Clara Abou Samra (BSN, MPH) is the Program Manager of the K2P Center at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and an Instructor of Public Health at the Department of Health Management and Policy at AUB. She is a renowned public health expert with prominent expertise in health and social system strengthening, evidence-informed policy and practice, advocacy, performance optimization, and strategic intelligence.
Clara has supported several Ministries, UN agencies, and NGOs locally and internationally in developing and advancing evidence-informed health and social policies into impact. This includes the development of standards for daycare centers, hospitals primary health care centers, and regional and global health and social strategies and policies.
Her research interests include evidence-informed decision-making and knowledge translation, stakeholder and citizen engagement, health system strengthening and resilience, emergency management, and performance optimization.
She has published 30+ policy briefs and knowledge translation products on topics of health and social system reform, women and child health, conflict, and emergencies, among others. She has several publications in international and regional journals, focusing on implementation research, health systems, and policy.
Clara spearheaded critical national and global initiatives in health data, overseeing the creation of platforms, crafting policy briefs on digitalizing healthcare systems, and conducting comprehensive assessments on governance during emergencies, culminating in impactful national policies.
With a Master's in Public Health and a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing from the American University of Beirut, Clara has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout her career. She is widely recognized for her leadership abilities and ability to lead several international initiatives, mentoring institutions on strengthening health systems and knowledge translation.
Email: ca70@aub.edu.lb