Medical Center Ethics Committee
The Medical Center Ethics Committee (MCEC) at AUBMC resumed its monthly meetings online led by Dr. Mahmoud
Choucair (Chair) and Dr. Thalia Arawi (Co-Chair). Several issues were discussed including transplants for unvaccinated
patients, rules and regulation on working with transgender patients and other arising ethical dilemmas. (2022)
VP and Dean of FM Dr. Raymond Sawaya office visit
SHBPP welcomed the VP and Dean of FM Dr.
Raymond Sawaya to their office to discuss the
mission and work of the program. (January 27, 2022)
Book release and launching events:
• Towards A Post-Flexnerian Revolution: Graduating the Virtuous Physician
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) at the American University of Beirut (AUB)
hosted the book launch of its founding director Dr. Thalia Arawi under the title “Towards A Post-Flexnerian
Revolution: Graduating the Virtuous Physician” on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 in the Issam Fares Hall at the
American University of Beirut in attendance of His Excellency the Minister of Public Health Dr. Firass Abiad,
medical professionals, physicians, educators, residents, and students. The book, which presents a “much-needed
reminder that the medical profession is intrinsically a moral venture, calls on the broader medical community to
recognize and remedy flaws in the moral education of its medical school graduates”. Using case studies from
the US and Lebanon, Dr. Arawi “proposes a way forward to shape the medical education curriculum in order
to better ensure that medical schools are graduating virtuous physicians whose interpersonal and ethical skills
are as strong as their other medical skills”. To mark the occasion of the book launch, a number of distinguished
guest speakers, who have had notable contributions to the teaching and practice of ethics and humanism in
medicine locally and internationally, were invited to share their thoughts and reflections on the book’s message.
• 77 Days with Rumi
Dr. Thalia Arawi’s book launch of “77 days with Rumi” took place on November 28, 2022 in Barzakh Cultural
Center and Coffee shop. The launch was attended by family, friends and colleagues from AUBMC. 
The SHBPP Ghassan Abu-Sittah Medical Humanism and Bioethics Library
The library has received several generous donations from a number of universities including Dalhousie University,
Calgary University, and New York University. The library offers a safe space for students to work and provides
a wide selection of references for researching ethics topics, as well as a space for meetings with students, and
collaborating members of the AUB community.
Medical Center Ethics Committee
The Medical Center Ethics Committee (MCEC) at AUBMC resumed its monthly meetings online led by Dr.
Mahmoud Choucair (Chair) and Dr. Thalia Arawi (Co-Chair).(2021)
• A talk by SHBPP about the role of the Medical Humanism Fund and how SHBPP is helping patients have access
to medication and treatment. (April 28, 2021)
• A talk by Dr. Arawi at the Medical Center Ethics Committee “ COVID-19 Patients at the AUBMC: Medicine, Ethics,
and Humanism: Reflections from the trenches (January 19, 2021)
• A talk about SHBPP’s role in the AUBMC Medical Center of Ethics Committee- How to deal with medication
shortage. (November 15, 2021)
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- SHBPP Social Media
SHBPP launched its own YouTube channel which includes around 95 videos of various talks, events, student projects and social media campaigns arranged in a series of playlists available for the public. (June 24, 2021)
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SHBPP's 10-year Anniversary (2020)
The year 2020 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program since its establishment in April 2010. To commemorate this occasion and to celebrate these 10 years of unwavering commitment to bioethics, medical humanism patient-centered care and humanitarian medicine in Lebanon and the region, SHBPP received and shared the testimonies of a number of patients, patient family members, colleagues, and national, regional and international collaborators who have worked with SHBPP over the years. SHBPP is thankful and honored to have been able to garner such fruitful partnerships and positive feedback and hopes to continue its mission of championing bioethics and professionalism issues regionally and internationally through continuous outreach and collaboration with its expanding network.
Dr. Arthur Caplan, Bioethicist at NYU Langone Health Medical School, New York, USA
|  Mr David Curry, President and CEO, GE2P2 Foundation
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 Dr. Haavi Morreim, Professor of Human Values and Ethics at the University of Tennessee, USA
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 Dr. Abdullah Hattab, Professor of Public Health at Aden University, Yemen
|  Dr. Ameen Kashmeery Emeritus Professor of Physiology, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
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Dr. Hany Sleem, Chairman of the Dermatology and Andrology
Department in the National Hepatology and
Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMR)
and Coordinator of the Egyptian Network of National
Ethics Committees (ENREC), Cairo, Egypt
|
Dr. Maysa Al-Hussaini, MD, FRCPath, CIP
Chair, Institutional Review Board at the King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
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Dr. Myrna A. Doumit, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, President of the Lebanese Order of Nurses, Beirut, Lebanon
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Maître Fadi Moghaizel, Attorney at Law, AUB Counsel, Beirut, Lebanon
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Ms. Roula Azar Douglas, Journalist, Writer, University Instructor and Women's Rights Activitst, Lebanon
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Dr. Saleem Kiblawy, MD, Consultant, Joint Commission International
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Dr. Lama Charafeddine, MD, FAAP, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon
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Dr. Marianne Majdalani, MD, Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon
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Dr. Ghassan S. Abu-Sitteh, MBchB, FRCS (Plast), Assistant Professor of Surgery, AUBMC, Co-Director of Conflict Medicine Program at the Global Health Institute, AUB, Beirut, Lebanon,
| 
Hanadi Massalkhi, BSN, MSN, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Nursing Policy Coordinator, Clinical Instructor of Nursing, AUBMC
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Dr. Rana Yamout, MD, Instructor of Clinical Specialty in Anesthesia, Pain and Palliative Care, Department of Anesthesiology, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon
| 
Dr. Jean El-Cheikh, MD, Associate Professor in the Hematology-Oncology Department and Bone Transplantation Unit of the Naif Bassile Cancer Institute, AUBMC, Bierut, Lebanon
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Dr. Nagi Souaiby, MD, Forensic Medicine, ED Director at the University of Notre Dame, Lebanon
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Dr. Fatme Charafeddine, Pediatric Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Clinical Associate in the Department of Pediatrics and Adolscent Medicine, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon
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Firas Kreidieh, MD, Fellow in Internal Medicine, AUBMC
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Mrs. Baheera Abbas, Family Member of Patient who received a Clinical Ethics Consultation from SHBPP
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Dr. Fawaz Saleh, Faculty of Law, University of Damascus, Syria
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Mr. Ahmad Hammoud, Parent of Patient who received a Clinical Ethics Consultation from SHBPP
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Ms. Mireille Tavitian, Former Patient who received a Clinical Ethics Consultation from SHBPP
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Mr. Charif Kaiss, Cancer Survivor, Patient Advocate and Activist in Humane Medicine
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Medical Center Ethics Committee
The Medical Center Ethics Committee (MCEC) at AUBMC resumed its monthly meetings online led by Dr. Mahmoud Choucair (Chair) and Dr. Thalia Arawi (Co-Chair) to discuss the clinical ethics cases presenting at the medical center and various current ethical issues. (May 13, 2020)
Hope: SHBPP's New Musical Composition
Hope is a musical composition was created and performed by Dr. Faysal Tabbara, PGY-II Resident at AUBMC, in light of the strife brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unforeseen crises Lebanon and the rest of the world are witnessing. And yet, amidst these tribulations, SHBPP and Dr. Tabbara dedicate this musical piece to light a spark of hope which may inspire a spirit of togetherness and responsibility to overcome our shared fragility. To endure, we must continue to seek comfort in the stories of solidarity and find hope in the dedicated and selfless people working across various sectors to make our communities safer and more resilient.
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Tabbara for creating this touching composition and dedicating it to SHBPP. We are honored to share it as a beautiful depiction of our core values and mission.
The third BEAM event at AUBMC
The third BEAM event at AUBMC took place on January 21, 2019 with the movie screening of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, followed by a discussion with Dr. Brigitte Khoury (Department of Psychiatry) and Dr. Sarah El Halabi (SHBPP Bioethics Post Doc Fellow) on the theme of mental health and sexual assualt. This event was attended by medical students (1-4), residents, and friends.
Bioethics Education And the Media (BEAM) is a student lead initiative in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program. BEAM's main goal is to integrate bioethics into the medical mindset in a fun and innovative manner by screening movies containing diverse bioethics dilemmas and issues, which are followed by a short panel discussion. These discussions involve specialists, patients, and caregivers.
PopTalk 5.0 “FRIENDS: The One Where They Went to Med-School"
The PopTalk team at the AUBFM, under the patronage of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, organized the fifth PopTalk event under the title " FRIENDS: The One Where They Went to Med-School " on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. The event hosted two speakers: Dr. Walid Faraj and Dr. Abdallah Rbeiz. Both colleagues and long-time friends, the two physicians shared their personal stories of their journey from university to medical practice. They stressed that dedication, work-ethic, integrity, trust and hard work are the fundamentals of success in the medical field, but also highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and good relationships.
Mind Matters Campaign
In an effort to raise awareness to mental health issues and the ethical aspects of mental healthcare, SHBPP spearheaded the Mind Matters initiative, an 8-week online campaign that engaged students, faculty and staff with varying works of art, movies and quotes about mental health. The campaign culminated with a live games event on April 10, 2019 where the SHBPP and the SCOPH LEMSIC teams engaged residents, interns, medical students and AUBMC faculty and staff with interesting questions about mental health culminating with various prizes for the winning participants.
SHBPP-MoPH (Ministry of Public Health) Internship Program
At the start of 2019, SHBPP launched its first SHBPP-MoPH (Ministry of Public Health) internship program with
medical student Dana Naamani as the first intern. With the collaboration of Dr. Rasha Hamra, Director of Public
Relations & Health Education Departments, and Manager of Lebanon Clinical Trials Registry at the Ministry of Public
Health, Dana set on to work on laying the ground work for establishing a national policy for expanded access and
compassionate use in Lebanon. Her project would serve as the foundation for the later development with the
additional collaboration of the ge2p2 foundation. Proud of your work Dana!
Medical
Center Ethics Committee: Updates on Organ transplants
SHBPP
Founding Director discussed updates on
ethical clearance of organ transplant cases at AUBMC during the periodic
meeting of the Medical Center Ethics Committee held on April 16, 2019
New Residents' orientation at AUBMC
SHBPP Founding Director introduced SHBPP to new medical resident joining AUBMC in the New Residents' Orientation session for the year 2019-2020 held on June 10, 2019. The talk also included an interactive discussion with the new residents regarding their knowledge and experiences of ethics in the clinical setting as well as their expectations. The residents also engaged an exercise, in which they were asked to write a letter to their future selves regarding their aspirations and dedication to empathy and professionalism in providing patient-centered care; these letters would be returned to them upon the completion of their residency training. Lapel pins embossed with the Latin statement Respice Finem, which means “consider the end", were distributed to all to serve as a reminder that in the end what matters is the impact we leave behind.
SHBPP's Inter-professional Collaborations: Bioethics in the OR
In June 2019, Dr. Thalia Arawi, SHBPP Founding Director, attended surgeries with colleagues from the Department of Surgery for an in-depth exploration of bioethics in the Operating Room (OR). Big thanks to Drs. Faek Jamali, Samer Doughan, Ghassan Abu-Sitteh, and Salim Rahhal for making this happen!
Visiting NYU Fullbright Post-graduate Scholar at SHBPP
As a vising Postgraduate Scholar, and to complete his practicum for his Master's degree in Bioethics at New York University, Mr. Jamie D. Webb visited SHBPP over two week in July 2019. He worked with the SHBPP team on the topic of medical news reporting and ethical infarctions in the Lebanese media, which will eventually culminate in a publication. Jamie presented his findings to invited colleagues from AUBFM, the Knowledge to Policy Program at AUB, as well as external media professionals under the title of “Medical Malpractice and the Lebanese Media".
SHBPP-GE2P2 Collaboration and Memorandum of Understanding
SHBPP invited Mr. David R Curry, President and CEO of the Governance, Ethics, Evidence, Policy, and Practice (GE2P2) Global Foundation, for a visit between July 22 until July 27, 2019 as part of the ongoing collaboration between SHBPP and the GE2P2. During his visit, Mr. Curry provided the GE2P2's analyses and recommendations on the draft proposal to establish an expanded access/compassionate use program to the MoPH of Lebanon, which had been previously prepared through the SHBPP-MoPH volunteer initiative. Accordingly, a series of meetings were held at the MOPH and SHBPP with the various stakeholders, including the Director General of MoPH, physicians, pharma representative, and the technical committee of the MoPH, to discuss the current practices and procedures and to recommend the needed changes in policies and legislation for expanded access and compassionate use in Lebanon.
The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SHBPP, represented by Dr. Thalia Arawi, the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), represented by Dr. Imad Sadek, Deputy Medical Center Director for Operation at AUBMC and Managing Director of External Medical Affairs in the Office of the EVP for Medical Affairs, and the GE2P2 Global Foundation (GE2P2), represented by Dr. David Curry, to facilitate cooperation in a range of activities anchored in bioethics including expanded access policy and regulatory structures for Lebanon and in the larger EMRO Region, as well as informed consent in expanded access and research generally, with a special focus on countries of the region.
On the occasion of World Medical Ethics Day, commemorated on September 18th, SHBPP organized a number of interactive games for medical students, residents, and staff addressing various topics related to medical ethics at each of the four stations. Winners entered a draw for several delightful prizes. A special thanks to the help and support of our dedicated medical students who volunteered to make this activity a success!
Med 2 Students rotate in the ICU (surgical and medicine) as well as RCU as part of their clinical ethics course.
PPS2 Med II Clinical Ethics at the Cemetery. For the first time in the world, bioethics is being taught at the cemetery.
"Physicians Patients and Society " (PPS) 1&2 courses' orientation for Med 1&2 students. Looking forward for the new year!
Congratulations! MAGNET recertification.
Congratulations to the graduates of the 4th Disclosure of Error Course held between SHBPP and KHCC.
Mr. David Curry, Mr. Imad Sadek, and Dr. Thalia Arawi Sign an MOU between ge2p2 global and Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program - AUBFM & AUBMC.
MAGNET accreditation: Great Ethics Team!
SHBPP proudly annouces the first SHBPP-MOH (Ministry of Public Health) internship program with medical student Dana Naamani as the first intern to complete the program. (2019)
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Congratulations to SHBPP researchers :" Pivotal role of clinical ethics consults in critical clinical decision making the neonatal intensive care unit within an Arab Culture" has been accepted for publication in Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
Thalia Arawi
| Khalid Yunis
| Farah Lakkis
| Zeid N. Founouni
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The campaign will be open very soon. Stay tuned to make a difference.
Join us and make this happen. The Ghassan Abu-Sitteh Humane Medicine Library which will feature talks by Dr. Abu-Sitteh, Workshops, books, references, etc. It is public and free for all in the hope of graduating more humane physicians concerned about humane patient-centered care.
The first meeting of the Medical Center Ethics Committee for the year 2019 with Dr. Thalia Arawi as Chairperson and Dr. Mahmoud Choucair as Co-Chair. (February 2019)
SHBPP celebrates AUBMC’s commitment to Humane Medicine
On January 30, 2018, SHBPP celebrated AUBMC’s commitment to Humane Medicine and the official release of
the M=EC2
equation denoting that “Medicine is about Empathy, Caring and Curing”. The event featured a number
of guest speakers, a short video marking the birth of Risho and Risha, and a musical performance (entitled
Compassio Veraque) that was invented specifically for this event and played with an orchestra and accompanying
choreographed piece by the IC Middle School Performing Arts Club -Ras Beirut. The dance portrayed a patient
struggling with her fear during her clinical encounter with her physician. The aim was to demonstrate the need
for humane medical practice and its impact on patient care. The performance was followed by a live testimony
of a patient suffering from GBM. The president and the Dean were presented with the AUBMC Humane Medicine
flag by the Founding Director of the SHBPP.
Prior to the event, LeMSIC volunteers set up interactive booths outside SML and in front of AUBMC entrance. They
introduced the concept of Humane Medicine to medical students, residents, physicians, nurses, and AUBMC staff
and engaged them in interactive activities about ethics and humanism in medical practice! Thank you Lebanese
Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC), Jawad Barbar, Edwyn Assaf, Farah Yassine, Sally Sammak,
Zahraa Atoui, & Clara M. Nakib!
In addition, the Medical Humanism Fund volunteers also held a bake sale on the same day at AUBMC main lobby
which included tasty cakes and hot drinks from Café Younes from which proceeds went to support needy patients.
The first English-Arabic Bioethics dictionary by Dr. Rouhi Baalbaki and Dr. Thalia Arawi (December 30, 2018)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) collaborated with Dr. Rouhi Baalbaki and Dar El-Ilm Lil Malayin, one of the leading and distinguished publishers in the region, in a pioneering initiative to develop and publish a dictionary of bioethics terms in Arabic. With the increasing recognition of the importance of Bioethics in healthcare, research and medical education in the Arab region, this dictionary will serve to fulfill the growing demand for a comprehensive reference to unify the bioethics language in Arabic and to create new terms that are missing in the Arabic lexicon. This dictionary, which will be available for purchase at the Beirut International Arab Book Fair starting December 30, 2018, will facilitate future publications, discussions, and symposia on bioethics and will contribute to the development of the field in the Arab region.
SHBPP's 1st Calligraphy workshop (May 2 - 14, 2018)
Calligraphy, the window to culture. In the aim of tracing it all back to the golden age, the SHBPP held its first fundraising calligraphy workshop in collaboration with the artist Fadi Alouwayed with amazing feedback from the participants. The proceeds of the workshop went to support the SHBPP.
SHBPP at the Qatar Genome Programme (April 29-30 2018)
The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation, hosted its second symposium under the theme 'Ethics, Regulations and Best Practices in Genomic 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.
The QGP symposium is bringing 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.
SHBPP announced its first Bioethics Postdoctoral Research Fellow (April 20, 2018)
The SHBPP is pleased to share that Miss Sarah El Halabi (Med IV) has been accepted as the first Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SHBPP. This marks yet another changing point in history!
SHBPP moved into its new offices in the AUBMC Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center
• Ms. Sara Abou Fakher joins SHBPP as Research Assistant.
Ms. Sara Abou Fakher received her Master of Public Health in International Public Health from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. She has previous experience as a public health coordinator in a Lebanese NGO and a research assistant at AUB.
• Mr. Jad El Khoury who spent three weeks with us at SHBPP moves on with his medical studies. It was great having Jad with us and we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.
Dr. Thalia Arawi and Dr. Laila Dirani gave a session on "Media, Ethics, and Mental Health" as part of the Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) ( April 19, 2018)
Dr. Thalia Arawi participated in a meeting held by the Lebanese National Consultative Committee on Ethics. (April 18, 2018)
Honoring of SHBPP mentor HE Dr. Salim El-Hoss
The Arab Center for the Development of the Rule of Law
and Integrity honored H.E former Prime Minister Dr. Salim
El-Hoss as “Person of the Year 2018” within its initiative in the
Arab countries “Rule of Law and Good Governance”. Dr.
El-Hoss, who is known as the “Conscience of the Arabs”, is a
role model and example in ethicality, virtues, dedication, and
professionalism. SHBPP is honored to have the program named
after such an exemplary and influential figure.
SHBPP's third annual newsletter (April 2018)The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program is pleased to share the third issue of its annual newsletter in both English and Arabic languages.
"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 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.
"Contemporary Issues in Bioethics Series" (April 4, 2018)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program proudly presents the "Contemporary Issues in Bioethics Series" which is the product of third-year medical students' work as part of their Biomedical Ethics Course.
The PopTalk held its 3rd Poptalk event "وهلأ لوين؟" (March 26, 2018)The PopTalk team at the AUBFM, under the patronage of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, organized the fourth PopTalk event under the title "وهلأ لوين؟" on Monday, March 26, 2018. The event hosted two speakers: Dr. Mohammad Ali Rida (Rheumatology fellow at AUBMC) and Dr. Faek Jamali (Surgical oncology physician at AUBMC). Both speakers shared personal experiences of their medical practice at AUBMC and abroad. They also presented to the audience the reasons behind their decision to stay in Lebanon and pursue their career instead of leaving Lebanon to continue abroad!
The second BEAM event at AUBMC
The second BEAM event at AUBMC took place on October 17, 2018 with the movie screening of Shutter Island, followed by a discussion with Dr. Joseph El Khoury and Dr. Thalia Arawi. This event was attended by medical students (1-4), residents, and friends. Bioethics Education And the Media (BEAM) is a student lead initiative in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program. BEAM's main goal is to integrate bioethics into the medical mindset in a fun and innovative manner by screening movies containing diverse bioethics dilemmas and issues, which are followed by a short panel discussion. These discussions involve specialists, patients, and caregivers.
AUB university seniors talk
SHBPP Founding Director was invited to give a talk at the AUB University for seniors under the title “Beauty and the Tempting Scalpel" on November 12, 2018 which received positive feedback from attendees who described the session as “distinguished…very informative and engaging".
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Announcing “شفاء“: GBM Support Group
The SHBPP announced the establishment of the first of its kind support group for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in the Arab world on February 20, 2018. The initiative was spearheaded by the late Mr. Shadi Sharif, who was determined and dedicated to fulfill this project before his passing. SHBPP had the great honor to collaborate with Mr. Sharif, a friend and leader, to help make a difference in the lives of many.
SHBPP collaboration with Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah
SHBPP is working on a soon-to-be-revealed unique project commemorating the commitment to humane
medicine in collaboration with AUBMC’s renowned humane surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah with the support of
the Office of Advancement at AUB and the Department of Communications and Public Relations at AUBMC.
SHBPP held its 2nd Forum Theatre "كنت ناطرة الحكيم بس" (January 30, 2018)
The SHBPP held its 2nd Forum Theater كنت ناطرة الحكيم بس on January 30, 2018, which portrayed the case of a leukemia patient receiving the news of her diagnosis from her physician! The spectators turned into Spec-Actors and made a big difference in the course of events.
Mr. Charif Kaiss presented with the Humane Medicine pin Dr. Thalia Arawi presented Mr. Charif Kaiss with SHBPP's Humane Medicine pin embossed with the M=EC2 equation. Mr. Charif is an official SHBPP Medical Humanism Volunteer whose work is making a big difference in the lives of patients. Congratulations Mr. Charif Kaiss.
SHBPP team meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg
The SHBPP team met with Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg (Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Research Institute, and Director of the Cambridge Health Alliance Center for Professional Development), during her visit to AUBFM along with Dr. Kamal Badr, to discuss the upcoming workshop on the hidden curriculum as well as to discuss the initiatives set forth by SHBPP addressing the hidden curriculum. They also explored future opportunities for collaboration between Dr. Gaufberg and the program. The SHBPP team later enjoyed a delightful evening over dinner with Dr. Gaufberg along with the PPS faculty members.
Medical Ethics Debate (MeDic)
On the occasion of World Medical Ethics Day, which falls on September 18th, the SHBPP held its first Medical Ethics Debate (MeDic) in the Issam Fares Hall for medical students, residents, and attending physicians. Dr. Suha Kanj Sharara, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases, was invited to moderate the session, whereby she presented the two teams of med 1 students with a case followed by a series of questions to address its various ethical dilemmas and complexities. Audience members were also invited to join the discussions, which contributed to a very rich and fruitful debate.
“Media, Ethics, and Mental Health”
As part of the 49th the Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA): Mental Health Across the Lifespan, Dr. Thalia
Arawi and Dr. Laila Dirani gave a talk “Media, Ethics, and Mental Health” on April 19, 2018 which was attended by
healthcare professionals including nurses, physicians, residents, and mental health experts.
SHBPP meeting with HE Dr. Salim El-Hoss
SHBPP Founding Director met with his Excellency Dr. Salim El-Hoss on Monday April 9, 2018 to update him on the
accomplishments and initiatives of the program. Dr. Hoss congratulated her on the difference SHBPP is making
with bioethics in Lebanon and the region and looks forward to seeing the program become a center
.The ACC Hospital Art Committee at SHBPP
SHBPP welcomed the ACC Hospital Art Committee in the library of their new offices in the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center (Daniel ACC).
Medical Center Ethics Committee meeting at SHBPP
SHBPP hosted the periodic meeting of the Medical Center Ethics Committee in their new offices for the first time on October 16, 2018.
SHBPP celebrates AUBMC’s commitment to Humane Medicine
On January 30, 2018, SHBPP celebrated AUBMC’s commitment to Humane Medicine and the official release of the M=EC2 equation denoting that "Medicine is about Empathy, Caring and Curing". The event featured a number of guest speakers, a short video marking the birth of Risho and Risha, and a musical performance (entitled Compassion Veraque) that was invented specifically for this event and played with an orchestra and accompanying choreographed piece by the IC Middle School Performing Arts Club -Ras Beirut. The dance portrayed a patient struggling with her fear during her clinical encounter with her physician. The aim was to demonstrate the need for humane medical practice and its impact on patient care. The performance was followed by a live testimony of a patient suffering from GBM. The president and the Dean were presented with the AUBMC Humane Medicine flag by the Founding Director of the SHBPP. Prior to the event, LeMSIC volunteers set up interactive booths outside SML and in front of AUBMC entrance. They introduced the concept of Humane Medicine to medical students, residents, physicians, nurses, and AUBMC staff and engaged them in interactive activities about ethics and humanism in medical practice! The Medical Humanism Fund volunteers also held a bake sale on the same day at AUBMC main lobby which included tasty cakes and hot drinks from Café Younes from which proceeds went to support needy patients.
An Evening of Genuine Musical Enchantment with Inveterate Artist Mustafa Hilal (November 30, 2017)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program organized its first concert inviting members of the community to a night of genuine musical enchantment with inveterate artist Mr. Mustafa Hilal, who captivated the audiences with his performance of timeless tarab, folklore, and oriental songs. Proceeds from the concert went to support the SHBPP.
"Ethos of Morals and Duties" - Avila, Spain (November 19-21, 2017)
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, 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.
The SHBPP launched #Fawanees (October 19, 2017)
#Fawanees aims at taking people on a journey and allowing them to see the accomplishments of Arab scientists and scholars that have left an impact on our modern lives.
The SHBPP launches #HumanismMatters
Humanism and professionalism are essential principles that are included in both the mission of AUB and core
values of AUBMC. It is widely accepted that the hidden curriculum plays a significant role in nurturing these
values in both the academic and professional setting. It is in this spirit that SHBPP launched the “Humanism
Matters” online campaign highlighting humanism, care, humility, role modeling, etc. relevant to the AUB
community. We hope that sharing these weekly posts in the form of memorable quotes reflecting exemplary
values and actions will leave an enlightening and lasting impact on all of us.
The SHBPP at AUBMC invited Dr. Rasha Hamra to give a lecture entitled “Lebanese Code of Ethics for Drug Promotion" to members of the Medical Center Ethics Committee (16 October 2017)
Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a talk on the "Not so Hidden Curriculum" (September 28, 2017)
In the last meeting of the PRIME committee, Dr. Arawi discussed the "not so hidden curriculum" in a presentation focusing on the importance of role models in the medical curriculum in addition to their influence on medical students' and residents' behaviors.
Lecture on the "The Healing Symphony" (September 27, 2017)
Dr. Thalia Arawi gave an interactive talk on ethics in family medicine under the title "The Healing Symphony" as part of the AUBMC's Family Medicine Departmental town meetings. The talk took place on Wednesday, the 27th of September, 2017. The talk was attended by residents and physicians.
The AUBMC - SHBPP Medical Humanism Fund new Face Book Page
The student champions of the AUBMC-SHBPP Medical Humanism Fund, in an effort to raise awareness about
the fund and promote its accomplishments, created a Facebook page for the Medical Humanism Fund, to
serve as a platform reaching a wider audience to share the activities and announcements that they will be
undertaking starting 2017.
AUBMC-SHBPP Medical Humanism Fund is dedicated to help needy patients who present at the American
University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. This fund is a
voluntary fund from students, residents, attending physicians and others to their fellow human beings who
need medical care.
We ask all our supporters to kindly like this page!
SHBPP recognized at the International Volunteer’s Day
SHBPP and the volunteers of the Medical Humanism Fund were invited to celebrate AUBMC’s “UN International
Volunteer Day”. The efforts and contributions of the team were recognized along with the many devoted volunteers at the institution, and they were presented with a special trophy in that honor.
AUBFM students, global ambassadors of SHBPP
Between December 1 and 9, 2017, Weill-Cornell Medicine Qatar (WCM-Q) hosted an exchange program
and invited five universities from Pakistan, India, Oman, Palestine, and Lebanon. The aim of the event was to
provide an interactive forum/platform to students from WCM-Q and other medical schools to learn about
medical school education and curricula; population health; and clinical aspects of commonly occurring health
problems in a variety of diverse situations.
As part of this event, AUB medical student Mr. Mohamad Ali Cheaito presented what is happening at AUBFM
and shed light on the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program as the first bioethics program in the
region. From AUB, the event was attended by Miss Farah Al-Sayed (Med 4 student), Mr. Mohammad Ali Cheaito
(Med 4 student) and Dr. Zakia Dimassi.
SHBPP meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister
On March 10, 2017, SHBPP Founding Director, Dr. Thalia
Arawi, met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and discussed the
future of bioethics in Lebanon.
3rd Forest event: A Medical Team's Unforgettable Care (September 20, 2017)
On Wednesday, September 22, 2017, the third “Epocsohtets!" (aka Frost) was held with Mr. and Mrs. Hammoud as the invited speakers. Mr. and Mrs. Hammoud, parents of late Ibrahim Hammoud and their daughter Fatima Hammoud, shared their positive and negative personal experiences with the medical team at AUBMC. They also addressed their audience of physicians, medical students, as well as family and friends about the importance of empathy and support in medical practice, and explained how being there for the patient and his/her family members as humane healthcare practitioners makes a difference.
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program releases a video on the occasion of the Global Medical Ethics Day (September 18, 2017)
Dr. Arawi discussed Medical ethics in Lebanon during her interview with Mrs. Angelique Mons on Radio Liban (August 14, 2017)
The SHBPP at AUBFM-MC is now officially a Network Affiliate of the International Academy of Medical Ethics and Public Health. Congratulations to all of us!!
- The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Programme at AUBFM-MC is now officially a Network Affiliate of the International Academy of Medical Ethics and Public Health, founded this September in Paris. This Academy is headquartered at the Université René Descartes (Sorbonne Paris Cité). The network has 120 affiliated centers from different countries and renowned universities (McGill, Yale, Sorbonne, Oxford, Vanderbilt, Bristol, etc.). SHBPP is the first and only Network Affiliate from the Middle East.
Interview with "Academic Foresights" on "Medical Ethics in the Arab Region"
- Dr. Thalia Arawi discussed “Medical Ethics in the Arab Region" in her interview with the online journal “Academic Foresight". Dr. Arawi highlighted the current situation of medical ethics in the Arab region, medical ethic's evolution over the next five years, and the structural long term perspectives of medical ethics in the Arab countries. Read the interview in full: Medical Ethics
SHBPP's second annual newsletter (May 2017)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program is pleased to share with you the second issue of its annual newsletter in both English and Arabic languages.
SHBPP at the workshop of the Office of the Minister of State for Women's Affairs (April 28, 2017)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, 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.
First Forum Theater: " منحكي ولا ما منحكي؟" (April 25, 2017)
A superb Interactive Theatre session where spectators turned into Spec-Actors and made a big difference in the course of events. A big thank you to the wonderful AUB Theatre Initiative team led by Dr. Sahar Assaf and Mrs.Nazha Harb.
2nd FROSt event: Dr. Fuleihan: Unforgettable Physician, Unforgettable Hero! (March 30, 2017)
On Thursday, March 30, 2017, the second “Epocsohtets!" (aka Frost) was held with Mrs. Wadad El Hoss as the invited speaker. Mrs. Wadad El Hoss shared her family's personal experience with Dr. Farid Fuleihan, whom she characterized as an "Unforgettable physician and Unforgettable hero". Mrs. El Hoss addressed her audience of residents, physicians, as well as family and friends about the importance of empathy and support, and explained how being there for the patient not only physically but also emotionally makes a difference.
PopTalk 3.0: "Milestones Through Medicine" (March 28, 2017)
The PopTalk team at the AUBFM, under the patronage of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, organized the third PopTalk event under the title "Milestones Through Medicine" on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. The event hosted a list of speakers which included medical students, residents and attending physicians at the American University of Beirut, who shared highlights of their personal experiences of the pre-clinical and clinical years in medicine. The speakers also highlighted the importance of role models and mentors in the journey of medicine as well as the valuable lessons learned from all the struggles it might bring. Congratulations to the PopTalk team for yet another successful event!
Interview with “Academic Foresights” on “Medical Ethics in the Arab Region”
Dr. Thalia Arawi discussed “Medical Ethics in the Arab Region” in her interview with the online journal
“Academic Foresights”. Dr. Arawi highlighted the current situation of medical ethics in the Arab region,
medical ethic’s evolution over the next five years, and the structural long term perspectives of medical ethics
in the Arab countries.
The annual AUBFM White Coat Ceremony
The AUBFM held its annual White Coat Ceremony on June 5, 2017 at the AUB Assembly Hall. In the introduction
of the SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi invited second year medical student Mr. Ramez Kouzy to give a few words
to share his personal story with illness as a child which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. In his
address, Mr. Kouzy shed light on the importance of the support and empathetic approach of his healthcare
providers in making his enduring journey more bearable. He also pledged that he will make sure to honor
the Hippocratic Oath and to uphold the values of empathy and humanism throughout his medical career and
urged his colleagues to do the same.
“Lebanese Code of Ethics for Drug Promotion” lecture for members of the Medical Center Ethics Committee
In an effort to promote the new code of ethics, the SHBPP invited Dr. Rasha Hamra, Director of the Health
Education Department at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, to give a lecture entitled “Lebanese Code of
Ethics for Drug Promotion” to members of the Medical Center Ethics Committee.
Global Medical Ethics Day
On the occasion of Global Medical Ethics Day on September 18, 2017, the SHBPP released a series of quotes
from AUBMC staff, residents, and faculty members highlighting the importance of ethics in the medical
profession, in addition to the words of SHBPP mentor and patron Dr. Salim El Hoss himself. The quotes were
displayed in the Saab Medical Library on the day and shared across the SHBPP social media platforms.
SHBPP at the 10th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Society of Critical Care Medicine (March 10-12, 2017)
SHBPP Founding Director Dr. Thalia Arawi 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.
Seventh Bioethics Rounds on the Ward (BROWnies) activity (March 10, 2017)
The 7th BROWnies activity took place on March 10, 2017, with attending physicians, residents, nurses, 4th-year medical students, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Marianne Majdalani, as well as AUBMC clinical bioethicist Dr. Thalia Arawi. The activity brought forward several insightful discussions and recommendations all aiming towards enhancing patient-centered care. It was followed up with a chat about the ethical issues surrounding medical technologies.
"The not so hidden Curriculum" featured in the PRIME times' 3rd issue (March 10, 2017)- “The Not so Hidden Curriculum", an article written by Dr. Thalia Arawi was featured in PRIME times' 3rd issue. The article describes the significance of the informal and hidden curricula in medical teaching and elaborates on the role of the faculty, through proper role modeling in preserving the formal curriculum and preventing the potentially damaging effects of the hidden curriculum.
- The Not so Hidden Curriculum
International Women's Day - Be Bold for Change (March 8, 2017)- International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) at AUBMC has taken the opportunity to shift perspectives away from the social constructs that constrain women to more positive empowering attitudes. #BeBoldForChange. Perceive menopause differently and recognize it as another beginning to a different stage in a woman's life; menopause is a natural process rather than a debilitating condition.
Ethics Matters lecture at the International College, Ras Beirut (March 2, 2017)
As part of SHBPP's outreach activities, Founding Director of SHBPP gave an Ethics Matters lecture in which she discussed the issue of "End of Life Concerns" with students at the International College Ras Beirut Middle School.
SHBPP's First Frost Event (February 16, 2017)
"From the Other Side of the Stethoscope " (Frost) is an open forum created by the SHBPP for individuals to convene and discuss issues related to patient care in an informal setting. This initiative aims to teach students the importance of care through sharing stories of patients highlighting their experiences “from the other side of the stethoscope".
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, the first “Epocsohtets!" (aka Frost) was held at the Issam Fares Hall in AUB with Mr. Charif Kaiss as the invited speaker.
Mr. Charif Kaiss was born on the 20th of August 1994 and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia B-cell type on the 29th of August 2015. Charif spent five months at AUBMC, where he received chemotherapy followed by a Bone Marrow Transplant. In his informal and inspiring talk, Charif shared his experience not only as a cancer survivor but as a patient who had to overcome all sorts of challenges while battling against the disease. Charif addressed his audience of students, residents, physicians, as well as family and friends about the importance of empathy and support in the physician-patient encounter, and how a simple smile can make a huge difference for the patient. He spoke about an invisible magic wand that made a big difference in his care and cure that kept him hopeful and enthusiastic in his journey towards healing, and he thanked the team of physicians, residents, and nurses who helped him along the way. Charif stressed that his experience taught him that medicine is more than just a science, it is also an art, and that his new aspiration is to reach out to patients in the hope of inspiring and supporting them in their own battles.
Sixth Bioethics Rounds on the Ward (BROWnies) activity (February 3, 2017)
The sixth BROWnies activity took place on February 3, 2017, with attending physicians, residents, nurses, 4th-year medical students, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Marianne Majdalani, as well as AUBMC clinical bioethicist Dr. Thalia Arawi, and secretary of the Child Protection Program at AUBMC Ms. Aida Habbal. The activity brought forward several insightful discussions and recommendations all aiming towards enhancing patient-centered care
First BEAM Event launched at AUBMCBioethics And the Media (BEAM) is a student lead initiative in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program. BEAM’s main goal is to integrate bioethics into the medical mindset in a fun and innovative manner by screening movies containing diverse bioethics dilemmas and issues, which are followed by a short panel discussion. These discussions involve specialists, patients, and caregivers. The first BEAM event launched at AUBMC on January 23, 2017, with the movie screening of The Doctor, followed by a discussion with Dr. Faek Jamali and Dr. Thalia Arawi. This event was attended by medical students (1-4), residents, attending physicians and MCEC members and friends
Interview with “Academic Foresights” on “Medical Ethics in the Arab Region”
Dr. Thalia Arawi discussed “Medical Ethics in the Arab Region” in her interview with the online journal
“Academic Foresights”. Dr. Arawi highlighted the current situation of medical ethics in the Arab region,
medical ethic’s evolution over the next five years, and the structural long term perspectives of medical ethics
in the Arab countries.
The annual AUBFM White Coat Ceremony
The AUBFM held its annual White Coat Ceremony on June 5, 2017 at the AUB Assembly Hall. In the introduction
of the SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi invited second year medical student Mr. Ramez Kouzy to give a few words
to share his personal story with illness as a child which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. In his
address, Mr. Kouzy shed light on the importance of the support and empathetic approach of his healthcare
providers in making his enduring journey more bearable. He also pledged that he will make sure to honor
the Hippocratic Oath and to uphold the values of empathy and humanism throughout his medical career and
urged his colleagues to do the same.
SHBPP presentation at the new faculty orientation
Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited to give a presentation at the new faculty orientation, which was attended by 6 new faculty members at AUBMC, to introduce them to the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program highlighting their involvement with patient care.
Fifth Bioethics Rounds on the Ward (BROWnies) activity (December 16, 2016)
The fifth BROWnies activity took place on December 16, 2016, with attending physicians, residents, nurses, 4th-year medical students, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Marianne Majdalani, as well as AUBMC clinical bioethicist Dr. Thalia Arawi, and secretary of the Child Protection Program at AUBMC Ms. Aida Habbal. The activity tackled a case of child abuse highlighting the legal and psycho-social considerations, as well as the proper course of action required with such patients. This brought forward several insightful discussions and recommendations all aiming towards enhancing patient-centered care.
BEAM (Bioethics Education and the Movies) launched at International College IC Middle School Ras Beirut! (November 30, 2016)
On the occasion of the World AIDS Day 2016, the outreach initiative of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut held its first BEAM event which consisted of screening the movie Philadelphia followed by a panel discussion by Dr. Abdel Rahman Bizri (MD in infectious diseases at AUBM) and Dr. Thalia Arawi (Bioethicist at AUBMC). During the event, students donated money to the SHBPP Medical Humanism Fund.
“The Lures of the Scalpel” Grand Round at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (November 6, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of SHBPP and Clinical Bioethicist at AUBMC, was invited to give a Grand Round at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar addressing healthcare professionals including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, medical educators, and students. The talk, entitled “The Lures of the Scalpel”, addressed the ethical controversies surrounding plastic surgery. Dr. Arawi discussed that amidst the rising “market” demands for plastic surgery in the Arab region, it is crucial that plastic surgeons recognize the importance of maintaining the internal ends of medicine in their practice and not to be drawn away by the lures of commercial and financial gain. The talk was followed by Q&As.
Exciting news for SHBPP! Article about the Physicians, Patients, and Society (PPS) series featured in PRIME Times newsletter's second issue
"Making Good Doctors: Ethics and Medical Humanities at the AUBFM", an article about the PPS series courses was featured in PRIME Times' second issue. This issue focuses on themes of humanities and the use of medical technology in medical education and SHBPP is proud to have an article featured.
Second Bioethics Multimedia Festival
On May 7, 2016, SHBPP organized the second “Bioethics Multimedia Festival”, a celebration of the works of med.
three students in their “Physicians, Patients and Society 3 (PPS3)” course. The top 10 submissions for this year
were chosen, and students showcased samples of their bioethics projects (documentaries, edutainment games,
and posters) tackling a range of bioethics topics. Students received certificates in recognition of their work.
Psychiatry Didactic Sessions
Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a lecture under the title “Clinical Ethics and the Whole Patient” as part of the didactic
sessions at the AUBMC Psychiatry Department. The lecture focused on the importance of adopting a holistic
approach in treating patients, one which focuses on the patients as a whole and takes into consideration the
psycho-social dimension of illness, not just the specific disease or condition at hand.
International Women’s Day Event
On the occasion of International Women’s Day which falls on the 8th
of March, SHBPP collaborated with the International College (IC) Middle School, Ras Beirut and organized a student activity to shed light on
bioethics vand videos prepared by a group of IC ninth grade students.
Students received certificates of appreciation for their creative and enthusiastic efforts.
“HIV/AIDS and Moral Concerns” Lecture for Med 2 Students
Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a lecture addressing second year medical students on the issue of moral concerns related
to HIV/AIDS on May 12, 2016 at the Issam Fares lecture hall in AUBMC. The lecture was followed by Q&A’s
New Faculty Orientation on SHBPP
New faculty members joining the American University of Beirut
Faculty of Medicine (AUB FM) and Medical Center (AUBMC)
attended an orientation session about the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics
and Professionalism Program.
Dr. Thalia Arawi introduced the faculty members to the mission of the
program and gave them an overview of the services it provides as well
as the many initiatives it has accomplished and continues to work on.
The Collaborative for Leadership and Innovation in Health Systems (CLI) at AUB collaborates with the SHBPP (October 18, 2016)
The Collaborative for Leadership and Innovation in Health Systems (CLI) at AUB in partnership with Ahliah School organized an interactive educational workshop on October 18, 2016, titled “The Research Journey: Innovative Approaches in Engaging Communities in Research”.
The workshop consisted of a number of hands-on activities distributed over six booths that explained the various aspects of research. Booth N.4 introduced students to the principles of research ethics and clarified what is expected from them as researchers, how to prevent research misconduct, how to address ethical issues arising during their research projects, and what is the role of an ethics review committee. This booth was organized in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the AUBFM-MC. Graduate and undergraduate students led the activities in each booth.
Election of Dr. Thalia Arawi as the first Chair of the Bioethics Network on Women's Issues in the Arab World (October 15, 2016)
Board members of the Bioethics Network on Women's Issues in the Arab Region (BiNWIAR)met on October 14-16, 2016 at the UNESCO office in Cairo, Egypt to elect the first Chair for the network. Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program - AUBFM & AUBMC at AUBMC, was elected as the first Chair of BiNWIAR.
BiNWIAR, a network established with the support of the Unesco Cairo Office office and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology - ASRT, aims at enhancing awareness, offering solutions and making a difference on issues related to women and health such as female genital mutilation, aesthetic surgery, early marriage, rape, gender selection, hymen reconstruction, domestic violence, neglect of elderly women, and access to healthcare.
“Improving the Prescribing Quality and Patter of Pharmaceutical Drugs in Lebanon” policy dialogue (October 14, 2016)
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 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 the head of the K2P Center, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, who pre-circulated the K2P Policy Brief to all attendees to enable more scientific and systematic participation. Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of SHBPP and Clinical Bioethicist at AUBMC, was invited to participate in the policy dialogues.
The dialogue tackled the problem of inappropriate prescribing of pharmaceutical drugs in Lebanon and its underlying factors. It presented four approaches to solving the problem: at the regulatory and policy, at the organizational level, at the health care professional level, and at the consumer level. Finally, it proposed practical implementation considerations for the application of the proposed solutions, each with its own barriers and counterstrategies.
SHBPP campaigns for the empowerment of older persons (October 1, 2016)
On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program took the opportunity to highlight the value of older people in our societies in an effort to shift perspectives about ageing from stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes to more positive and supporting attitudes, which can ultimately enhance the day-to-day experiences of older people and improve policy responses and services.
Observed on October 1st of every year, IDOP celebrates the important contributions that older people make to society and aims to raise awareness of the issues and challenges of aging in today’s world. The theme for 2016, “Take a Stand Against Ageism”, draws attention to and challenges ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age - and the detrimental impact it has on older people. Accordingly, the SHBPP created three posters with themes that draw upon positive attitudes towards aging and the empowerment and appreciation of older persons; the posters were released and shared on SHBPP's social media platforms
The Third Educational Symposium of Dar Al-Ajaza Al Islamia Hospital (October 1. 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program 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 or Family Medicine: Family Medicine in a Globalized World (September 30 - October 1, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, 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 in a discussion panel addressing the issue of the commercialization of medicine along with Dr. Georges Kehdy and Dr. Salah Zeineddine.
New Faculty Orientation on the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (September 9, 2016)
New faculty members joining the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (AUB FM)and Medical Center (AUBMC) attended an orientation session about the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program on Friday, September 9, 2016. Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the SHBPP, introduced the faculty members to the mission of the program and gave them an overview of the services it provides as well as the many initiatives it has accomplished and continues to work on.
H.E. Dr. Salim El-Hoss reading the first issue of the SHBPP Newsletter, Al Mashrabiya (Friday, September 2, 2016)
Following up on the SHBPP activities, H.E. Dr. Salim El-Hoss read the first issue of the SHBPP Newsletter, Al Mashrabiya which summarizes the main activities of the SHBPP for the year 2015. Dr. El Hoss commented that he is "very proud this program is making a difference" and "look(s) forward to see how it will further make a difference in the Arab Region".
SBHPP announces the release of its "Human Research: Should I participate" brochure
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program announces the release of its "Human Research: Should I participate" brochure in English and Arabic and in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health. This flyer will be made available at all the hospitals and research centers in Lebanon.
SHBPP launches the first Medical Professionalism Hub and Spokes
project with Designated Spokes Leaders (DSL)
In concordance with the AUBMC 2020 Vision and the ongoing
professionalism initiatives and projects, SHBPP launched a Medical
Professionalism Hub and Spokes project which aims to complement
and enhance the work of the Institutional Professionalism Task Force
(IPTF) by systematically propagating and implementing the outcomes
of professionalism initiatives in a more sustainable and impactful
“domino effect” approach. With that, three primary benefits ensue:
integration, sustainability and accountability.
This new design will help ensure that the work will be done by a
devoted and trained team of professionals and will contribute to the
strengthening of the sense of professionalism across AUBMC. Thus,
six spokes were nominated and are undergoing training.
Good Luck!
SHBPP Launches Facebook Page
A Facebook page for the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program was developed and launched
on March 7, 2015 as an additional platform to reach a wider audience in Lebanon, the Arab region, and other
countries. The page serves as a platform to provide the latest updates and news about the SHBPP in addition to
its being a suitable spot for raising awareness and increasing knowledge on bioethics, professionalism and the
history of biomedical innovations in the region. The page can be reached at: www.facebook.com/shbpp.
AUBMC’s Chief of Staff addresses Med II students during their “Bioethics and Patient Care” Module
On November 5, 2015, Dr. Hassan El Solh, Chief of Staff at AUBMC, visited the “Bioethics and Patient Care”
session in the PPS2 course and addressed the students about the relevance of bioethics in patient care. This
talk was a great success; it represented much appreciated institutional support towards the PPS courses and
SHBPP. Thank you Dr. Solh.
SHBPP Launches Women’s Day Campaign
The occasion of International Women’s Day, on March 8, 2015, marked an opportunity for SHBPP to encourage
effective action for advancing and recognizing women and shedding light on ethical issues that women in the
region deal with. To attain its aim, SHBPP published a set of English and Arabic posters. The campaign was very
well received as an eye opener to specific matters related to women and bioethics. This campaign was also
shared with BiNWIAR (Bioethics Network for Women’s Issues in the Arab Region) of which Dr. Thalia Arawi is a
founding member. See you next year
PopTalk and Humanism in Medicine
It all began with one enthusiastic Med I student, Sarah Abou Alaiwi, and a group of her colleagues; they wanted
to develop something different and make an impact. Their focus was humanism in medicine. This marked
the birth of the very successful PopTalk event! Under the patronage of the SHBPP, Med I students at AUB FM
launched the first event of the PopTalk series on March 31, 2015. PopTalk 1.0, “Care to Share” was attended by
students, staff and faculty from AUB and other universities in Lebanon. This was followed by PopTalk 2.0 “Behind
the White Coat” on November 25, 2015 in the Jaber Sawaya lecture in the Saab Medical Libary. Dr. Ismail Khalil,
renowned peripheral vascular surgeon who has been part of the AUBMC community for over five decades, and
Khalil Choucair, second year medical student at AUBMC, shared their inspirational experiences of medicine
behind the white coat. The event was attended by students, staff, and faculty from AUB. As one member of the
PopTalk noted, “The mere fact that you are striving to set an example for future physicians and make a change
is wonderful; don’t let negative role models deter you from your goal.”
The 1st Bioethics Multimedia Festival
The SHBPP initiated and organized the Bioethics Multimedia Film Festival, a first in the entire Arab Region, on
May 20, 2015 at the Issam Fares Lecture Hall, with the goal of educating and empowering individuals about
bioethics. The festival celebrated the works of Med III students in their “Physicians, Patients and Society 3 (PPS-3)”
course. The top 10 submissions for this year were chosen, and students showcased samples of their bioethics
projects (videos, edutainment games, and phone apps) tackling a range of bioethics topics including, clinical trials in
pediatrics, dealing with non-compliant and non-cooperative patients, truth-telling, medical student competitiveness,
as well as others. We take this opportunity to thank the ACPS team for their help in making this happen.
AUB FM-SHBPP Taskforce: Assessing Professionalism in Medical Students
How do we assess our students, residents and faculty on matters related to professionalism? In an attempt to
deal with this issue, the SHBPP designated a task force including faculty, residents and students whose main
task was to work on feasible ways to assess professionalism based on AUB FM and AUBMC’s core values. The
task force was able to develop and pilot a template for the formative and summative assessment of professionalism
in medical students, resident and faculty. More on this soon!
AUBMC Child Protection Program Launching and Training workshop
On November 7, 2015, the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,
in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program launched the AUBMC Child
Protection Program. The launching was followed with a training workshop which included talks surrounding the
Lebanese legal frame work on child protection, the role of the medical profession from an ethical perspective,
and the child protection policy with the flow of the process at AUBMC. Real cases tackling physical abuse,
sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, and false alarm were presented and discussed
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.”
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics and SHBPP collaborate to release new Arabic animated video on "Health research: making the right decision for me"
The SHBPP is happy to share a product of its collaboration with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the highest bioethics authority in the UK. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has achieved an international reputation as an independent body advising policymakers and stimulating debate in bioethics. This collaboration led to the production of an Arabic Version of an animated short video about research ethics for children: Health research: making the right decision for me. This animation reveals ethical issues from the perspective of Mia – a character who goes through some of the questions and issues that might be raised when a young person is invited to take part in clinical research.
"Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research" in the Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) summer certificate program (June-July 2016)
The Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) launched its summer certificate program for the fourth time on June 15, 2016. One of the required courses in the program is the “Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research” which is coordinated by Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUB-FM/MC. The course includes lectures given by Dr. Mona Naboulsi, Dr. Rami Mahfouz, Dr. Ghada Hajj Fuleihan and Ms. May Al-Kassar covering a wide array of aspects of research ethics such as the history of ethical principles, the development of research codes of conduct and ethical practices and includes various ethical issues.
This year, in order to bridge the gap between theory and practice on the issue of the use of animals in research, students visited the Animal Care Facilities (ACF) at the Faculty of Medicine in AUB, where they were able to view first-hand the processes and procedures required in the ethical conduct in animal research. As a result, students were able to appreciate the important role ACF is playing in research at AUB.
The work of the class of 2016 for the Research Ethics course project resulted in student presentations on numerous topics like Research in the ED, Compassionate Use, Research and vulnerable populations, Research during times of crisis, whistleblowing, data management, mental health research, stem cell research, etc.
Historical moment? Charter on the Ethics of Research:
Officials from all universities in Lebanon signed the Charter on the Ethics of Research in the Grand Governmental Saray on Friday, July 15, 2016.
The Charter was developed with the help of numerous universities including the American University of Beirut, The Lebanese University, St. Joseph University, and others. SHBPP is to be part of this commitment. We hope this will make a difference.
BROWnies' 4th activity (July 1, 2016)
The fourth BROWnies activity took place on July 1st, 2016 with attending physicians, residents, interns, nurses, 4th-year medical students, and AUBMC clinical bioethicist. Insightful discussions and recommendations all aiming towards enhancing patient-centered care.
Workshop: How to Report Bioethics? UNESCO initiative in collaboration with New Health Concept (with SHBPP participation) (June 20-22, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, 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. The main speakers included Dr. Nagi Souaiby, founder of NHC and professor at the Faculty of Medicine in St. Joseph University, Dr. Roula Douglas, a journalist at L'Orient-Le Jour and professor at the Lebanese University, and Dr. Thalia Arawi. Other speakers at the workshop were Dr. Mona Osma, Dr. Michel Daher, Dr. Georges Sadaka, Mrs. Saada Allaw.
“Ethical Issues in Genomic Nursing" (May 13, 2016)
On the occasion of the 48th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) at AUBMC, founding director of SHBPP Dr. Thalia Arawi was invited as a panelist at the “Ethical Issues in Genomic Nursing” panel discussion as part of the "Transforming Care Through Genomic Nursing" sessions on May 13, 2016. The panel included Drs.: Kathi C. Huddleston, Lina Badr, Thalia Arawi, Father Boulos Wehbe and Al Sayyed Jaafar Hussein Mohammad Fadlallah, who offered various ethical, clinical, and religious perspectives to specific cases brought forward at the discussion and tackled numerous questions from the audience. The panel discussion drew in a large audience and was attended by faculty, staff, and students, and was moderated by TV presenter Rima Karaki.
“HIV/AIDS and Moral Concerns” lecture formed 2 students
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, gave a lecture addressing the second year medical students on the issue of moral concerns related to HIV/AIDS on May 12, 2016, at The Issam Fares lecture hall in AUBMC. The lecture was followed by Q&A’s.
Second Bioethics Multimedia Festival (May 7, 2016)
On May 7, 2016, The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center organized the second "Bioethics Multimedia Festival", a celebration of the works of med. 3 students in their “Physicians, Patients and Society 3 (PPS3)” course. The top 10 submissions for this year were chosen, and students showcased samples of their bioethics projects (documentaries, edutainment games, and posters) tackling a range of bioethics topics. Students received certificates in recognition of their work.
"Al Mashrabiya": SHBPP's Newsletter in its first issue
Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program released its first newsletter in English and Arabic.
BROWnies activity (April 21, 2016):
The third BROWnies activity took place on April 21, 2016: with residents, interns, nurses, 4th-year medical students, and AUBMC clinical bioethicist.
SHBPP (AUBFM-MC), Beni-Suef University in Egypt (Faculty of Medicine) the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and UNESCO collaborate to hold a conference on "Social and Ethical aspects of Women’s Health Care Issues in Upper Egypt" (April 10, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program 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 Beni-Suef University, Egypt by UNESCO in collaboration with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and SHBPP. Dr. Arawi gave a lecture entitled "Baby à la Carte" which was followed by Qs and As.
Conference at Al Azhar University: International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research (April 9, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program attended the conference "Equity in Access to Quality Health Care Service and Information" held 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.
Psychiatry Didactic Sessions (March 29, 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, gave a lecture under the title "Clinical Ethics and the Whole Patient" as part of the didactic sessions at the AUBMC Psychiatry Department.
International Women’s day event at IC Middle School Ras Beirut in collaboration withSHBPP (March 17, 2016)
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls on the 8th of March, The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center collaborated with the International College (IC) Middle School, Ras Beirut on a student activity to shed light on bioethics issues pertaining to women. The event showcased the creative posters and videos prepared by a group of ninth grade students from IC. The students received certificates of appreciation for their creative and enthusiastic efforts.
Stay tuned for more!
1st Gulf Patient Rights Conference, Riyadh (February 2016)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program gave a presentation at the conference. During the event, more than 50 top national, regional and international experts in health care, law, psychology, sociology, and management discussed issues related to patients’ rights.
The three-day event was inaugurated by Deputy Health Minister Hamad Al-Dowailia.
The topics included patient rights from the Islamic perspective, international and regional experiences and the role of civil society organizations.
The discussions also included diagnosing the current state of patient rights practices in GCC countries, the role of health facilities and health team members, regulatory authorities and educational, professional and legal institutions in promoting patient rights.
"العربية الأولى في الجمعية العالمية للأخلاقيات الأحيائية"
Assafir article on Dr. Arawi's appointment on the Board of the International Association of Bioethics (February 27, 2016)
Women's Day lecture at Internatioinal College, Ras Beirut (February 25, 2016)
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the SHBPP, gave a lecture "Women's Bioethics 101: Speak Up!" at the International College, Ras Beirut to raise awareness on bioethics issues that face women. The audience exhibited great interest in the subject and engaged in an interactive discussion in the Q&A's segment at the end of the lecture.
The Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center policy dialogue (February 5, 2016):
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 the head of the K2P Center, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, who pre-circulated the K2P Policy Brief to all attendees to enable more scientific and systematic participation. More on this link: (
Click Here)
Dr. Thalia Arawi appointment on the Board of the International Association of Bioethics
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics & Professionalism Program (AUBFM-AUBMC), has been appointed on the Board of the International Association of Bioethics, the most prestigious and active bioethics association worldwide. The IAB is the organizer of the World Bioethics Congress (the largest gathering of bioethics thought-leaders in the world). Dr. Arawi is the first Arab member to ever be elected to this position and has received numerous regional and international congratulations on this appointment.
Cambridge Bioethics Education Network Istanbul Conference and Meeting, Istanbul (January 21- 22, 2016):
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC attended the Cambridge Bioethics Education Network Istanbul Conference and Meeting held in Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey on January 21-22, 2016. Dr. Arawi served as a moderator and a speaker at the conference. She presented her talk under the title “A View from Within- For Better Patient-Centered Care”, which was followed by Qs and As.
During her visit, Dr. Arawi also participated in a round at the Acibadem University medical school and visited the simulation center.
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) at AUBFM/AUBMC and The Home Hospice Organization of Lebanon (SANAD) join forces!
Students at AUBFM are being taught 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 that medicine is an art not only a science and 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 SANAD are collaborating on a pilot project to provide an opportunity for second-year Medical Students at the AUBFM 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 will be offered an opportunity to appreciate and see first-hand the psycho-social dimension of illness. In addition, this experience will allow medical students gain hands-on experience in volunteerism as well as to sensitize and equip them with the skills needed when working with patients and their families within the patient’s own environment. Patients suffer, but so do their families: a perspective often ignored in medical schools.
GOOD LUCK SHBPP AND SANAD for collaboration first of its kind!
Mediation in the School Environment (December 2, 2015):
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center collaborated with the International College (IC) Ras Beirut to hold a workshop entitled “Mediation in the School Environment” hosted by guest speaker Dr. Haavi Morreim on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Morreim worked on advanced Mediation and Conflict Resolution scenarios with leadership teams from all schools at IC. This is a follow-up workshop for last year's work with more advanced scenarios developed jointly with Mrs. Wadad El Hoss.
The SHBPP and PopTalk team organized the PopTalk 2.0 event: "Behind the White Coat" (November 25, 2015)
The PopTalk team at the AUBFM, under the patronage of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, organized the PopTalk 2.0 entitled "Behind the White Coat". Dr. Ismail Khalil, a renowned peripheral vascular surgeon who has been part of the AUBMC community for over five decades, and Khalil Choucair, a second-year medical student at AUBMC, shared their inspirational experiences of medicine behind the white coat. The event was attended by students, staff, and faculty from AUB.
AUBMC Child Protection Program Launching and Training workshop (November 7, 2015):
The Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, launched the AUBMC Child Protection Program. Three hosts gave each a talk related to their field of expertise: Maitre Caroline Rizk explained the Lebanese legal framework on child protection, Dr. Thalia Arawi spoke about the role of the medical profession and Ms. Aida Habbal discussed the child protection policy and the flow of the process at AUBMC. The lectures were followed by case reviews and discussions on physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, and false alarm.
AUBMC's Chief of Staff addresses med 2 students during their "Bioethics and Patient Care" Module (November 5, 2015)
Dr. El Solh's visit and chat about the importance of relevance and importance of bioethics inpatient care is a great and much appreciated institutional support.
SHBPP Outreach Program: Child Protection Workshop (October 16, 2015)
As part of its outreach activities, the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program in collaboration with the International College Middle School, Ras Beirut gave a workshop on Child Protection for the faculty at the IC Middle School. The workshop was led by Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the SHBPP and Mrs. Wadad El-Hoss, Director of IC Middle School Ras Beirut.
Launching of the AUBMC Child Protection Program:
The Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in collaboration with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, will be launching the AUBMC Child Protection Program. Launching Ceremony is on November 7th, 2015.
Meeting of Eastern Mediterranean Research Review Committee (ERC), EMRO, Cairo, Egypt (6-7 September 2015)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program gave a presentation entitled “Review of Biomedical Research in Lebanon” at the Meeting of the Eastern Mediterranean Research Review Committee (ERC), EMRO, Cairo, Egypt. She also participated in discussions and deliberations.
“Osler And Beyond: Clinical Ethics And Patient Centered-Care” (October 6, 2015)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program gave a lecture entitled “Osler And Beyond: Clinical Ethics And Patient Centered-Care” on October 6th, 2015 as part of the Internal Medicine Medical Grand Rounds at AUBMC. In her lecture, Dr. Arawi highlighted the role of clinical ethics in better patient-centered care by sharing two cases on which she was consulted. Dr. Arawi defined the roles of Health Ethics Committees in providing patient-centered care. However, she highlighted that their role is wanting without bedside ethics which allow a multidimensional encounter involving the patient, the family, healthcare team and other stakeholders. Bedside ethics consults allow listening, interaction and appreciation of the particulars of a case which are necessary in order to unravel, interpret and deal with the ethical concerns being faced. The lecture was followed by Qs and As.
WHO-EMRO Survey
Dear Colleagues,
WHO - EMRO has recently launched a survey on bioethics and we would be grateful if you could kindly fill it in an send back before August 23, 2015, to Project coordinator Dr. Ben-Ammar: msbenammar@gmail.com who guarantees that confidentiality of information will be preserved.
This survey will allow WHO - EMRO to establish a database of ethics institutions (IRB, REC, research centers, national commissions, and committees) and a database of experts in the field of bioethics.
Thank you again for being part of this important project.
Best regards,
Talia
Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research in the Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) summer certificate program (June-July 2015)
After graduating its first class in the summer of 2013, the Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) launched its summer certificate program for the third time in June 2015. One of the required courses in the program is the “Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research” which is coordinated by Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUB-FM/MC. The course includes lectures given by Dr. Mona Naboulsi, Dr. Rami Mahfouz, Dr. Ghada Hajj Fuleihan and Ms. May Al-Kassar covering a wide array of aspects of research ethics such as the history of ethical principles, the development of research codes of conduct and ethical practices and includes various ethical issues. The work of the class of 2015 for the Research Ethics course project resulted in student presentations on numerous topics like Research in the ED, Compassionate Use, Research and vulnerable populations, Research during times of crisis, whistleblowing, data management, mental health research, stem cell research, etc.
HE Dr. Salim El-Hoss replies to the words of Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, recipient of the AUBFM- Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Humanism and Professionalism Award, 2015.
A trustee emeritus since 2001, a trustee since 1991 HE Dr. Salim El-Hoss replied to the words of Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, recipient of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism AUBFM Humanism and Professionalism Award, 2015 by sending him the attached letter.
"سوء ممارسة طبية أم إعلامية؟" - Assafir Newspaper article by Dr. Thalia Arawi (June 16, 2015)
Founding Director of the SHBPP participates as bioethics expert in the WHO-EMRO Expanded Meeting of the Editorial Board of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal.
took place at the WHO-EMRO headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on June 6-7, 2015.
SHBPP holds the first "Bioethics Multimedia Festival" (May 20, 2015)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center launched the First "Bioethics Multimedia Festival", a celebration of the works of med. 3 students in their “Physicians, Patients and Society 3 (PPS3)” course. The top 10 submissions for this year were chosen, and students showcased samples of their bioethics projects (videos, edutainment games, and phone apps) tackling a range of topics: pediatric clinical trials, competition in medical schools, patients non-compliance, breaking bad news, teaching hospitals, cryopreservation of embryos, hymenoplasty and several bioethical scenarios on research, transplants, etc... In her opening speech, Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC, boasted that AUBFM is the first teaching hospital to launch such projects and to hold such an event. The festival took place in the Issam Fares Lecture Hall and was attended by faculty, staff, and students from AUB and AUBMC.
“Ethical Issues in End of Life Care- Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (ANH)" (May 8, 2015)
On the occasion of the 47th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) at AUBMC, founding director of SHBPP Dr. Thalia Arawi gave a talk entitled “Ethical Issues in End of Life Care- ANH: Damned if you do, damned if you don’t” as part of the "Nutritional Insights in Oncology" module on May 8, 2015.
SHBPP at the First International Bioethics Conference (Muscat, March 2015)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC participated in the First International Bioethics Conference in Muscat, Oman. The conference was held from 8 to 10 March 2015 and was organized by the Omani National Bioethics Committee (NBC) in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Research Council (TRC) of Oman and UNESCO. The following topics were covered during the conference: premarital genetic testing; genetics and biotechnology, e.g. stem cells research; global bioethics and sharing of benefits; Ebola outbreak: ethical lessons learned and a future research agenda; religious and cultural perspectives in bioethics; Islam and bioethics; and challenges faced by National Bioethics Committees to establish rules and draw up legislation.
A joint session formed 2 students on Child Abuse (February 23, 2015)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program and member of the Child Protection Committee (CPC) and Dr. Leila Dirani, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Chairperson of the CPC, gave a joint session addressing second-year medical students on the issue of child abuse on February 23, 2015 at SB101 in AUBMC. The lectures were followed by Q&A’s, and at the end of the session, lapel pins for child abuse prevention were distributed to the audience.
"Mediation in the School Environment” (January 28, 2015)
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center collaborated with the International College (IC) Ras Beirut to hold two workshops entitled “Mediation in the School Environment” hosted by guest speaker Dr. Haavi Morreim on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. The purpose of the workshops was to provide administrators and faculty some specific tools for resolving conflicts that may arise in the education setting (among students, parents, teachers, and administrators) by establishing trust, listening carefully to each person's concerns and perspectives, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving. During her day at IC, Dr. Morreim worked with leadership teams from all schools at IC in two consecutive workshops and discussed specific sample cases shared by the school directors. This was followed by a general lecture on the same topic for all faculty and staff at IC.
"Conflict Resolution in the School Environment" Dr. Haavi Morreim
“Clinical Ethics: Towards Patient-Centered Care” (January 14, 2015)
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Clinical Bioethicist and Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program gave a lecture entitled “Clinical Ethics: Towards Patient-Centered Care” on January 14, 2015, at the Hisham Jaroudi Auditorium as part of the Pediatric Grand Rounds at AUBMC. During the lecture, Dr. Arawi highlighted the role of clinical ethics in better patient-centered care by discussing pediatric cases on which she was consulted. According to her, bedside ethics consults are extremely important in helping the consultant appreciate the important particulars of a case which are necessary in order to deal with the moral conundrum being faced. The lecture was followed by Qs and As.
SHBPP at the 18th International Annual Meeting of the Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (November 2014)
The Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology held its 18th International Annual Meeting under the title “Roadmap to Women’s Health Screening and Prevention" on November 13-15, 2014 at Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace in Beirut. Founding director of SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi attended the conference and served as panelist and moderator with Dr. Gamal Serour (Director, International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research) and Dr. Frank Chervenak (Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weil Cornell) on cases related to In Vitro Fertilization, Termination of Pregnancy and Hymenoplasty.
SHBPP at the Lebanese International Fertility Summit (Beirut, October 25, 2014)
The Lebanese Fertility Society held the Lebanese International Fertility Summit 2014 (LIFE 2014) under the title “Where Fertility Comes First" on October 24-25, 2014 at Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace in Beirut. Founding director of SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi attended the conference and served as a panelist on the topic of “Ethics, Fertility, and Law”.
SHBPP founding Director attends training on Healthcare Conflict Resolution and meets with hospital ethics committees in Memphis, Tennesee
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC attended a three-day training program on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Healthcare at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute (ADRI) in Memphis, Tennessee, the USA from October 8-10, 2014.
On her visit, Dr. Arawi also attended two hospital ethics committee meetings at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Regional One Health medical center (the MED) in Memphis.
SHBPP founding Director gives a talk at New York University Langone Medical Center
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC, was invited to give a talk at the Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics in the New York University Langone Medical Center. The lecture entitled "Bedside Ethics and Patient-Centered Care" took place on Monday, October 6, 2014.
SHBPP founding Director discussed projects with Cardinal Beshara al-Rai
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC was received by his Beatitude Cardinal Beshara Al Rai and shared with him projects of national and regional impact which involve the religious authorities. The Cardinal was enthusiastic about the projects which he found important and timely and will be discussing those with the Vatican this week with during his visit. The meeting took place in Bkerke on September 29th, 2014 and confirmed again the close link and collaboration between SHBPP and the Church.
SHBPP Founding Director meets with the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Darian
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUB-FM/MC, was received by his Excellency the grand mufti Abdul Latif Darian at Dar el Iftaa on September 22, 2014.
Dr. Arawi acquainted the Grand Mufti with the program and its regional outreach. The meeting was very successful as collaboration and commitment from the Grand Mufti were conveyed to support SHBPP and its activities. SHBPP has always made sure to include the point of view of Dar al Iftaa and the Church by having members from the Clergy partake in conferences on various bioethical issues.
This visit marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between SHBPP and Dar al Iftaa as was the case with his Beatitude Cardinal Bechara Al Rai in Bkerke on December 12, 2013.
“The Ethics of Liver Transplant” lecture
Drs. Thalia Arawi and Dr. Ala’ Sharara, Professor and Head of the Division of Gastroenterology at AUBMC, gave a joint talk on “The Ethics of Liver Transplant” to med II students on Friday, September 5, 2013, from 11 to 1:00 at the SB101 in AUBMC
Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research in the Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) summer certificate program (June-July 2014)
After graduating its first class in the summer of 2013, the Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) launched its summer certificate program for the second time on June 16, 2014. One of the required courses in the program is the “Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research” which is coordinated by Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUB-FM/MC. The course includes lectures given by Dr. Mona Naboulsi, Dr. Rami Mahfouz, Dr. Marry-Ellen Serridan and Ms. May Al-Kassar covering a wide array of aspects of research ethics such as the history of ethical principles, the development of research codes of conduct and ethical practices and includes various ethical issues. The work of the class of 2013 for the Research Ethics course project resulted in the production of a research participant’s guide on “Human Research”. The guide was printed (in English) by SHBPP and distributed to different research centers and healthcare institutions in the Arab region; an Arabic version will also be made available shortly.
SHBPP at the Fourth Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education (Paris, June 23-25, 2014)
Founding Director of SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi, was invited to the Fourth Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education which was held in Paris, France from June 23-25, 2014. She presented a talk entitled “Graduating the Vitruvian Physician”. A panel discussion about bioethics education followed.
"Healing Arts": Physicians, Patients and Society 1 in the MainGate.
A review under the title of "Healing Arts" was published in the Spring 2014 issue of AUB's MainGate magazine on the new course "Physicians, Patients and Society 1" that was given for the first time this year to med 1 students at AUBFM as part of the Impact Curriculum.
Residents: Healers in the Making”: talk by Founding Director of SHBPP to incoming Residents
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the SHBPP addressed new residents during the Residents Orientation session which took place on June 9, 2014, about the importance of being a healer as opposed to a skilled technician. Empathizing the philosophy of AUBMC with its emphasis on Patient-Centered Care, she highlighted them the important role character and role modeling play in their own lives and that of their patients.
Talk about the Medical Humanism Fund at International College, Ras Beirut
Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC, and Mrs. Wafa Khansa, Social Services Manager at AUBMC, were invited by Mr. Riad Chirazi to give a talk about the Humanism Fund on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at the International College, Ras Beirut. The talk addressed the IB and 4th high school classes and explained to the students that the fund is dedicated to helping needy patients who present to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. According to Dr. Arawi, the purpose of the talk is to encourage students to get involved and come up with new ideas to raise funds such a humane cause.
SHBPP at the 10th International Conference for Clinical Ethics Consultation (Paris, April 24-26, 2014)
"The Patient's Voice" (La Voix du Patient) was the theme of the 10th International Conference for Clinical Ethics Consultation which took place in Paris. Speakers from all over the Western world shared their experiences and ideas regarding the Voice of the Patient and its relevance in patient care. Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC gave a talk entitled "The Voice of the Patient: The Thread that Completes the Tapestry" during which she stressed the importance of listening to patients. In her presentation, Dr. Arawi also highlighted the following:
- When healthcare team members work in isolation, regardless of their dedication, the best outcome is not reached.
- Clinical ethics consultants learn from patients and from members of the healthcare team.
- Patient-centered care is better served when patients and members of the healthcare team are encouraged to speak up and they are "listened to".
- Unless we listen to the patient/surrogate and unless the patient (when possible) or surrogate is involved in his/ her story, the consultation betrays the patient in reducing him/ her to a case vignette.
"The Relevance of Bioethics" talk at International College, Ras Beirut
As a part of the "Ethics Matters" initiative and the SHBPP's outreach, Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUBFM-MC, gave a lecture under the title "The Relevance of Bioethics" to high school students at the International College, Ras Beirut on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The lecture was followed by a Q&A.
Med IV student presents Grand Round entitled “Uterine Transplant: Promising yet Controversial” (February 12, 2014)
Zaid Al Tawil, currently a fourth-year medical student, and a member of last year's first prize winning group in the Bioethics Documentary Award (part of the PPS2 course for third year medical students), gave a presentation entitled "Uterine Transplant: Promising yet controversial" in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Round held on February 12, 2014 in SB101. The presentation gave a brief overview of the latest advancements in uterine transplantation and some available experimental data and then discussed in detail the various controversies surrounding the use of such reproductive technologies with focus on the ethical and religious controversies. The talk was moderated by Dr. Thalia Arawi.
Med 1 Students honor cadavers in Anatomy lab: (January 3, 2014)
The pictures below are of the memorial for cadavers held by med 1 students after completing their anatomy unit, part of their Physicians, Patients, and Society 1 (PPS1) course.
Students were inspired by the lectures and discussions they took in "The Anatomy Lesson” and "Caring Spotlight Experience" (CSE) - part of PPS1- and appreciated the humane aspect of their work and the important role played by their "silent teacher”.
As one student, Sara Moufarrij said: "In med I sometimes we are disconnected from the humane aspect of medicine…and I know in Anatomy when we first walked into the lab, I was a bit horrified by what I was seeing in front of me; but gradually I forgot that I was dissecting someone that used to live, someone who used to walk and someone who used to breathe. When I realized this I was really upset with myself and I was worried that this might translate into my profession. And so I always want to maintain this understanding that medicine is about the humane aspects, not just about the science. And thus if we keep promoting this kind of ceremony, we will remind ourselves that medicine is a lot more complicated and a lot more humane than what we might think it is in med I and med II." Fellow student Rasha Reslan added, “they [the cadavers] have given us the best that they have to offer, their bodies….and I can safely say that we have all learned so much from them. This is the best way that we can honor their memory”.
SHBPP’s Founding Director visits his Beatitude Cardinal Bechara Al Rai at Bkerke (December 12, 2013):
Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program at AUB-FM/MC was received by his beatitude Cardinal Bechara Al Rai in Bkerki on December 12, 2013.
Dr. Arawi acquainted the Cardinal with the program and its regional outreach. The meeting was very successful as collaboration and commitment from the Cardinal were conveyed to support SHBBP and its activities. SHBPP has always made sure to include the point of view of the Church by having members from the Clergy partake in conferences on various bioethical issues.
Dr. Arawi will soon be meeting with the Grand Mufti Mohamad Rashid Qabani.
SHBPP at the Third Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education (Paris, June 2013)
Founding Director of SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi, was invited to the Third Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education. She presented a talk on Physicians, Patients, and Society II, a required Bioethics course offered to med III students at AUB-FM. Dr. Arawi coordinates this course which is given by her and a team of 13 faculty members, mainly from AUB-FM. A panel discussion about bioethics education followed. Dr. Arawi was also invited by the Director of the Consortium to Chair a Pan Arab Bioethics Working Group. 25 Countries were represented in the Consortium.
SHBPP meeting with HE Sheikh Abdulatif Al-Hamad in Kuwait (June 9, 2013)
On Sunday, June 9, a delegation from AUB-FM’s Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) traveled to Kuwait to visit HE Sheikh Abdulatif Al-Hamad, Director General / Chairman of the board of Directors of The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. The delegation included Mrs. Wadad Salim Hoss, Dr. Thalia Arawi (Founding Director of SHBPP), and Mr. Walid Katergi (Director of Development at AUB).
The visit started by thanking The Arab Fund and HE Mr. Al-Hamad for their support of the SHBPP. It is with this support that the SHBPP was able to accomplish so much in the last two years. Dr. Arawi then updated Mr. Al-Hamad on activities, workshops, conferences, that were undertaken, and are being planned in the future, by the SHBPP. They also presented Mr. Al-Hamad with a preliminary annual report.
Remembering Dr. Edmund Pellegrino...
day afternoon, a week before his 93rd birthday.
Dr. Pellegrino is a very dear person to my heart. He was the first supporter of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program and without him, we would probably have not existed. His letter is the first thing I hung on the wall of my office when we launched the program. It was followed later by a photo that Marti, his assistant, took of us at Georgetown.
Dr. Pellegrino always had a full schedule. However, he found time to discuss with my med. students matters related to bioethics. It was the highlight of the course!
.
He will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Edmund Pellegrino is considered one of the founders of bioethics and an early pioneer in teaching humanities in medical schools. He was John Carroll Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics and Senior Research Scholar at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University. He was also the Chairman of the US President’s Council on Bioethics.
- Thalia Arawi
Med III students present Grand Round entitled “IVF: The Ethical Controversies” (June 5, 2013)
Paul Ramia and Salim Rahhal, the second prize winners of the Bioethics Documentary Award (part of the PPS2 course for third-year medical students) gave a presentation entitled "IVF: The Ethical Controversies" in the OBS/GYN Grand Round held on June 5, 2013, in Issam Fares Hall. The talk was moderated by Dr. Thalia Arawi.
"The Humane Physician: An Islamic Perspective" public lecture at the Near East School of Theology (May 16, 2013)
Humanities and Professionalism lectures at the 46th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) (May 10, 2013)
As a part of the Humanities and Professionalism section of the Medical Education module in the 46th Middle East Medical Assembly sessions, Dr. Julie Aultman, Director of the Bioethics Certificate Program, Chair, Institutional Review Board and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, gave two lectures on the hidden curriculum in medicine and the use of the narrative approach in medicine. The lectures were held in the Hisham Jaroudi Auditorium and were moderated by the founding director of SHBPP Dr. Thalia Arawi and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education Dr. Ramzi Sabra.
The Lebanese Society of Critical Care Medicine holds its 6th Annual meeting opening with an Ethics Lecture (March 1-3, 2013)
The Lebanese Society of Critical Medicine held its 6th Annual meeting on March 1-3, 2013 at the Movenpick Hotel & Resorts in Beirut. The meeting was launched with a lecture on “Physicians, Patients and Critical Care” which emphasized the importance of ethics in critical care and the impact of ethics consultation on patient care and management. The presentation was given by the founding director of SHBPP, Dr. Thalia Arawi who also was also a moderator during the event.
Lawyer of the Lebanese Order of Physicians talks to MED III students about the revised Lebanese Code of Medical Ethics (February 1 & 8, 2013)
As part of their Physicians, Patients and Society II (PPS II) course, Maître Charles Ghafari, lawyer of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, was invited by Dr. Thalia Arawi (coordinator of PPS II) to address MED III students and to discuss with them the revised Lebanese Code of Medical Ethics (2012).
AUBMC leading in Bedside Ethics Consultations (February 2013)
Founding Director of the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program Dr. Thalia Arawi receives Activity Director Award from the Continuing Medical Education Office at AUBMC (December 18, 2012)
Dr. Arawi receiving Award from CME AUBMC
SHBPP Founding Director gives a presentation at the REU Grand Rounds lecture series in the Faculty of Medicine (AUB FM)
The Research Education Unit (REU) at the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) in the Faculty of Medicine hosted founding director of the SHBPP at AUB’s Faculty of Medicine Dr. Thalia Arawi to give a presentation on research ethics as a part of the REU Grand Rounds lecture series. The lecture, entitled “Why Research Ethics?” gave an overview of the history and principles of research ethics as well as their applications, while providing various cases of unethical research. Dr. Arawi stressed that “unethical research is not only tarnishing the research but is also tarnishing medicine itself”; thus the need to enhance ‘ethical research’ in medicine. The lecture was held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 1:00 pm in SBS 101 at AUBMC, and it was attended by medical students, residents, physicians, and staff involved in research at AUB and AUBMC.
The SHBPP's Fifth National Conference on “Ethics and Medical Reliability” on October 6, 2012, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon.
SHBPP at the ISESCO-UNESCO Second Meeting of ISESCO Bioethics Committees, Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon.
The Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program displayed at the Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education, (Paris, France April 11-13, 2012)
Founding Director of Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) visits the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman (March 19, 2012)
During her visit to Amman, Jordan, Dr. Thalia Arawi, Founding Director of SHBPP was invited to the King Hussin Cancer Center and met with Dr. Fadwa Attiga, the Chief Scientific Officer and discussed several issues related to research and ethics and talked about possibilities of future collaborations between KHCC and SHBPP. She also visited Dr. Maysa Al Hussaini, the IRB Chairperson. Dr. Arawi toured with Dr. Amid Abu Hmaidan, the Director of the Cancer Registry and visited the Nuclear Medicine section, the Medical Library, the Game Area for pediatrics, the Telesynergy Unit and the Royal Suites.
SHBPP Founding Director visits the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children - UK
During her visit to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Dr. Arawi met with the Director of the Council and with staff members and talked about the running of the Council and of possible future collaborations. During her visit to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, she toured the NICU with Consultant Intensivist and vice chair of the Clinical Ethics Committee Dr. Joe Brierley, met with Clinical Ethics Committee chair, Dr. Mary MacLeod and attended a Clinical Ethics Committee meeting.
SHBPP goes to the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences (FAFS)
The Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences (FAFS) hosted clinical bioethicist and founding director of the SHBPP at AUB’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Thalia Arawi, to give a presentation in connection to medical ethics, the physician-patient relationship, and the nutritionist-patient relationship. The presentation addressed senior nutrition students who will soon be holding their internship in hospitals. The lecture took place on January 4, 2012, at 5:00 pm in AGR102 at the FAFS. The Lecture was facilitated by Dr. Farah Naja (FAFS), Assistant professor at the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences. According to Dr. Naja, “ I believe that lectures and workshops such as this one are of great interest to students as they provide guidance to dietetics practitioners and their professional practice”. In her lecture entitled” Clinical Ethics”, Dr. Arawi talked about what it means to be a patient and highlighted ethical issues that arise when dealing with patients. She also discussed the intricacies of the relationship between patients and healthcare workers and tackled the notions of medical ethics and how to deal with moral quandaries. Many questions were raised such as conflict of interests, the relationship between physicians and dietitians, professional conscience, etc. Dr. Arawi commented that this was a great opportunity and that she is looking forward to further collaborations between the SHBPP and the FAFS. According to her, nutritionists are an integral part of the healthcare team and ethics is an important part of their education.
Ethics in the Face of Temptation: When Should Craniofacial Surgery for Children be Okayed?
Ethics in the Face of Temptation: When Should Craniofacial Surgery for Children be Okayed? (November 17, 2011)
The ethical implications of cosmetic surgery on minors were recently discussed in a presentation hosted by the SHBPP at AUB’s Faculty of Medicine (AUB FM).
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, craniofacial, plastic and reconstructive surgeon from the AUB FM, recently gave a presentation entitled, “Changing Faces: Ethical Challenges in the Correction of Facial Differences in Children.”
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 160,283 children aged 18 and below underwent cosmetic interventions in 2008. Such procedures were not only to correct birthmarks or cleft lip palate but also to reshape “Asian eyes” and undergo breast enlargements.
Many parents and cosmetic surgeons think that if the technology is available and if the child will most probably benefit emotionally, there is no harm done.
But is this really how things ought to be? Is there no line between what a physician can do and what a physician should do?
As part of the Ethics Matters lecture series organized by the bioethics program, the presentation attempted to address these issues.
“Surgery that is done to alter a child's face results in a change in that person's identity and cannot be entered into lightly,” said Dr. Abu-Sittah. “By taking more time to consider the tremendous meaning and the ethical implications that our work has outside the operating room and in the context of who the patient is becoming, we will have a greater chance of not just enhancing someone's appearance, but also improving his/her quality of life.”
Dr. Thalia Arawi, a clinical bioethicist and founding director of the SHBPP argued that several questions need to be raised when dealing with this issue: “Is the surgery really needed to reduce physical or psychosocial risk and if it is necessary, when (and to what extent) should it be performed?”
Dr. Arawi also highlighted that the risk-benefit ratio cannot be overestimated and noted the important role played by the parent/surrogate who is making the decision on behalf of the minor and the future repercussions of this decision. However, she added, “Sometimes the question that arises is whether it is ethical not to operate on the patient?”
