In this interview with the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (June 2021), Professor Iman Nuwayhid, former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), reflects on his journey in public health and the challenges of building a cross-disciplinary public health institution in the context of uncertainty. Dr. Nuwayhid holds a medical degree from AUB, and an MPH and a Doctorate in Occupational Health (DrPH) from the Johns Hopkins University.
The interview reveals Dr. Nuwayhid' s passion for public health and the reasons that incited him to build his career around it, focusing on occupational health. He shares with the readers his experiences at FHS and reflects on the incredible journey of the faculty throughout conflicts and wars. He explains how FHS has maintained its leadership role as a public health institution in the MENA region, despite the recurring political and financial crises in Lebanon. Dr. Nuwayhid also talks about the impact of FHS on the Lebanese national public health policies and the active role of its faculty members in rebuilding Beirut after the August 4, 2020 Beirut blast.
Dr. Nuwayhid concluded his interview with a message of hope. He says, “Together, we should continue to fight for an equitable world where people live in dignity. A world with no conflicts or violence, built on peace, built on justice. We need to break the cycles of building and of loss." A message that captures the essence of FHS and AUB.
Read the interview here