Dean Nadim Cortas Informs the AUB Community of His Departure

Dear Colleagues,

I recently informed President Waterbury that I intend to step down from my administrative duties as Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the Medical Center…I would like to express my gratitude to Dean Samir Najjar who recruited me back to AUB in 1994, a university I have strong attachments to and admiration for; and to President Waterbury and the BOT for giving me the opportunity and trusting me to serve as Vice President and Dean since 1999.

I accepted this position knowing that it was not going to be an easy task, to change existing structures and habits of people, to create new programs and to set new standards …Today, I stand proud for all the achievements during the last 15 years in the FM and the AUBMC.

Together and with the generous contributions of a number of philanthropists, we have improved the existing facilities, built new ones and created some very successful programs. The building of the Research Core Laboratory Facilities in 1996 resulted in significant increase in research funding and output, and in recruitment of highly credentialed new faculty. Establishment of clear criteria for appointment and promotion in the FM improved significantly the quality of the faculty promoted. The curriculum, the student and faculty assessment processes were improved. An MS program in Nursing started and a joint MD/PhD program with the Medical University of South California graduated its first students. Partnerships with other Medical Schools and Hospitals within Lebanon and the US are active. The Medical practice plan established in 2002, increased significantly professional fee revenue and allowed for the recruitment of a large number of highly credentialed faculty members in different specialties. Workloads in the Private clinics, hospital, and in all services increased significantly increasing net revenue markedly. A Performance Improvement program gained momentum and JCI and a number of other accreditations were achieved. A strategic plan is now complete.

It has been an honor, pleasure and privilege to serve as Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the Medical Center and to work with all of you for the past 15 years. This VP/Deanship has been among the most rewarding periods of my professional career. I have learnt a lot from you and have drawn strength and inspiration from the unrelenting support of many of you, and for that I thank you.

Warm regards,
Nadim Cortas