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On May 19, 2022, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) honored Professor Adnan Mroueh as “the father, the physician, and the mentor," for 50 years of dedication and for his many contributions to the department in specific and to the field of obstetrics and gynecology at large. The honoring ceremony, held in Issam Fares Lecture Hall, included a documentary prepared by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology which highlighted the many achievements of Dr. Mroueh during his long and distinguished career.
The ceremony was attended by AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri, Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs Raymond Sawaya, Chairperson of the Department of OBGYN, Anwar Nassar, Professor Karam Karam, the Mroueh family, a number of dignitaries, and members of the AUBMC community.
President Khuri shed light on Dr. Mroueh's devotion and dedication to his profession. “In the 50 years that I have known Adnan Mroueh, I have never seen him let go of the idea that he could make a difference. These are the qualities of people who are true believers of this institution, who recognize that now is the time to continue to serve, to lead, and to understand what the university is about and its duty to the people of this country and the region." Dr. Khuri added, “50 years of official service, 60 years of a continuous love affair with this institution–actually 65, since it started in 1957. That is a testament to a man, who has grown a wonderful family, who themselves have been successful, but who never wavered once in what he wanted to do and never had doubts that he would do it. An extraordinary career in an extraordinary life. This celebration is overdue for a man who has had a great positive impact for AUB, for Lebanon, and the region and who has in his institution not just fully returned love, but a permanent debt of thanks and the sense of tomorrow being better than today."
In his speech, Dean Sawaya gave an insight into Dr. Mroueh's biography and highlighted his expertise in the field of obstetrics and genecology. “We are gathering today to honor a son of Lebanon, a model AUB product with over 65 years association with our university and its medical center. A world-renowned expert in infertility, a proven academic leader, and a medical ethicist, who is not afraid to tackle major social issues pertaining to family planning, assisted reproductive technologies and their impact on the working women in Lebanon. Dr. Mroueh's expertise in infertility and family planning provided service to innumerable families. He did so with passion and authority. He was a keen observer of societal issues, and has contributed to the national as well as international debates and published works. With this event, we witness the end of an era, but we get to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a giant among men."
In his turn, Dr. Karam Karam said, “For years we sat on adjacent seats, learning from our students who fill this hall. Life was beautiful, with all its sorrows and all its joys. There were bitter days and there were sweet ones. I learned that time and a good friend become more valuable the older we get. True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but not in heart. A bond that spanned over fifty years, with all its ebbs and all its tides. During the difficult ones we never left AUH, not for a single day. Days, my dear friend, are like the clouds. They pass by and never come back, but their memory lingers in our minds and hearts."
Dr. Anwar Nassar reflected on Dr. Mroueh as an exemplary teacher. “We will always remember this gentleman walking to his office whistling and reading in a daily ritual that helped shape us, his students, the way we are today. And for that Dr. Mroueh, I will always be grateful," he said.
Dr. Adnan Mohamad Mroueh joined AUB and graduated with an MD, with Alpha Omega Alpha in 1961. After finishing his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at AUB in 1964, he did his fellowship in the US at UCLA and Yale University, to join the faculty at AUB in 1968.
In the early 70's, he served as a WHO consultant for maternal and family planning in Iraq. In 1973, he was the president of the Lebanese Family Planning Association and in 1982, he was appointed minister of health, labor, and social affairs. In 1987, he was appointed vice president for health affairs at AUB and dean of the Faculty of Medicine until 1993. In 2003, he became the chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at AUB until the year 2011. He is the recipient of many awards including a medal from King Faisal and the Lebanese Order of Merit – Commander Rank.