ILMA-USA Academic Committee: Advancing Medical Education, Research, and Global Collaboration
The mission of the Academic Committee of ILMA-USA is to advance medical education, research, collaboration, mentorship, and the development of early-career professionals globally. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, we seek to positively impact healthcare in Lebanon and empower healthcare professionals to lead with compassion, integrity, and expertise.
The Academic Committee of the International Lebanese Medical Association (ILMA)-USA is dedicated to fostering excellence in medical education, research, collaboration, mentorship, and support for early-career professionals, with a commitment to advancing healthcare in Lebanon, the USA, and globally.
- Promotion of continuous learning and professional growth. We provide healthcare professionals with access to state-of-the-art educational resources, innovative learning experiences, and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
- Access to renowned mentors who guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders placing a strong emphasis on supporting early-career healthcare professionals by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and targeted educational resources.
- Empower professionals at all stages of their careers to deliver the highest standard of care to patients worldwide.
- Robust support of research and innovation. Recognizing the pivotal role of scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice, we provide research mentorship to nurture and guide emerging researchers. Additionally, we actively fund research programs that drive medical advancements and improve patient outcomes. We facilitate research initiatives, scholarly publications, and scientific conferences that promote the exchange of ideas, the dissemination of knowledge, and the practical application of research findings in clinical settings.
- We believe that addressing the complex challenges of healthcare requires cooperation at both national and international levels. Our focus on academic research collaboration ensures that healthcare professionals and researchers work together across borders and disciplines. Through networking events, professional conferences, and collaborative academic projects, we aim to build meaningful connections among healthcare professionals and researchers from diverse backgrounds and specialties.
- Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our endeavors. We understand that diverse perspectives and experiences are essential to driving innovation and improving patient care. By fostering an inclusive environment, we strive to ensure that all healthcare professionals feel valued, empowered, and inspired to achieve their full potential.
Purpose of IRSP Provide medical students in Lebanon with research stipends and mentorship to foster academic excellence and promote international collaborations.
Eligibility Criteria First, second or third-year medical students in the American system or equivalent, with a primary mentor in Lebanon and potential co-mentor from ILMA-USA.
Expectations:
Online Research Training: During the first month, mentees will attend an online course on research fundamentals, such as the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), to build essential research skills.
Regular Meetings with ILMA-USA Co-Mentor: Mentees will meet regularly, either monthly or every two months, with the ILMA-USA co-mentor to present study updates, discuss issues, plan next steps, and receive constructive feedback to enhance their research project.
Progress Evaluations and Presentations: At the 6-month mark, mentees will present their research progress to the ILMA academic committee. By the end of the 1-year program, they must submit an abstract to the ILMA annual meeting and at least one other national or international conference.
Program Benefits Stipend of up to $1000, travel allowance for accepted abstracts, and structured mentorship including progress reports and presentations.
How to Apply If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to advance your research, apply for the ILMA-USA Research Scholarship Program (IRSP) to receive stipends and mentorship.
Application Timeline Applications open on [start date] and close on [end date].
The ILMA USA Academic Committee is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated platform to connect passionate researchers with impactful projects across diverse fields.
This platform is tailored to match applicants with research opportunities aligned to their unique interests, skills, and career goals.
Whether you are a student, early-career researcher, or seasoned professional, our program aims to offer a wide range of opportunities in various medical specialties.
Apply Now
Meet Our Team
Chair: Victor Yazbeck, MD, MS | Associate Professor of Hematology-Oncology
Dr. Yazbeck earned his M.D. from Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, completed his residency at SUNY Upstate New York, and a Hematology-Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a Master's in Clinical and Translational Research and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Now an Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, his focus is on lymphoid malignancies and B-cell biology. His favorite memory of Lebanon is planting a cedar tree on each visit.
Vice Chair: Lama Nazzal, MD, MSc | Associate Professor
Dr. Lama Nazzal holds an MSc in Clinical Investigation from NYU and is currently an Associate Professor. Her research focuses on the impact of the gut microbiome on kidney diseases, with a particular interest in how gut microbiota metabolizes dietary substrates that influence the risk of kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Her favorite memory of Lebanon is Sunday lunch with the whole family in the garden of their house in the south.
Georgina Aoun Nouaime, MD, MBA, MPH | Virtual Hospitalist, UMass
Dr. Georgina Nouaime holds an MBA (2005), an MPH (2023), and is a Fellow of Disaster Medicine (2023). She is currently a Virtual Hospitalist at UMass with a clinical and research focus on disaster medicine. Her favorite memory of Lebanon is growing up on an orchard in Damour.
Francois Fadell, MD, MBA, FACP, FCCP, FRCP (UK), ATSF | Associate Professor, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University at Buffalo
Francois Fadell, MD, MBA, FACP, FCCP, FRCP (UK), ATSF, is an Associate Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor, Program Director of International Pulmonary, and Global Ambassador to Europe at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. His research focuses on cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, critical care outcomes, healthcare disparities and health equity, lung cancer screening, lung nodules, medical education and simulation, pulmonary rehabilitation, quality improvement projects, and sepsis.
Ali Mokdad, PhD | Professor and Chief Strategy Officer, IHME, University of Washington
Dr. Ali Mokdad, PhD is a leading epidemiologist and Professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, where he serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Population Health. With over 18 years at the CDC, he directed the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and has published over 450 articles on health disparities and obesity. He has received multiple awards, including the Global Health Achievement Award. Dr. Mokdad earned his BS in Biostatistics from the American University of Beirut and his PhD in Quantitative Epidemiology from Emory University.
Fadi W. Abdul-Karim, MD, MEd | Assistant Dean, Balamand University
Dr. Fadi W. Abdul-Karim, MD, MEd, completed his fellowship at MD Anderson Hospital in Texas and is board certified in Anatomic Pathology and Cytopathology. He holds a Master's in Medical Education and is the Assistant Dean for US Affairs at Balamand University. He is also a Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic and teaches pathology at Ohio University Heritage School of Osteopathic Medicine. His expertise includes gynecologic pathology and cytopathology. His favorite memory of Lebanon is the smell of Beirut streets after a rainfall..
Samah Nassereddine, MD | Fellowship Director and Assistant Professor, GWU
Dr. Samah Nassereddine is ABIM certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and serves as the Fellowship Program Director for GW Hematology Oncology. Her clinical and research focus is on malignant hematology, particularly quality of care and outcome research in myeloid neoplasms. Her favorite memory of Lebanon is spending nights with friends in Hamra, Beirut.
Naji Abou Zeid, MD, MSc | Research Scholar, Department of Surgery, UIC
Dr. Naji Abou Zeid earned his M.D. and M.Sc. from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. He is currently a Research Scholar in the Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago, with clinical interests in oncology, surgery, and the integration of technology into medicine. His favorite memory of Lebanon is spending summers in Bzoummar.
Ahmad Kassem, MD | Hematology-Oncology Fellow, VCU
Dr. Ahmad Kassem earned his M.D. from the American University of Beirut and completed his residency and served as Chief Resident at Case Western University MetroHealth Medical Center. He is currently a Hematology-Oncology fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University, with clinical interests in lymphoma, classical hematology, and medical education. His favorite memory of Lebanon is drinking fresh mint tea with family on a breezy summer night.
The ILMA-USA Academic Committee plays a crucial role in improving healthcare by focusing on education, research, and supporting medical professionals, particularly those early in their careers. They provide learning resources, mentoring, and opportunities for collaboration with doctors and researchers worldwide.
The committee fosters innovation in healthcare through research, offering guidance, stipends, and platforms for doctors and students to share their findings at conferences. They also promote diversity, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. By connecting professionals from different regions and specialties, the committee aims to strengthen healthcare in Lebanon, the USA, and globally.