For the second consecutive year, the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP) at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (AUB FM) and Medical Center (AUBMC) presented a physician and a resident with the SHBPP/AUB FM Humanism and Professionalism Award at the resident’s graduation ceremony on May 30, 2013 at the Assembly Hall.
Based on this year’s faculty nominations and the Humanism and Professionalism Award Committee deliberations and voting, the Humanism and Professionalism Physician Award was granted to Dr. Mahmoud Choucair from the Department of Internal Medicine, who was “delighted and humbled to hear from Dean Mohamed Sayegh that I was nominated.” Since his time as a medical student at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Dr. Choucair has believed that “the most important mission of medicine is to offer the best health services to all patients in a friendly atmosphere that respects their dignity.” During his mandate as a president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, he advocated the enactment of the Law of the Patients’ Rights and the implementation of informed consent in medical care.
The Humanism and Professionalism Resident Award was granted to Dr. Rana Costa from the Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Costa asserted that “the mission of humanism should be that of any physician,” however, “to be personally recognized with this award was both a great honor and a humbling experience,” she stated. “Having been given this award now makes me accountable to an even bigger community who I will passionately strive not to let down,” she added.
This prestigious award, a first of its kind in the Arab world, honors qualities of compassionate care and selfless dedication to excellence. It is granted to the physician and resident who exemplifies the humane and professional aspects of medicine and who is exceptionally proficient, compassionate, kind, responsible and concerned about the welfare of patients, colleagues, staff and students.
The recipient of the award is also a remarkable role model, self-reflective about his/her own continuing development; and revealing integrity and professionalism in all he/she does.