KNOW THIS FIRST
Our Background
The International Lebanese Medical Association, USA, is a non-profit, non-political, and a non-denominational organization.
It was formed by medical professionals of Lebanese heritage, living in the United States, who share common interests in health, education and research.
If you are a Lebanese medical professional, residing in the USA, Please Join Us.
ILMAUSA Foundation
The ILMAUSA Foundation supports healthcare entities and patients in Lebanon and the USA through strategic medical education and research investments, Please Support Us.
Friends of ILMA USA
Apply now to share your time, skills, and ideas—and help us create meaningful change in healthcare and education. You don’t have to be in the medical field to get involved—we welcome all backgrounds.
Join Our Upcoming Webinar!
Topic: ILMAUSA Residency & Fellowship Readiness Webinar
📅 Date: May 28, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 1:00 PM EST
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with Lebanese-American physicians ready to support your transition into residency!
📲 Register now to get instant access to the Zoom link and stay updated.
ILMA Conference 2025 – Mark Your Calendars!
Join us on July 26, 2025, at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut for the 2nd ILMA Annual Conference, themed “Strengthening Lebanon’s Healthcare Together: A Global Commitment.” Organized by the International Lebanese Medical Association (ILMA), this important event will bring together Lebanese healthcare professionals from around the world—uniting experts in medicine, academia, public health, NGOs, and medical education to shape the future of healthcare in Lebanon.
What we do
The association serves as a platform for healthcare professionals to advance education, research, and collaboration within the United States and between the U.S. and Lebanon. Through initiatives like the ILMA-KU Research Fellow Program, ILMA-USA supports Lebanese medical graduates by providing scholarships and research grants that drive innovation in medical research and patient care. The Academic Committee fosters educational excellence and global collaboration by offering mentorship, stipends for groundbreaking research, and organizing professional development programs.
The association aims to foster cooperation between medical health professionals in the USA and Lebanon and promote educational exchange amongst these individuals through both the ILMA-USA Chapter and ILMA (www.intlma.org).
ILMAUSA is proud to celebrate the achievements of its members, including Dr. Khalil Diab, who exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and excellence in medicine. Dr. Diab is the host of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, which provides valuable insights into medical collaborations, inspiring stories, and the exchange of knowledge between the USA and Lebanon. His podcast is available on major platforms like Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Anghami, and Google Podcasts, as well as on YouTube.
Learn more about Dr. Diab’s remarkable journey and contributions on his dedicated page.
The association provides expert advice on medical and health policies to organizations, institutions, and government authorities in the United States and Lebanon.
We are honored to recognize the contributions of ILMAUSA member Dr. Ali Mokdad, a Professor and Chief Strategy Officer of Population Health, whose leadership in the Global Burden of Disease Collaborator Network strengthens our evidence-based recommendations with insights from global health research.
Support the ILMAUSA-KU Research Fellowship Program.
ILMAUSA Association and ILMA Foundation are raising funds for the ILMAUSA-KU Research Fellowship Program—a fund dedicated to support a lifetime research position for a Lebanese medical graduate at the University of Kansas.
Since 2022, ILMAUSA has funded scholarships to help Lebanese students pursue medical research at the University of Kansas. In 2025, we raised $300,000, which allowed us to expand our impact by funding five new research fellowship positions.
This is the first and only program of its kind in the United States, offering exceptional Lebanese students a unique opportunity to advance their research careers.
We need your support! Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps us reach our goal to establish an endowment that funds a lifetime ILMA-KU research position and provides these brilliant students with the opportunity they deserve.
Episode 119 of The Lebanese Physicians’ Podcast, titled “Healing Horizons: Navigating the US Medicine Match and the ILMA Research Program,” features a discussion with Lebanese medical students who successfully matched into U.S. residency programs in internal medicine and general surgery. These students share their experiences with the International Lebanese Medical Association (ILMA) Research Program, detailing how it aided their journey through the U.S. residency match process. The episode offers insights into the application process, the benefits of the ILMA program, and practical advice for aspiring medical professionals aiming to pursue residency training in the United States.
You can listen to the full episode here
Highlights from the July 2024 Conference:
Collaboration to boost Lebanon’s Health Care
ILMA's 2024 Awards
The International Lebanese Medical Association (ILMA) held an extraordinary conference at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut on July 5-6, 2024. This significant event brought together key stakeholders to enhance Lebanon's healthcare system. During the opening ceremony, a special award for medical excellence was presented, highlighting ILMA's commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent in the medical field.
Scholarship Program
ILMA-USA generously funded scholarships worth $275,000 for Lebanese medical students to study and conduct research in the United States. This initiative underscores ILMA's commitment to nurturing future medical professionals and advancing academic excellence.
Workshops on Clinical Skills
The conference featured workshops on clinical skills, providing hands-on training for medical professionals. These sessions aimed to enhance the capabilities of healthcare providers and improve patient care standards in Lebanon.
Blood Donation Booth
In collaboration with the Red Cross, a blood donation booth was organized at the conference. This initiative demonstrated ILMA's dedication to providing immediate and practical health support, encouraging participants to contribute to saving lives.
Disaster Medicine Session
A focused session on disaster medicine was conducted, highlighting the importance of preparedness and response. Experts shared best practices and innovative approaches to manage and mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters on public health.
Collaborating with Health Authorities
ILMA focused on creating strong links with the Ministry of Health, Parliament, and relevant unions. This effort aims to establish a stable exchange of expertise and support, fostering collaboration and improving the overall healthcare infrastructure in Lebanon.
Meet the board
Georgina Aoun Nouaime
President
Northeast Region
MD, MBA, MPH, Massachussetts
Rachid Akiki
Vice President
Southeast/Great Lakes Region
MD, Nuc Med, Florida
Nada Awad
Secretary
Midwest/Pacific Region
MD, Family Medicine, California
Chady Sarraf
Treasurer, co-founder
Midwest/Pacific Region
MD, Hospitalist, Kansas
Ghassan Abu Hamad
Board Member
Midwest/Pacific Region
MD, Vascular Surgery, California
Karim Makhoul
Board Member
Northeast Region
MD, Neurology, New York
Marc Ayoub
Board Member
Northeast Region
MD, Neurocritical Care, New York
Nelly Aoun
Board Member
Southeast/Great Lakes Region
MD, Hematology & Oncology, Louisiana
Elie Saade
Board Member
Southeast/Great Lakes Region
MD, Infectious Disease Physician and Public Health Specialist, Ohio
Bassam Mattar
Advisory Board
MD, Hematology & Oncology, Kansas
Francois Abi Fadel
co-founder, Advisory Board
MD, Pulmonary & Critical Care, New York
Jacques Daoud
Advisory Board
MD, Nephrology, Indiana
Salma Makhoul Ahwach
co-founder, Advisory Board
MD, Endocrinology, Florida
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