On August 11, 2022, the Naef K. Basil Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) honored Dr. Ziad Salem for more than 40 years of utmost dedication in serving AUB and its medical center and for his great contributions to the Hematology Oncology Division
The ceremony was attended by AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri, Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs Raymond Sawaya, Executive Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine Fuad Ziyadeh, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Communications and Director of NKBCI Ali Taher, Head of Hematology Oncology and Director of Breast Center of Excellence Nagi El Saghir, the Salem family, a number of dignitaries, and members of the AUB and AUBMC community.
In his speech, President Khuri said, “Numerous family members were treated by Dr. Salem and our trust in you is unlimited, I want to thank you for all what you did and especially for the Next Step Program that you and Hana established at AUB, for all the care you have given to AUBMC, and for your philanthropy towards AUB."
Dr. Raymond Sawaya commented, “We are bidding farewell to a giant in hematology oncology who has trained and mentored so many renowned hematologist oncologists. Dr. Salem has spent 42 years giving to AUBMC, and as a newly appointed dean, I am yet to give to our beloved institution."
Dr. Fuad Ziyadeh added, “Dr. Salem is the founder of Hematology Oncology Division in the Department of Internal Medicine, and under his leadership, the division moved more into sub specialization all through Dr. Salem's dedication and mentorship to colleagues and students. Dr. Salem's dedication for teaching and mentorship led him to earn the Special Merit Award of the Department of Internal Medicine in 2019."
In his turn, Dr. Taher said, “It is no secret to all of you that since my directorship at the NKBCI, Ziad has gracefully donated all his clinical income to serve NKBCI, its staff, its operations and maintain it while practicing with the same clinical excellence, work ethics, work hours and dedication he has always maintained, beyond the call of duty. What is even more telling of his integrity, is that over the past few years, despite the institution and the country going through the most challenging times, Ziad, who likely has had endless opportunities elsewhere, stayed loyal to his home institution, At a time when many people chose to leave, he not only chose to stay, but to give back more so than before, serving as a true example in loyalty and humility."
Dr. Saghir said, “Dr. Ziad Salem is a great, smart, and very knowledgeable clinician and teacher. Ziad is a man of science. He keeps himself on top of all aspects of hematology oncology. He never misses any of our educational activities, lectures, tumor boards, and grand rounds. As for international meetings, ASCO, ASH, ESMO, breast, lung, GI, lymphoma, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, San Antonio, San Gallen, Paris, Vienna, Barcelona, Stockholm, Amman, Beirut, Cairo. Dubai, you name it! He is always there. His patients were indeed very lucky to have him as their up-to-date treating oncologist."
Dr. Salem has led the Hematology Oncology Division and evolved it into a world-class division that became reference for Lebanon and the region. He attained his MD from AUB in 1973 and earned his residency degree in 1975. He earned the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1972. He joined AUB as an assistant professor of internal medicine and laboratory medicine in 1980 and served as head of the Hematology Oncology Division from 1986 till 2001 and head of the tumor registry at AUBMC from 1987 till 1990. In 1993, he was promoted to associate professor of clinical medicine. He won the Salim El-Hoss Humanism and Professionalism Award in 2014, as well as the Special Merit Award of the Department of Internal Medicine in 2019.
Dr. Salem has always been known to be among the most compassionate and caring physicians and has always established unique communication with patients. All through his career, he has portrayed a humanistic approach towards his patients and, most of all, ethical values that are beyond comparison in terms of philanthropy, education, and mentorship, as well as deep generosity. He is a professional role model, mentor, and father-figure.