Beirut Blast Emergency Donation Drive
In the wake of the August 4th Beirut Port Blast and the ensuing catastrophe that struck Lebanon, SHBPP
initiated an emergency donation drive in collaboration with the Hoss Foundation for Humanism. The donations
were allocated to the distribution of food, to partially subsidize hospital bills of victims, and to cover basic
reconstruction bills.
“She - هي “art exhibition (April 4, 2018)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program held its first art exhibition “She - هي “commemorating
International Women’s Day in collaboration with the artist Mr. Fadi Alouwayed in the presence of his Excellency the
Lebanese Minister of State for Women’s Affairs Mr. Jean Oguasabian, Ms. Lina Daghlawi Moukarzel, president of
the Council of Arab Women, and the press. Proceeds from the paintings went to support the SHBPP.
SHBPP’s 1st Calligraphy workshop
In an effort to endorse and support initiatives that embrace unique regional heritage for a worthy cause , the SHBPP
held its first fundraising calligraphy workshop from May 2 – 14, 2018, in collaboration with the artist Fadi Alouwayed
receiving amazing feedback from the participants. The proceeds of the workshop went to support the SHBPP.
Community Service and Learning to Care: SHBPP and SANAD join forces!
Students at AUB FM learn the importance of becoming healers as opposed to healthcare practitioners and
skilled technicians. To that effect, The SHBPP has introduced the Physicians, Patients and Society courses which
aim at helping students appreciate medicine as an art and not only a science; they learn that humanism and
empathy are part and parcel of being a doctor.
To bridge the gap between theory and practice even further, the SHBPP and The Home Hospice Organization
of Lebanon (SANAD) have collaborated on a pilot project to provide an opportunity for second year Medical
Students at the AUB FM to volunteer with SANAD in meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs
of individuals and families living with a life-threatening illness through working with terminally ill patients and
their families at their homes, under the full supervision of SANAD’s medical team.
Medical students were offered an opportunity to appreciate and see first-hand the psycho-social dimension
of illness. In addition, this experience allowed medical students to gain hands-on experience in volunteerism.
It sensitized and equipped them with the skills needed when working with patients and their families.
Patients
suffer, but so do their families: a perspective often ignored in medical schools, but now appreciated by Med I,
Med II, and Med III volunteers.
Reflecting on what was felt as a ‘unique experience” a Med I student noted the important message learnt from
this encounter, “Life is not a matter of quantity but quality.” Med II student Sarah Chamseddine remarked on how
the experience gave her added insight on the perceived value of healers in the community, stating, “It is astonishing
how little our society includes the caregiver in the treatment of the disease. Sometimes all it takes is acknowledging
their selfless work.” Another student Rozana El Eid, described a touching and eye-opening moment she experienced
at the end of her encounter, “When I was leaving the patient’s house after our visit, her daughter pulled my hand
gently and asked if I could come again soon. In her eyes, I could see the impact that a caring interaction could
make.” SANAD’s President, Mrs. Lubna Izziddin, thanked SHBPP “for initiating this important volunteer program”.
According to her, “It was inspiring to witness the students’ interest in palliative and hospice care and their drive to
offer support to patients and their families in the most difficult times of their lives.”
Working with the students were a team of nurses and a Palliative Care specialist, Dr. Salam Jalloul. Dr. Jalloul
remarked, “For the new generation of medical students, it is very important to be acquainted with the holistic
approach to patient care emphasizing on the humane aspect of the relationship with both patients and their
families. Volunteers learn that it is not just about curing patients, but it is also equally important to preserve the
patients’ dignity and enhance the quality of end of life care. As future doctors, medical students were able to
learn, through this experience that palliative and hospice care is also provided to family members and caregivers
giving them a chance to play an active role in caring for and supporting their loved ones in the comfort of their
own home.”
