American University of Beirut

    Meetings and Consultations In 2022, SHBPP continued to serve and contribute to a number of international professional committees, consultancy bodies, and working groups, involved in discussions and consultations on a wide range of contemporary health-related and social issues including COVID-19, refugees, healthcare access, etc.

• Health Impact Fund: As the bioethics consultant of Health Impact Fund, which provides a complementary system for the development of pharmaceutical innovations - especially ones intended for poor patients who cannot afford expensive medicines, SHBPP founding director contributed to a number of meetings and discussions with consultants from across the globe.

 • International Association of Bioethics (IAB): As a board member of International Association of Bioethics, SHBPP founding director contributed to several meetings, events, and discussions attended by colleagues from around the globe. This year, the IAB presented the Award for Bioethics Service in the Face of Challenges to Dr. Wendy Rogers, Professor of Clinical Ethics at Macquarie University, Australia for her role in the registered Australian charity, International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC)

 IAB Board of Directors meeting with guests from Qatar and Basel.

• 16th World Congress of Bioethics in Basel, Switzerland.WHO COLLABORATING CENTER

• ge2 p2 Center for Informed Consent: 

The ge2 p2 Global Foundation conducts its work through a “centers of excellence” structure which helps members of our community of practice to focus their extraordinary experience and energies. The Center for Informed Consent Integrity addresses informed consent broadly and holds that “consent” – grounded in open, evidence-based, accessible, understandable and materially-complete information – is the bulwark of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and responsible governance. As a member of the ge2p2 Global Center for Informed Consent, Dr. Arawi participated in the monthly meetings to discuss various issues relating to research ethics, informed consent, and research in conflict settings and gave the following presentations: 

• ge2 p2 Global Working Group Meeting - Center for Informed Consent and Integrity.

 • Preparedness Planning for Clinical Research during Public Health Emergencies (PREP): As a member of the Preparedness Planning for Clinical Research during Public Health Emergencies (PREP) working group, Dr. Arawi participated in the global meetings to advise on various issues relating to clinical research ethics in conflict settings and on developing a New Framework for Ethical Decision-Making During Public Health Emergencies.

• Global Prep meeting

 • Global forum for research ethics integrity: as a member of Global forum for research ethics and integrity (GFREI-NIH), Dr. Arawi participated in working group meetings with the national institute of health. • Global Forum for Research Ethics and Integrity (GFREI) –National Institute of health Working Group on Ethics.​ 

GFPREP on Research and Children

 • The Genetic Discrimination Observatory (GDO) is a unique network of researchers and other stakeholders dedicated to researching and preventing discrimination based on genomic and other omic data worldwide.

 • Genetic Discrimination Observatory 3rd Annual Scientific Meeting - McGill University. 

 • Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP): A Yale Global Justice Initiative, ASAP is a global professional association that empowers academics to make greater impact on severe poverty.

 • Drug Information Association (DIA) is a global association that mobilizes life science professionals from across all areas of expertise to engage with patients, peers and thought leaders in a neutral environment on the issues of today and the possibilities for tomorrow. Dr. Arawi participated in a number of meetings and seminars hosted by the DIA along with international experts and consultants.

• “Bioethics Challenges in Times of war: Driving Insights to Actions Collaboration Meeting (July 25, 2022) International Talks Dr. Arawi was invited to give a number of talks to international experts and researchers in ethics and health. 

• Talk on “Children and Research Ethics in Areas of armed conflict”, as part of the DIA Direct Webinar “Questions of Ethics in Clinical Trials & The War in Ukraine, part 1 and 2” (August 10, 2022) 

 • Dr. Arawi’s talk on “Voices of the Displaced” to the ge2 p2 Center for Informed Consent and Integrity. (August 31, 2022) 

• “Access to Medicine in Areas of Protracted Conflict” talk at the ASAP Annual Conference: Global Justice Program organized by Yale University, USA (November 11, 2022)

The Founding Director of SHBPP was invited to attend and participate in a number of international conferences and seminars.

• 13th International Society for Priorities in Health Conference: “Fair Priorities in Unjust Circumstances: Emergencies, Universal Health Coverage and High-Cost Interventions” workshop (April 29, 2022)

 • SHBPP Founding Director invited to the WMA Meeting in Berlin to give a talk alongside the giants and “who’s who” of bioethics. (September 19, 2022) 

 • Yale Global Justice Program: Reconciling Intellectual Property with Human Rights. (October 29. 2022)

 • “Articulating abortion: Legal, Religious, and Ethical Considerations and Wider Implications” in Michigan, USA, panel discussion hosted by Arab-American Women Together (November 6, 2022)

CONFLICT MEDICINE AND BIOETHICS IN AREAS OF CONFLICT

• “Bioethics dilemmas faced by physicians in war zones: Open discussion” with Dr. Donal O’Mahtun, Dr. Thalia Arawi and Dr. Emily Anderson, hosted by Loyola University Chicago. (July 13, 2022)​

“War and Conflict: Trauma and Informed Care” webinar as part of the Palliative Care in Humanitarian Settings webinar series organized by PallCHASE. (July 20, 2022)​

Dr. Arawi as panelist in the Global forum of Prep: “Data Policy and Conflict Zones” at the “’FAIR Implementation Profiles in WorldFAIR: what have we learnt?’ organized by the World FAIR project, part of the 2nd FAIR Convergence Symposium held in Leiden and online (24 - 26 October, 2022). 

• “Pragmatism and Paradigm Shift: International Research Ethics Regulations in Regions of Protracted Conflict” talk by Dr. Thalia Arawi as part of the National Research Camp by LeMSIC and SCORE. (January 30, 2022)

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

Dr. Arawi was invited to participate in and speak at a number of national and regional and seminars: 

• Grand Round at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) on “The 4th Industrial Revolution in Healthcare: “Utopia or Dystopia?” as part of the ongoing collaboration between SHBPP and KHCC (January 10, 2022)​

• KHCC grand round “The 4th industrial Revolution and AI in healthcare (April 15, 2022)

• KHCC-SHBPP Collaboration Meeting with Dr. Asem Mansour (KHCC CEO), Dr. Maysaa Husseini (KHCC, Pathologist, IRB Chair and MENA Regional Advisor, the Royal College of Pathologists), Dr. Omar Shamieh (KHCC, Palliative Care Director), and Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah (Representing SHBPP)

. حـوار أصحاب املصلحة املعنيني حول املراجعة الرابعة لخطة» – Review Regional th4 MIPAA on Dialogue Multistakeholder (2022 10, May» (عمل مدريد الدولية للشيخوخة

• “A surgeon on call with limited resources at AUBMC” talk at The American College of Surgeons General Surgery Review Course (November 25, 2022)

 • The Seventh Forum of Local Ethics Committees held by the National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE) in Saudi Arabia (December 22, 2022)​​

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated SHBPP at AUBMC as a WHO Collaborating Center (WHO-CC) on health ethics in January 2021, rendering it as the first collaborating center on ethics in the Arab region and part of the global network of collaborating centers. As part of its mandate and mission, the SHBPP is committed to collaborating with the WHO and regional partners and institutions to develop educational material and policy guidance, and to participate in consultations on emerging issues in public health ethics and research ethics, as well as to contribute to training activities and participate in the network of collaborating centers. 

Projects: 

The SHBPP WHO-CC completed the commissioned project to prepare a national report on health research ethics governance in Lebanon entitled “Mapping of Research Ethics Governance in Lebanon: A Situational Analysis”. The project was led by Founding Director Dr. Thalia Arawi, with the SHBPP team Ms. Diana Mikati and Ms. Tala Khansa, along with volunteer medical students Ms. Hind Anan and Ms. Rawan Hammoud. The final report presented an exploration of the current state of research ethics governance in Lebanon from 2010 till today to better identify gaps and needs for improvement. It presented the concurrent modalities for health research ethics governance in Lebanon on national and institutional scales, shared challenges of implementation of health research governance policies and procedures, as well as recommendations which could be used by other Member States in the region. 

Network Meetings and Contributions

Also as part of the commitments of the WHO-CC, SHBPP made the following contributions to WHO activities and network in 2021 represented by its Founding Director: • WHO Working Group on Ethics and COVID-19 (January 2021 – December 2021) As a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group on Ethics and COVID-19, SHBPP Founding Director took part in more than 13 international WHO events and regional meetings and webinars of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional office (WHO-EMRO) to discuss and guide policies on the ethical issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• WHO Ad-hoc Group on Ethics, Public Health, and Migration. 

As a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Ad-hoc Group on Ethics, Public Health, and Migration, SHBPP Founding Director took part in a number of meetings to discuss emerging ethical concerns in public health, migrants, and refugees to help guide policies and interventions

• Ethics module to the WHO Academy course on mass casualties. (July 2 and 22, 2021) 

As a member of the advisory team on the development of a curriculum for strengthening health system preparedness for mass casualty incidents, SHBPP Founding Director participated in the first WHO Academy learning program in Europe. The main purpose of this course was to set an emergency plan including a set of arrangements for responding to, and recovering from emergencies, and it is about protecting life, property, and the environment.​

• 12th Annual Meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics (December 3, 2021) 

As Director of the SHBPP WHO-CC, Dr. Thalia Arawi participated in the “12th Annual Meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics” to discuss the 2022-2023 work plan for the WHO-CC network. 

• WHO Pandemic Ethics & Policy Summit (December 6, 2021) 

SHBPP founding director, was invited to give a presentation on “The Bridge between Ethics and Policy Making: From the trenches” at the WHO Pandemic Ethics and Policy Summit “Equitable access, solidarity, and global health justice: bridging the gap between ethics and decision-making in pandemics”. 

“Fair, equitable and timely allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in the Arab States/Eastern Mediterranean Regions” Regional Webinar (December 6, 2021). 

As Director of the SHBPP WHO-CC, Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a talk entitled “Ethical Principles and Realities of Vaccine Roll-out in the Arab States/EM Region” as part of the regional webinar “Fair, equitable and timely allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in the Arab States/Eastern Mediterranean Regions” organized by UNESCO Beirut Office in coordination with UNESCO Cairo office and WHO/EMRO. 

• 13th Annual Meeting for Eastern Mediterranean Region Research Ethics Review Committee EMRO (December 12-13, 2021):

 SHBPP was invited to present its WHO commissioned project “Mapping of Research Ethics Governance in Lebanon: A situational Analysis” at the 13th Annual Meeting for Eastern Mediterranean Region Research Ethics Review Committee EMRO. 

SHBPP, CONFLICT MEDICINE, AND BIOETHICS IN AREAS OF CONFLICT

• Webinar with guest speaker Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah organized by FQMS which is a British based charity, founded in 1997, with the principal aim of advancing medical education in the West Bank and Gaza. (March 27, 2021) 

• Physicians for Human Rights and John Hopkins University webinar on Syria’s conflict at ten years: ongoing violations on IHL and their effects on the future of healthcare in conflict. (June 18, 2021) 

• A state of chronic emergency: breaking the cycle of endemic war in Gaza” a conversation with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, Honorary lecturer, SHBPP, moderated by Professor Richard Sullivan, Director of the Institute of Cancer Policy at King’s College in the UK. (June 21, 2021) 

• “The Ethics of Research in Region of Protracted Conflicts :Towards a Moral Obligation to Challenge Universal Regulations ”online talk at the two-day online workshop “Research and Ethical Conduct in Conflict-Affected Settings” organized by the Global Health Institute (GHI) at AUB in collaboration with Medicine’s Sans Frontier, King’s College London, and the SHBPP (June 16/17, 2021

    SHBPP PARTICIPATION 

In addition to the activities SHBPP organized in 2021 and WHO—CC contributions, the Founding Director of SHBPP was invited to participate in and speak at a number of local, regional, and international activities and initiatives. 

International Conferences and Webinars 

Also as part of the commitments of the WHO-CC, SHBPP made the following contributions to WHO activities and network in 2021 represented by its Founding Director:

• “How to Communicate with Patients: Humanism and Morality Intertwined” by Dr. Arawi as part of The “Good Doctor” Camp organized by Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC).

• “Ethics and Human Rights in Research” online workshop in collaboration with LeMSIC. (May 8, 2021) 

• “The Cemetery: hic mortui vivos docent (Here the dead teach the living)” talk at the European Network of the Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education (September 8, 2021)

 • Joint Talk on “Uterine Transplantation in Lebanon: Social Perspectives and Legal Considerations” with Dr. Hazar Haidar, part of the Elgar Studies in Health and the Law Series (September 29, 2021)

• The 2021 Annual Global Justice Program Conference at Yale University led by professor Dr. Thomas Pogge (November 11, 2021)

National and Regional Events

Dr. Arawi was invited to give and moderate a number of talks at the following regional and national conferences and seminars: 

• “Ethics and Humanism in Communicating with patients” (January 25, 2021) 

• “Teaching amidst the spectre of COVID-19” in collaboration with International College of Beirut. (January 28, 2021) 

• “COVID-19: Science and Vaccine” joint webinar with Professor Pierre Zalloua part of the “Café Ethique” series by AUST (February 4, 2021) 

• “Artificial Intelligence: The Stethoscope of 21st Century?” by Nisrin Ghalayiny, MD, Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, moderated by Dr. Khalid Yunis Panelists: Dr. Fatima Abu Salim (IT) Dr. Lillian Ghandour (Public Health) Dr. Thalia Arawi (Medical Ethics). (May 25, 2021)

 • “There is more than meets the eye” talk at International College Ras Beirut Middle School (October 27, 2021)

• “Nothing is what it seems” keynote talk at the 2021 MENA Regional Meeting of the Global Research Council organized by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Global Research Council (October 27, 2021) 

• The International Society for Pharmaco-economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Lebanon Chapter in collaboration with CCHO, the Center of Clinical, Health Economics and Outcomes Research joint webinar: “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lebanese Healthcare System” with Dr. Firas Abiad (September 29, 2021) 

• “Epidemic Ethics: Governance, Ethics, and the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)” (December 13, 2021) 

• “Ethics, Healthcare and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” talk at the 20th Arab Congress “Arab Healthcare Systems amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic” in Cairo, Egypt (December 22, 2021). 

External Meetings and Collaborations

In its continuous effort to foster and sustain new collaborative partnerships, and to expand the network of bioethics and professionalism in Lebanon and the region, Dr. Thalia Arawi took part in a number of meetings with prominent experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders in 2020, of which to highlight:

• Meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Hassan Diab in her capacity as Prime Ministry liaison officer and bioethics focal point to the Prime Ministry. The discussion addressed the emergency response to COVID- 19 and the establishment of frameworks and guidelines. (April 15, 2020)
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• • Meetings with leaders from The Ministry of  Public Health (MOPH) to discuss compassionate use and the situation of refugee camps in the specter of COVID-19. (April 22, 2020)
    
  
  

• Online meeting with UNDP Arab State Good Will Ambassador for Climate Action Mr. Michael Haddad and representatives from ESCWA and Arc-en-Ciel to discuss the rights of the physically challenged in access to healthcare. (July 21, 2020)
  

• Meeting with UNDP Arab State Good Will Ambassador for Climate Action Mr. Michael Haddad and support of the "Beirut Walk for Inclusion" part of Mr. Haddad's initiative for the support of inclusion of persons with disabilities. (October 14,2020)
  

       

 

• Meeting with Minister of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan to agree on full cooperation between the ministry and the SHBPP. (December 12, 2020)
  

• Regional Conference on Patient Informed Consent and Patient Confidentiality: Consultation of Medical Ethics, organized by the Kuwaiti Medical Association in collaboration with the World Medical Association and the Ministry of Health in Kuwait (February 6-7, 2020)
  

              

• The Clinical Research Training Program at New York University Abu Dhabi presenting “Ethics in Conflict Zones and Areas of Protracted Conflict" (March 1, 2020)
  

 

• "COVID-19 and Ethics" webinar organized by the Lebanese Medical Students' International Committee (LeMSIC) with Joseph, Christine and Drs. Isssam Shaarni and Thalia Arawi (April 3, 2020).
  

    Testimonies of our humanity: the challenges of asylum" webinar organized by the non-governmental organization Fouady Pathways to the Heart (May 16, 2020)

      

• Grand round on "Publishing in Bioethics in the times of COVID-19" organized by the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Amman, Jordan (June 22, 2020)
  

     

• Talk on "Refugees in the Times of COVID-19: Law, Ethics, and Humanism" organized by the Lebanese Medical Students' International Committee (LeMSIC) (June 29, 2020)
  

    

• "Challenges to Informed Consent in the Arab Region" talk as part of the Informed Consent Integrity Webinar  Series  organized by the Global Foundation for Ethics, Governance, Evidence, Policy, and Practice (ge²p²) (May 19, 2020)
  

   

 

• The 15^th World Congress of Bioethics of the International Association of Bioethics hosted by the University of Pennsylvania (June 18-21, 2020)
  

    

• "Compassionate Use/Expanded Access: Lebanon/WHO EMR Perspectives" talk by Dr. Thalia Arawi as part of the Preparedness Planning for Clinical Research During Public Health Emergencies (PREP) webinar organized by the Good Clinical Practice Alliance (GCPA) in collaboration with the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) Center of the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University (July 2,2020)
  

              

            

• "Re-examining Research Ethics in Regions of Prolonged Conflicts" talk at the 12^th International Public Health & Bioethics Ambassador Conference, organized by Eubios Ethics Institute (December 11, 2020)
  

       

    

• Second committee virtual meeting to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine concerns (December 1, 2020)
  

• Third committee virtual meeting. (December 8, 2020)
  

• Fourth committee virtual meeting (December 9, 2020)
  

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• Fifth committee virtual meeting to discuss COVID-19 privacy and confidentiality concerns. (December 15, 2020)

      

WHO COVID-19 Working Group

As a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Ethics Working Group, Dr. Thalia Arawi contributed to the following international WHO events and the regional meetings and webinars of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional office (WHO-EMRO):

• Virtual meeting on “National Ethics Committees & Response to COVID-19" with WHO-EMRO (April 6, 2020)
  

• "COVID-19 Ethical Concerns in Refugee Camps and Areas of Protracted Conflict" talk by Dr. Thalia Arawi at the regional webinar on "Ethics and COVID-19: EMR Perspectives" by WHO-EMRO (April 29, 2020)
  

   

          

    

• "Compassionate Use/Expanded Access EMR Perspectives" talk by Dr. Thalia Arawi and Mr. David Curry as part of the WHO-EMRO regional webinar series (June 25, 2020)
  

        

 

• "The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program: Regional Impact and Ethics during COVID-19" talk by Dr. Arawi at the WHO-EMRO regional webinar on Ethics of COVID-19 Research in EMR: Governance, Regulations, Monitoring Mechanisms (July 7, 2020)
  

      

• The 13^th Global Summit of the National Bioethics Committees organized under the auspices of WHO and joined by the GS2020 Steering Committee (September 9-11, 2020)
  

In its continuous effort to foster and sustain new collaborative partnerships, and to expand the network of bioethics and professionalism in Lebanon and the region, Dr. Thalia Arawi took part in a number of meetings with prominent experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders in 2019, of which to highlight: 

• Meeting with HE Dr. Abdul Latif Al Hamad at the headquarters of the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development in Kuwait (March 2019)
  

---Meeting with the King Hussein Cancer Center collaborating team (March 2019)

· - Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region congratulates SHBPP Founding Director on a much needed and impressive dictionary. (March 2019)

-Meeting with Dr. Rabih El-Chammay from the MoPH on Mental Health Projects (April 2019)   

• SHBPP Founding Director’s meeting at the Minister of Health (July 2019)

• Ongoing successful collaboration with Dr. Asem Mansour, Dr. Maysa Al-Hussain from the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan and Dr. Thalia Arawi (August 3, 2019)
  

• Meeting with His Excellency Prime Minister Saad El-Hariri at Bayt el Wasat (August 2019)
  

• Meeting with Institute of Women Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University. (August 2019)
  

SHBPP PARTICIPATION

In addition to the activities it organized in 2019, Dr. Thalia Arawi and the SHBPP team participated in a number or local, regional, and international activities, which included:

·         Talk about “The Ethics of Mentoring" by Dr. Thalia Arawi in the Research Ethics and Authorship seminar at the Beirut Arab University (January 8, 2019).

·-    “The First Bioethics and Professionalism Program in the Arab Region" Grand Round by Dr. Thalia Arawi at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan (January 13, 2019)

Round Table discussion on Genetics in Mental Health with IDRACC, Saint George hospital, University of Balamand, and the Lebanese Psychiatric Association at the University of Balamand. (January 29, 2019)

·         KHCC-AUBMC-MDACC Joint Conference “Connecting through Research" in Amman, Jordan (March 22-23, 2019)

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• “Providing Primary Healthcare to the Underprivileged: Ethics in Practice" joint talk with Dr. Issam Shaarani at the Beirut Arab University (March 23, 2019)
  

• The Lancet Palestinian Health Alliance (LPHA) Tenth Annual Conference “Health of Palestinians" in Amman, Jordan (March 27-28, 2019) 
  

·       -  National Seminar on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology at the National Library in Beirut (April 5, 2019)

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     -The Arab International Women's Forum conference on “Women Leaders and Health" at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (April 16-17, 2019)

• “Clinical Ethics Advances Better Patient-Centered Care" Grand Round by Dr. Thalia Arawi at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan (June 17, 2019)
  

    

• The 7^th Annual Congress on Quality and Safety in Healthcare “Leading Sustainable Change" in Beirut, Lebanon (August 30-31, 2019). 
  

• Talk on “The Importance of Regulating Expanded Access and the Role of IRBs" by Dr. Thalia Arawi at the  11^th Annual Conference of the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMR) in Cairo, Egypt (September 17-19, 2019) 
  

• Talk on “Genetic Testing: Are we ready to open Pandora's Box?" by Dr. Thalia Arawi at the Second International Symposium on Sports Cardiology and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention (October 11-12, 2019)
  

• The Lancet-AUB Commission on Syria (October 18, 2019)
  

• Volunteer initiative initiated by faculty and staff from AUBMC and other healthcare institutions to provide needed Medical First Aid and Psychological First Aid to the public at the ongoing protests in Lebanon
  

• The Second Eastern Mediterranean/Arab States Regional Summit of National Ethics and Bioethics Committees, Cairo, Egypt (December 15-16, 2019)
  

      

The Lebanese National Consultative Committee on Ethics

Dr. Thalia Arawi participated in a meeting held by the Lebanese National Consultative Committee on Ethics on April 18, 2018.​

The AUB Stanford Women in Data Science Conference

Dr. Arawi was invited to attend and participate in the AUB Stanford Women in Data Science Conference “From Omics and Big Data to Clinical Practice” which took place on March 5, 2018. Dr. Arawi took part in the roundtable discussion “From Omics and Big Data to Clinical Practice” along with invited physicians and healthcare professionals

SHBPP at the Qatar Genome Program

The Qatar Genome Program (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation, hosted its second symposium on April 29-30, 2018 under the theme ‘Ethics, Regulations and Best Practices in Precision Medicine’. The symposium, which was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Research Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics, at the Qatar National Convention Centre, brought together industry experts, researchers, policy-makers, and academics from Qatar and around the world to discuss a range of topics relevant to the genomics field, including governance of national genomic projects, genomic data ownership and sharing, delivery of genomic data and its integration into the national health system, and bioethics. In addition to taking part in the symposium as a moderator, Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a talk entitled “Genomethics: The Loss of Genomic Innocence”.​

AAHCI 2018 Conference: “Transformation of Medical Education in the New Era: Humanism, Technology and the Physician of Tomorrow” 

SHBPP Founding Director was invited to take part in the AAHCI conference held on September 27- 29, 2018 under the title: “Transformation of Medical Education in the New Era: Humanism, Technology and the Physician of Tomorrow”, which brought together a number of prominent international, regional and local experts in medical education, medical humanities, technology, and development in the medical fields. Dr. Arawi moderated the third session of the conference which addressed Teaching the Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine with talks by guests Dr. Rita Charon, Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg, and Dr. Nancy Chedid. Dr. Arawi also gave a presentation at the concluding round table and open forum “Towards a symbiotic synthesis of humanism and technology in shaping the future of medicine”, in which she highlighted the advantages and the pitfalls of medical advances in the age of AI.

Child protection policy at International College 

Upon the request of the School Climate Unit at the International College, Ras Beirut, on October 12, 2018, Dr. Thalia Arawi headed a round table discussion with school administrators and teachers to discuss and elicit feedback on the draft of IC Child Protection Policy.

“Communication is about Connection” Workshop at MoPH 

SHBPP Founding Director was invited to participate in a workshop entitled “Communication is about connection” at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), which brought together representatives from local NGOs dealing with cancer patients.

Debate on Dying with Dignity 

As part of the Salon du livre francophone de Beyrouth, and upon the invitation of Mrs. Roula Azar Douglas, Dr. Thalia Arawi, in her capacity as SHBPP Founding Director and Clinical Ethics Consultant, took part in the round table discussion “Dying with Dignity: Reflections on the End of Life” (Mourir dans la dignité, réflexions sur la fin de vie) which took place on November 11, 2018 bringing together physicians, law, palliative care experts, and other healthcare professionals in an interactive and thought-provoking debate. ​

Thesis Defense: “The Physician Writer” 

​Dr. Thalia Arawi, along with Drs. Roseanne Khalaf, and Robert Myers, served as members of the committee of the thesis defense presentation of Miss Reem El Khalil entitled “The Physician Writer”. An English Literature graduate student in the English Department at AUB, Ms. El Khalil was interested in researching the medical humanities focusing on the “physician writer”. In her thesis, she explores how writing memoirs can be a therapeutic approach as well as a tool through which doctors can self-reflect and humanize their physical engagement with their patients.

 SHBPP Bioethics Immersion in New York

Founding Director Dr. Thalia Arawi and SHBPP researcher/MA-PhD candidate Mr. Zeid Founouni participated in SHBPP’s first of its kind Intensive Bioethics Immersion Module at New York University, Weill Cornell University, VHA National Center for Ethics in Health Care, and ge2p2. The SHBPP team attended a number of meeting with Dr. Arthur Caplan at the NYU Langone Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Fins at Weill Cornell Medical College NY, Dr. Kenneth A. Berkowits, Chief of Ethics Consultations at The Veteran Affairs Hospital, and Mrs. Marilyn Mitchell in addition to a round of the hospital’s Simulation Lab, Psychiatry Unit, ICU, and others​

Majlis Al-Shura in Muscat, Oman

SHBPP Founding Director was invited to the Majlis Al-Shura in Muscat, Oman on behalf of the World Health Organization, to discuss the need to revise the Patient Safety Law in Oman. The meeting took place on January 18, 2017.

The 10th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Society of Critical Care Medicine

SHBPP Founding Director was invited to participate in the 10th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Society of Critical Care Medicine, where she gave a talk about physicians and patients in critical care to a wide audience of physicians and healthcare professionals from all over Lebanon.

The Patients’ Rights and Duties pact in Muscat, Oman 

 SHBPP founding Director met with HE Minster of Health Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Obaid al-Sa’eedi in Oman, and was invited to participate on behalf of the WHO in the Ministry of Health conference discussing the Patients’ Rights and Duties Pact that was held in the Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman on March 16, 2017

The workshop of the Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs 

Founding Director of the SHBPP, was invited by the Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs (OMSWA) to participate in its workshop discussing the strategy of the ministry. The workshop took place at the Monroe Hotel, Beirut on April 28, 2017 and was attended by a number of academic professionals, experts, and NGO representatives from all over Lebanon.

“Constructing Peace. A Challenge for Christianity and Islam” at the Universidad de la Mistica in Avila, Spain 

Dr. Arawi from SHBPP was invited to participate in the conference “Constructing Peace. A Challenge for Christianity and Islam” at the Universidad de la Mistica in Avila, Spain. Dr. Arawi talked about the” Ethos of Morals and​ Duties” focusing on the necessity of being virtuous as a whole and not only in part and the importance of respecting the principle of ethics when dealing with humans in general and patients in particular regardless of their religious background, with highlights on the important role that spirituality can play in medicine

K2P Policy Dialogue “Improving the Prescribing Quality and Pattern of Pharmaceutical Drugs in Lebanon” 

 In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB) organized a national policy dialogue on Friday October 14, 2016, which aimed at Improving the Prescribing Quality and Pattern of Pharmaceutical Drugs in Lebanon. The dialogue was facilitated by head of the K2P Center, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, who pre-circulated the K2P Policy Brief to all attendees to enable a more scientific and systematic participation. Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to attend the event and take part in the deliberations

The Third Educational Symposium of Dar Al-Ajaza Al Islamia Hospital 

Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to take part in the Third Educational Symposium of Dar Al-Ajaza Al Islamia Hospital which was held at the Lancaster Plaza Hotel on October 1, 2016, which marks the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. Dr. Arawi was part of the panel at the third session that took place under the title “Living and dying in pain: it doesn’t have to happen”

The Annual Conference of the Lebanese Society on Family Medicine: Family Medicine in a Globalized World 

Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to participate in the Annual Conference of the Lebanese Society or Family Medicine, held for this year under the title of “Family Medicine in a Globalized World” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Beirut between September 30 and October 1, 2016. Dr. Arawi took part of a discussion panel addressing the issue of the commercialization of medicine along with Dr. Georges Kehdy and Dr. Salah Zeineddine.

“How to Report Bioethics?” Workshop, a UNESCO Initiative in Collaboration with New Health Concept

Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to participate in the UNESCO initiated workshop “How to Report Bioethics?”, which was held on June 20-22, 2016 at the Padova Hotel, Sin El Fil, in collaboration with New Health Concept (NHC), a Lebanese organization specialized in healthcare management and consulting. The three day workshop was attended by journalists, journalism students as well as healthcare professionals involved in bioethics.

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“Social and Ethical Aspects of Women’s Health Care Issues in Upper Egypt” Workshop by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology at Beni-Suef University, Egypt, in collaboration with UNESCO 

Dr. Thalia Arawi attended the conference “Social and Ethical Aspects of Women’s Health Care Issues in Upper Egypt”, which was held on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology at Beni-Suef University, Egypt by UNESCO in collaboration with SHBPP. Dr. Arawi gave a lecture entitled “Baby à la Carte” which was followed by Qs and As.

“Equity in Access to Quality Healthcare Service and Information” Conference at Al Azhar University by International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research

Dr. Thalia Arawi attended the conference “Equity in Access to Quality Health Care Service and Information” held by the International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research on Saturday April 9, 2016 at Al Azhar University, Egypt. Dr. Arawi gave a lecture entitled “The Abuse of the Scalpel” which was followed by Qs and As. 

The 1st Gulf Patient Rights Conference, Riyadh, KSA 

Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to speak at the First Gulf Patient Rights conference in Riyadh, KSA in February 2016. During the event more than 50 top national, regional, and international experts in healthcare, law, psychology, sociology, and management discussed issues related to patients’ rights. The three-day event was inaugurated by Deputy Health Minister, Hamad Al-Dowailia. Topics discussed included patient rights from the Islamic perspective, international and regional experiences, and the role of civil society organizations, health facilities, regulatory authorities and educational, professional, and legal institutions in promoting patient​

Knowledge-to-Policy (K2P) Center Policy Dialogue “Addressing Medical Errors in the Lebanese Healthcare System”

The Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut produced a policy brief showcasing the size of the problem of medical errors in Lebanon and shedding light on issues of cause and accountability. The center organized on February 5, 2016 a policy dialogue entitled “Addressing Medical Errors in the Lebanese Healthcare System” in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health to reach a comprehensive, evidence-based mutual understanding leading to real improvement in patient safety practices. The dialogue was facilitated by head of the K2P Center, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, who pre-circulated the K2P Policy Brief to all attendees to enable a more scientific and systematic participation. Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to attend the event and take part in the discussions

The Cambridge Bioethics Education Network Istanbul Conference and Meeting, Istanbul

Dr. Thalia Arawi attended the Cambridge Bioethics Education Network Istanbul Conference and Meeting held in Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey on January 21-22, 2016. She served as a moderator and a speaker at the conference and presented her talk under the title “A View from Within- For Better Patient Centered Care”, which was followed by Qs and As. In addition to visiting the simulation center during her visit, Dr. Arawi also participated in a round at the Acibadem University medical school