF’s tenthmarathon.Learn more atwww.braveheartfund.org—M.A.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201215
New this FallDuring its meeting inNovember 2011, the Board<strong>of</strong> Trustees approved AUB’sninth doc<strong>to</strong>ral program: aPhD program in biomedicalsciences, which was approvedand registered in March2012 by the New York StateDepartment <strong>of</strong> Education. ThePhD program in biomedicalsciences is welcoming itsfirst cohort <strong>of</strong> three studentsin fall 2012. Housed in theFaculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine, this newmultidisciplinary programemphasizes cutting edgeconcepts and techniques<strong>of</strong> molecular and cellularmedicine preparing studentsfor careers as independentresearchers and educa<strong>to</strong>rs.Although new, this PhDprogram traces its rootsback <strong>to</strong> 1966 when AUBintroduced a doc<strong>to</strong>ral programin biochemistry. It wasreplaced six years later by aPhD program in basic medicalsciences that the <strong>University</strong>suspended in 1988 during theLebanese civil war.ABCs <strong>of</strong> CareDespite his maniacally busy schedule,Dr. Khalid Yunis cannot resisttaking time out for a quick <strong>to</strong>ur <strong>of</strong>the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit tha<strong>to</strong>pened in a quiet corner on theseventh floor <strong>of</strong> AUBMC recently.The unit and the neo-natal network <strong>of</strong>31 hospitals across Lebanon whichYunis and his team helped <strong>to</strong> kickstart truly fire his enthusiasm.“The members <strong>of</strong> the network[the National Collaborative PerinatalNeonatal Network or NCPNN] allwork voluntarily,” Yunis stresses.“Our goal is <strong>to</strong> foster collaboration,quality care through surveillance, andresearch. We need accurate data,which we can only get with a reliabledatabase. We did not have such adatabase in Lebanon, so in 1998 westarted by visiting the main medicalcenters and university hospitals in<strong>Beirut</strong> <strong>to</strong> talk about collaboratingon a database. We started with fourhospitals; we ran a pilot project <strong>to</strong>find out what we needed and how weshould proceed, and then we wentfrom there. I believe in collaboration,where [the equality <strong>of</strong> everyone] isthe basis for success, but you stillneed someone <strong>to</strong> coordinate theeffort, and this is what we do here atAUBMC.”The network concentrated on<strong>Beirut</strong> between 1998 and 2003. “Wechose <strong>to</strong> begin in <strong>Beirut</strong> because itis better <strong>to</strong> start small and see howthings develop before expanding <strong>to</strong>the rest <strong>of</strong> the country. Besides, 35 <strong>to</strong>40 percent <strong>of</strong> the Lebanese populationlives in the greater <strong>Beirut</strong> area.After 2003 we expanded throughoutLebanon,” Yunis explains.“Our aim is <strong>to</strong> improve care forpregnant mothers and newbornsleading <strong>to</strong> a better outcome for both<strong>of</strong> them. For a fair representation <strong>of</strong>newborns we need <strong>to</strong> cover at least50 percent <strong>of</strong> deliveries nationally;right now we cover about 30 percent.“We study issues that are prevalentin Lebanon such as consanguinityand how this affects the outcome<strong>of</strong> newborns. Another issue we areinterested in is preterm births. Thereare 13 million preterm births globally,out <strong>of</strong> which one million die, soprematurity is a major problem in theneonatal period. If you look at deathsReviewsProtestant Missionaries in the Levant: Ungodly Puritans, 1820-60[Routledge, 2012] by Samir KhalafPr<strong>of</strong>essor Samir Khalaf’s most recent work, Protestant Missionaries in the Levant: Ungodly Puritans,is the culmination <strong>of</strong> years <strong>of</strong> research and study <strong>of</strong> the impact <strong>of</strong> New England Puritanism on theLevant. Published as part <strong>of</strong> the Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern His<strong>to</strong>ry series, this book isespecially interesting because it is informed by previously unexplored personal narrative accounts.Remarkably, this is only one <strong>of</strong> three books by Samir Khalaf that have been published in 2012. Heis also coedi<strong>to</strong>r with Roseanne Saad Khalaf <strong>of</strong> Arab Youth: Social Mobilisation in Times <strong>of</strong> Risk(SaqiBooks, 2012) and <strong>of</strong> Lebanon Adrift: From Battleground <strong>to</strong> Playground(Saqi Books, 2012). (SeeMainGate, spring 2012, page 35.)16 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
in children under five years <strong>of</strong> age,neonatal mortality represents about40 percent.”At the national level, the networkcollaborates with the LebaneseMinistry <strong>of</strong> Public Health, which hasdesignated the NCPNN <strong>to</strong> disseminatetimely statistics on core maternaland newborn indica<strong>to</strong>rs. The NCPNNalso collaborates with the WorldHealth Organization, the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention,the March <strong>of</strong> Dimes Foundation, theUniversities <strong>of</strong> Iowa and Pittsburghin the United States, the ShafallahMedical Center in Qatar, and theLebanese <strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong>. Inaddition, the network has led aneffort with the WHO <strong>to</strong> initiate aregional collaboration with <strong>health</strong>care centers across different Arabcountries including Bahrain, Kuwait,Jordan, Palestine, and Yemen.The network has started severalinitiatives including training workshopsfor physicians and nurses fromLebanon and other Arab countriesand, as <strong>of</strong> last year, a school lectureprogram for high school studentson preconception. Supported by theMinistry <strong>of</strong> Education, the March <strong>of</strong>Dimes, and the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, physicians,nurses, and midwives from networkcenters visit high schools <strong>to</strong> educatefuture mothers about what they need<strong>to</strong> know prior <strong>to</strong> conception and <strong>to</strong>conduct question and answer sessionsfor the students. “We havea very limited window <strong>to</strong> get thisinformation across,” says Yunis, “andhave been very surprised at howsuccessful this initiative has been.”Surveying his small <strong>of</strong>fice withevery surface piled high with papers,The NCPNN database has revealed• Significant <strong>health</strong> disparities betweendifferent areas <strong>of</strong> the country.• Much room for improvement <strong>of</strong>neonatal mortality in Lebanon.• A rise in preterm births in Lebanon(and throughout the world).• Increased rate <strong>of</strong> hospital-acquiredinfections in premature andhospitalized babies due <strong>to</strong> manyvital interventions that strain theirweak immune systems.• Congenital heart disease (notpeculiar <strong>to</strong> Lebanon) as the numberone birth defect and muscularskeletal disease the second.Yunis shrugs his shoulders andadmits, “There is so much goingon that it is hard <strong>to</strong> keep track <strong>of</strong>everything. We are so busy. We havean increasing number <strong>of</strong> researchassistants, doc<strong>to</strong>rs, and studentsworking with us. We also have anarrangement with the Faculty <strong>of</strong>Health Sciences for some master’sstudents <strong>to</strong> do their practicum withus. The dean <strong>of</strong> medicine is verysupportive, so we just hope <strong>to</strong> keepgoing on and on. All this is dedicated<strong>to</strong> improving the outcome formothers and babies so we need <strong>to</strong>network, network, and network—andanybody is welcome <strong>to</strong> join in.”—M.A.THEY MADE THE LIST!AUB Trustee and derma<strong>to</strong>logist Dr. DavidBickers, <strong>of</strong> New York-Presbyterian/Columbia,and endocrinologist Dr. Jack Tohme (BS’70, MD ’74) <strong>of</strong> Valley Hospital/EndocrineAssociates, PA were cited in New Yorkmagazine’s 2012 “Best Doc<strong>to</strong>rs” issue.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201217
HSONMEdICAL PROGRESSIONSince the launch <strong>of</strong> AUBMC 2020, the Medical Center has introduced a number<strong>of</strong> new initiatives <strong>to</strong> bring expanded and improved services <strong>to</strong> patients.Along the way, they have also racked up some impressive achievements.✔ Regional first: Multiple Sclerosis Center✔ Regional first: Clinical Research Institute✔ Regional first: Specialized Children’s Clinic✔ Regional first: Center in the Middle East dedicated <strong>to</strong> women’sbreast <strong>health</strong>, Mamdouha El Sayed Bobst Breast Unit✔ Regional first: Arab Regional Center for Research,Training, and Policymaking in Mental Health, establishedin collaboration with the World Health Organization✔ Regional first: Academic center focused on bioethics andpr<strong>of</strong>essionalism, the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism ProgramWith new and improved equipment and facilities, AUBMC doc<strong>to</strong>rs have beenable <strong>to</strong> perform a number <strong>of</strong> new state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art proceduresthat are also regional and national firsts.✔ First unrelated donor allogeneic bone marrowtransplant in Lebanon✔ First Acufocus Kamara inlay procedure forthe treatment <strong>of</strong> presbyopia in the region✔ First Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)for treating severe depression in the region✔ First renal denervation for the treatment <strong>of</strong>hypertension in LebanonAll in a day’s WorkFor 42 years, Mary Arevian (BS '69Nursing, MPH '79) has worked atAUB. She has watched it struggle andwatched it grow. Just one <strong>of</strong> ninenursing students <strong>to</strong> graduate in 1969,she started teaching in 1970 as aclinical assistant instruc<strong>to</strong>r. Today, sheteaches community <strong>health</strong> nursing <strong>to</strong>senior students in the bachelor <strong>of</strong> sciencein nursing program. Outside theclassroom, Arevian trains and supervisesher students at various sites:homes, primary <strong>health</strong>-care centers,schools, and work places. With a theoreticalas well as a clinical/interventioncomponent, the Community HealthNursing Course targets individuals,families, and larger groups in the com-munity.Arevian regularly collabo-rates with international organizationssuch as WHO, UNICEF, the UnitedNations Population Fund, nationalgovernmental organizations suchas the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Public Healthand the Ministry <strong>of</strong> SocialAffairs; in addition <strong>to</strong> nongovernmentalorganizations suchas Ajialouna, the Child andMarketing Management: Arab World Edition[Pearson Middle East, 2012] by Philip Kotler, Kevin Lane Keller, Salah S.Hassan, Imad Baalbaki (BBA ’85, MBA ’87), and Hamed M. ShammaThis new volume is an adaptation <strong>of</strong> Marketing Management, which was first published in 1967and is now in its 14th edition. Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Hassan, Baalbaki, and Shamma, who have extensiveexperience and in-depth knowledge <strong>of</strong> the Arab world, have developed local case studies under theguidance <strong>of</strong> lead authors Kotler and Keller <strong>to</strong> bring “the most popular marketing management textin the world <strong>to</strong> future Arab marketers.” Hailed as the “first <strong>of</strong> its kind,” Marketing Management: ArabWorld Edition covers a wide range <strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>pics that are <strong>of</strong> interest not just <strong>to</strong> future Arab marketers, but<strong>to</strong> general readers as well, such as why some brands succeed in the Arab world while others do notand economic, social, and political similarities and differences within the Arab region.18 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Busy TuesdayLeading the Community HealthNursing CourseThe Community HealthNursing Course promotesand maintains the<strong>health</strong> <strong>of</strong> communitiesby working withfamilies, the adultworking population, andseniors over 60; plans,organizes, and deliversschool <strong>health</strong> programs;and provides primary<strong>health</strong>-care servicesas recommended bythe World HealthOrganization.Mother Welfare Society, the ArmenianRelief Cross in Lebanon, and publicand private schools.In addition <strong>to</strong> teaching, supervising,and guiding nursing students,Arevian is researching communitybasedinterventions that addresscurrent and salient issues in thecommunity. With an emphasis on<strong>health</strong> education and prevention, herresearch interests and publicationshave become increasingly specialized,from working with women andadolescents <strong>to</strong> handling patients withchronic conditions such as diabetesand coronary artery disease.“Working with community agenciesis a very satisfying endeavor,”says Arevian. It helps me accomplishthe mission <strong>of</strong> AUB and the school <strong>of</strong>nursing: mainly combining universityeducation, research, and communityservice <strong>to</strong> advance scientific knowledge,evidence-based, best practicefor improving and maintaining the<strong>health</strong> <strong>of</strong> our community. There are stillmany challenges for us in Lebanon <strong>to</strong>provide <strong>health</strong> for everyone in ourcommunity but I am optimistic we willbe able <strong>to</strong> confront those challenges.Change will definitely occur.”—S.J.S.5:00 am: Up!6:00 am: Leave home, commute by taxifrom Zalka6:45-7:45 am: Herbal tea-time, Arevianis at her desk planning the day8:00-9:00 am: Supervise studentstraining at AUBMC’s Family MedicineDepartment9:00-10:00 am: Touch base withstudents training at Ajialouna NGO forcommunity service in Tallet al Khayyatand working in public schools all overLebanon10:00-11:00 am: Check on studentsand programs at the Child and MotherWelfare Society in Aisha Bakkar11:00-12:00 noon: Work with the clinic<strong>of</strong> the Armenian Relief Cross <strong>of</strong> Lebanonin Burj Hammoud12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch break1:00-2:00 pm: Post-clinical conferencewith students at HSON2:00-3:00 pm: Prepare for next weekwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201219
R+DNametag: Khaled Imad Ghattass, PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology, projected 2013Life before PhD: My childhood was split equally between my father’s village, Barga, and my mother’s city, Saida. Iattended <strong>Beirut</strong> Arab <strong>University</strong> where I had my best years and made my best friends. I joined AUB in 2006. I love sports,was a member <strong>of</strong> AUB’s varsity basketball team, and was chosen AUB’s Most Valuable Player in 2010-11.What matters most: Although there have been numerous advances in cancer therapy, most people with advanced solidtumors, such as breast cancers, will relapse and die <strong>of</strong> their disease because the hypoxic (low oxygen) regions <strong>of</strong> theirtumors are resistant <strong>to</strong> radiotherapy and chemotherapy. My research aims at investigating a suitable synthetic compoundwith moderate <strong>to</strong>xicity and enhanced activity against human solid tumors, especially those bearing hypoxic regions.Research: Under the direct supervision <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hala Muhtasib, I am studying the effect <strong>of</strong> tumor hypoxia on themechanism <strong>of</strong> breast cancer metastasis. Additionally, we are testing the effect <strong>of</strong> a very potent quinoxaline dioxide, whichPr<strong>of</strong>essors Haddadin and Issidorides synthesized at AUB, via their known “<strong>Beirut</strong> Reaction,” <strong>to</strong> inhibitthis detrimental step in cancer progression.10 am Tuesday, 10 am Saturday: I spend many Tuesday mornings in the hypoxiachamber surrounded by mice, cells, and colleagues. At 10 am on Saturday I have breakfastwith my mother under the trees in our garden. She spends the whole week waiting forthis moment.Most admires: I admire my coadviser, who is also practically my bestfriend, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Marwan El Sabban, who guides me throughevery aspect <strong>of</strong> my life, along with my men<strong>to</strong>r Pr<strong>of</strong>essorHala Muhtasib, who demonstrates the perfect example<strong>of</strong> seriousness, dedication, and hard work. Fourteenyears ago, I was inspired by a movie called “PatchAdams.” Ever since I have dreamed <strong>of</strong> establishinga free hospital in Lebanon that provideshigh quality care <strong>to</strong> all its patients within ahappy and friendly setting. I even namedmy German Shepherd “Patch” <strong>to</strong> beconstantly reminded about my madand expensive dream.Why this <strong>to</strong>pic interestsme: All people are interestedin research thatcould help improvethe quality <strong>of</strong> lives<strong>of</strong> cancer patients.Maybe one day itwill be used <strong>to</strong>treat patients atmy free hospital.20 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
FAFSCultivating InnovationYou may know that AUB has a campusin the Beqa’a Valley. You mayalso know that experiential learningis <strong>of</strong>fered there in agriculture, as wellas landscape design and ecosystemmanagement at the AgriculturalResearch and Education Center(AREC). What you might not know,however, is that on that 100 hectares<strong>of</strong> agricultural land, our very own studentsare now cultivating plant tissue.Chairman <strong>of</strong> the AgriculturalSciences (AGSC) DepartmentPr<strong>of</strong>essor Mustapha Haidar says thatthe department is “working <strong>to</strong>wardsthe introduction <strong>of</strong> new ways <strong>of</strong> organicfarming and conservation agriculture,reaching out not only <strong>to</strong> farmers in theBeqa’a but <strong>to</strong> the whole region.”Since AGSC established a tissueculture facility, AREC has workedclosely with Ibsar and the Departmen<strong>to</strong>f Landscape Design and EcosystemManagement <strong>to</strong> promote the use <strong>of</strong>native flora for ornamentals and <strong>to</strong>optimize pro<strong>to</strong>cols for the micropropagation<strong>of</strong> targeted species and theirsubsequent cultivation in greenhousesand in the field.To maintain native plants, as wellas conserve biodiversity, the new tissueculture lab allows for crop productionthrough breeding techniquesusing tissues, leaves, or “cuts,” notseeds. According <strong>to</strong> AREC farm andfacilities manager Nicolas Haddad,“Plant tissue culture is a practiceused <strong>to</strong> propagate plants under sterileconditions, <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>to</strong> produce clones<strong>of</strong> a plant. Plant tissue culture relieson the fact that all plant cells havethe ability <strong>to</strong> generate a whole plant(<strong>to</strong>tipotency). Single cells (pro<strong>to</strong>plasts),pieces <strong>of</strong> leaves, or roots can<strong>of</strong>ten be used <strong>to</strong> generate a new plan<strong>to</strong>n culture media, given the requirednutrients and plant hormone.”An otherwise costly procedure, tissueculture is performed at AREC ata minimal cost through the servicesand expertise that the AgriculturalSciences Department <strong>of</strong>fers, combinedwith sponsorship from thedepartment and the companies orengineers they train. Students, pr<strong>of</strong>essors,companies, and individual engineerslearn this procedure alongsidelocal farmers who also attend. Theythen use the knowledge they gainedwhen they return <strong>to</strong> their farms in theways they think best.Local farmers recently benefittedfrom another AREC initiative: mushroomcultivation. A two-day workshopwas held in May 2012 as part <strong>of</strong> theFarmer <strong>to</strong> Farmer Project, funded byUSAID and implemented by ACDI/VOCA (Agricultural CooperativeDevelopment International/Volunteersin Overseas Cooperative Assistance)who recruited a mushroom productionvolunteer expert from the United Statesin response <strong>to</strong> a request by AGSC.Center for Civic Engagementand Community Service(CCECS) is collecting gentlyused clothes <strong>to</strong> distribute <strong>to</strong>underprivileged families.MAke dONAtiONs NOW!Bring them <strong>to</strong> the drop-<strong>of</strong>fbox at West Hall or callextension 4430 <strong>to</strong> arrangefor someone <strong>to</strong> pick up <strong>your</strong>donation.For further information callCCECS at 01-350000, x4430or emailccecs(at)aub.edu.lbThe objective <strong>of</strong> the workshop was<strong>to</strong> train farmers as well as students<strong>of</strong> agriculture, nutrition, and food scienceson the production <strong>of</strong> mushroomspawn and the cultivation <strong>of</strong> threedifferent species <strong>of</strong> edible mushrooms.AREC continued <strong>to</strong> produce oysterand shiitake mushrooms throughoutspring and summer. Mushrooms maybe sold at AUB at a later date.This mushroom cultivation process<strong>of</strong>fers easy <strong>to</strong> cultivate, fast-growingwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201221
crops. All farmers need <strong>to</strong> get mushroomsgrowing in bags is a suitablesubstrate, such as peat moss; themushroom spawns, and around fourweeks (for the oyster) or three months(for the shiitake) in partial darknessand cool temperatures. Harvestedmushrooms can be sold for $10 <strong>to</strong>$20 a kilogram. “Fruiting” (the actualmushroom growth) can take placeevery two weeks for two <strong>to</strong> three successiveharvests. Once the production<strong>of</strong> mushrooms inside the bags hass<strong>to</strong>pped, the substrate can be usedas compost. It's a productive andaffordable investment for local farmers.According <strong>to</strong> Chairman Haidar,“AREC is a unique place in the MiddleEast that has a very powerful andfruitful research and training center inthe Beqa’a valley. We are talking about100 hectares <strong>of</strong> research and hands-oneducation that is equipped with all types<strong>of</strong> facilities (dormi<strong>to</strong>ries, labs, trac<strong>to</strong>rs,machinery, animals, etc.). AREC is amajor strength that distinguishes ourfaculty from others in the region.”—S.J.S.Student NewsFemale FellowshipChosen as one <strong>of</strong> just 15 womenworldwide for the 2012 L’Oréal-UNESCO International Fellowshipfor Women in Science, AUB PhDstudent Dana Bazzoun is matter <strong>of</strong>fact about her achievement. “It wasa simple application procedure,” shesays. “The hardest part was duringthe Paris ceremony week, attendedby VIPs, fellows, and laureates, whenwe had <strong>to</strong> present our research plan inthree minutes.”That plan won Bazzoun $20,000that she can spend on research inwhichever way she thinks best. Sheis using it <strong>to</strong> research cell behavior inrelation <strong>to</strong> breast cancer preventionas part <strong>of</strong> the International BreastCancer and Nutrition (IBCN) Projectat Purdue <strong>University</strong>. This is an “internationalmultidisciplinary collaborativeprogram <strong>to</strong> identify the impact <strong>of</strong>nutrition on breast cancer developmentand recurrence and <strong>to</strong> elucidatethe cellular and molecular mechanisms,including genomics (geneticand epigenetic influence), involved innutrient-induced breast tissue alterationsand cancer development.”Bazzoun, a second-year biologyPhD candidate, is concentrating oncommunication between cells <strong>to</strong>understand their journey from normal<strong>to</strong> cancerous in the breast. Morespecifically she is tracking the roleplayed in prevention by a particularprotein, Connexin 43, which is foundat the edges <strong>of</strong> cell membranes andhelps transport molecules among cells,attracting accessory proteins that bindthemselves <strong>to</strong> it and are recruitedas important transducers. In their22 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
absence the mechanism for pathwaysbetween cells is impaired, triggeringcell structure malfunction and preventingvital cell polarization. Bazzoun ishoping <strong>to</strong> understand what triggersthis chain reaction and what can bedone <strong>to</strong> prevent it.After four months in Purdue, shewill be back at AUB for the summerbefore returning for a further fourmonths in the United States, hopefullyfollowed by another year as a L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellow.—M.A.Faculty NewsCASAR Expanding, BringsNew Pr<strong>of</strong>essorsIn advance <strong>of</strong> its new master <strong>of</strong> artsin transnational <strong>American</strong> studiesstarting in fall 2013, CASAR ishosting three visiting pr<strong>of</strong>essors whoare leaders in international relations,gender and sexuality studies, andcultural geography.By bringing Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Lisa Hajjar,Jaspir Puar, and Elena Glasberg <strong>to</strong>AUB, CASAR’s direc<strong>to</strong>r, Alex Lubin,hopes <strong>to</strong> make the center a base forscholarly research and build on itssuccessful lecture series and internationalbi-annual conference."CASAR's new pr<strong>of</strong>essors will helpus achieve our mission <strong>to</strong> educate theArab world about <strong>American</strong> cultureand his<strong>to</strong>ry, as well as <strong>to</strong> demonstratethe range <strong>of</strong> relationships betweenthe United States and the MiddleEast and North Africa," Lubin said.“We are especially eager <strong>to</strong> expandAUB's capacity in studies <strong>of</strong> genderand sexuality in the context <strong>of</strong> the US/MENA relationship."A large part <strong>of</strong> the success <strong>of</strong>research in gender and sexuality willrest on the shoulders <strong>of</strong> Puar, whohas been appointed the Edward SaidChair in <strong>American</strong> Studies. Puar, whois recognized internationally as a trailblazerin the field, plans <strong>to</strong> researchgender and sexuality issues as theyrelate <strong>to</strong> Palestinians while at AUB."Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Puar will <strong>of</strong>fer a courseon feminist and queer theory as wellas on homonationalism and pinkwashing,the Israeli practice <strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>utingits gay rights agenda in an effort<strong>to</strong> divert attention from its colonialpractices," Lubin said.Elena Glasberg, author <strong>of</strong> AntarcticaAs Cultural Critique: The GenderedPolitics <strong>of</strong> Scientific Exploration andClimate Change, relocates Antarctica—the proverbial end <strong>of</strong> the earth—asa beginning point for understandingthe current convergence <strong>of</strong> social,economic, and ecological “meltdown.”Glasberg has taught <strong>American</strong> literature,women's studies, liberal studies,and writing at institutions including Duke<strong>University</strong> and Prince<strong>to</strong>n <strong>University</strong>. Sheis visiting for the year from her currentposition in the Writing Program at NewYork <strong>University</strong>.CASAR will also focus on currentevents and contemporary politics inthe Middle East through the work <strong>of</strong>Hajjar, who has an interdisciplinaryapproach that explores the intersection<strong>of</strong> sociology, law and society,and Middle East studies. Hajjar saysshe hopes <strong>to</strong> start a new projecttentatively titled “Following the TortureTrail through the Arab Spring,” withparticular focus on Egypt, Libya,Syria, and Bahrain. This will build onher previous studies <strong>of</strong> the so-called“war on terror.”“The most enduring theme <strong>of</strong> myresearch focuses on the relationshipbetween law and conflict and debatesover what is legal in war. I have aparticular interest in <strong>to</strong>rture,” saysHajjar. “While I am at AUB, I plan <strong>to</strong>complete my second single-authoredbook, which is a study <strong>of</strong> US <strong>to</strong>rtureand the anti-<strong>to</strong>rture legal campaignthat was catalyzed <strong>to</strong> challenge interrogationand detention policies in the‘war on terror.’”—A.B.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201223
Partnershipfor LifeFuad Jubran (MD ’64)In the last 30 years, the 5,877 milesseparating the Cleveland Clinic and AUBMChave only become smaller.24 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
“When someone like him tells you <strong>to</strong>come,” remembers Dr. Fuad Jubran(MD ’64), “you don’t question it.You pack <strong>your</strong> bags.” He laughsremembering the conversation hehad more than 40 years ago with hisdear friend Hasib Sabbagh (1920–2010). An AUB alumnus (BEN ’41)and honorary doc<strong>to</strong>rate recipient(2003), Palestinian businessman, andgenerous philanthropist, Sabbaghwas also Dr. Fuad Jubran’s patientat the time that conversation <strong>to</strong>okplace. He had come <strong>to</strong> Jubran, whowas a cardiologist at the <strong>American</strong><strong>University</strong> Hospital (the forerunner<strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>day’s AUB Medical Center),complaining <strong>of</strong> chest pains. WhenJubran determined that Sabbaghneeded surgery, he asked him,“where is the best place in the world<strong>to</strong> go for this?” “The ClevelandClinic” responded Jubran. “Then, let’s go,” saidSabbagh. And <strong>of</strong>f they went.Jubran picks up the s<strong>to</strong>ry. “After his successfulsurgery at the Cleveland Clinic, Hasib said he neededtwo things from me. He wanted <strong>to</strong> know what itwould cost <strong>to</strong> set up a catheterization lab at AUBsimilar <strong>to</strong> the one at the Cleveland Clinic—and alsowhat he needed <strong>to</strong> do <strong>to</strong> foster a relationship betweenthe two institutions.” When Jubran reported back,Sabbagh responded— with a check for $250,000<strong>to</strong> set up a catheterization lab at AUB—the first inthe Middle East—and another one for $1 million <strong>to</strong>establish a fund at the Cleveland Clinic. Jubran wasappointed direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the fund. That was the beginning<strong>of</strong> an almost 30-year relationship that has grownand expanded over the ensuing decades under theguidance <strong>of</strong> Dr. Jubran and others and with generousfinancial support from the endowed fund that HasibSabbagh established in 1984.In 1986, Jubran was recruited from AUBMC bythe Cleveland Clinic, where he currently occupiesthe Fuad Jubran Endowed Chair in CardiovascularMedicine, Physician Direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Development forthe Middle East International Affairs, and direc<strong>to</strong>rMiddle East Medical Assembly, 1950<strong>of</strong> the Fuad Jubran Center for Middle East MedicalEducation. Despite his formidable responsibilities,he always manages <strong>to</strong> find time <strong>to</strong> promote therelationship between AUB and the Cleveland Clinic.In 1998, he traveled <strong>to</strong> AUB with Dr. ConradSimpfendorfer, the chairman <strong>of</strong> the Cleveland ClinicFoundation’s International Center, <strong>to</strong> meet withthen AUB President John Waterbury and sign amemorandum <strong>of</strong> understanding for visi<strong>to</strong>r, student,resident, and physician exchanges. In some sense, theagreement merely formalized a relationship that hadalready started. Many AUB students (including AUB’scurrent Medical VP and Raja N. Khuri Dean <strong>of</strong> theFaculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine Mohamed Sayegh) had traveled<strong>to</strong> the Cleveland Clinic <strong>to</strong> do internships, residencies,and observations. Dean Sayegh completed hisinternship and residency in internal medicine at theCleveland Clinic Foundation in 1987.More than 60 AUB alumni are now working at theCleveland Clinic as doc<strong>to</strong>rs and scientists, includingJihad Kaouk (BS ’89, MD ’93), who helped develop therobotic surgery program and the stereotactic kidneyablation program at the Cleveland Clinic. He creditsJubran for the fact that he is at the Cleveland Clinic<strong>to</strong>day. So, <strong>to</strong>o, does Loutfi Aboussouan (BS ’81, MDwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201225
’85), who still remembers working as an intern for Dr.Jubran at the Coronary Care Unit at AUB more than27 years ago. “I see him <strong>of</strong>ten now as a colleague andwe share several patients.”Also at the Cleveland Clinic since January 2012is Dr. Fadi Abdul-Karim (BS ’75, MD ’79), who travelsback and forth between the two institutions almost as<strong>of</strong>ten as Dr. Jubran does. With a master’s in medicaleducation in addition <strong>to</strong> his MD degree, it is notsurprising that Abdul-Karim has been particularlyactive in that area. He spent 2010-11 at AUB as vicechair <strong>of</strong> Pathology and Labora<strong>to</strong>ry Medicine andassociate dean <strong>of</strong> medical education and was veryinvolved in efforts <strong>to</strong> restructure MEMA (Middle EastMedical Assembly), the annual gathering that hasits roots as the medical conference, which was firststarted in 1911. He served as co-direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> MEMA inMay 2012."More than 60 AUBalumni are now workingat the Cleveland Clinic asdoc<strong>to</strong>rs and scientists."Jubran points out that several people haverecently returned <strong>to</strong> AUB from the Cleveland Clinicincluding Dr. Yusuf Comair (neurosurgery), attractedby the opportunity <strong>to</strong> join VP Sayegh and his team asthey move forward with plans <strong>to</strong> implement AUBMC2020. One <strong>of</strong> the components <strong>of</strong> this multi-yearinitiative is <strong>to</strong> position AUBMC at the forefront <strong>of</strong>medical education through the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine,the Rafic Hariri School <strong>of</strong> Nursing, and the recentlycreated Office <strong>of</strong> Continuing Medical Education(CME). Thanks <strong>to</strong> an his<strong>to</strong>ric partnership between theCleveland Clinic and AUB, the CME <strong>of</strong>fice at AUBMCcan now certify educational activities in Lebanon andthe region.Abdul-Karim, who continues <strong>to</strong> work closelywith the CME Office, says that the <strong>of</strong>fice is makingsignificant strides. “They take every remark, everyThe first medical conference, held in April 1911, marked the<strong>of</strong>ficial birth <strong>of</strong> the Medical Alumni Association with Dr. SalimJalkh as president, Dr. Ni’ma Nucho as secretary-treasurer,and Dr. Harry Dorman as secretary <strong>of</strong> medical literature. Themedical conference was held annually except during WorldWars I and II. In November 1951, the medical conferenceunderwent a major change when the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine, inconjunction with the Medical Alumni Association, organizedthe first medical symposium. Alumni from all over the world,<strong>to</strong>gether with international authorities in various fields <strong>of</strong>medicine, were invited <strong>to</strong> attend and participate in thesymposium at West Hall. In 1954, the symposium became theMiddle East Medical Assembly (MEMA).More on-line:staff.aub.edu.lb/~webaubmd/his<strong>to</strong>ry.htmsuggestion seriously, and are making dramaticimprovements. On their latest visit <strong>to</strong> the ClevelandClinic, they impressed everyone with their capabilities,achievements, and pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism.”Although Jubran’s role in fostering therelationship between the two institutions isinstrumental, Jubran credits the Cleveland Clinicfor its enthusiastic and long-term commitment <strong>to</strong>reach beyond its borders. “Our current CEO, Dr.Toby Cosgrove, believes strongly that medicine is auniversal pr<strong>of</strong>ession. It belongs <strong>to</strong> no one place orinstitution or country. It belongs instead <strong>to</strong> the world.The Cleveland Clinic has always been very supportive<strong>of</strong> my efforts <strong>to</strong> build this partnership.” Abdul-Karim agrees. “I’ve only been here [at the ClevelandClinic] for six months and am <strong>to</strong>tally amazed at thecommitment <strong>to</strong> international outreach.”AUB is also enthusiastic about its relationship withthe Cleveland Clinic—and with other academic andmedical institutions as well. Associate Dean for ExternalMedical Affairs Fadi Bitar explains that these strategicpartnerships are critical <strong>to</strong> the AUBMC 2020 vision.“AUBMC is excited and delighted <strong>to</strong> have been able <strong>to</strong>establish a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic—aworld renowned institution that shares its valuesand vision: a commitment <strong>to</strong> integrity, innovation,excellence, and diversity—and accountability <strong>to</strong>our communities and <strong>to</strong> the public.”26 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
TreatingLebanonTo breathe is <strong>to</strong> live, but any medical practitioner willtell you that in Lebanon and other developing countries,it is also the most effective way <strong>to</strong> get sick whether withcancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis.
Lebanese, divided bygeography or sect,economic status orpolitical preference, aremore likely than not <strong>to</strong>share a predilection forsmoking or, at the least,a blithe lack <strong>of</strong> concernCancer remains both invisible and “taboo”across the region, and breast cancer cases aremore likely <strong>to</strong> appear in an advanced stage <strong>of</strong>diagnosis than their counterparts in, say, theUnited States, where a growing number <strong>of</strong> AUBmedical faculty have trained and worked.the bulk <strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>baccoproducts in the Arabworld are western. Therapid invasion <strong>of</strong> globalgoods and practicesfrom the west hasalso generated a lessactive lifestyle that isfor its presence.According <strong>to</strong> statistics gathered in 2010 by AUBmedical faculty, more than a third <strong>of</strong> Lebanese adultsare smokers, and they consume a staggering 7.8 billioncigarettes per year. Lebanese women, on average, smokemore than women in any other country in the region.And those are just the numbers for adults.More than 75 percent <strong>of</strong> Lebanese children areexposed <strong>to</strong> smoking at home─compared <strong>to</strong> 53 percentin the United States (as <strong>of</strong> 2007–08), according <strong>to</strong> theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Amongyouth aged 13 <strong>to</strong> 15, more than 60 percent <strong>of</strong> boysand more than 50 percent <strong>of</strong> girls smoke shisha on aregular basis. Common attitudes <strong>to</strong>ward the water pipequietly devastating vulnerable populations and drivingmedical faculty at AUB <strong>to</strong> step up their preventionand treatment efforts. They are buoyed by recentaccomplishments.A ban on smoking in all enclosed public places inLebanon went in<strong>to</strong> effect this fall and it owes its success,in part, <strong>to</strong> the work <strong>of</strong> AUB’s Tobacco Control ResearchGroup, featured in the fall 2011 issue <strong>of</strong> this magazine.It’s a long anticipated win that will safeguard nonsmokers.But forcing smokers <strong>to</strong> change location is notthe same as persuading them <strong>to</strong> quit.Spreading awareness, physicians agree, is just thebeginning. People need <strong>to</strong> be prevailed upon <strong>to</strong> changetheir minds and their behavior.exemplify the misconceptions that challenge <strong>health</strong>-carepractitioners, not <strong>to</strong> mention state c<strong>of</strong>fers.On streets plied by mo<strong>to</strong>rcyclists bearing nara,the lit charcoal that vaporizes <strong>to</strong>bacco, it has becomealmost a mantra that the water in water pipes filtersaway the “impurities.” It’s a mantra dismissed as worsethan myth by AUB cardiologist Ziyad Ghazzal (MD ’82)among others: “The purpose <strong>of</strong> the water is <strong>to</strong> humidifythe smoke . . . making it easier <strong>to</strong> inhale, and thereforemore harmful.”Serious harm generally takes years <strong>to</strong> manifest itself.In the meantime, due <strong>to</strong> the lack <strong>of</strong> regulations andgeneral awareness, Lebanese youth hear far less aboutthese consequences than their peers in other nations.They may not know that four major diseasesravaging their grandparents and parents all claim smokingas a leading─though not the only─contribu<strong>to</strong>r. Smokingposes particular <strong>health</strong> challenges as it can take the guise<strong>of</strong> self-medication for other <strong>health</strong> problems: Obesesmokers may believe it will help them slim down, whereasthe anxious and depressed may light up <strong>to</strong> lighten up.Smoking enjoys a unique local cachet as evenArabic language textbooks portray it as an authenticexpression <strong>of</strong> Arab culture. Yet, the companies peddlingCatch Cancer Early“All the data indicates that we have a rise in theincidence <strong>of</strong> cancer cases in Lebanon,” says Dr. FadyGeara, chairman <strong>of</strong> AUBMC’s Department <strong>of</strong> RadiationOncology and direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Naef K. Basile CancerInstitute. The most common cancer among Lebanesewomen is breast cancer, Geara says. Among men, it’sprostate cancer with lung cancer a close second.Cancer remains both invisible and “taboo” acrossthe region, and breast cancer cases are more likely <strong>to</strong>appear in an advanced stage <strong>of</strong> diagnosis than theircounterparts in, say, the United States, where a growingnumber <strong>of</strong> AUB medical faculty have trained and worked.“More than 60 percent <strong>of</strong> breast cancer cases[among Arabs] are locally advanced or metastatic atpresentation,” compared with only 10 percent in theUnited States and Europe, says Dr. Nagi El Saghir,pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> clinical medicine and direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the BreastCenter <strong>of</strong> Excellence at the Basile Cancer Institute.There’s more <strong>to</strong> it than smoking. Thanks <strong>to</strong> a$250,000 grant from the GlaxoSmithKline OncologyInternational Ethnic Research Initiative, El Saghir and28 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
colleagues are conducting a major study <strong>to</strong> assess therole <strong>of</strong> family his<strong>to</strong>ry in soaring breast cancer cases.Data-supported conclusions, however, remain theexception in the Arab world.El Saghir and Geara are fairly typical among medicalfaculty in dividing their time between treating patients,researching what causes trends in disease incidence, andorganizing or taking part in awareness campaigns.That’s what it means <strong>to</strong> treat cancer inLebanon─whether <strong>your</strong> patients are Lebanese or Iraqi,who form on average 20 <strong>to</strong> 25 percent <strong>of</strong> the overallgroup. Geara says that Iraqis, along with Syrians, areincreasingly likely <strong>to</strong> seek help beyond the borders <strong>of</strong>their own troubled medical systems.Even as a massive investment in cancer treatmentamong Lebanese youth, says Dr. Muhieddine Seoud(BS ’73, MD ’82), a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> gynecology oncology.Human papillomavirus (HPV), essentially thesole cause <strong>of</strong> cervical cancer, can spread even duringprotected sex, and any campaign <strong>to</strong> combat it requiresmass vaccination <strong>of</strong> adolescent girls.“There is less than 17 percent uptake <strong>of</strong> the vaccinein the United States, which is very bad,” says Dr. Seoud,comparing it with Australia where 88 percent <strong>of</strong> thetarget population has been vaccinated.In order <strong>to</strong> have any chance <strong>of</strong> success, the vaccine(as currently priced) will have <strong>to</strong> prove cost-effectivefor Lebanon. The Amsterdam-based journal Vaccine,which Seoud edits, will publish an analysis <strong>of</strong> the costeffectiveness <strong>of</strong> the vaccine in its November issue.and research facilities forms a central part <strong>of</strong> the 2020vision transforming medicine at AUB, cancer and its kin,formidable opponents even in much wealthier countries,require devilishly inventive opponents. “This is the realchallenge,” Geara says. “To always provide the best care asefficiently as possible. You have <strong>to</strong> be creative and you have<strong>to</strong> have a lean and efficient operation.”Even the most sophisticated equipment─and themedical center operates, wherever possible, on thecutting edge,─rarely exposes lung cancer before it hasbecome serious. Whenit comes <strong>to</strong> prostate andbreast cancer, however,Your HeartFor whatever reason, heart disease, as it’s commonlyknown, doesn’t terrorize its potential victims as cancerdoes, but it kills more people. “The first misconception isthat women are more vulnerable <strong>to</strong> breast cancer [than <strong>to</strong>heart disease],” says Dr. Samir Alam (MD ’72), pr<strong>of</strong>essorand head <strong>of</strong> cardiology. The numbers tell a different s<strong>to</strong>ry:“Across the world, one out <strong>of</strong> every two women above 40dies <strong>of</strong> heart diseases,whereas one in 25 dies<strong>of</strong> breast cancer.”El Saghir and Gearaemphasize that earlydetection can makeall the difference.Women should seekyearly mammographyFor whatever reason, heart disease, as it’scommonly known, doesn’t terrorize its potentialvictims as cancer does, but it kills more people.The same riskfac<strong>to</strong>rs cause orreinforce heart disease:smoking, family his<strong>to</strong>ry,diabetes, hypertension,sedentary lifestyle,screenings starting at age 40.“Cancer does not mean death anymore,” El Saghirsays. “It’s important <strong>to</strong> keep repeating that information.If a woman has breast cancer, if we discover it early, shecan live, [and] she does not have <strong>to</strong> lose her breast.”When it comes <strong>to</strong> cervical cancer, doc<strong>to</strong>rs have<strong>to</strong> contend with something more complicated thanignorance and fear: a persistent idea <strong>of</strong> innocence rootedin a cultural exceptionalism that has been, <strong>to</strong> someextent, grounded in fact. The Arab region has the lowestincidence <strong>of</strong> cervical cancer in the world, but that’sexpected <strong>to</strong> change as a result <strong>of</strong> evolving sexual habitsobesity, and elevated cholesterol levels. “And <strong>to</strong> somedegree stress and type A personality,” adds Dr. Ghazzal,pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> cardiology and associate dean for clinicalaffairs.Not <strong>to</strong> mention age itself, Ghazzal says: “Aswe grow older, our risk <strong>of</strong> heart attacks and strokeincreases.” To that end, he points <strong>to</strong> two exciting newprograms that will intensify efforts <strong>to</strong> prevent and treatcardiovascular disease.Ghazzal and his colleagues have created apreventive cardiology program that they plan <strong>to</strong> launchsoon and are planning an educational <strong>health</strong> fair for thewww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201229
fall. While the clinic will <strong>of</strong>fer personalized assessmentand testing, general guidelines established by the<strong>American</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology and the <strong>American</strong> HeartAssociation remain widely applicable: Don’t smoke; getscreened for diabetes and hypertension; follow a <strong>health</strong>ydiet low in fat and carbohydrates; and do a half hour <strong>of</strong>exercise several times a week.In addition, AUB intends <strong>to</strong> partner with LebaneseFirst Lady Wafaa Sleiman and sponsor an initiative<strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer Lebanese women free heart screenings. Theinitiative, which could start as soon as December,combines opportunities for service and research in whatAlam calls a “tremendous platform” for AUB <strong>to</strong> fulfill itsmission in the larger community.“AUB will provideacademic counseling…and be able <strong>to</strong> gatherLebanon’s numbers are low compared <strong>to</strong> some otherArab countries, but Salti cautions that they may increaseif people are not made more aware <strong>of</strong> associated riskfac<strong>to</strong>rs such as high blood pressure, triglycerides, andcholesterol, not <strong>to</strong> mention obesity─and what they can do<strong>to</strong> counter them.The overwhelming majority <strong>of</strong> people don’t realizethey have the disease until they experience symp<strong>to</strong>ms,at which point complications may already havecommenced, Salti says. “Everybody above 30 shouldhave at least an annual checkup for diabetes.” Pregnantwomen are routinely screened.Under the umbrella <strong>of</strong> the Lebanese Order <strong>of</strong>Physicians and the Lebanese Society for Diabetes andEndocrinology, Saltiand his colleaguesobserve the Worlddata <strong>to</strong> establish adatabase, the firs<strong>to</strong>f its kind, whichwill include a lot <strong>of</strong>information on riskfac<strong>to</strong>rs, genomic fac<strong>to</strong>rs,lifestyle issues─and thiswill open the way forIn addition, AUB intends <strong>to</strong> partner withLebanese First Lady Wafaa Sleiman andsponsor an initiative <strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer Lebanesewomen free heart screenings. The initiativecould start as soon as December.Health Organization’s(WHO) Diabetes Day onNovember 14 each year.“For many years,we have had our owndiabetes programat AUB. It’s a miniprogramcompared withintervention,” he says.For a variety <strong>of</strong> reasons, cardiovascular diseasein women is underdiagnosed, which is a particularconcern since earlier intervention can save lives, Alamsays. “The first manifestation <strong>of</strong> [heart] disease, formany women, is sudden death.”The same collusion between changes in lifestylewhat the country needs, but we are actively participatingin both national and regional campaigns <strong>to</strong> improvepublic awareness <strong>of</strong> this disease and its management,”Salti says. “Of course, ultimately we would like <strong>to</strong>establish a major diabetes center but that’s somethingwe hope <strong>to</strong> implement with the long-term plans <strong>of</strong> themedical center.”and family his<strong>to</strong>ry that makes Lebanese and theirneighbors vulnerable <strong>to</strong> cancer and cardiovasculardisease also increases their risk <strong>of</strong> developing type twodiabetes, says Dr. Ibrahim Salti, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicineand head <strong>of</strong> the Division <strong>of</strong> Endocrinology.Diagnosing DiabetesApproximately 13 percent <strong>of</strong> Lebanese adults are livingwith diabetes, meaning that their bodies fail <strong>to</strong> produceor effectively use the insulin necessary <strong>to</strong> absorb glucosefrom the bloodstream in<strong>to</strong> their cells, causing excessivethirst and hunger, frequent urination, and othercomplications.Brittle Truth: OsteoporosisTargets Men TooOsteoporosis operates in stealth mode. “It’s a silentdisease until fracture occurs,” says Dr. Ghada El-HajjFuleihan (MD ’83, MPH ’97), pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicineand specialist in endocrinology-metabolic bonedisorders and public <strong>health</strong>.In other words, most people don’t realize that theirbones are becoming more fragile and brittle until theybreak. Post-menopausal women above age 65 are most atrisk, but some medical conditions and─occasionally─even30 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
their treatments exposemany other groups,El-Hajj Fuleihan says.It doesn’t requiremuch <strong>of</strong> a mental leap <strong>to</strong>connect cancer and boneloss, but the potentiallyIn Lebanon, one out <strong>of</strong> five women and oneout <strong>of</strong> eight men over age 65 have vertebralfractures, and the incidence <strong>of</strong> hip fracturesis closest <strong>to</strong> that <strong>of</strong> Southern Europe.disease. Such parametersalready vary acrossborders, El-Hajj Fuleihanexplains. In the UnitedStates, for instance,physicians are advised <strong>to</strong>test anyone who shows adebilitating effects <strong>of</strong> medications for allergies, epilepsy,and depression may be less intuitive.More people are seeking testing thanks <strong>to</strong> growingawareness, El-Hajj Fuleihan says. Since she moved<strong>to</strong> Lebanon in 1997, she established the Calciumrisk <strong>of</strong> more than 20 percent, whereas Canadians are morelikely <strong>to</strong> treat someone who exhibits a lower risk.Thus, El-Hajj Fuleihan alludes <strong>to</strong> a more generalprinciple: Disease is universal, but the treatments need<strong>to</strong> be much more geographically and culturally specific.Metabolism and Osteoporosis Program, and in 2010the WHO Collaborating Center for Metabolic BoneDisorders, programs that played an important role inTeaming Up <strong>to</strong> Treat Obesityleading osteoporosis research and raising awarenessabout this disabling disease. In Lebanon, one out <strong>of</strong> and Mental Healthfive women and one out <strong>of</strong> eight men over age 65 havevertebral fractures, and the incidence <strong>of</strong> hip fractures isclosest <strong>to</strong> that <strong>of</strong> Southern Europe.Last fall, she led the first regional investigation<strong>to</strong> assess osteoporosis disease burden, covering theMiddle East and Africa, an initiative spearheaded by theInternational Osteoporosis Foundation. The statisticsmay be bleak—hip fractures in Lebanon are expected <strong>to</strong>quadruple over the next 30 years—but El-Hajj Fuleihanbelieves that Lebanon can stay ahead <strong>of</strong> the curve andspearhead efforts <strong>to</strong> contribute <strong>to</strong> regional well-being.Indeed, for the last decade, she has engagedseveral relevant stakeholders, <strong>of</strong>ficials at the ministry<strong>of</strong> <strong>health</strong>, ministry <strong>of</strong> social affairs, WHO, concernednational scientific societies, <strong>to</strong> push the osteoporosisagenda forward. These include the establishmen<strong>to</strong>f a national osteoporosis task force; various patientand physician educational campaigns and programs;national osteoporosis guidelines on “who should betested” and “who should be treated”; scientific meetingssponsored by the Lebanese Society for Osteoporosisand Metabolic Bone Disorders, an osteoporosis academycourse that trains physicians and residents from a range<strong>of</strong> related disciplines; and the creation <strong>of</strong> a Lebanonspecificfracture risk calcula<strong>to</strong>r, FRAX Lebanon,launched on-line in September 2009.The composition <strong>of</strong> FRAX-based Lebaneseosteoporosis guidelines will further aid physiciansin deciding when <strong>to</strong> treat patients with or at risk forEfforts <strong>to</strong> develop treatments for obesity and mentalillness mirror one another in an important way. Inboth cases, two distinct pr<strong>of</strong>essions emerged fromuniversities—doc<strong>to</strong>rs and dieticians versus psychiatristsand psychologists—and they had <strong>to</strong> learn <strong>to</strong> work withone another.When AUB began graduating dieticians in 1984,doc<strong>to</strong>rs were dismissive, says Dean Nahla Houalla,a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> nutrition and dean <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong>Agricultural and Food Sciences. “I remember they used<strong>to</strong> call them ‘the girls in the kitchen,’” Houalla says.AUB’s graduating dieticians, however, have “madethe pr<strong>of</strong>ession look good,” Houalla says, and physicianshave begun <strong>to</strong> accept them as partners. AUB itself sits atthe heart <strong>of</strong> this transformation as new leadership at themedical school has accelerated the transition <strong>to</strong> a moreholistic <strong>health</strong>-care approach, Houalla says.By the time Brigitte Khoury, PhD (BA ’88), becamethe first clinical psychologist appointed <strong>to</strong> the Faculty<strong>of</strong> Medicine in 1997, psychiatry was similarly becomingmore welcoming, she says. “We see our work ascomplementary,” she says <strong>of</strong> her colleagues. “We reallywork in a biopsychosocial model where the patient istreated on all levels: medically, psychologically, socially.”Such an approach is needed because the culprit inboth cases is not an isolated phenomenon, but rathera sea change in how <strong>to</strong> live—one that is especiallychallenging for Arabs who must balance their own needswith that <strong>of</strong> their families and society at large, sayswww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201231
Tima El-Jamil, assistantpr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> psychologyin the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Artsand Sciences.Chair <strong>of</strong> PsychiatryThe made-up woman, the plastic-surgery womanis idealized here <strong>to</strong> a very great extent, throughoutall social classes. On the one hand, the familyand society perpetuate un<strong>health</strong>y body images;on the other hand, they ignore genuine signsPTSD <strong>of</strong> the Vietnamveteran dominates.“We do not havehigher rates <strong>of</strong> PTSDthan countries like theZiad Nahas says he<strong>of</strong> ill <strong>health</strong> in their children or in the elderly.United States, whichhas advised patientsis very interesting,”<strong>to</strong> try psychotherapy,in addition <strong>to</strong> orsometimes instead <strong>of</strong> medication. “Medication willnot teach you new skills,” he says. “It will relieve thesymp<strong>to</strong>ms and prepare the stage for learning, but it willnot teach you new skills <strong>to</strong> cope with life’s adversity.” Headds: “Some patients refuse.”Houalla sees resistance <strong>to</strong> change as a majorobstacle. “We didn’t change our behavior <strong>to</strong> accompanythe change in technology and innovation,” she observes.“I see young people here waiting for the bus on lowercampus <strong>to</strong> take them <strong>to</strong> upper campus.”These same young people are also the most likely<strong>to</strong> have adapted a western diet that is directly correlatedwith rising rates <strong>of</strong> obesity. “It’s not a thought, it’s a fact,”Houalla says, pointing <strong>to</strong> research that has identifiedfour dietary patterns in the country: western, traditionalLebanese, prudent, and fish and alcohol patterns. Ofthose patterns, only the western pattern has a “strongassociation with obesity and metabolic abnormalities.”On the flipside <strong>of</strong> obesity, El-Jamil says that shefrequently sees patients with eating disorders suchas anorexia and bulimia among her (mostly middleclass) clientele. “The made-up woman, the plasticsurgerywoman is idealized here <strong>to</strong> a very great extent,throughout all social classes,” she says. On the onehand, the family and society perpetuate un<strong>health</strong>y bodyimages; on the other hand, they ignore genuine signs <strong>of</strong>ill <strong>health</strong> in their children or in the elderly.Houalla and her colleagues have prepared a new se<strong>to</strong>f general nutrition guidelines that the government willsoon distribute through <strong>health</strong> centers <strong>to</strong> inform peoplehow <strong>to</strong> maintain a <strong>health</strong>y body weight. “We don’t call itideal,” she stresses. “We call it a <strong>health</strong>y body weight.”Khoury and El-Jamil say that the high degree <strong>of</strong>generalized anxiety they see could be culturally specificmanifestations <strong>of</strong> post-traumatic stress disorder thatgo largely unrecognized in the current <strong>American</strong> andEuropean diagnostic manuals, in which the “classic”El-Jamil says. “That’snot <strong>to</strong> say that we havenot been traumatized by the experiences [<strong>of</strong> war]. I justthink we express our trauma a little bit differently.”Khoury is part <strong>of</strong> a group effort <strong>to</strong> revise mentalillness classifications in the ICD-10, an initiative by theWorld Health Organization in Geneva <strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer a Europeanalternative <strong>to</strong> the <strong>American</strong> DSM-IV (the fourth edition <strong>of</strong>the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual <strong>of</strong> Mental Disorders).The new ICD (International Statistical Classification <strong>of</strong>Diseases), scheduled for release in 2015, will include dataspecific <strong>to</strong> the Arab world, a significant advance.“I think this will really put Arab mental <strong>health</strong> onthe map,” Khoury says.Ever since she founded the Lebanese PsychologicalAssociation in 2004, she’s been working with colleagues,including El-Jamil, on a law that would regulatepsychological practices in Lebanon, mandating alicensing exam, among other stipulations, and helping <strong>to</strong>ensure that a pool <strong>of</strong> qualified psychologists will grow instep with Lebanese demand.“Going <strong>to</strong> a psychologist is a fairly new concept forArabs, and Lebanese in particular,” El-Jamil says.Cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,osteoporosis, obesity, and mental illness—they are allold diseases that are successfully exploiting the waymodern life has accelerated even as people themselvesare slowing down or s<strong>to</strong>pping al<strong>to</strong>gether.Most worrying is the way the major diseasesthat turn middle age in<strong>to</strong> a killing field are <strong>of</strong>tencharacterized by degrees <strong>of</strong> silence: the mute terror<strong>of</strong> cancer, the gasping anguish <strong>of</strong> heart disease, thedeceptive quiet <strong>of</strong> diabetes and osteoporosis, and the<strong>to</strong>rmenting secrecy <strong>of</strong> obesity and mental illness.Whether in Lebanon or around the world, theaffected population has never been larger and the stakeshave never been higher. But what is the chance thatany individual will make a different choice─not<strong>to</strong>morrow, but <strong>to</strong>day?—S.M.32 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Building <strong>to</strong> HealDuring more than a century <strong>of</strong> continuous development,punctuated by a few ambitious large-scale expansions, thebuildings and networks <strong>of</strong> people that form AUB’s medicalcenter have adhered <strong>to</strong> a remarkably consistent vision.1870 18801867 SPC establishes aschool <strong>of</strong> medicine.1866 The Syrian Protestant College(SPC) is founded, renamed the <strong>American</strong><strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong> (AUB) in 1920.1873 SPC constructs a medicalbuilding currently housing AUB’sOffice <strong>of</strong> Regional External Programs.1871 The Medical School joins with theJohanniter Hospital, also known as thePrussian Hospital for clinical teaching.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201233
On November 6, 1954, just one month before he passedaway, President Stephen B. L. Penrose, Jr. dedicated anew hospital wing and seized the opportunity <strong>to</strong> remindlisteners <strong>to</strong> look beyond the building: “A hospitalbuilding is <strong>of</strong> no value whatsoever regardless <strong>of</strong> itsbeauty or its wealth <strong>of</strong> equipment unless it is manned bydevoted people, doc<strong>to</strong>rs, nurses and members <strong>of</strong> everylevel <strong>of</strong> the staff.”Sixteen years later, in mid-June 1970, Dr. CraigLichtenwalner, dean <strong>of</strong> the Faculties <strong>of</strong> Medical Sciences,<strong>to</strong>ld those gathered for the dedication <strong>of</strong> the then newmedical center that “people are the heart <strong>of</strong> the medicalcenter” and that it was otherwise “best defined by itsfunctions and these are identified as medical teaching,medical care, and medical research.”In 2009, Dean Mohamed H. Sayegh echoed hispredecessors when he articulated a daring vision, thename <strong>of</strong> which—AUBMC 2020—aims <strong>to</strong> express not justa projected date for the completion for the new medicalcomplex but a decidedly contemporary desire for clarityand transparency in vision.That inclination for transparency can also be seenin the glassy structures that make up the centerpiece<strong>of</strong> the planned complex, as a global proclivity for glassadapts (yet again) <strong>to</strong> suit a hot climate and an urbanfabric that already harmonizes brazenly modern edificeswith their gracefully graying relations.Over the coming decade <strong>of</strong> construction and culturalrenewal, the current 350-bed hospital will transform in<strong>to</strong> a“Dean and VP Mohamed Sayegh and histeam have worked tirelessly <strong>to</strong> develop avisionary master plan charting the future <strong>of</strong>the medical center. It is daring, it is daunting,and it will require that every one <strong>of</strong> uscommits <strong>to</strong> ensuring its ultimate realization.The new 2020 plan is essential <strong>to</strong> the <strong>health</strong><strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> and will help ensure thatfuture generations in the Arab world willhave life and have it more abundantly!“—Trustee Dr. David Bickers at the meeting <strong>of</strong> theBoard <strong>of</strong> Trustees, June 18, 2010600-bed institution dedicated <strong>to</strong> education, treatment, andresearch that aims <strong>to</strong> surpass its counterparts in the regionand distinguish itself on a world scale.All that ambition, however, begins and ends withpeople, Sayegh says. “The bot<strong>to</strong>m line is teamwork.” He’salready recruited more than 80 new faculty membersfrom the United States and Europe, many <strong>of</strong> whom nowserve on one <strong>of</strong> the interlocking steering committees,task forces, and working groups designed <strong>to</strong> ensure thatthe medical culture evolves in step with the construction.“We’re not saying we’re going <strong>to</strong> build a buildingfor you, then go and occupy it,” Sayegh makes plain. Inorder <strong>to</strong> best serve patients—and hospitals increasingly1900 19101902 AUB establishes its ownteaching hospital (later called the<strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> Hospital, AUH) onthe Adham property across from thecurrent Medical Gate.1905 SPC establishesthe School <strong>of</strong> Nursing.1910 SPC builds the Children’sand Orthopedic Hospital.1909 SPC builds the Eyeand Ear Hospital.1908 SPC builds a Maternity andWomen’s Hospital.34 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Far left: Academic and Clinical CenterLeft: Academic Lobbyrecognize that optimal values and revenues converge onthis point—the buildings will also need <strong>to</strong> reflect theworking ethos <strong>of</strong> the physicians and staff migrating in<strong>to</strong>them, beginning with the new medical school café andadministration building, both under construction, andthe academic clinical center that broke ground this fall.A floor-by-floor renovation <strong>of</strong> the existing hospitalhas been underway for a few years now and is expected <strong>to</strong>take several more years <strong>to</strong> complete, says Bassem Barhoumi,direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Facilities Planning and Design Unit.A project <strong>of</strong> this scale requires the construction <strong>of</strong>intermediary buildings in<strong>to</strong> which people and programscan be decanted <strong>to</strong> allow for the real creative destruction <strong>to</strong>begin. “It’s an existing, thriving, operating medical center,so you have <strong>to</strong> ensure that that all still carries on whileyou’re doing the construction,” says Joan Saba, partnerin the New York Office <strong>of</strong> NBBJ, a firm selected on themerits <strong>of</strong> its work (including Stanford <strong>University</strong> MedicalSchool’s Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledgeand Massachusetts General Hospital’s Lunder Building) andSaba’s own deep experience with academic medical centers.The flagship buildings remain in their “infancy,”Saba says; construction on them won’t begin until 2015at the earliest. She and her collabora<strong>to</strong>rs received thego-ahead only late last year, which means that all slideshows come with a caveat—anything and everythingcould yet change. Well, perhaps not everything.The overall plan calls for uniting the main andmedical campuses on one sustained and sustainable(LEED-certified) green-friendly note; integrating newand old buildings through sensitive design, locallysourced materials, and strategically-placed pathways;adapting under-used public space <strong>to</strong> make the area morewelcoming <strong>to</strong> patients, families, clinicians, and students;enabling mingling and collaboration from the courtyard<strong>to</strong> the exam room so that the complex itself becomes a“beehive <strong>of</strong> connections,” in Saba’s words; maximizingaccess <strong>to</strong> natural light above ground and parking belowground; instituting repetitive design wherever it will aidorientation; and directing pedestrian and traffic flow viamultiple access points.Saba has seen the typology <strong>of</strong> the hospital changesignificantly in the past few decades <strong>to</strong> become morewelcoming and amenable. That said, she knows thearchitectural equivalent <strong>of</strong> a euphemism when she seesone: “It’s not a spa, it’s not a hotel—I mean, it’s a hospital.”In contrast with, say, a community hospital, anacademic medical center poses unique challenges, allthe more so if it’s in an urban setting. Well before AUBtrustees started working their way down the list <strong>of</strong>the world’s <strong>to</strong>p 100 architects, they <strong>to</strong>ured a projectthat seemed <strong>to</strong> have some similar elements, the newlyconstructed Lunder Building at Mass General, and metBob Foster, a project adviser with 25 years <strong>of</strong> experiencein real estate development.Foster agreed <strong>to</strong> act as interim vice president forfacilities <strong>to</strong> provide on-site consulting. “All [they] knewis that they had an immediate need for beds and that it1920 19301920 SPC is renamed AUB.1926 AUB builds Dale Home <strong>to</strong>house the School <strong>of</strong> Nursing.1925 AUB builds the PathologyBuilding1929–30 AUB constructs the <strong>American</strong><strong>University</strong> Hospital Outpatient ClinicBuilding, Chemistry Building, andMedical Science Labora<strong>to</strong>ries Building<strong>to</strong> accommodate the expandingprogram for labora<strong>to</strong>ry instruction.1931 AUB builds Van Dyck Hall, theoriginal medical science building. Namedfor Dr. Cornelius Van Dyck, it currentlyhouses the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health Sciences.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201235
would likely have extensive repercussions on some otheruses,” Foster says.As a consultant, Foster tries <strong>to</strong> break down apotentially overwhelming enterprise in<strong>to</strong> basic questionsthat can be answered: “What is it you have? What is it youthink you need? What kind <strong>of</strong> resources do you need?What’s the strategy? How do you build a team <strong>to</strong> executesomething this significant? Do you have enough land area?”“You don’t get in<strong>to</strong> any kind <strong>of</strong> detail at that level,”he adds. “It’s just about: How big is it? How big can youbuild it? What can we afford <strong>to</strong> do? Does any <strong>of</strong> thismake sense in regard <strong>to</strong> where we are?”And the demands <strong>of</strong> the present are only thebeginning. “Remember you’re trying <strong>to</strong> design somethingthat doesn’t really come on-line for 10 years,” Fostersays. “You’re trying <strong>to</strong> imagine what this is going <strong>to</strong> bein the face <strong>of</strong> changing agendas and changing clinicalpractices, knowing that whatever you start with <strong>to</strong>dayis very likely going <strong>to</strong> be different at the end <strong>of</strong> theday”—in part because so many additional people willhave a say in the proceedings, including politicians andgovernment bureaucrats.Barhoumi and his colleagues are drawing onwhat they learned about working with the Lebanesegovernment during the last decade <strong>of</strong> overhauling the<strong>University</strong>’s master plan.Even when the last s<strong>to</strong>ne slides in<strong>to</strong> place, thehospital is going <strong>to</strong> continue <strong>to</strong> develop, albeit ata slower pace. “Medical centers, especially, groworganically,” Foster says. “Mass General was built backbefore the [<strong>American</strong>] Civil War and each incrementalpiece gets added on<strong>to</strong> something that came before it.”Likewise, the former <strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong>Hospital began <strong>to</strong> take shape with the purchase <strong>of</strong>something like the current plot <strong>of</strong> land in 1902. Bythe end <strong>of</strong> the decade, three linked hospital pavilionshad materialized and the School <strong>of</strong> Nursing had beenfunctioning for five years.The Rockefeller Foundation funded additions <strong>to</strong> thepavilions in 1923 and, in 1931, the construction <strong>of</strong> VanDyck Hall, then the medical sciences building now home<strong>to</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health Sciences.The next major renovation ushered in Lebanon’swar years and in 1987, the war came home when a bombexploded in the lobby <strong>of</strong> the medical center, killingseven people and wounding 31.In the event <strong>of</strong> a war or another catastrophe, Sabasays, the access points will be easy <strong>to</strong> control, by design.“We’re required <strong>to</strong> have a war shelter on the lower levels<strong>of</strong> the hospital.”“There has also been discussion about whathappens in mass casualty events,” adds Domenico Lio,a senior associate with NBBJ. “The whole courtyardcould… accommodate a greater amount <strong>of</strong> ambulancesand entries.”The medical complex serves as a reminder <strong>of</strong>how many different trends can proceed at one time inparallel—destructive, constructive, or both.1940 19501960 19701949 AUB builds theGulbenkian Infirmary.1954 AUB opens a new hospital wing, Building56; then AUB President Stephen B. L. Penrose, Jr.rededicates the entire hospital <strong>to</strong> “the care <strong>of</strong> thesick and the improvement <strong>of</strong> the <strong>health</strong> <strong>of</strong> men,women, and children throughout the Middle East.”36 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
“Looking at those programs that are going <strong>to</strong>need <strong>to</strong> grow and are going <strong>to</strong> enable moregrowth . . . All <strong>of</strong> this planning work that we“redoing? It“s important <strong>to</strong> get it right.““The facilities are so stressed right now because <strong>of</strong> thedemands on them,” Saba points out. “The workaroundsthat people have created—it’s phenomenal.”“Looking at those programs that are going <strong>to</strong> need<strong>to</strong> grow and are going <strong>to</strong> enable more growth…” Sheconcludes with understated simplicity: “All <strong>of</strong> thisplanning work that we’re doing? It’s important <strong>to</strong> getit right.”—S.M.Top left: LobbyAbove: Site plan1980 1990 200020101970 AUH is renamedthe AUB Medical Center;major new facilities open.1975 AUB completes the Diana TamariSabbagh Basic Science Building <strong>to</strong>house the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine.2009 AUB constructsand names the RaficHariri School <strong>of</strong> Nursing.2010 AUB Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees approves AUBMC2020 vision <strong>to</strong> be the leading academicmedical center in Lebanon and the regionby delivering excellence in patient-centeredcare, outstanding education, and innovativeresearch. AUB breaks ground for new facilities.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201237
Artistic Legacy38 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
When Samir Saleeby attended the inauguration <strong>of</strong> theKhalil Saleeby (1870-1928) exhibition showcasing worksfrom the exceptional art collection that he has generouslydonated <strong>to</strong> AUB, he felt his hopes and ambitions forthe collection had been fulfilled. “When I went <strong>to</strong> theopening on June 8,” he said, “I knew that I had done theright thing. I had been thinking <strong>of</strong> a museum <strong>of</strong> fine artsfor the collection since the seventies. Now I am alreadydreaming <strong>of</strong> the future, when the collection becomes thenucleus <strong>of</strong> an art museum at AUB <strong>to</strong> be named after myfather and mother.” His father, Shaheen Saleeby, receivedhis MD from the <strong>University</strong>, and Samir Saleeby and hisfive children all studied at AUB. Both father and son haddistinguished careers as ophthalmologists.The s<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> Samir Saleeby’s unique bequest <strong>to</strong>AUB has already stimulated interest from the art worldthroughout the region and beyond. It has also promptedacademics and collec<strong>to</strong>rs alike <strong>to</strong> consider the potentialfor future donations <strong>to</strong> AUB.A distant relative <strong>of</strong> Khalil Saleeby, one <strong>of</strong> Lebanon’spreeminentearly painters (he is considered <strong>to</strong> be one<strong>of</strong> the founders <strong>of</strong> contemporary art in Lebanon),Samir Saleeby dedicated the collection <strong>to</strong> the memory<strong>of</strong> his parents, Rose and Shaheen Saleeby. It comprises57 paintings and eight works on paper. Thirtythreepaintings are by Khalil Saleeby; the rest are bycontemporaries including Saliba Douaihy, Cesar Gemayal,and Omar Onsi. Initially started by Shaheen Saleebyupon the sudden tragic death <strong>of</strong> his artist-relative, onceSamir <strong>to</strong>ok over the collection it became his passion.Augmented over decades, it graced the walls <strong>of</strong> hisfamily’s home in <strong>Beirut</strong> for over 80 years.Samir Saleeby staunchly resisted all pressure<strong>to</strong> divide or sell the collection. Concerned for itssafety during the Lebanese civil war, he shipped it <strong>to</strong>London for safekeeping. In between he considered thepossibility <strong>of</strong> building his own museum but finallyrejected the idea as being less safe than a publicinstitution. “I wanted the collection <strong>to</strong> remain inLebanon and I wanted people <strong>to</strong> see it. I have made thecorrect decision. AUB is well equipped <strong>to</strong> look afterthe paintings and the new Rose and Shaheen SaleebyMuseum planned by AUB for 2020 is a dream cometrue.” At 87 years <strong>of</strong> age Samir Saleeby is not sure hewill attend its inauguration, but the thought <strong>of</strong> it giveshim enormous pleasure.President Dorman expressed his gratitude concerningthe donation, affirming that the <strong>University</strong> shares SamirSaleeby’s vision <strong>of</strong> making the paintings available <strong>to</strong> thepeople <strong>of</strong> Lebanon and <strong>to</strong> all who have an interest in artin the region. That suits Samir Saleeby perfectly. “Lebanonneeds a museum but the nation did not provide it, so AUBis the right place for the Saleeby collection.”Pending the opening <strong>of</strong> the Saleeby museum, anew two-s<strong>to</strong>ry gallery has been created on the groundand lower floors <strong>of</strong> the Mayfair student residence just <strong>of</strong>fcampus in Hamra. The current exhibition will be followedby a series <strong>of</strong> exhibitions that will draw upon other worksin the Saleeby collection. The newly appointed cura<strong>to</strong>r,Octavian Esanu will oversee the gallery as well as a newcontemporary art space that is being created on campus.He will also manage the <strong>University</strong>’s art collection thatfeatures other important works <strong>of</strong> art belonging <strong>to</strong> AUB.AUB recruited a <strong>to</strong>p international art res<strong>to</strong>rer, LuciaScalisi who spent months in <strong>Beirut</strong> res<strong>to</strong>ring the Saleebycollection prior <strong>to</strong> exhibition. Seeing the paintings someticulously renovated, Samir Saleeby declared Scalisi’swork <strong>to</strong> be “fantastic.” A seasoned pr<strong>of</strong>essional formerlywith the Vic<strong>to</strong>ria and Albert Museum in London, Scalisiwas amazed by the collection. “It is such a rare thing <strong>to</strong>get this many paintings by one artist in a single collectionand as a bequest <strong>to</strong> an institution,” she says. “KhalilSaleeby was a very good artist; he had formal training,was competent with his materials and techniques, andhe was definitely talented. This collection <strong>of</strong> his worksresonates at all levels, and it has been a huge privilege <strong>to</strong>work with such paintings in near original condition.”Khalil Saleeby’s life s<strong>to</strong>ry reads like a novel: Bornin the village <strong>of</strong> Btalloun, an only son, his parentswere disconcerted by his propensity as a youngster forscratching out designs on the ground with matchsticks.Later he attended the Syrian Protestant College (nowAUB) and eventually he traveled <strong>to</strong> Edinburgh <strong>to</strong> studypainting. There he met leading <strong>American</strong> painter JohnSinger Sargent, who encouraged Saleeby <strong>to</strong> study inPhiladelphia. In the United States he met Carrie Aude,who later became his wife and muse, whom he paintedmany times.The couple lived in Edinburgh, London, and Paris,where Saleeby became acquainted with other importantpainters including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and PierrePuvis de Chavannes. He exhibited in the impressionistwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201239
gallery Durand-Ruel and at the Salon in Paris. In 1900,he and Carrie returned <strong>to</strong> Lebanon where Saleebyopened a studio on Bliss Street opposite the Main Gate<strong>of</strong> AUB and became an accomplished and respectedportrait artist. Tragically, he and Carrie were murderedin 1928 over a long-standing dispute over access <strong>to</strong>water in his village.Saleeby’s glowing portraits dominate the collection.In addition <strong>to</strong> the lovingly crafted ones <strong>of</strong> Carrie, theyinclude two arresting self-portraits, imposing renditions<strong>of</strong> local personalities like Amin Rihani and Dr. SimonKhoury, portraits <strong>of</strong> villagers and tradesmen, and several<strong>of</strong> young women, including a compelling portrait <strong>of</strong> hiscousin that stands out from the rest. Four challengingnudes were painted between 1901 and 1922, and wererecently loaned by AUB <strong>to</strong> the Institut du Monde Arabe inParis. They clearly defy the local conventions <strong>of</strong> the timebut represent an important chapter in the artist’s oeuvre.Lucia Scalisi found the works <strong>to</strong> be in remarkablecondition given their age and the fact that they hadbeen hanging in a private residence for so long. Mosthad been varnished with natural resin, which over timeinteracts with paint <strong>to</strong> cause surface discoloration.Stripping away the old varnish and replacing it witha new inert one, Scalisi was able <strong>to</strong> coax the originalcolors gently back <strong>to</strong> life. She was especially delightedby Saleeby’s passion for opalescent violets andturquoises impressionistically applied.Two thickly encrusted paintings <strong>of</strong> the HeliopolisPalace in Cairo provide sharp contrast with the rest <strong>of</strong> thecollection. They were part <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> four painted bySaleeby that were exhibited in the 1921 <strong>Beirut</strong> IndustrialFair. They still have their original frames and can bespotted in a pho<strong>to</strong>graph taken during the fair.Art his<strong>to</strong>rians have already begun <strong>to</strong> scrutinize thecollection <strong>to</strong> decipher the different influences that werebrought <strong>to</strong> bear on Saleeby’s work over the years andthroughout his travels. This is the kind <strong>of</strong> academic studyAUB hopes <strong>to</strong> encourage among its art students. RicoFrances, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> art his<strong>to</strong>ry at AUB, hascalled the donation “an extraordinary gift for Lebanon”and in particular for his students, many <strong>of</strong> whom have nothad the opportunity <strong>to</strong> reallystudy an oil painting closely.Asked if he missed the collection after spendingall these years with it, Samir Saleeby repliedphilosophically, “After 80 years on the walls they lost40 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
their brilliance. Now I am pleased that they look sogood. I don’t miss them. My dream was <strong>to</strong> share themwith others. I have made prints <strong>of</strong> a few <strong>of</strong> them <strong>to</strong>remind me. I still have some other paintings, and I willkeep adding <strong>to</strong> them. All the rest will go <strong>to</strong> AUB in mywill. I hope other people will donate and havetheir collections exhibited like mine.”—M.A.Page 39Khalil Saleeby, Self portrait, 1895Oil on canvasPage 40Khalil Saleeby, Nude-Carrie, 1922Oil on canvasPage 41Top left: Khalil Saleeby, College Hall, 1920Oil on canvasTop right: Khalil Saleeby, The Artist’s Cousin, 1920Oil on artist boardBot<strong>to</strong>m: Khalil Saleeby, Heliopolis Palace, Cairo, 1914Oil on canvaswww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201241
Beyond Bliss Streetleading conversationsLodestarOne family—originally from Khiyamat the very south <strong>of</strong> Lebanon—hasgraduated four generations <strong>of</strong> AUBmedical students. Dr. Karam Karam(BS ’62, MD ’67), the grandchild, son,and father <strong>of</strong> AUB alumni, has servedas chairman <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong>Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)as well as Lebanon’s minister <strong>of</strong><strong>health</strong>, minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>urism, minister<strong>of</strong> state, and minister <strong>of</strong> culturebetween 1998 and 2006. Today,Dr. Karam is a clinical pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong>OB-GYN at AUBMC.I am asked <strong>to</strong> write about AUB. Tome, Lebanon is AUB, and AUB meansmore <strong>to</strong> me than my home<strong>to</strong>wn. Overthe past 55 years at AUB, the institutionhas gone through a lot. Duringthe civil war I did not spend a singleAs you have risen on theshoulders <strong>of</strong> <strong>your</strong> men<strong>to</strong>rsand teachers, the futuregenerations will rise on <strong>your</strong>s.hour away from its campus and vicinities.I taught and worked and sleptat the hospital at night. People growattached <strong>to</strong> objects as well as <strong>to</strong>humans. I grew attached <strong>to</strong> AUB’strees, s<strong>to</strong>ne, campus, and all that the<strong>University</strong> stands for.I had the opportunity <strong>of</strong> joiningsome <strong>of</strong> the best Ivy League medicalschools, but in the early 1970s, theAUB medical school was even betterthan all <strong>of</strong> them at all levels: education,qualification, and services. Four decadesago, at AUB, I conducted the firstminimal invasive surgery in the MiddleEast. Unparalleled in the region, AUBshared its knowledge and expertise<strong>of</strong> the newest techniques by sendingphysicians as trainers throughout theMiddle East, myself included.AUB’s medical school (and center)is the star <strong>of</strong> AUB. It has taughtgenerations <strong>of</strong> physicians, many<strong>of</strong> whom have gone on <strong>to</strong> becomepioneers in medicine throughout theworld, and has <strong>of</strong>fered its medicalservices <strong>to</strong> many who sought themfrom the Arab region.AUB hasbeen challengedby difficult circumstances,but remainsa leading pioneerdespitethe growingcompetition.More can bedone <strong>to</strong>day: AUB can harness more<strong>of</strong> its resources <strong>to</strong> address the region’spressing needs in education, medicalcare, and environmental <strong>health</strong>. It canfurther emphasize diversity in thoughtand opinion and productivity in teachingand in service, both in the arts andin science. It can keep instilling in itsstudents the sense <strong>of</strong> civic responsibilityand objectivity. Furthermore, AUBcan strengthen and build upon itsrelationship with its alumni. Its alumnireturn <strong>to</strong> give back <strong>to</strong> AUB with all thevalues and goals it instilled in them.My message <strong>to</strong> faculty and staffis <strong>to</strong> keep holding the <strong>to</strong>rch. It has litmany dark alleys over the past centuryand a half and it always will continue<strong>to</strong> do so. To students, <strong>your</strong> presenceat this great institution, though short,is rich with learning and education.Make the best <strong>of</strong> it. It was the bestpart <strong>of</strong> my life.Benefit from the beautiful campusand classroom experience. Thediversity you meet is unparalleled andthe free discourse is illuminating. Behumble. As you have risen on theshoulders <strong>of</strong> <strong>your</strong> men<strong>to</strong>rs and teachers,the future generations willrise on <strong>your</strong>s.—as <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>to</strong> Safa Jafari Safa42 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetlegends and legaciesNassif al-YazijiLiterary LightAlthough he was only a member <strong>of</strong>the faculty <strong>of</strong> the Syrian ProtestantCollege for three years, he was one<strong>of</strong> the more prominent individuals<strong>to</strong> be associated with the Collegein those early days. When he joinedSPC in 1866 as an Arabic teacher,Nassif al-Yaziji was widely recognized,along with Boutrus Bustani(see MainGate, “Legends andLegacies,” fall 2010, page 47),as one <strong>of</strong> the “two great figureswho dominate the intellectuallife <strong>of</strong> the period.” 1A Greek Catholic, al-Yaziji was born in Kfarchima(Baabda) in 1800 and wrotehis first poems at the age<strong>of</strong> 10. He would go on <strong>to</strong>become one <strong>of</strong> the importantcourt poets—if not the mostimportant court poet—<strong>of</strong> PrinceBashir Shihab II, who ruled from1788 until 1840. According <strong>to</strong> AUBArabic Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Nadeem Naimy,al-Yaziji is noted especially for hiscontribution <strong>to</strong> the translation <strong>of</strong> theBible in<strong>to</strong> Arabic (1848-65), which hedescribes as one <strong>of</strong> the greatest literaryachievements <strong>of</strong> the nineteenthcentury. As a skilled linguist whoknew only Arabic, it was al-Yaziji whochecked the Arabic text that Bustanitranslated from Hebrew, Greek, andSyriac.Al-Yaziji also authored manybooks including some texts that wereintended originally for the schools <strong>of</strong>the <strong>American</strong> Mission. Many <strong>of</strong> thesebooks were later “adopted by a farlarger circle <strong>of</strong> teachers and studentsand continued, long after his deathin 1871, <strong>to</strong> govern the teaching <strong>of</strong>the science <strong>of</strong> Arabic.” 2 His mostfamous work was Majma’ al-Bahrain,which is a collection <strong>of</strong> 60 shortnarratives that is still, according <strong>to</strong>Naimy, “considered <strong>to</strong> be a landmarkin the renaissance <strong>of</strong> the gloriousArabic literature <strong>of</strong> the past.“In addition <strong>to</strong> being a prodigiousauthor, al-Yaziji is also rememberedas one <strong>of</strong> the founders <strong>of</strong> the Society<strong>of</strong> Arts and Sciences that he helped<strong>to</strong> establish with Bustani in 1847.Although the society, which has beendescribed as “the Arab world’s firstliterary society,” 3 dissolved afterfive years, it paved the way for theformation in 1857 <strong>of</strong> the SyrianScientific Society (al-jamiya alilmiyaal-suriya). Unlike the earliersociety that was restricted <strong>to</strong>Christians, the Syrian ScientificSociety included Druze andMuslims and was, according<strong>to</strong> An<strong>to</strong>nius, “the first outwardmanifestation <strong>of</strong> a collectivenational consciousness” 4 thatwould come <strong>to</strong> be known asthe Nahda or Arab Awakening.One <strong>of</strong> his 12 children,Ibrahim al-Yaziji, also went on<strong>to</strong> make a name for himself inthe Arab world. He is especiallyremembered for a poem he recitedduring one <strong>of</strong> the meetings <strong>of</strong> theSyrian Scientific Society calling forArab unity and also for developinga simplified Arab font that led <strong>to</strong> thecreation <strong>of</strong> the Arabic typewriter.Nassif al-Yaziji died inFebruary 1871.1 George An<strong>to</strong>nius, The Arab Awakening: theS<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> the Arab National Movement, SimonPublications, 2001, page 45.2 An<strong>to</strong>nius, page 46.3 www.aljazeera.com/focus/arabunity/2008/01/2008525173546578323.html4 An<strong>to</strong>nius, page 54.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201243
Beyond Bliss Streett i m e f l i e sThe Moore CollectionDr. Franklin T. Moore, a graduate <strong>of</strong> Prince<strong>to</strong>n <strong>University</strong> who came <strong>to</strong> Lebanon in 1891 at the age <strong>of</strong> 23 <strong>to</strong> teach at the SyrianProtestant College (now AUB), left an important his<strong>to</strong>rical archive in the form <strong>of</strong> glass plates, which were taken between 1892and 1902. Painstakingly res<strong>to</strong>red, the images have been digitized and are now part <strong>of</strong> the AUB archives. Above: Eye Clinic.Patients sometimes brought food (Zawwadeh) in baskets <strong>to</strong> pay for their fees. November 1897.More On-line44MainGate Fall 2012| www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetr e f l e c t i o n sWanted:Team Player, Grand AmbitionsA half century before AUB wouldinaugurate a new medical center aspart <strong>of</strong> what will become AUBMC2020, then-dean <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong>Medicine Craig S. Lichtenwalner,MD, marked a different miles<strong>to</strong>ne.He not only witnessed the 1970 opening<strong>of</strong> expanded medical operationsbut also played a key role in theircreation over the previous decade.He spoke with MainGate about theyears <strong>of</strong> change and turmoil and theresulting accomplishments.MainGate: When did you arriveat AUB?Dr. Craig S. Lichtenwalner: In thesummer <strong>of</strong> 1960. I had previouslyserved overseas as a member <strong>of</strong> theUS Public Health Service. I’d beenin Ethiopia for a couple <strong>of</strong> years, inVietnam for three years, and whenI came back <strong>to</strong> the United States,someone on the Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees<strong>of</strong> AUB called me for an interview.They were looking for an assistant forDean Joe McDonald [Dr. Joseph J.McDonald], then dean <strong>of</strong> the medicalfaculty. I had been overseas forabout five years at that point withsome assignments back in the UnitedStates, but I was interested in international<strong>health</strong> affairs and the idea <strong>of</strong>going <strong>to</strong> AUB appealed <strong>to</strong> me.What was <strong>your</strong> first impression?Dean McDonald met me at the airportand <strong>to</strong>ok me <strong>to</strong> his house on campuswhere I spent the first few days.My family had not yet arrived. Onvisiting the campus for the first time,I was impressed with the modernity<strong>of</strong> the neighborhood and the peacefultranquility behind the university walls.I remember Bliss Street was bustlingwith au<strong>to</strong>s and bicycles and streetcars and a lot going on there, busyshops, and so on, but it was entirelypeaceful inside the <strong>University</strong>. Actually,I was surprised that most peoplespoke English. In Ethiopia and inVietnam, I was mostly used <strong>to</strong> hearingforeign <strong>to</strong>ngues.Where did you spend most <strong>of</strong><strong>your</strong> time on campus, as anadministra<strong>to</strong>r and a teacher?I taught preventive medicine <strong>to</strong> firstyearmedical students. My <strong>of</strong>fice andmost <strong>of</strong> our classes were in Van DyckHall. I guess everybody who goesthrough medical education becomesa teacher and I considered myselfwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201245
Beyond Bliss Streetr e f l e c t i o n sDedication <strong>of</strong> AUB Medical Center, June 24, 1970. Left<strong>to</strong> right: Dr. Raif Nassif, Direc<strong>to</strong>r, School <strong>of</strong> Medicine; Dr.Samuel Kirkwood, President, AUB; HE Habib Moutran,Minister <strong>of</strong> Health; HE Rashid Karami, Prime Minister; Dr.Craig Lichtenwalner, Dean, Faculties <strong>of</strong> Medical Sciences; Dr.Calvin Plimp<strong>to</strong>n, Chairman, AUB Trusteesa teacher, but I did not have a primaryrole as a teacher at AUB. Inthose days, the Faculty <strong>of</strong> MedicalSciences consisted <strong>of</strong> four schools—medicine, pharmacy, nursing, andpublic <strong>health</strong>—and the dean was alsoresponsible for the university hospitaland for the university <strong>health</strong> services,so it was quite a big administrativestructure. It was no wonder that DeanMcDonald needed some assistance.And meanwhile we were makingplans for the new medical center andhad an active planning committeethat met regularly.Shortly after I arrived, because<strong>of</strong> my background in public <strong>health</strong>,Dean McDonald appointed me asthe direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> PublicHealth. I served as direc<strong>to</strong>r for about10 years in addition <strong>to</strong> other functions.I went from assistant dean<strong>to</strong> associate dean at one point andbecame dean <strong>of</strong> the medical faculty in1969. My academic title was pr<strong>of</strong>essor<strong>of</strong> public <strong>health</strong> practice.What was the biggest change younoticed while at AUB?Well, I guess two things: One was thegradually increasing civil unrest in <strong>Beirut</strong>and nearby countries, which continuedduring my time there [1960-76].The biggest change at AUB wasconstruction <strong>of</strong> the medical center.You gave a speech in 1970 inhonor <strong>of</strong> the new medical center.What role did the center play intransforming medicine at AUB?There had been a shortage <strong>of</strong> spaceand the different services had notbeen able <strong>to</strong> do as much as theywere capable <strong>of</strong> doing. Also the buildingswere old and modern medicinerequires modern facilities.The planning committee hadjust been organized when I arrived.We would meet regularly with eachdepartment and determine what theywanted <strong>to</strong> see in their new space andthen, later, we met with architects <strong>to</strong>figure out how <strong>to</strong> achieve those goals.Dr. Raif Nassif [AUB Reflections,MainGate, spring 2005, page 40] wasthe secretary <strong>of</strong> the planning committeeand he did an outstanding jobthroughout that period.I guess anybody who builds ahospital has a lot <strong>of</strong> thoughts aboutrendering service, but an academicmedical center does more than that.Of course it renders service throughthe community, but it also serves asthe prime location for teaching and forresearch. We had high hopes and I thinkthey were achieved. The completion <strong>of</strong>the center and the process that led up<strong>to</strong> that served <strong>to</strong> revitalize the teachingprograms and it served <strong>to</strong> modernizemedical care in that part <strong>of</strong> Lebanon.Do you have particular memoriesfrom the outbreak <strong>of</strong> the civil war?I remember that there was a resurgence<strong>of</strong> hostilities in the summer <strong>of</strong>1975 that continued through the fall.We decided that my family—whichat that time consisted <strong>of</strong> my wife andfour children—should leave, whichthey did on Christmas Day <strong>of</strong> 1975.When President Kirkwood decided<strong>to</strong> leave in January, I was appointedacting president in <strong>Beirut</strong> and stayedon until the summer <strong>of</strong> 1976 <strong>to</strong> fulfillthat function.There had been periodic violencefor at least three or four years beforethat. There would be an outbreak andthen a peaceful interlude and then anoutbreak and then another peacefulinterlude. And there were undercurrentsall along—from 1960 on therewere undercurrents—and every so<strong>of</strong>ten they would come <strong>to</strong> the surface.In the early 1970s they came <strong>to</strong> thesurface more <strong>of</strong>ten and were seenas being instigated by outside forces.Even though the <strong>University</strong> had friends46 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetr e f l e c t i o n sand supporters in Lebanon, the outsideforces were not amenable <strong>to</strong> ourinfluence.On that Christmas Day in 1975,we were in fear that the airport wouldclose and that my family wouldn’t beable <strong>to</strong> get out. And the airport did closeshortly after that.After my wife and family had beenaway for several months, it seemedthat we would not be reunited inLebanon in any near future, and sowe decided <strong>to</strong> get on with our lives.That’s when I decided <strong>to</strong> leave. I think Igave the trustees something like threemonths’ notice.After I left, I know that Dr. SamAsper, who had been with us for threeor four years, fulfilled the functions in thedean’s <strong>of</strong>fice, along with Dr. Nassif, whowas direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Medicine,and the hospital had its own direc<strong>to</strong>r, sothings were in stable hands when I left.Another dean, Jim Cowan, dean <strong>of</strong> theSchool <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, was appointedas acting president, so there was asmooth transition there. MeanwhilePresident Samuel Kirkwood was stillpresident, but based in New York.Over the years we had planned<strong>to</strong> become less and less dependen<strong>to</strong>n faculty members from the UnitedStates. More and more Lebanese andother Middle Eastern nationals weretaking over the responsible posts atthe <strong>University</strong>, so that was all part <strong>of</strong>the plan that we would work ourselvesout <strong>of</strong> a job.When did you leave AUB? Haveyou been back?When I left AUB in 1976, I went <strong>to</strong>Bahrain as head <strong>of</strong> the AUB ServicesCorporation. When it appeared thathostilities were going <strong>to</strong> continuefor some time, some AUB trusteesdecided <strong>to</strong> form a for-pr<strong>of</strong>it consultingcompany that could engage some <strong>of</strong>our faculty members and keep themwithin range <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> and atthe same time perform consultingservices in the Arab Middle East,mainly in the Gulf area. The trusteesformed a for-pr<strong>of</strong>it corporation calledAUB Services. Trustee Najib Halabywas named by the board <strong>to</strong> be thepresident <strong>of</strong> that operation and I wasappointed as executive vice presidentand in charge <strong>of</strong> our operationsfrom an <strong>of</strong>fice in Bahrain. When I left<strong>Beirut</strong>, I went <strong>to</strong> Bahrain and I did infact visit the campus several timesafter going there.I can only say that Ithink the plannersshould always planambitiously. Don’tmake any littleplans.I stayed in Bahrain for three yearsuntil the trustees decided that thetime had come <strong>to</strong> fold up the company.They did so and I went back <strong>to</strong>Massachusetts where I spent severalyears as the medical direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> theMiddlesex County Hospital, which isjust outside Bos<strong>to</strong>n. And then I decided<strong>to</strong> get back in<strong>to</strong> straight public <strong>health</strong>work and I came <strong>to</strong> the Public HealthDepartment <strong>of</strong> the state <strong>of</strong> Georgia.Are you still in <strong>to</strong>uch with friendsand acquaintances from AUB?Unfortunately, no. I think I’ve outlivedmost <strong>of</strong> them. I should note that I amnow 89 years old. I beg the indulgence<strong>of</strong> readers for any errors or lapses <strong>of</strong>memory <strong>of</strong> events that occurred 40 ormore years ago.What do you think <strong>your</strong> studentsand colleagues most rememberabout <strong>your</strong> tenure at AUB?Well, I think they remember whatwe accomplished there <strong>to</strong>gether. Inaddition <strong>to</strong> the medical center construction,there was an importantprogram <strong>of</strong> faculty exchange withJohns Hopkins <strong>University</strong>. That waswhat first brought Dr. Sam Asper <strong>to</strong><strong>Beirut</strong>. We had a number <strong>of</strong> JohnsHopkins faculty come <strong>to</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong> anda number <strong>of</strong> promising young facultymembers from AUB that went<strong>to</strong> Hopkins for further polishing. Andwe had wonderful support from theCommonwealth Fund for that programand I think it was a greatsuccess. Some former students willalso remember going on weekends <strong>to</strong>villages in South Lebanon <strong>to</strong> administeroral polio vaccine.What overall impact has AUB hadon <strong>your</strong> life?I can’t say that it changed my life. Itwas my life. My experience at AUBwas the highlight <strong>of</strong> my medical career.My hope is that AUB will continue <strong>to</strong>inspire others.Do you have something you wouldlike <strong>to</strong> say <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong> successors atthe AUB Medical Center, especiallyas they embark upon the creation<strong>of</strong> a new medical center?I can only say that I think the plannersshould always plan ambitiously.Don’t make any little plans.—S.M.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201247
Beyond Bliss Streeta l u m n i p r o f i l eHomewardBoundJoumana Kalot (BS ’89, MPH ’95) iscoming “home”—back <strong>to</strong> the cocoonshe left in 1995, older and (much)wiser than she was when she enteredthe “real” world <strong>of</strong> public <strong>health</strong>. Shebrings with her <strong>to</strong> the FHS Outreachand Practice Unit (OPU) a wealth <strong>of</strong>practical experience that she hasearned during a series <strong>of</strong> managerialassignments with UNDP, theLebanese Ministry <strong>of</strong> Social Affairs(MOSA), as well as with internationaland national NGOs working in areassuch as drug prevention, HIV/AIDS,and capacity building.Passionate about AUB andher work in public <strong>health</strong>, Kalot’smission is <strong>to</strong> merge her practicalexperience with the high quality,evidenced-based research for whichAUB is famous, <strong>to</strong> devise effectivecommunity-based programs andtraining modules.Working as a research assistan<strong>to</strong>n a UNICEF-AUB water qualityassessment project back in 1990gave Kalot her first taste <strong>of</strong> fieldwork. Along with five colleagues shetraversed Lebanon interviewing peoplefrom different communities andperforming on-site water tests. “Itwas a real eye opener,” Kalot says,“But at the end <strong>of</strong> the day I knewI was heading back <strong>to</strong> AUB andour nice <strong>of</strong>fices.” The combination<strong>of</strong> practical and theoretical researchand the opportunity <strong>to</strong> enjoy life atAUB for two more years appealed <strong>to</strong>Kalot and inspired her <strong>to</strong> tackle hermaster’s degree.48 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streeta l u m n i p r o f i l eThe real impact <strong>of</strong> her chosenpr<strong>of</strong>ession was felt in 1995 when Kalotwas hired by MOSA <strong>to</strong> work in a Bourjel Barajneh community center. “I had<strong>to</strong> get my father <strong>to</strong> take me there inthe beginning,” she confesses. “I didnot even know where it was. I arrivedwith my degrees and my ‘superior’knowledge and I got a real shock.The first two weeks were terrible; afterthat I gained great experience. NadiaTewtel, the direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the center, is alegend, an amazing person, and shethrew me in at the deep end, sendingme <strong>of</strong>f <strong>to</strong> a gynecology clinic wherefor the first time in my life I witnesseda midwife in action and saw how shecounseled the women. I realized thenthat if I was going <strong>to</strong> achieve anything Ihad better start working on my Arabic.We were used <strong>to</strong> speaking two wordsin English for every one in Arabic.[After that experience] it immediatelybecame clear <strong>to</strong> me that I had betterimprove my communication skills. Ilearned so much from that center.”Subsequent positions haveincluded working as direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> theNGO Resources and Support Unitfor a joint UNDP/MOSA projectwhere she worked on poverty reduction,followed by serving as trainingcoordina<strong>to</strong>r for a reproductive <strong>health</strong>project jointly supported by MOSAand the United Nations PopulationFund (UNFPA).Kalot considers the 2006 waranother turning point in terms <strong>of</strong>experience. She was working withMOSA at the time and able <strong>to</strong> useall her pr<strong>of</strong>essional, networking, andpublic relations skills <strong>to</strong> link internationalNGOs that were bringingaid <strong>to</strong> Lebanon with local NGOs onthe ground <strong>to</strong> avoid duplication andmake sure the aid reached thosepeople most in need.Later Kalot became direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong>planning and programs with Men<strong>to</strong>rArabia, the only regional <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong>Men<strong>to</strong>r International, a worldwideNGO dedicated <strong>to</strong> drug prevention.“As the hub for drug prevention inthe region, we did a lot <strong>to</strong> combineevidence-based research with drugprevention knowledge from aroundthe world, Kalot explains. “We werenot inventing the wheel, but wehelped map what was happeningand what was needed. The programis still running.”Moving from one serious public<strong>health</strong> problem <strong>to</strong> another, Kalotaccepted UNDP’s <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>to</strong> becomeregional project manager <strong>of</strong> its CairobasedHIV/AIDS regional program forArab states. This was a big challengefor her both pr<strong>of</strong>essionally, as she<strong>to</strong>ok on responsibility for countrieslike Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, andSudan, and personally as she adjusted<strong>to</strong> living in a new country.While AIDS is stabilizing throughoutthe rest <strong>of</strong> the world, it is on theincrease in the MENA region andEastern Europe despite being limitedprimarily <strong>to</strong> injecting drug users, menwho have sex with other men, andsex workers. “We need awarenessand outreach programs throughNGOs and under the umbrella <strong>of</strong> anational AIDS program,” Kalot says.“The best way forward is a combination<strong>of</strong> government, NGO, and privatesec<strong>to</strong>r initiatives. Government shouldset policy and moni<strong>to</strong>r the situation,but it is up <strong>to</strong> civil society [organizations]<strong>to</strong> implement the programsaided by technical support from theUN and others.”Coming back <strong>to</strong> AUB was inone way a no-brainer. It was also,however, a difficult choice for Kalot.“It was partly a question <strong>of</strong> quality<strong>of</strong> life, partly an issue <strong>of</strong> doingsomething for my country. I had agood position in Egypt as manager <strong>of</strong>a regional program, but you have <strong>to</strong>come back home at some stage andwhere better than AUB?” Kalot says.Joining the OPU as an instruc<strong>to</strong>rin public <strong>health</strong> practice, Kalot will behandling the portfolio <strong>of</strong> <strong>health</strong> workforcedevelopment in the region anddeveloping the unit’s training strategy.The OPU provides evidence-basedpractice and outreach while engagingstudents in social responsibility. Itworks through building networks <strong>of</strong>researchers, practitioners, policymakers,and communities <strong>of</strong> practice thatcontribute <strong>to</strong> <strong>health</strong> outcomes for theregion. Kalot brings a wealth <strong>of</strong> experience<strong>to</strong> the table from her 20 years inthe field across sec<strong>to</strong>rs and organizations.The OPU, she says, is a greatskills fit for her. She cannot wait<strong>to</strong> see what the year brings.—M.A.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201249
01NORTH AMERICACalifornia | 01 02 The Northern California Chaptergot <strong>to</strong>gether for brunch on June 30 at the WaterFront Middle Eastern Restaurant in the San FranciscoBay area. It was an opportunity for the newly electedboard <strong>to</strong> meet chapter members and their families.The board shared its vision for the new term andreceived feedback from the alumni community onhow <strong>to</strong> best collectively support AUB usingWAAAUB’s pr<strong>of</strong>essional channels and connections.02030405Montreal | The Montreal Chapter held a 5 <strong>to</strong> 7 even<strong>to</strong>n Canada Day (July 2) at the Terrasse <strong>of</strong> Aubergedu Vieux-Port. It was a pleasant get-<strong>to</strong>gether and agreat way <strong>to</strong> introduce new committee members andhand over the reins <strong>to</strong> the new committee. 03 Front,left <strong>to</strong> right: Hiba Tabbara (BS ’96), Aline Khayat(MS ’05), Zeina Chbaklo (BA ’02, MPH ’04). Back,left <strong>to</strong> right: Walid Accaoui (BEN ’95), WissamShaar (BEN ’02), Bassam Hajj (BBA ’98) | On July29 the Montreal Chapter held its annual iftar celebra-tion at Rumi Restaurant. 04 Left, back <strong>to</strong> front:Wissam Shaar (BEN ’02), Mira El Oud (MS ’07),Bassam El Oud; Right, back <strong>to</strong> front: Hala AbuAssi (BS ’10), Nagham Sa<strong>your</strong> Shaar (BS ’06, MA’09), Fadi Chlah (BS ’98, MBA ’08) |The chapter hosted a reception for President Dormanon August 25. It welcomed over 100 alumni from thegreater Montreal area as well as fellow AUBites fromother WAAAUB Canadian chapters in Toron<strong>to</strong> andOttawa. The president’s remarks were followed by arousing dabke performance by local dancers.05 President Peter Doman with Canadian Chapterleadership. Left <strong>to</strong> right: Johnny Kairuouz (BBA’02), Aline Khayat (MS ’05), Elias Absi (BS ’75),Zeina Shbaklo (BA ’02, MPH ’04), JihadWAAAUBElectionResultsOn-lineWAAAUB 2012 Election Results are on-line atwww.aub.edu.lb/alumni. Thanks <strong>to</strong> everyone who casttheir votes and participated in the elections.50 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Abdulnour, PhD (BS ’77, MS ’80), Peter Dorman,Wissam Shaar (BEN ’02), Naghan Sa<strong>your</strong> Shaar(BS ’06, MAFE ’09), Alumni Relations Direc<strong>to</strong>r EvaKlimas, and Daniel Salti (BBA ’09)Recently ElectedWAAAUB New York ChapterRoland Abi Nader (BEN ’02), PresidentMohamed Badaoui Najjar, PhD (BS ’01, MS ’04),Vice PresidentGhada Issa (BS ’91), SecretaryValerie Gebara (BS ’08), TreasurerMember at LargeZiad Azar, JSD (BEN ’02), Irene Cordahi (BEN ’05),Georges Ephrem (BS ’03, MD ’07), Zeina HamdanSabah (BS ’05, TD ’06), Wael Younan (BBA ’02)06North Carolina | 06 The North Carolina Chapter helda potluck picnic at Umstead Park on July 15. | 07 OnAugust 11 the North Carolina Chapter held an iftarcelebration at Aladdin Restaurant in North Raleigh.07Ottawa | 08 The Ottawa Alumni Chapter held itspopular annual picnic at Vincent Massey Park lastJune. Chapter leadership, Left <strong>to</strong> right: LinaEl-Esber (BEN ’02), Elias “Maroun” Absi (BS’75), Nada Hamade (BA ’99), Elias Abou Hamad(BBA ’77), and Jihad Abdulnour (BS ’77, MS ’80).| 09 The chapter also held an iftarcelebration onAugust 1. Alumni and friends joined new first secretaryand chargé d’affaires <strong>of</strong> the Embassy <strong>of</strong>Lebanon Sami Haddad and Councilor Eli-Elchantiriand his wife Maha for the festivities.08Recently ElectedWAAAUB Toron<strong>to</strong> ChapterTalar Sahsuvaroglu (BS ’98), PresidentDaniel Nasri Salti (BBA ’09), Vice PresidentChadi Bou Karroum (BS ’95, BS ’98), SecretaryTammam Al-Dandachi (BEN ’06), TreasurerAdel Kanso (BBA ’09), Public Relations Officer09MIDDLE EASTBeqa’a | 10 11 The chapter hosted a rafting weekendJuly 14-15 on the Al Assy River in Hermel.Alumni and friends stayed at the L’Kaa countrylodge, a newly created resort by Jamal Farha10 11www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201251
12 1314(BEN ’95), an alumnus from the Beqa’a. On August10 the Beqa'a Chapter held their annual fundraisingiftarunder the patronage <strong>of</strong> President Najib Mikatiat Sama Chtaura Resort. |12 Minister BanosManoujian represented the president at the iftarwhere guests included a diverse group <strong>of</strong> politicaland social personalities. Funds raised will be usedfor tuition assistance for needy students from theBeqa’a. | 13 The chapter organized a conference,The Reality <strong>of</strong> Food Safety in Lebanon, sponsoredby HE Minister <strong>of</strong> Agriculture Houssein Hajj Hassan.Dr. Rabih Kemleh discussed current practices andLebanon’s proposed food safety law; MoussaFreiji (BS ’57) discussed food safety practices inthe industrial sec<strong>to</strong>r and Minister Houssein HajjHassan wrapped up with a summary <strong>of</strong> the government’ssuccessful efforts <strong>to</strong> raise food industryquality standards. Around 250 people attendedfrom many different universities. Left <strong>to</strong> right: GhadaKaraawi (BBA '04, MPH '06) and session modera<strong>to</strong>rSamar Salloum Araji (BS '84)15Mount Lebanon and South Lebanon | 14 15 TheSouth Lebanon and Mount Lebanon Chaptersorganized a <strong>to</strong>ur <strong>of</strong> southern Lebanon last May.Sixty-five alumni enjoyed the visits <strong>to</strong> Saida, MlitaShkeef Beaufort, Khima, and Hosn Wazzani—passingby Fatime Gate on the way back <strong>to</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong>.WAAAUB 4th Annual AUB Legacy Ceremony | “In a fast paced world where change is the norm, high quality educationremains our only constant,” said MC Khouloud Kassem (BA ’89), at the ceremony that welcomes the children <strong>of</strong> alumni whoare enrolling at AUB. It was an event full <strong>of</strong> opportunities <strong>to</strong> reminisce about college days, but also reflect on the life-long impac<strong>to</strong>f an AUB education as parents introduced the <strong>University</strong> <strong>to</strong> their children.Keynote speaker Nadim Kassar(BBA ’83) and Fransabank Chairman noted, “The real legacy <strong>of</strong> AUB,aside from education, was teaching me how <strong>to</strong> interact with my peers and understand that the oneswho disagree with me aren’t my enemies,” he added. “It is what Lebanon is and the promise <strong>of</strong>what Lebanon can be.” Kassar’s daughter joined AUB this fall, following her two older sisters.Fellow keynote speaker and alumnus parent Riad Salemeh (BA ’73) stated, “AUBnot only gave me knowledge and an education but helped me build my personality andput me in <strong>to</strong>uch with the different religious groups and political factions <strong>of</strong> my country.”Salemeh, who is the Central Bank Governor, added, “I was able <strong>to</strong> understandLebanon and society, allowing me <strong>to</strong> build my own personal system <strong>to</strong> survive in anever changing world. Like all young people, we thought we would not only changeLebanon but maybe the world as well.”More On-line52 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
FOURTH ANNUALAUB alumni achievements <strong>to</strong>ok center stage at the WAAAUB fourth annual conventionSeptember 21-23, during which WAAAUB distributed awards <strong>to</strong> distinguished alumni,WAAAUB members, and chapters. “Our mission is <strong>to</strong> strengthen the ties between AUB andits alumni,” said Dr. Nabil Kronfol (BS ’65, MD ’69), secretary <strong>of</strong> the WAAAUB board, inhis welcoming speech. “The objective <strong>of</strong> our annual event is <strong>to</strong> have our elected leadershipmeet in person, establish our yearly program, and discuss subjects <strong>of</strong> concern for both AUBand the alumni.” “Our annual convention is a great occasion <strong>to</strong> review and celebrate whatwe have accomplished and how <strong>to</strong> continue moving forward,” said WAAAUB PresidentNabil Dajani (BA ’57, MA ’60). “We want <strong>to</strong> reach all our alumni, those separated by greatdistance but also those who are in Lebanon.”Convention keynote speaker Paul Salem, direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Carnegie Middle East Center in<strong>Beirut</strong>, gave an address entitled “Between Arab Spring and Winter: The Promise <strong>of</strong> Progress,the Risk <strong>of</strong> Regression and the Role <strong>of</strong> Universities.” “We are living in the best and worst <strong>of</strong>times, where the mettle <strong>of</strong> men and the fortitude <strong>of</strong> women are tested… We are seeing his<strong>to</strong>ricaldrama unfolding in front <strong>of</strong> us in a multitude <strong>of</strong> layers and outcomes, with some succeedingmore or less peacefully, while others sink in<strong>to</strong> brutality and chaos,” he added.Salem stressed the need <strong>to</strong> propagate quality education as the key <strong>to</strong> advancingchange and democracy. Sadly, he said, the moneys spent in the past 10 years in MiddleEast conflicts would have established 1,000 AUBs all over the region. “The future will bewon in classrooms and not in war theaters,” he noted.The convention weekend continued with panel discussions, a visit <strong>to</strong> the AUB ArtGallery, a gala dinner at Eau De Vie, Phoenicia Hotel, a family excursion with wine tasting atChateau St. Thomas, and lunch hosted by Dr. Fadlo Touma (BE ’66, ME ’69) at his farmin Kab-Elias, in the Beqa’a Valley.WAAAUB Awards2012WAAAUB Distinguished BoardMembers Award:WAAAUB Founding BoardWAAAUB Distinguished CommitteeMember Award: Mahmoud AbdulBaki (BE ’60, ME ’66), Maha Zabaneh(BA ’84), Talal Farah (BA ’62, MA ’70),Genane Maalouf (BBA ’98), MohammadShatila (BE ’95), Ayman Kichly (BE ’03),and Elie Moussali (BS ’69, MS ’72),awarded posthumouslyWAAAUB Outstanding ChapterAward:Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Ottawa ChaptersWAAAUB Distinguished AlumniAward: Hagop M. Kantarjian (BS ’75,MD ’79) and Samih Darwazah (BS ’54)Read the full list <strong>of</strong> 2012awardees on-line.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201253
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e s1960sWilliam A. T. Haddad (BEN’60) writes: “I have cherishedmemories<strong>of</strong> AUB asthe yearsthat preparedme<strong>to</strong> meetthe challenges <strong>of</strong> life. Soonafter graduation, I went back<strong>to</strong> Syria and worked on twomajor projects before joininganother great learning institution,Consolidated Contrac<strong>to</strong>rsGroup (CCC) in Aden. CCCthen transferred me <strong>to</strong> Libyawhere I worked in the field—the desert—in the gas and oilindustry. In 1968, I foundedMechanical and CivilEngineering Contrac<strong>to</strong>rsCompany (MACE), Ltd, whichallowed me <strong>to</strong> expand in<strong>to</strong>Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, andthe Gulf Corporation Councilcountries. In spite <strong>of</strong> all theupheavals, MACE grew steadilyand is now 44 years old. Ithas been cited as the 50thmost influential company in theMENA and Gulf areas. Thecompany mot<strong>to</strong> is, ‘Service <strong>to</strong>Humanity.’”1970sRonald Beylerian (BBA ’70)writes that he really enjoyedhis college years at AUB andstill has warm feelings forAUB after all these years. Hesubmitted this pho<strong>to</strong> he <strong>to</strong>ok<strong>of</strong> College Hall a few yearsago. [ronaldbeylerian(at)gmail.com]Iskandar Karam (BEN ’70)is a structural consultant.He owns Iskandar KaramConsulting Engineers, whichdesigns steel and concretestructures for residential andcommercial buildings, <strong>to</strong>wers,bridges, and other structures.He is also the chairmanand general manager<strong>of</strong> STEN, SARL Contractingand Trading. Karam is married<strong>to</strong> Dolly E. Wakim. Theylive in Ashrafieh, <strong>Beirut</strong>.[iskandarkrm(at)yahoo.com]Adnan Alsharif (BS ’73, MS’75) received his master’sdegree in geology at AUBand worked with the SaudiAramco Oil Company inDhahran, Saudi Arabia for 35years. In 2010, he retired aschief geologist in charge <strong>of</strong> oiland gas exploration and fieldassessment for many gian<strong>to</strong>nshore and <strong>of</strong>fshore fieldsin Saudi Arabia. He is picturedwith his wife Diala andyoungest son Rami, who didsome pre-med studies at AUBand received his MD from theRoyal College <strong>of</strong> Surgeonsin Ireland. [adnanalsharif(at)hotmail.com]Tony Haddad (BEN ’75) Afterearning his degree in electricalSIBLINGSSPOUSESIbrahim Salti (BS ’59, MD ’63)Nuha Nuwayri (BS ’63, MD ’67)After graduating with distinction, Salti did post-graduate training in internal medicine and specialtytraining in endocrinology at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Toron<strong>to</strong> before earning his PhD there in medical sciences.He returned <strong>to</strong> AUB in 1970 and is currently pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicine and head <strong>of</strong> the Division<strong>of</strong> Endocrinology and Metabolism. Nuwayri is a former pr<strong>of</strong>essor at the Department <strong>of</strong> HumanMorphology. She completed her post-graduate training in pediatrics and immunology at the Hospitalfor Sick Children and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toron<strong>to</strong>.They have three children and two grandchildren. Two <strong>of</strong> their children are faculty members atAUB: Haytham Salti (MD ’96) in ophthalmology and Nisreen Salti (BA ’97) in economics.How did you meet?In the sixties, unlike now, there was much morecommunication between students on the maincampus and medical students. We actually me<strong>to</strong>n campus when Nuha was still a premedicalstudent in the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Arts and Sciences. Infact, we were introduced <strong>to</strong> each other by fellowstudents who were in fields other than medicine.How did you know she was the one?Intellectual compatibility and common socialvalues were decisive fac<strong>to</strong>rs.Do you think you’ve influenced one anotherin terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>your</strong> work?It is only natural when a couple are academiciansand in the medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession that therewould be a mutual interaction and sharing <strong>of</strong>ideas, experiences, and teaching philosophy.Who or what were <strong>your</strong> main influences asstudents at AUB?There is no doubt that traditionally, AUB hasbeen privileged <strong>to</strong> have a number <strong>of</strong> outstandingand stimulating teachers who were rolemodels for us as students. They were giants intheir fields and their impact on the careers <strong>of</strong>our generation remains evident until the present.54 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sengineering, Haddad establishedTechnica InternationalSAL where he currently servesas general manager. Technicahas a fac<strong>to</strong>ry in Bickfaya andbranches in seven countriesthroughout the MENA regionand Africa. It manufacturesconveyors and au<strong>to</strong>mationequipment. The company,which has earned a globalvendor status with Proc<strong>to</strong>r& Gamble, recently starteda robotics division. Haddadwrites, “We welcome talentedengineers <strong>to</strong> developtheir expertise in this field.”[technicaintl.com]N a f i zKabalan(BS ’75)worked asa transla<strong>to</strong>runtil1979 when he became blind.He then worked as a switchboardopera<strong>to</strong>r at the CentralBank until 2010. Kabalan andhis wife live on Saleem BustaniStreet in the Watwat district <strong>of</strong><strong>Beirut</strong>. [nafizroy(at)hotmail.com]Issam Ahmad Hamed Mousa(BS ’78, MPH ’80) received hisMPH in hospital administration.In 1996, he shifted <strong>to</strong> theinsurance industry where henow heads Special Projectsat Corporate Life & MedicalInsurance, a leading JordanianInsurance company. He hasbeen married since 1989.[issamm56(at)yahoo.com]1980sLina Balluz (BS ’83, MPH’86) In 1989 Balluz earnedher doc<strong>to</strong>rate from the TulaneSchool <strong>of</strong> Public Health andTropical Medicine. She joinedthe Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC)as an epidemic intelligence<strong>of</strong>ficer in 1995. In September2008, Balluz became theprogramdirec<strong>to</strong>rfor theBehaviorR i s kFac<strong>to</strong>rSurveillance System at theCDC in Atlanta, Georgia.[Lballuz(at)cdc.gov]An<strong>to</strong>ine G. Tohmeh (BS’79, MD ’83) A physicianwith Northwest OrthopaedicSpecialists in Spokane,Washing<strong>to</strong>n, Tohmeh is thefounder <strong>of</strong> the Spine ResearchInstitute <strong>of</strong> Spokane. He hasreceived the XLIF PioneerAward, is a member <strong>of</strong> theNorth <strong>American</strong> Spine Society,and is a founding member <strong>of</strong>the Society <strong>of</strong> Lateral AccessSurgery. Tohmeh completedhis residency and a spinesurgery fellowship at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Maryland Hospitalin Baltimore.1990sLina Shebaro Germann(BS ’90)has beenliving inthe UnitedStates for22 years.She has been married <strong>to</strong> TimGermann for 15 years and hastwo graduate degrees (a PhDin chemistry from Bos<strong>to</strong>nCollege and an MBA from the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> New Mexico).She is a chemistry instruc<strong>to</strong>r,a freelance consultant, a communityactivist, and the mother<strong>of</strong> two boys, Carl and Will.SIBLINGSRita S. Balian (BA ’61)Annie Simonian Totah (BBA ’66, MBA ’69)SPOUSESAccording <strong>to</strong> older sister Rita,their mother’s commitment <strong>to</strong>education for women sowed theseeds for extraordinary lives <strong>of</strong>activism for these two remarkablesisters. Not only were thesisters educated at AUB, butthey met their lifelong matesthere <strong>to</strong>o. Balian was married <strong>to</strong>the late Varkess Balian (BAR’57) a Penrose scholar; Totahis married <strong>to</strong> Sami Totah (BBA’66, MBA ’68).Widely recognized for their effective leadership, philanthropy,and untiring commitment <strong>to</strong> political, cultural, <strong>health</strong>,and gender-related issues, Balian and Totah have made adifference on a local, national, and international level. Bothwomen have been particularly active in Armenian causes.Balian is the founder, president, and CEO <strong>of</strong> the Armenian<strong>American</strong> Cultural Association, which sponsors <strong>health</strong> andhumanitarian assistance projects for the people <strong>of</strong> Armeniaand promotes Armenian cultural, educational, and scientificendeavors in the United States. In 1997, she established theArmenian <strong>American</strong> Wellness Center (AAWC) in Armenia for theearly detection <strong>of</strong> breast and cervical cancer—the two mostdeadly cancers among women in Armenia. In addition <strong>to</strong> <strong>health</strong>care, Balian is deeply committed <strong>to</strong> education and has beenrecognized with three honorary doc<strong>to</strong>rates from prominentArmenian universities.Totah has a long andimpressive record <strong>of</strong>fundraising for Armeniaand women’s <strong>health</strong>issues in addition <strong>to</strong>high level political activismin Washing<strong>to</strong>n, DC.Both sisters havewon numerous awardsand have repeatedlybeen honored by the United Nations, the US and Armeniangovernments, and major nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organizations for theirvision, selfless service, perseverance, philanthropy, and politicaleffectiveness.More On-linewww.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201255
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sSIBLINGS SPOUSESWilliam A. Zoghbi (BS '76)Huda El-Hibri Zoghbi (BS '76)William A. Zoghbi (BS ’76) was honored <strong>to</strong> be a <strong>to</strong>rchbearer for the 2012 LondonSummer Olympics. Representing the <strong>American</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology, Zoghbi commented,"Every four years, Olympic athletes inspire us with their physical abilitiesand their dedication <strong>to</strong> <strong>health</strong>, sport, and country. I was thrilled <strong>to</strong> carry the Olympic<strong>to</strong>rch in the name <strong>of</strong> <strong>health</strong>—body and mind." A leader in the field <strong>of</strong> echocardiographyand Doppler ultrasound for heart disease, Zoghbi is the William L. WintersEndowed Chair <strong>of</strong> Cardiovascular Imaging at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center,the direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Cardiovascular Imaging Institute at the Methodist Hospital inHous<strong>to</strong>n, Weill Cornell Medical College pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicine, and the standingpresident <strong>of</strong> the <strong>American</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology. He met his wife, AUB trusteeHuda El-Hibri Zoghbi (BS ’76), when they were medical students at AUB. She isa pioneer in the study <strong>of</strong> Rett Syndrome and related autism spectrum disorders. AtBaylor College <strong>of</strong> Medicine, Huda is pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> pediatrics, molecular and humangenetics, neurology, and neuroscience, an investiga<strong>to</strong>r with the Howard HughesMedical Institute, and direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological ResearchInstitute at Texas Children’s Hospital.How did you meet?We met as first-year students in the medical school.How did you know s/he was the one?Huda: I knew William was special when I first saw his smile andthen learned how genuine he is.William: Well it was love at first sight. As we got <strong>to</strong> know each otherbetter it was clear we were compatible in thinking and philosophyand shared similar values.Do you think you’ve influenced one another in terms <strong>of</strong><strong>your</strong> work?Absolutely. We approach work and family life as a team. Neither<strong>of</strong> us would have been successful without the support wepassed back and forth. When our children were young, therewas always one <strong>of</strong> us taking care <strong>of</strong> them when the other wasin the midst <strong>of</strong> preparing a grant or taking a work-related trip.We also <strong>to</strong>ok deep interest in each other’s work and exchangedideas, supported each other during challenging times, andcheered each other’s success.Who or what were <strong>your</strong> main influences as students atAUB?Huda: I loved my undergraduate education and the depth <strong>of</strong> thecourses, especially “Cultural Studies.” In medical school I wasmost inspired by Dr. Suhail Jabbour (BA ’52, MD ’56) and mytwo neurona<strong>to</strong>my pr<strong>of</strong>essors: Drs. Adel Afifi (BA '51, MD '57)and Ronald Bergman. These three individuals have left an indeliblemark on me and nurtured my love for neuroscience.The Zoghbis are pictured here with world champion figureskater Michelle Kwan.William: I have fond memories <strong>of</strong> my chemistry pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Dr.Costas Issidorides; during medical school, I thoroughly enjoyedthe teachings <strong>of</strong> Drs. Adel Berbari and George Fawaz (BA'33, MS '35). These inspiring pr<strong>of</strong>essors enforced my interest inphysiology and the academic pursuit <strong>of</strong> medicine.56 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sWassim Mazraany (BS’91, MD ’95) is a surgeonat Saints Medical Center inLowell, Massachusetts. Hiswife, Monica Nelson, PhD,teaches clinical nutrition atNorthern Essex CommunityCollege. Along with their childrenAmeera (9), Aayah (5),and Moussa (2), they enjoya fabulous vacation in Houla,Lebanon every June and July.Bana Kalash Kobrosly (BS’95) is the country manager<strong>of</strong> Boecker Public Health,Lebanon. She is a certifiedtrainer from the CharteredInstitute <strong>of</strong> EnvironmentalHealth, UK, and a holder <strong>of</strong> anadvanceddiploma infood safetymanagementfrom theRoyal Society <strong>of</strong> Public Health,UK. Kobrosly is currently thepresident <strong>of</strong> the Rotary Club<strong>of</strong> Saida where she and herhusband Mahmoud Kobroslyreside with their two children.[Banakk(at)hotmail.com]Ramez Wazzeh (DIPLM ’95)After earning his diploma,Wazzeh joined the RadiologyDepartment at AUBMC wherehe is a picture archiving andcommunicationssystemscoordina<strong>to</strong>r.Heand hiswife Suzanne Harb live in<strong>Beirut</strong> and have three childrenLouna, Jouanna, andAbdallah-Omar. [rw03(at)aub.edu.lb]Sami Lahoud (MMB ’96) hasbeen appointed vice presiden<strong>to</strong>f communications forthe Middle East and Africaat MasterCard. Previously,Lahoud worked for Barclayswhere he established thecorporate affairs function forthe emerging markets regionand for leading communicationsconsultancies such asWeber Shandwick and Hill &Knowl<strong>to</strong>n. He was also thebusiness edi<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Al IktissadWal Aamal magazine, a leadingpan Arab business publication.He is based in Dubai.(Continued on p. 60)SIBLINGSSPOUSESGhaleb Hasan Daouk (MD '84)Rima Kaddurah-Daouk (BS '78, MS '80, PhD '83)Daouk is direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Extramural Clinical Services at the Childrens Hospital <strong>of</strong> Bos<strong>to</strong>n and assistantpr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. He earned his BS magna cum laude at Syracuse<strong>University</strong> and an MS in management <strong>of</strong> technology at MIT Sloan School <strong>of</strong> Management. Formerlya clinical direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> pediatric nephrology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Daouk served on theAANA Board <strong>of</strong> Direc<strong>to</strong>rs in the 1990s and currently serves on the Board <strong>of</strong> Visi<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> his almamater, Syracuse <strong>University</strong>. Kaddurah-Daouk is an associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor in psychiatry and behavioralsciences and an adjunct associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor in molecular psychology at Duke <strong>University</strong> School<strong>of</strong> Medicine. She is a pioneer in the field <strong>of</strong> metabolomics and has founded several biotechnologystartups, the latest <strong>of</strong> which is Metabolon, Inc., one <strong>of</strong> the field's leading biotechnology companies.Kaddurah-Daouk is the founder and immediate past president <strong>of</strong> the International Society <strong>of</strong> Metabolomics. She is the former presiden<strong>to</strong>f the AUB New England Alumni Chapter. The couple has a son and a daughter and live in the Bos<strong>to</strong>n area.How did you meet?Rima was a biochemistry graduate student at AUBFM working inthe same department where Ghaleb was conducting research asa medical student. Fate brought us <strong>to</strong> share scarce resources,and conflicts led <strong>to</strong> friendship and the rest is his<strong>to</strong>ry.How did you know s/he was the one?Initially I knew that she was not the one, but Rima knew otherwise.We each went our separate ways for post-doc<strong>to</strong>ral trainingin the United States. A brief encounter at JFK [airport in NewYork] made me realize that Rima really was the one. It was ameeting <strong>of</strong> the minds and the hearts.Do you think you've influenced one another in terms <strong>of</strong><strong>your</strong> work?Absolutely. That was the basis <strong>of</strong> our lifelong collaboration leading<strong>to</strong> the formation <strong>of</strong> our first biotechnology startup, whichwe think <strong>of</strong> as our third child. Work was really our nourishmentand special treat <strong>of</strong>ten discussed at the dinner table and amongfriends.Who or what were <strong>your</strong> main influences as students atAUB?Our pr<strong>of</strong>essors, mostly Rima's men<strong>to</strong>r, the late Pr<strong>of</strong>essorUsama Al-Khalidi (BA ’51, MS ’54); Ibrahim Salti (BS ’59, MD’63), Adel Afifi (BA ’51, MD ’57), Adnan Mroueh (BS ’57, MD’61), Jean Rebeiz (BS ’58, MD ’62); residents, some <strong>of</strong> whomare Kamal Badr (BS ’76, MD ’80), Nakhle Tarazi (BS '73, MD'79); our friends whom we shared in common, such as Drs. TalalChatila (BS ’79, MS ’81, MD ’84), Iman Nuwayhid (BS ’80,MD ’84), Salah Shorbaji (BS ’79, MS ’81, MD ’84), GhassanBaasiri (BS ’73, MD ’79), and many other friends and teachersat AUB—<strong>to</strong>o numerous <strong>to</strong> count.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201257
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sSIBLINGSSPOUSESMohamed H. Sayegh (BS ’80, MD ’84)Samia J. Khoury (BS ’80, MD ’84)Mohamed H. Sayegh (BS’80, MD ’84) and his wifeSamia J. Khoury(BS ’80,MD ’84) are back on the campuswhere they met more than25 years ago. In 2009, Sayeghwas appointed vice presidentfor medical affairs and Raja N.Khuri dean <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong>Medicine. Khoury has recentlyjoined her husband in <strong>Beirut</strong> <strong>to</strong>head AUB’s Multiple SclerosisCenter and the Abu-HaidarNeuroscience Institute. Bothcome from Harvard MedicalSchool, where he was pr<strong>of</strong>essor<strong>of</strong> medicine and pediatricsand direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the SchusterFamily TransplantationResearch Center; she waspr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> neurology andcodirec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Partner'sMultiple Sclerosis Center. Theyboth held endowed chairs atHarvard Medical School.How did you meet?Samia: We met in pre-med but started interactingafter the first year <strong>of</strong> medical school whenwe worked <strong>to</strong>gether with two other students ona summer research project in public <strong>health</strong>. Wehad very intense intellectual discussions at thetime and developed a great respect for eachother's intellect.Mohamed: We met in 1980 at AUB MedicalSchool when we were first-year students.How did you know s/he was the one?Samia: We faced a lot <strong>of</strong> family pressurebecause <strong>of</strong> our different religious backgroundsyet in spite <strong>of</strong> everything we felt that webelonged <strong>to</strong>gether.Mohamed: I knew she was the one after I sawher eyes.Do you think you’ve influenced one anotherin terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>your</strong> work? Who or what were<strong>your</strong> main influences as students at AUB?Samia: We are both competitive and we playfullyegged one another on pr<strong>of</strong>essionally, butwe also helped each other by exchangingideas, working collaboratively, and reading andcriticizing each other's grants and manuscripts.I think we have synergy at work. I am sure that Iwould not have been able <strong>to</strong> achieve what I haveachieved pr<strong>of</strong>essionally without Mo's support.At AUB, we had several wonderful teachersand clinicians. The ones who influenced methe most were Dr. Adel Afifi (BA ’51, MD ’57)and the late Dr. Khalil Abou Faisal.Mohamed: I can definitely say she has hada huge influence on my career starting whenwe were medical students. This has continuedthroughout my career. We, in fact, were collabora<strong>to</strong>rson various research projects, published<strong>to</strong>gether, and even had NIH grants <strong>to</strong>gether.She is the smart one in the family for sure.How does it feel <strong>to</strong> be back? Do you havea sense <strong>of</strong> renewal both personally andpr<strong>of</strong>essionally?Samia: Being back at AUB feels like cominghome… in some ways it feels as if we never left.It is wonderful <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> share in this specialtime <strong>of</strong> revival for the medical center, whereI feel that everything is possible and where Ican contribute <strong>to</strong> the positive changes that arehappening.Mohamed: Absolutely. We were both veryhesitant and skeptical for many reasons related<strong>to</strong> the institution and the country. But now weknow we made the right decision. AUBMCand the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine are undergoing atransformational change and we are happy andproud <strong>to</strong> be part <strong>of</strong> it.We know you're onFacebook, LinkedIn, andSkype...Share <strong>your</strong> Facebook, LinkedIn, and Skype account detailswith us so we can send you the latest news from AUB andkeep you in <strong>to</strong>uch with <strong>your</strong> fellow alumni.Send <strong>your</strong> Facebook username, LinkedIn pr<strong>of</strong>ile URL, andSkype username <strong>to</strong> alumnisocialmedia@aub.edu.lb58 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sSIBLINGSAli Abu-Alfa (BS ’85, MD’85) is a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicineand head <strong>of</strong> the Division <strong>of</strong>Nephrology and Hypertensionat AUB. Ali also holds anadjunct faculty position at Yale<strong>University</strong>.Amer Abu Alfa (BS ’85, MD’89) is the executive medicaldirec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> GastrointestinalPathology at Dianon Systemsin Shel<strong>to</strong>n, Connecticut.Ghassan Abou-Alfa (BS’88, MD ’92) is an associatepr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medicine,Section <strong>of</strong> GastrointestinalOncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center(MSKCC) and the WeillMedical College at Cornell<strong>University</strong> in New York City.SPOUSESWhat prompted all three <strong>of</strong> you <strong>to</strong> becomemedical doc<strong>to</strong>rs? Were <strong>your</strong> parents orother close relatives in the <strong>health</strong> carepr<strong>of</strong>ession?Our mother’s dream was that the three <strong>of</strong> uswould follow in her late father’s footsteps. Hewas a successful physician who died relativelyyoung and she never got <strong>to</strong> know him.She hoped <strong>to</strong> uphold his legacy through herchildren. Our grandfather’s dedication <strong>to</strong> medicine,our parents’ determination, and our ownscientific curiosity combined <strong>to</strong> make choosingthe medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession a fait accompli for allthree <strong>of</strong> us.How did each <strong>of</strong> you decide on <strong>your</strong>specialization? Who were <strong>your</strong> AUBmen<strong>to</strong>rs?Ali was encouraged by the late Dean RajaKhuri (BS ’55, MD ’59), a renal physiologistand nephrologist who had spent timeat Yale, and his wife Dr. Sumayya MakdisiKhuri (BS ’60), a mathematician, <strong>to</strong> pursuehis love <strong>of</strong> mathematics as an undergraduatemajor and enter medical school later. Thiswas a first for AUB students back in 1979.He decided on nephrology upon meeting Dr.Edmond Shuwayri (BA ’42, MD ’46), a truerole model, a men<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> many and for whomAli holds immense admiration and gratitude.Dr. Shuwayri recognized Ali’s analytical mindand unequivocal attention <strong>to</strong> details. Thus, Ali’scareer started at Yale and came back full circle<strong>to</strong> AUB as division head, and as direc<strong>to</strong>r forthe Human Research Protection Program; andthe Clinical Research Institute at the FM. Todayhe continues Dr. Shuwayri’s mission, strivingfor humanism and excellence in patient care,education, and innovation.Amer was influenced by the late Dr.Amjad Mufarrij (BS ’72, MD ’76) who once<strong>to</strong>ld him that the pathologist is the patient’sadvocate. He finds pathology a fascinatingfield that in essence tries <strong>to</strong> answer why andhow a disease affects a particular patient at thecellular and molecular levels. For Amer, tissueon a glass slide belongs <strong>to</strong> an anxious patientAli Abu-Alfa (BS '85, MD '85) *Amer Abu Alfa (BS '85, MD '89)Ghassan Abou-Alfa (BS '88, MD '92)wondering what went wrong and how <strong>to</strong> getbetter. He completed his fellowship in gastrointestinalpathology at Yale <strong>University</strong> wherehe subsequently served as a faculty memberbefore joining Dianon Systems.Ghassan’s interest in genetics and molecularbiology led him <strong>to</strong> a career in medicaloncology and hema<strong>to</strong>logy with a specializedinterest in gastrointestinal malignancies. Hewas men<strong>to</strong>red by Dr. Ziad Salem (BS ’69, MD’73), a great teacher whom Ghassan describesas a careful listener allowing students <strong>to</strong> discoverthings for themselves. After completing histraining at Yale, Ghassan joined MSKCC wherehe focuses his research on gastrointestinal cancerand primary liver and biliary cancers. Witha gift from Mamdouha Bobst and the BobstFoundation, he helped establish a generouslyendowed fund <strong>to</strong> support an array <strong>of</strong> sharededucational activities in oncology between AUBand MSKCC.Do you have any special memories <strong>of</strong> <strong>your</strong>time <strong>to</strong>gether at AUB?Actually, the three <strong>of</strong> us never studied <strong>to</strong>getheron campus, but we all have shared memories<strong>of</strong> our life on campus, which was and remainsa peaceful island that provided much reprievefrom outside strife. We were, however, all<strong>to</strong>gether at Yale during our postgraduate training.This created a short-lived confusion until itwas clear that there were actually three Abu-Alfas on campus. Amer may have been called<strong>to</strong> dialyze a patient, Ghassan <strong>to</strong> review slides,and Ali <strong>to</strong> write chemotherapy orders.Wherever we are, and whatever we do,we always feel grateful for our parents’ dedicationand love, for our rich heritage, and for ouralma mater.It may have been confusing at times forpr<strong>of</strong>essors <strong>to</strong> figure out who among the Abu-Alfasthey were dealing with, but we all managed <strong>to</strong>carve out our own pr<strong>of</strong>essional identity thanks <strong>to</strong>AUB men<strong>to</strong>rs.* In the 1980s AUB had a program that allowed students<strong>to</strong> simultaneously earn a BS and an MD.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201259
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sMohamed Ali Hodeib(BS ’97)Riham Sanjakdar(BS ’96, MPH ’98)Mohamed Ali Hodeib (BS’97) is the managing direc<strong>to</strong>r<strong>of</strong> Sukleen/Sukomi in<strong>Beirut</strong>. He earned an MBAfrom Ecole Supérieure desAffaires in 2005 and attendedthe International ExecutiveProgramme at INSEAD in2008. Hodeib believes thatFHS provided him with threeessentials for a good start<strong>to</strong> any career in <strong>health</strong> orenvironmental sciences: anexcellent educational foundation,exposure, and communityinvolvement. His wife,Riham Sanjakdar (BS ’96,MPH ’98), agrees. She nowheads the President’s Officeat Hôtel-Dieu de FranceHospital. Hodeib’s four sistersalso attended AUB: ZeinabSami Houdeib (BS ’90, TD’06), Amal Sami Houdeib(BBA ’92), Aya Sami Hodeib(BBA ’98), and Heba SamiHodeib (BA ’02, MA ’10).Hodeib and Sanjakdar havetwo children: Sami (7) andMaher (4). They live in <strong>Beirut</strong>.[mohamedali(at)hodeib.com]Silva Dakessian Sailian (BS’96, MPH ’00) writes, “I amcurrently an instruc<strong>to</strong>r teachingnursing theory and practicumin the Nursing Program <strong>of</strong>the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Health Sciencesat [the] <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Balamand.I strive <strong>to</strong> uphold the image <strong>of</strong>nursing and plant the seeds <strong>of</strong>pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism in my students.I am married <strong>to</strong> JohnnySailian and I have beautifultwin girls. AUB gave me highstandards for excellence ineducation and service.”2000sWissam Abbas (BEN ’00) is ageneral manager at Future PipeIndustries in Hous<strong>to</strong>n, Texas.Rihaf Yazbek (BS ’02, MPH’05) is a certified quality reviewLayal Mohtar (BS ’08, MPH ’10)Tarek Abou Hamdan (BS ’02, MD ’06)analyst at AUBMC. In 2005she earned her MPH with aconcentration in <strong>health</strong> managementand policy. Yazbekand her spouse Ali El Hage(MEN ’12) have two childrenYara (4) and Ahmad (1). Theylive in <strong>Beirut</strong>. [ry03(at)aub.edu.lb)Mohammad Baydoun (MUD’05) is a project manager atMillennium DevelopmentInternational. In 2009 heearned anE M B Afrom theLebanese<strong>American</strong><strong>University</strong>and, in 2012, he earned a doc<strong>to</strong>ratein business administrationfrom Grenoble Ecole deManagement. Baydoun and hiswife Ghinwa Bawwab have twochildren and live in <strong>Beirut</strong>.[mbaydoun1(at)gmail.com]Layal Mohtar (BS ’08, MPH ’10) is a quality review analyst atAUBMC. In 2010, she earned her MPH in <strong>health</strong> management andpolicy. Mohtar met her husband, Tarek Abou Hamdan (BS ’02,MD ’06), at College Hall on Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 10, 2007. They live with theirsix-month old baby, Imad Abou Hamdan, in Khaldeh, Lebanon.Mireille Daoud (BA ’07,MA ’10)graduatedwith a BAin publicadministrationinFebruary 2007 and then joinedthe Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong>Advancement as a gifts coordina<strong>to</strong>rwhile pursuing a master’sdegree. In August 2012,she was promoted <strong>to</strong> the pos<strong>to</strong>f stewardship coordina<strong>to</strong>r inAdvancement. She writes,“Through the Work StudyProgram I became a studentassistant in Human Resources.After graduating, I became afull-time employee. AUB issuch a wonderful and uniqueexperience. It has provided mewith a strong foundation for myacademic, personal, and pr<strong>of</strong>essionalgrowth… I will alwaysbe AUB and PROUD TO BE!”[mmd_pa(at)hotmail.com]Elias Ghanem (BBA ’10) is amergers and acquisitions analystat GulfMerger. Upon graduation,he joined Ernst & Young,where he providedauditing servicesforfinancial institutionsincluding one<strong>of</strong> Lebanon's<strong>to</strong>p banks. Ghanem is currentlya member <strong>of</strong> the WAAAUBCouncil and the LebanonChapter. He has successfullycompleted the Level I examination<strong>of</strong> the CFA® Program andis currently a Level II candidate.He lives in <strong>Beirut</strong>.SIBLINGSSPOUSES60 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sRECENTLYHONOREDNuhad Daghir (BS ’57),FAFS dean emeritus, hasbeen inducted in<strong>to</strong> theInternational Poultry Hall <strong>of</strong>Fame, which is the highesthonor that the World PoultryScience Association (WPSA)bes<strong>to</strong>ws. The induction ceremonywas held in Salvador,Brazil during the 24th WorldPoultry Congress last August.Daghir is the first Arab <strong>to</strong>receive this distinction. TheWPSA has branches in 90countries on five continentswith a <strong>to</strong>tal membership <strong>of</strong>8,000. In 1963, Daghir helpedestablish the Lebanesebranch <strong>of</strong> the WPSA andserved as its president from1963 <strong>to</strong> 1984. The plaquethat Daghir received from thepresident <strong>of</strong> the association,Robert Pym, PhD, reads, “Inrecognition <strong>of</strong> dedicated contributions<strong>to</strong> Poultry Sciences,and the world-wide poultryindustries, above and beyondthe call <strong>of</strong> duty.”After earning an MSand a PhD from Iowa State<strong>University</strong> in 1959 and 1962respectively, Daghir returned<strong>to</strong> AUB and became a fullpr<strong>of</strong>essor in 1975. In 1996,he was appointed dean <strong>of</strong>the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agricultural andFood Sciences and served inthat capacity until 2006 whenhe became AUB’s only deanemeritus.Daghir’s eminence in hisfield made him an inevitablechoice for membership in severalimportant committees. Heserved for many years as thesole Middle East representativefor the Animal NutritionCommittee <strong>of</strong> the InternationalUnion <strong>of</strong> Nutrition Sciencesand chairman <strong>of</strong> its subcommitteeon Poultry Nutrition. Hewas also the only Middle Eastrepresentative on the StandingCommittee on NutrientRequirements <strong>of</strong> the WorldPoultry Science Association.He helped establish theLebanese Nutrition Society in1970 and served as its presidentuntil 1975 when the civilwar broke out in Lebanon.Daghir has publishedextensively and his scientifictexts are classics in the field.He has led seminal projects inpoultry production and animalnutrition from Saudi Arabia <strong>to</strong>Canada. He was selected bythe International BiographicalCenter in Cambridge, Englandas one <strong>of</strong> the 2,000 outstandingpeople <strong>of</strong> the 20th centuryand by the <strong>American</strong>Biographical Institute asan honorary member <strong>of</strong> itsresearch board <strong>of</strong> advisers.Daghir’s resume has appearedin Who’s Who in Lebanon,Who’s Who in the Arab World,and Who’s Who in the World.For more on DeanDaghir, see MainGate’s“Reflections” interview, Spring2008 Vol. VI, No. 3.Kevork Karajerjian (BAR’58) has received the 2012Ellis Island Medal <strong>of</strong> Honor,an award that recognizesimmigrants who have madeoutstanding contributions <strong>to</strong>the United States. Since the1960s, Karajerjian has beeninvolved in the building andres<strong>to</strong>ration <strong>of</strong> landmark buildingsand community centersin Lebanon and Los Angeles,California where he currentlyresides. Shortly afterhis graduation from AUB,Karajerjian helped build theShell Building, the first highrise<strong>to</strong> be constructed on theMediterranean coast in <strong>Beirut</strong>.For his renovation <strong>of</strong> theCatholicosate <strong>of</strong> Cilicia inAntelias, Lebanon in the 1960s,he was given the honorary title<strong>of</strong> “National Architect” by HisHoliness Catholicos Khoren I.Rebuilding Los Angelesafter the 1994 earthquakeand providing extraordinaryleadership in other large scaledevelopment projects broughtKarajerjian commendationsfrom the mayor <strong>of</strong> LosAngeles, the governor <strong>of</strong>California, and the presiden<strong>to</strong>f the United States, as wellas a US Congressional Medal<strong>of</strong> Honor. Throughout his lifehe has served on the boards<strong>of</strong> cultural, architectural, educational,and social institutions.A devoted family mandedicated <strong>to</strong> preservingArmenian values andLebanese traditions,Karajerjian is married <strong>to</strong> Sa<strong>to</strong>Yerevanian, a renowned artistand a certified interior designer.The couple has threegrown children.George Kyrala (BS ’67) <strong>of</strong> LosAlamos National Labora<strong>to</strong>ry isamong a team <strong>of</strong> researchershonored with the 2012 JohnDawson Award for Excellencein Plasma Physics Researchfor its work on a far-reachingdiscovery about laser-matterinteraction. Established by the<strong>American</strong> Physical Society(APS), the Dawson Awardwas bes<strong>to</strong>wed <strong>of</strong>ficially at theannual meeting <strong>of</strong> the APSDivision <strong>of</strong> Plasma Physics inProvidence, Rhode Island lastOc<strong>to</strong>ber. The citation reads“For predicting and demonstratingthe technique <strong>of</strong> laserscatter on self-generatedplasma-optics gratings thatenables generation and redirection<strong>of</strong> high-energy laserbeams important for indirectdrive inertial confinementfusion and high-power lasermatterinteractions.”Leila Fawaz (BA ’67, MA’68) has been named a chevalierin the French NationalOrder <strong>of</strong> the Legion <strong>of</strong> Honorwww.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201261
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sin recognition <strong>of</strong> her “exemplarypersonal commitment<strong>to</strong> French-<strong>American</strong> relations.”She is the Issam M.Fares Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Lebaneseand Eastern MediterraneanStudies and was the foundingdirec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Fares Centerfor Eastern MediterraneanStudies at Tufts <strong>University</strong>.Fawaz served on the governingboards <strong>of</strong> Harvard<strong>University</strong> as an overseerbetween 1996 and 2012and was elected presiden<strong>to</strong>f the Board <strong>of</strong> Overseers for2011-12. A Carnegie Scholar(2008-10), she also servedon the Advisory Board <strong>of</strong> theCouncil for the InternationalExchange <strong>of</strong> Scholars(CIES) and chaired the CIESFulbright Review Committee.She spent time in France asa visiting pr<strong>of</strong>essor at theUniversité de Provence and atl’École des Hautes Études enScience Politiques et Socialesin Paris. She also servedon the steering committee<strong>of</strong> the European ScienceFoundation in Strasbourg,France for the Individual andSociety in the MediterraneanMuslim World program (1994-99) and was a member <strong>of</strong>that organization’s planningcommittee (1993) and publicationscommittee (1996-99). Currently she serves onthe Comité Scientifique de laMaison Méditerranéenne desSciences de l’Homme at theUniversité d’Aix-Marseille inFrance. A former presiden<strong>to</strong>f the Middle East StudiesAssociation <strong>of</strong> North America,she has served as edi<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong>the International Journal <strong>of</strong>Middle East Studies (IJMES)and in edi<strong>to</strong>rial board positionswith the <strong>American</strong>His<strong>to</strong>rical Review, IJMES, theBritish Middle East StudiesAssociation Review, andother publications.Zaha Hadid (former student1968-69), the architect <strong>of</strong> theIssam Fares Institute’s newbuilding, was recently awardedthe title Dame Commander<strong>of</strong> the Order <strong>of</strong> the BritishEmpire (DBE).Lina J. Karam (BEN ’89) hasreceived the 2012 IntelOutstanding ResearcherAward in High VolumeManufacturing. She earnedMS and PhD degrees in electricalengineering from theGeorgia Institute <strong>of</strong>Technology in 1992 and 1995respectively. Karam is currentlya pr<strong>of</strong>essor at ArizonaState <strong>University</strong> where shealso serves as the direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong>their Image, Video, andUsability, the Multi-Dimensional DSP, and theReal-Time Embedded SignalProcessing Labs. She wasthe technical program chair<strong>of</strong> the 2009 Institute <strong>of</strong>Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) InternationalConference on ImageProcessing, an associate edi<strong>to</strong>r<strong>of</strong> the IEEE Transactionson Image Processing, andthe lead guest edi<strong>to</strong>r for thespecial issue,"Visual QualityAssessment" <strong>of</strong> the IEEEJournal on Selected Topics inSignal Processing. Karamserves on the technical committees<strong>of</strong> IEEE conferences,including InternationalConference on Acoustics,Speech and Signal Processing(ICASSP), InternationalConference on ImageProcessing (ICIP), InternationalSymposium on Circuits andSystems (ISCAS), andAsilomar. She is the recipien<strong>to</strong>f a National ScienceFoundation CAREER Award.This comes <strong>to</strong> us from proudfather Zaki Marashli (BEN’74): Wael El Maraachli (BS’98, MD ’02) received anaward for outstanding overallperformance and dedication<strong>to</strong> patient care and the practice<strong>of</strong> medicine during hisfellowship at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong>California, San Diego.PUBLISHEDAND PRODUCEDSalah D. Salman (BS ’57, MD’61) Scrubbed Out: Revivingthe Doc<strong>to</strong>r's Role in PatientCare. He writes, "When I comparemodern medicine with thetraditional Hippocratic medicinepracticed not <strong>to</strong>o long ago, Ifeel a consuming anguish thatdrives me <strong>to</strong> speak for patientsand the medical pr<strong>of</strong>essionitself. The patient and the doc<strong>to</strong>rhave both become sidelined.The sacred trust <strong>of</strong> caringfor <strong>health</strong> has fallen in<strong>to</strong> ruin,replaced by corporations andbureaucracies that are blind <strong>to</strong>all but pr<strong>of</strong>it. Instead <strong>of</strong> resisting,the medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession and itsleaderships have unfortunatelyaccepted their new fate passively.I have written ScrubbedOut with the fervent hope <strong>of</strong>motivating the medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession<strong>to</strong> re-assume the <strong>health</strong>care driver's seat and put carefor patients and respect for thepractice <strong>of</strong> medicine in theirrightful place."After graduating fromAUB as a Penrose Scholar,Salman completed his trainingin o<strong>to</strong>laryngology at AUBMCand Johns Hopkins. In 1968,he returned <strong>to</strong> AUB <strong>to</strong> starthis chosen career in academicmedicine. He climbed theacademic ladder <strong>to</strong> becomethe pr<strong>of</strong>essor and chair-62 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sman <strong>of</strong> AUB’s Department <strong>of</strong>O<strong>to</strong>laryngology.In 1986, the Lebanesewar drove him and his family <strong>to</strong>move <strong>to</strong> Bos<strong>to</strong>n, Massachusetts<strong>to</strong> continue an academic career.He became a surgeon at theprestigious Massachusetts Eyeand Ear Infirmary, the foundingdirec<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> its Sinus Center,and a lecturer at the HarvardMedical School.Salman has publishedtwo textbooks, An Atlas <strong>of</strong> theNasopharynx and An Atlas <strong>of</strong>Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy,chapters in textbooks, andnumerous articles.In 1972, he was theLebanese minister <strong>of</strong> public<strong>health</strong>, and from 1976-79he served as minister <strong>of</strong> theinterior and minister <strong>of</strong> housingand cooperatives. Heis a member <strong>of</strong> the AlphaOmega Alpha Honor MedicalSociety. In 2010, he retired andreturned <strong>to</strong> live in <strong>Beirut</strong>. [http://scrubbedoutdoc<strong>to</strong>rs.com/]Arda Arsenian Ekmekji (BA’71, MA ’74) has annotatedand translated from Armenian<strong>to</strong> English the memoirs <strong>of</strong> hergrandfather, Hagop Arsenian,who was a pharmacist andsurvivor <strong>of</strong> the Armenian genocide<strong>of</strong> 1915. Arsenian documentedhis early life in thesuburbs <strong>of</strong> Constantinople, hisfamily’s eventual deportation <strong>to</strong>Aleppo, Syria, and his life inPalestine from 1919 until 1940.Ekmekji is dean <strong>of</strong> artsand sciences at Haigazian<strong>University</strong>. After earning hermaster’s in ancient his<strong>to</strong>ry atAUB, she received her doc<strong>to</strong>ratein archaeology from the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Paris. Ekmekjiis the daughter <strong>of</strong> NoubarArsenian (PhC ’35), the wife<strong>of</strong> Jacques Ekmekji (BEN’71), and mother <strong>of</strong> KarmaEkmekji (BS ’04).Towards Golgotha, publishedby Haigazian <strong>University</strong>Press, is available in books<strong>to</strong>resthroughout Lebanon, at amazon.com,and the ArmenianMissionary Association,[amaa@amaa.org] A description<strong>of</strong> the book can be foundat [amaa(at)amaa.org]Nidal Mawas (BA ’09, MA’12) is AUB’s web edi<strong>to</strong>r.His first book, Israel andthe United Nations: 1949-1955 has just been publishedby Lambert AcademicPublishing. Mawas arguesthat since its inception asa state, Israel has beennoncompliant with UnitedNations resolutions anddemands. The book can bepurchased at https://www.morebooks.de.Partnershipsfor AUBThe Samir Zaabri Endocrinology Labora<strong>to</strong>ry at the AUB Medical Center“I promised Dr. Salti that I would donate a labora<strong>to</strong>ry for diabetes in his honor. Please make sure you transfer the fundsthis week.” This was my father’s last wish on March 21, 2011, just hours before he went in<strong>to</strong> a deep coma.My father, the late Samir Ahmad Zaabri (BAA ’70), always believed that the success he had achieved in lifewas due <strong>to</strong> the skills and experiences he acquired at AUB. He always said that it is only after we grow up that webegin <strong>to</strong> realize the important role our education plays in our day-<strong>to</strong>-day life. He valued not only the education heacquired, but also the opportunity <strong>to</strong> participate in student activities—and even more the lifelong friendships heforged during those years.My father established the Samir Ahmad Zaabri Current and Endowed Scholarship in 1991 because he wasalways happy <strong>to</strong> support students at AUB. One <strong>of</strong> his proudest moments was the inauguration <strong>of</strong> the Samir ZaabriScience Lecture Hall that we celebrated <strong>to</strong>gether in February 2011. During his speech at the ceremony he said, “Whatwe give <strong>to</strong> our university is not a contribution, but a duty and an expression <strong>of</strong> gratitude.” The Science Lecture Hall wasthe duty and expression <strong>of</strong> gratitude that my father felt <strong>to</strong> AUB. The Samir Zaabri Endocrinology Labora<strong>to</strong>ry is the greatestgift I could give <strong>to</strong> my late father and <strong>to</strong> AUB.Ahmad Zaabri (BA ’00)Abu DhabiGiving makes a difference.Contact giving@aub.edu.lb <strong>to</strong> learn more.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 2012give.aub.edu63
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sIs there an oversupply <strong>of</strong> physiciansin Lebanon? According<strong>to</strong> the latest Kaiser FamilyFoundation global <strong>health</strong> data,Lebanon has 35 doc<strong>to</strong>rs forevery 10,000 people; theUnited States has 24.Lebanon also has morehospital beds per capita thanthe United States. It hasfavorable rates <strong>of</strong> childhoodimmunization and much lowerrates <strong>of</strong> obesity. Yet it appearsthat having more doc<strong>to</strong>rsand hospitals may not lead<strong>to</strong> better <strong>health</strong> outcomes.Lebanese infant mortality ismore than twice that in theUnited States, and life expectancyis more on a par withTurkey’s than with America’s.Lebanon does not lackhigh quality medical education.The small nation has sevenaccredited medical schools—the oldest and largest beingthe Faculty <strong>of</strong> Medicine atAUB, which has graduatedmore than 4,200 doc<strong>to</strong>rs sinceits founding in 1867, shortlyafter the founding <strong>of</strong> the<strong>University</strong> itself.Yet, according <strong>to</strong> Dr.Alexander Geha (BS ’55, MD’59), a Lebanese-<strong>American</strong>MedicallySpeakingcardiothoracic surgeon andtrustee emeritus <strong>of</strong> AUB,“Medical practice is very competitivein Lebanon. In addition<strong>to</strong> our Lebanese medicalschools, many people alsostudy in Eastern Europe, sothere are a large number <strong>of</strong>people with medical degrees.The oversupply <strong>of</strong> physiciansrequires young doc<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> betruly outstanding in order <strong>to</strong>succeed. Some <strong>of</strong> our bestgraduates look at this situationand decide <strong>to</strong> leave the country<strong>to</strong> pursue further training.Many do not return.”Dr. Geha’s long and successfulcareer in the UnitedStates is a case in point. Afterreceiving an MD in 1959, heremained in <strong>Beirut</strong> as a surgicalresident at the AUB MedicalCenter (AUBMC), becomingchief resident in surgeryin 1962. At that time—andas they do <strong>to</strong>day—AUB studentsreceived an <strong>American</strong>stylemedical education, withmany members <strong>of</strong> the facultyhaving close ties with leading<strong>American</strong> institutions.In the 1960s, young Dr.Geha enjoyed internationalmobility within the medicalpr<strong>of</strong>ession largely because,from 1957 until 1988, the AUBMedical School was a member<strong>of</strong> the Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>American</strong>Medical Colleges. It wasalso accredited for nearly 20years by the US-based JointCommission on Accreditation<strong>of</strong> Healthcare Organizations(JCAHO)—a rare privilegefor a medical school outsidethe United States—one thatthat ended in 1983, when theLebanese civil war preventedregular site visits by members<strong>of</strong> the commission.64 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Beyond Bliss Streetc l a s s n o t e sDr. Geha continuedhis education at the famedMayo Clinic in Rochester,Minnesota, where he servedas a resident and researchfellow from 1963 <strong>to</strong> 1967. Hewent on <strong>to</strong> teach at medicalschools in Vermont, Missouri,and Connecticut, where herose <strong>to</strong> chief <strong>of</strong> section in cardiothoracicsurgery at the Yale<strong>University</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Medicine.Leaving Yale in 1986,Geha served for more thana decade as the AnkeneyPr<strong>of</strong>essor and direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> thedivision <strong>of</strong> cardiothoracic surgeryat Case Western Reserve<strong>University</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Medicine inCleveland, capping his careerwith eight more years as chief<strong>of</strong> cardiothoracic surgery at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Illinois–ChicagoSchool <strong>of</strong> Medicine, where heis now pr<strong>of</strong>essor emeritus.Married in 1967, he andhis wife, Diane, have threedaughters—two <strong>of</strong> them physiciansand the third a lawyer.Dr. and Mrs. Geha now live inRancho Santa Fe, California,where he teaches part-timeat the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> California–San Diego Medical Center.Dr. Geha reached the pinnacle<strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional success inthe United States. He becamean <strong>American</strong> citizen and raisedan <strong>American</strong> family, yet like millionsin the Lebanese Diaspora,he also retained close ties <strong>to</strong> hishomeland. His parents neverleft Lebanon, and both his sisterSamia and her husband, Dr.Usama Khalidi, taught at AUBuntil the civil war promptedthem <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong> Bahrain. Thewar also caused his brother,Raif S. Geha (BS '65, MD'69), who joined the AUB facultyin January 1974, <strong>to</strong> leavefor Harvard Medical Schooland Bos<strong>to</strong>n Children's Hospitalin 1976. Today he is theJames L. Gamble Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong>Pediatrics at Harvard MedicalSchool and chief <strong>of</strong> the Division<strong>of</strong> Immunology at Bos<strong>to</strong>nChildren's Hospital.The Lebanese diasporais also referred <strong>to</strong> as “GreaterLebanon.” According <strong>to</strong> theUnited States Committee for aFree Lebanon, there are morethan 12 million Lebanese andtheir descendants living outsidethe country—includingtwo and a half million in NorthAmerica and eight and a halfmillion in Latin America and theCaribbean—all from a nationwith a current population <strong>of</strong> alittle over four million. GreaterLebanon is a formidable engine<strong>of</strong> influence and economicsupport for the home country—largelythrough remittances,variously estimated atbetween $500 and $1,500 perLebanese citizen each year,plus other forms <strong>of</strong> financial,political, social, cultural, andreligious involvement.“Lebanese migrants havemaintained pulsating networkswith each other and with theirhomeland,” writes scholar GuitaHourani. “Their memory andvision <strong>of</strong> the homeland, furtherstirred by visits or news, andtheir commitment <strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>ringLebanon <strong>to</strong> its old glory, hasdriven them <strong>to</strong> maintain andnurture a continuing relationshipwith the homeland.”Except at the height <strong>of</strong>the war, Geha visited <strong>Beirut</strong> atleast twice a year, sometimeslecturing on cardiothoracic surgeryat the medical school. Hedeepened his ties <strong>to</strong> AUB asa representative <strong>of</strong> the North<strong>American</strong> Alumni Associationon the Board’s Academic Affairsand Health and Hospital committees,becoming a full member<strong>of</strong> the Board in 2005, andemeritus in 2012. Among hisfamily’s philanthropic contributionsare an endowed lectureshipfund in Dr. Geha’s nameand support for the education<strong>of</strong> children in the Palestinianrefugee camps in <strong>Beirut</strong>.Medical education—andespecially surgical procedures—haschanged radicallysince Geha attended medicalschool more than 50 years ago,yet as a teacher as well as a clinician,he has seen generations<strong>of</strong> students and doc<strong>to</strong>rs adapt<strong>to</strong> each advance. “The greatestchange,” he observes, “hasbeen the decline in highly invasivesurgeries and the resultingreduction in surgical trauma.Instead <strong>of</strong> surgeons lookingdown in<strong>to</strong> an open surgicalfield, they are now operatinglooking up at moni<strong>to</strong>rs whilespecialized instruments do theirwork through small incisions.Even some heart and lungsurgeries are being conductedusing these ‘scopes.’”Geha says that AUB’smedical educa<strong>to</strong>rs are keepingup with their <strong>American</strong>counterparts. When Gehaattended, he was taughtlargely by <strong>American</strong>-born pr<strong>of</strong>essors;now, he says, moremembers <strong>of</strong> the faculty arenative-born Lebanese. Mos<strong>to</strong>f them have received sometraining in the United States.With the end <strong>of</strong> theUS-based Joint CommissionAccreditation, the path <strong>to</strong>advanced training in <strong>American</strong>teaching hospitals became lessau<strong>to</strong>matic. But, Geha says,those pulsating networks <strong>of</strong> thediaspora are still doing the job:“We try <strong>to</strong> help AUB studentsfind further training or residenciesin academic medical centersin the United States.”In 2007, AUBMC gainedaccreditation by the JointCommission International—anarm <strong>of</strong> the US commission.Geha is not optimistic that theschool’s clinical programs willregain their former direct pipeline<strong>to</strong> <strong>American</strong> hospital residencies.International competitionfor such accreditationis very fierce, and the USJoint Commission occupiesitself largely with US-basedprograms.With the country andAUBMC looking forward again,the medical school and hospitalcomplex are being remadeunder the 2020 vision, whicharticulates—and has alreadyimplemented—parts <strong>of</strong> sixpaths <strong>to</strong>ward becoming “theleading academic medicalcenter in Lebanon and theregion by delivering excellencein patient-centered care, outstandingeducation, and innovativeresearch.” In addition <strong>to</strong>expansion and improvement <strong>of</strong>facilities and technology, one<strong>of</strong> these paths is <strong>to</strong> reverse the“brain drain” <strong>of</strong> highly talentedphysicians and teachers.Dr. Geha puts it this way:“The country needs talent andthese young people have tremendouspotential. We need<strong>to</strong> harness that <strong>to</strong> further theireducational standard. Superbtalent needs <strong>to</strong> be nurtured—and there needs <strong>to</strong> be a politicaland economic climate <strong>to</strong>come back <strong>to</strong>, <strong>to</strong> serve thecountry in return.”—J.L.www.aub.edu.lb/maingate | MainGate Fall 201265
ALUMNIMunir T. Jabbur (BS ’48, MD’52) Born in Yabroud, Syria in1925, Jabbur passed awayat his residence in Albany,New York last May. Heserved his orthopedic residencyat the Albany MedicalCenter and at the Children’sMedical Center in Bos<strong>to</strong>n.From 1959 <strong>to</strong> 1962 he ranthe Danish Mission Hospitalin Nebek, Syria. He thenreturned <strong>to</strong> Albany <strong>to</strong> start aprivate orthopedic practiceand retired in 2004. A truepioneer in his field, Jabburwas the first orthopedic surgeonin upstate New York <strong>to</strong>successfully perform <strong>to</strong>taljoint replacement. In 2002,he was honored by theMedical Society <strong>of</strong> New YorkState for 50 years <strong>of</strong> devotedservice <strong>to</strong> the public inthe practice <strong>of</strong> medicine. Heis survived by his wife EllenMouritsen Jabbur, hisdaughters Norma and Rima,and Rima’s husband WadihMacksoud (MD ’80); twosisters, Munira Jabbour andHuda Jabbur Baird (formertry industries. In 1962,Nasrallah was instrumentalin founding the Lebanesebranch <strong>of</strong> the World PoultrySciences Association andserved as its president inl964. He also founded theSyndicate <strong>of</strong> Chemists inLebanon. Returning <strong>to</strong><strong>Beirut</strong> after his studies in theUnited States, Nasrallahjoined Imperial ChemicalIndustries (ICI) where hewas the technical sourceengineer for Lebanon, Syria,and Jordan.Throughout this period,he maintained a small poultryfarm in the Beqa’a, whichhelped him realize that poultrywas his first love. Hethen resigned from ICI andwith two partners from hisbirthplace <strong>of</strong> Zahleh, starteda poultry business calledUnited Foods (Unifood) withthe produce brand name<strong>of</strong> Lipoul. During Lebanon’scivil war the business wasdestroyed, rebuilt, anddestroyed again, along withhis family home in Ras <strong>Beirut</strong>.Undaunted by thesesetbacks, Nasrallah joinedwith his lifelong friend fromZahleh, Moussa Freiji (BS’57), and established WadiPoultry in Egypt. Nasrallahmanaged the new companyfor ten years assisted by hisson Ramzi and Tony Freiji(BS ’81), Moussa’s youngerbrother. This new venturegrew <strong>to</strong> become one <strong>of</strong>Egypt’s biggest enterprises,expanding in<strong>to</strong> a widearray <strong>of</strong> agricultural produceand products. In retirementNasrallah published volstudent’54); and two brothers,Samir Jabbur (BBP’60) and Munther Jabbur(BS ’68).Sami Makarem (BA ’54, MA’57) Born in Aitat (Aley) in1931, Makarem passedaway on August 21 followinga sudden illness. In 1963, heearned his doc<strong>to</strong>rate at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Michigan inMiddle Eastern studies with aspecialization in Islamic Batinistudies. A renowned Arabicand Islamic scholar, a calligraphyexpert, and a longtimepr<strong>of</strong>essor at AUB, Makaremtaught part-time until hisdeath. The son <strong>of</strong> SheikhNassib Makarem, the mostcelebrated Arab calligrapher<strong>of</strong> his generation, Makaremwas a respected scholar <strong>of</strong>mysticism. During his years atAUB, he twice held the position<strong>of</strong> chair <strong>of</strong> the Departmen<strong>to</strong>f Arabic Literature and NearEastern Languages (1975-78and 1993-96) and alsoserved as direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the<strong>University</strong>’s Center for Araband Middle Eastern Studies(1975-78). Makarem was amember <strong>of</strong> the Board <strong>of</strong>Regents <strong>of</strong> the LebaneseFoundation for PermanentPeace, secretary general <strong>of</strong>the Druze Council forResearch and Development,and head <strong>of</strong> the Departmen<strong>to</strong>f Scientific Studies andResearch at the DruzeHeritage Foundation. Duringhis career, he receivedawards and honors from thecity <strong>of</strong> Hous<strong>to</strong>n, Texas; theLion’s Club; the Union <strong>of</strong> ArabHis<strong>to</strong>rians; the LebaneseMinistry <strong>of</strong> Culture; and theAntelias Cultural Movement,among others. He is survivedby his wife, Leila AdelMakarem; daughters Saharand Rand Sami MakaremKaedbey (BA ’86); andsons, Nassib (former student)and Samir.Philip Nasrallah (BA ’46)passed away on June 8.After graduating from AUB,he joined the CaliforniaPolytechnic Institute <strong>to</strong>study poultry sciencesbefore entering Stanford<strong>University</strong>, where he specializedin chemistry. He haddistinguished careers inboth the chemical and poul-66 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
umes <strong>of</strong> Zajaliyat (popularArabic poetry) about his life,his family, and his friends.He is survived by his wifeEmily Nasrallah, a renownednovelist and writer, and fourchildren: Ramzi; Khalil (BS’86); Maha (BAR ’83), anarchitect at FEA; and Mona(MD ’95), an endocrinologistat AUBMC.Elie Ibrahim Moussalli (BS’69, MS ’72) was born in<strong>Beirut</strong> in 1947 and passedaway on September 3 inOttawa, Canada.He taught biology atInternational College beforemoving <strong>to</strong> North America <strong>to</strong>do graduate studies at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> California, SanDiego, and the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong>British Columbia. An oceanographyand fisheries expert,he worked for many prestigiousinternational organizationsincluding the FoodAgricultural Organization <strong>of</strong>the UN, the UN DevelopmentProgramme, and the WorldBank. In the midst <strong>of</strong> adecade long battle with prostatecancer and myeloma, heunder<strong>to</strong>ok on-site projects inYemen and Egypt.An active member <strong>of</strong>WAAAUB’s Ottawa Chapter,Moussalli served as its secretaryand president in theearly 2000s. He also servedon AANA’s board <strong>of</strong> direc<strong>to</strong>rsand as founding edi<strong>to</strong>r<strong>of</strong> the WAAAUB e-newsletterAl Jame’a.Moussalli leaves behindmany close friends in the AUBcommunity who rememberhim as a true citizen <strong>of</strong> theworld and as a gentle soulwith a talent for explainingany subject no matter howserious, funny, sad, scientific,simple, or complicated.He was known as someonewho pursued his passions,supported worthy causes,and wholeheartedly loved hisbeautiful wife Kathleen Dayand talented daughter RimaElizabeth, who survive him.He will be missed.Edwin Bell Hanna (MA ’81)Born in Staun<strong>to</strong>n, Virginia,Hanna passed awayon July 26 at the age <strong>of</strong>85 in a nursing home inAlabama. An advocate forpeace and social justice,Reverend Hanna servedthe Presbyterian Church(USA) for nearly 35 yearsand worked as a missionaryin Lebanon during thecivil war with the NationalEvangelical Synod <strong>of</strong> Syriaand Lebanon. After hisreturn <strong>to</strong> the United Statesin 1985, he served as a pas<strong>to</strong>rin Kentucky. Throughouthis ministry he was joinedby his wife, the late ArpinéYenovkian Hanna from Acre,Palestine.Hanna was a graduate<strong>of</strong> Miami <strong>University</strong>in Ohio and held graduatedegrees from the LouisvillePresbyterian Seminary andthe <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Kentucky.He was also a student atBerea College under theUS Navy’s V-12 program.Survivors include his threesons: C. Philip Hanna, EdwinA. Hanna, and Rev. RichardB. Hanna; his brother CharlieHanna; his sister Bette Sikes;four grandchildren, and fourgreat-grandchildren. A classnote appeared in the fall 2011issue <strong>of</strong> MainGate.FORMER FACULTYAND FRIENDSAUB Trustee Emeritus SirAndrew Duncan Crockettwas born in 1943 inGlasgow. He passed awayafter a long illness at hishome in San Francisco onSeptember 2.After completing hisstudies in economics atCambridge and Yale, hebegan his career at theBank <strong>of</strong> England in 1966.Widely credited with globalizingcentral bankingthrough senior posts heldat the Bank <strong>of</strong> England,the International MonetaryFund, and the Bank forInternational Settlements,where he served for tenyears as general manager,he was known as a monetarydiplomat who broughtemerging markets <strong>to</strong> theattention <strong>of</strong> the west longbefore the age <strong>of</strong> financialglobalization.Of his service as adedicated AUB trustee,2004-08, Board <strong>of</strong> TrusteesChair Philip S. Khoury commented,“Andrew was awonderful friend <strong>to</strong> AUBand its Board <strong>of</strong> Trusteeson which he ably served. Hecared about our institutiondeeply, especially about thecomplex issues surroundingfinance and audit. He madeeveryone he encounteredfeel very comfortable in hispresence. He was genuinelydistinguished and yet somodest about his accomplishments.I will rememberhim with great fondness.”Former Board Chair ThomasQ. Morris remarked, “As chair<strong>of</strong> the Audit Committee helaid the groundwork for fiscalaccountability and transparencyat AUB. His leadershipwas outstanding.”Crockett was honoredby Queen Elizabeth as knightbachelor in 2003. He finishedhis career at JPMorgan as anadviser <strong>to</strong> the bank’s chairman.He is survived by hiswww.aub.edu.lb/maingate |MainGate Fall 201267
wife <strong>of</strong> 46 years, Marjorie,and their three children, twograndchildren, his mother,and two brothers.The AUB community issaddened by the passing<strong>of</strong> Wadad GeryesSabbagh Khoury on July18. She was the wife <strong>of</strong>Said T. Khoury (former student),who c<strong>of</strong>ounded theConsolidated Contrac<strong>to</strong>rsInternational Company in1952 with her brother thelate Hasib Sabbagh (BA’41). Survivors include herdaughter Salwa Said Khuri(BA ’82), her son-in-law andSalwa’s husband, SamirNayif Khuri (BEN ’73), andher niece, AUB Trustee SanaHasib Sabbagh.The US Presidential Medal<strong>of</strong> Freedom was posthumouslyawarded last May<strong>to</strong> Gordon Hirabayashiwho boldly defied ExecutiveOrder 9066 which sent tens<strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> <strong>American</strong>s <strong>of</strong>Japanese ancestry <strong>to</strong> internmentcamps. Hirabayashi,who taught sociology at AUBfrom 1951 <strong>to</strong> 1954, earnedhis PhD at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong>Washing<strong>to</strong>n and had a longcareer as a noted pr<strong>of</strong>essor<strong>of</strong> sociology at the <strong>University</strong><strong>of</strong> Alberta, Canada. His obituaryappeared in thespring 2012 issue <strong>of</strong>MainGate.We RememberAlumni and FriendsSuhayl Saleem BisharaBBA ’40May Said HamadahBA ’42Muhammad Munthir JundiBA ’45, BSCE ’46Dr. Fuad G. AshkarBA ’49, MD ’53Dr. Souheil G. KhammarBA ’52, MD ’56Wajeeh S. KaylaniBA ’55Farid Ishak Yusuf HabibBA ’56Bassam M. KhuriBBA '59Roger Boutros HashimBBA ’60Carolyn J. EmeryBA ’61Dr. Muhiba M. FanusBS ’61, MD ’65Mulazim H. A. S. HamdaniMA ’62Aida S MatniBA ’62Dena Abigail WoodMA ’62Khalid Abdul-WahabOmariBS ’63Sami Tarek YafiBBA ’64Majed S. MusallamBEN ’66Atif N. NakhkhulBEN ’66George Hanna Jum'ahBBA ’68Mohammad AftabuddinCERT ’69Talaat S. DadaBA ’70, MS '73Vic<strong>to</strong>r Michel KashkoushBA ’70Zahi S. HibriBS ’71Haralambos M.HadjitheodosiouMA ’74Walid F. RiyashiBEN ’75Imad Ramez JundiBA ’79Wadad M. KibbehBS ’84Dr. Abdel-Kader ZuheirMehioBS ’88, MD ’93Mireille Georges SakrBS ’89Jad Mohammad Said AlBalaaBS ’02Kamel Ahmad KaddouraMPH ’05Ali Nayef RammalBS ’05Helen Fawzi AtiehBA ’06Mouhamad Jamil BazziAUB FriendAli Khalil ChoucairAUB FriendGilbert GebeilyAUB FriendNinette RizkAUB FriendAbdel Fattah YafiAUB Friend68 MainGate Fall 2012 | www.aub.edu.lb/maingate
Last GlancePho<strong>to</strong> © AUB Pho<strong>to</strong>graphy Department / Ahmad El ItaniThis lucky Phoenician would have lost six <strong>of</strong> his teeth without the help <strong>of</strong> a clever dentist who used a gold wire <strong>to</strong> deftly tie histeeth <strong>to</strong>gether. The mandible was discovered in a marble sarcophagus in Sidon in 1901 by George Ford, PhD.See this antique example <strong>of</strong> retentive dentistry at the AUB Archaeological Museum.
Dr. Joseph J. MacDonald, AUB pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> surgery, with a grateful patient who traveled many miles <strong>to</strong> bring the doc<strong>to</strong>r a gift <strong>of</strong> two sheep. Spring 1948.Receiving multiple copies <strong>of</strong> MainGate? Save paper and let us know—we’ll send one copy <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong> home or business.Email: maingate@aub.edu.lbReturn AddressLebanon<strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong>Development OfficePO Box 11-0236<strong>Beirut</strong>, Lebanon 1107-2020USA<strong>American</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beirut</strong>3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 8th FloorNew York City, NY 10017-2303