The faculty celebrated the inaugural graduation of its Leadership in Medicine Program on August 29, 2026, recognizing 16 faculty members and health professionals who completed a year-long program focused on developing leadership skills, self-awareness, collaboration, and strategic thinking in medicine and academia.
Held at the Gefinor Rotana Hotel, the event brought together AUB leadership, faculty members, colleagues, families, and friends to celebrate the inaugural cohort and mark the completion of a program designed to prepare physicians and health professionals to lead teams, initiatives, and institutions within medicine and beyond.
The Leadership in Medicine Program was developed to address the need for formal leadership development in medicine, where physicians and faculty members are increasingly called upon to lead clinical services, academic programs, research initiatives, and teams. Over the course of the year, participants completed 90 contact hours covering leadership theories and styles, strategic planning, change management, teamwork, and professional development. The program combined interactive learning with opportunities to engage with experienced leaders, develop strategic plans, deliver Master Classes, and reflect on individual leadership development.
Opening the event, Master of Ceremony Khalil Kreidieh reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the Leadership in Medicine Program and the importance of intentionally preparing physicians and health professionals for leadership responsibilities.“In medicine, we spend years training people to become outstanding clinicians, educators, and researchers. And then, often surprisingly early in their careers, we ask them to lead," Kreidieh noted. “Leadership, too, deserves to be learned, practiced, and developed deliberately."
Welcoming the graduates, Dr. Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan and Dr. Steve Harvey, co-directors of the Leadership in Medicine Program, reflected on the program's development and the qualities demonstrated by its inaugural cohort.
For Dr. Fuleihan, the graduates' completion of the program represents an important milestone in an ongoing process of leadership development. “Leadership is a lifelong process of growth that demands attention and commitment," she emphasized.
Dr. Harvey highlighted commitment, engagement, and humility as defining qualities of the inaugural cohort, emphasizing that effective leadership is grounded in a shared purpose and the ability to empower others. “Leadership is never about individual status, but about collective impact."
Vice President for Medical Affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean of FM Raymond Sawaya addressed the graduates, highlighting the importance of investing in the development of the next generation of leaders in medicine and academia.
In his keynote address, AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri reflected on the responsibility that accompanies leadership and its significance within institutions and society. “Leadership is not just an honor. Leadership is not necessarily always a pleasure. Leadership is not necessarily a privilege. It is a duty. Leadership is citizenship."
The event also recognized outstanding contributions and achievements within the inaugural cohort. Ms. Sara Ajjour, Dr. Ali Ismail, Dr. Firas Kreidieh, and Dr. Lara Nassar received the Visionary Strategic Plan Group Award for developing a strategic plan demonstrating innovation, feasibility, teamwork, alignment with AUB's mission, and the potential for meaningful institutional impact. The group also received the Master Class Distinction Group Award for excellence in content, instructional design, presentation, audience engagement, teamwork, and overall educational impact.
The Team Leadership Award recognized individuals who demonstrated outstanding leadership in fostering collaboration, building trust, and supporting team performance. The award was presented to Dr. Hisham Bou Fakhreddine, Dr. Lama Charafeddine, Dr. Zeinab Issa, and Dr. Lara Nassar.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of certificates to the 16 members of the inaugural cohort: Dr. Alain Abi Ghanem, Ms. Sara Ajjour, Ms. Mariam Assaad, Dr. Bahaa Bou Dargham, Dr. Hisham Bou Fakhreddine, Dr. Lama Charafeddine, Dr. Hassan Doumiati, Dr. Elias Ghossoub, Dr. Ali Ismail, Dr. Zeinab Issa, Dr. Farah Jaber, Dr. Firas Kreidieh, Dr. Faouzi Maalouf, Dr. Mira Merashli, Dr. Lara Nassar, and Dr. Eman Sbaity.
Representing the graduating class, Dr. Lama Charafeddine reflected on how the program challenged participants to reconsider traditional approaches to leadership in medicine. “True leadership isn't about commanding and controlling; it is the opposite. It is learning how to let go of that control," she noted, highlighting the importance of creating environments that enable others to learn, grow, and contribute.
The event concluded with recognition of the many individuals whose efforts contributed to the establishment and delivery of the program. Special recognition was extended to Ms. Loubna Sinno, Ms. Shereen Allaw, and Mr. Ali Hammoudi for their dedication and invaluable support throughout the program's inaugural year, alongside the faculty, instructors, advisors,
As the first graduates of the Leadership in Medicine Program, the 16 participants now carry forward the knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained throughout the year across their clinical, academic, research, and institutional roles. Their experience as the program's inaugural cohort will continue through the teams they lead, the colleagues they mentor, the initiatives they advance, and the positive change they help shape within medicine and their communities.