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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.
🌟 ILMA 3rd International Medical Conference Registration Now Open
Join the International Lebanese Medical Association (ILMA) for its 3rd International Medical Conference, bringing together Lebanese healthcare professionals from around the world for a landmark scientific gathering in Beirut.
Featuring two major scientific tracks:
🧬 Advances in Oncology and Cancer Care
❤️ Innovations in Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Medicine
Engage with leading experts, explore cutting-edge medical advances, and connect with colleagues through a day of high-level scientific discussion and collaboration. 👉 Learn More
📅 July 4, 2026
📍 InterContinental Phoenicia — Beirut
Highlights from the ILMA 2025 Conference
Held on July 26, 2025 at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut
🎤 Opening Ceremony: A Day of Unity and Purpose
The ILMA 2025 Conference opened with an inspiring ceremony featuring live classical music, heartfelt remarks from ILMA leadership, and speeches by high-level officials. This uplifting start set the tone for a day of global connection, collaboration, and recognition. 👉 Read more about the Opening Ceremony and ILMA Excellence Awards
💡 Scientific Sessions – Innovation, Technology, and Ethics in Healthcare
Featuring over 30 international experts, the scientific sessions addressed pressing topics in healthcare — including Telehealth, Artificial Intelligence in medicine, and Bioethics. These dynamic panels united leaders from medicine, academia, and public policy to explore practical, forward-looking solutions for Lebanon. 
Read more about the key sessions and expert discussions
🎓 Student Session: Mentorship for the Next Generation
At the ILMA 2025 Conference, our Student Sessions brought together medical students and experts from around the world to share knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration. These sessions highlighted diverse training models and equipped students with practical advice for their medical careers. 👉 Read more about student participation and global guidance
🎓 Scholarships & Research Grants
At the ILMA 2025 Conference in Beirut, ILMA-USA proudly awarded $342,000 to support 42 medical student scholarships and 5 research grants. These awards — given to students from all eight medical schools in Lebanon — are designed to empower today’s learners to become tomorrow’s healers, while advancing groundbreaking medical research. Read more about our scholarships and research grants
🤝 Honoring Our Sponsors
The ILMA 2025 Conference proudly celebrated the spirit of collaboration by honoring our valued partners and sponsors during a special on-stage ceremony. SciencePro, our trusted organizing partner, worked tirelessly to deliver a seamless and inspiring event.
We also paid tribute to our generous sponsors — organizations that went beyond funding to invest in community, science, and the future of Lebanese healthcare. 👉 Read more about our valued partners and sponsors
Friends of ILMAUSA
You don’t have to wear a white coat to make a real difference—just passion and purpose. Whether you’re in the U.S. or Lebanon, Apply now.
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.
ILMAUSA-KU Research Fellowship Program.
The ILMAUSA Association – Kansas Chapter established the ILMAUSA-KU Research Fellowship Program to create a lifetime research position for a Lebanese medical graduate at the University of Kansas.
Since 2022, ILMAUSA has awarded scholarships to support Lebanese students in pursuing medical research at the University of Kansas. In 2025, the program expanded significantly with $300,000 secured to fund 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.
The ILMAUSA-KU Research Fellowship Program continues to stand as a model of impactful international academic collaboration.
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
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Latest News
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
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