In an atmosphere filled with pride, emotion, and solemnity, the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) held a ceremony at the Raymond and Aida Najjar Building Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine to confer honorary doctorates upon four exceptional physicians: Dr. Paul Achouh, Dr. Toni K. Choueiri, Dr. Christiane Ferran, and Dr. François Nader.

The event brought together the Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, the Vice-Rectors, Prof. Elie Nemr, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, other deans and directors, instructors, the families of the honorees, and many guests who came to celebrate the achievements of these USJ alumni who have made a lasting impact on medicine in Lebanon and around the world.

In her opening address, Prof. Nadine Riachi Haddad, Secretary-General of USJ, expressed the University’s pride in seeing four of its alumni “shine across the world,” reflecting through their careers and daily lives the values of their Alma Mater. Marking the 150^th anniversary of the University, she explained that this distinction carries a special meaning. “By conferring this title upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to society, in Lebanon and abroad, USJ expresses its gratitude on behalf of all those who have benefited and will continue to benefit from their dedication.”

When Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, took the floor, he paid a heartfelt tribute to the Faculty of Medicine, describing it as carrying “with quiet dignity and unwavering loyalty the torch of USJ’s founding mission to educate men and women for the medical service of knowledge and humanity.” He emphasized that the conferral of these four honorary doctorates “was not only an academic gesture but an act of recognition and remembrance,” honoring generations of doctors, professors, and researchers who wrote, “often under impossible conditions,” a proud chapter in Lebanon’s medical history. “Through these four remarkable figures, we express our gratitude to the thousands of alumni who have honored the Faculty and the University in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and institutions.”

Prof. Daccache recalled the Faculty’s tumultuous history, “rebuilt three times” thanks to the generosity of its friends and benefactors, notably Raymond and Aida Najjar. He praised its humanistic mission, stating that “its greatness lies in its service to humanity, in competence placed at the service of others, and in faith in humankind and in science an instrument of dignity.”

Prof. Elie Nemr also took the floor, expressing the deep emotion felt by the university community on this special day, for two reasons: the tribute to four FM alumni, and the recognition of Prof. Salim Daccache, “a leader who has guided the University through some of the most challenging times in the country’s history.”

Before presenting the honorary doctorates, the Rector spoke about each of the recipients, presenting their paths, achievements, and the meaningful impact of their work. One after another, the honorees took the stage to deliver their addresses, each expressing, in a personal way, the pride of being a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut and the gratitude they feel toward the institution that guided their academic and human development.

Dr. Paul Achouh

Professor of cardiovascular and aortic surgery, Head of Department and Deputy Director of the CARTE Academic Medical Department at Université Paris-Cité, Dr. Paul Achouh spoke with heartfelt emotion.

“It is a great honor for me to receive this distinction from a university so dear to my heart,” he said, recalling the challenges of studying during the war in Lebanon and the solidarity that allowed him to continue. He thanked the Rector at the time, who allowed him to pursue his medical studies, and paid a special tribute to Mrs. Carmel Ghafari Wakim, then Director of the USJ Financial Aid Office, who supported him for seven years.

His words of gratitude, remembrance, and acknowledgment of his mentors traced the journey of a young Lebanese “filled with dreams and ambition” who became an excellent surgeon. He concluded by dedicating his success to his family, his children, and his “ray of sunshine,” a symbol of joy and continuity.

Dr. Toni K. Choueiri

Professor of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Toni K. Choueiri expressed his gratitude to his Lebanese family, lifelong friends, and the entire USJ administration. After twenty-five years in the United States, he said that the values instilled at USJ, such as discipline, honesty, ambition, and rigor, shaped his career.

“Anything is possible when one receives a quality education,” he said, emphasizing the importance of giving back and passing knowledge on to others.

Dr. Christiane Ferran

A nephrologist and researcher, Co-Director of the Center for Vascular Biology Research (BIDMC) and Professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Christiane Ferran gave a moving and inspiring address.

She began by paying tribute to Prof. Daccache in particular and to USJ in general for their resilience and strength. She saluted the deans, instructors, and students, expressing her pride in sharing this honor with her fellow colleagues.

Her speech became deeply personal as she recalled being wounded at the age of sixteen by a sniper just across from the Faculty of Medicine. Hospitalized at Hôtel-Dieu de France, she experienced firsthand “the compassion and excellence” of the caregivers, an experience that defined her calling. “It was at that moment that I decided to become a doctor,” she said.

She dedicated her honorary doctorate to her class of 1983, to the new generation of doctors, and “to our patients,” reminding everyone that medicine is above all a mission of compassion and service.

Dr. François Nader

A physician and biopharmaceutical leader, Chairman of BIOLINK.org and Board Member at Moderna, Dr. François Nader delivered a speech filled with humility and gratitude.

He paid tribute to his physics teacher, Fr. Louis Dumas, quoting his defining lesson: “Excellence is not an option but a responsibility.” He then spoke about his decision to dedicate himself to drug development in order to “help millions of patients rather than one at a time.”

Together with his wife, he founded a philanthropic organization that promotes access to healthcare and education in Lebanon, convinced that individual success should become a collective commitment. “Perseverance is the noblest form of courage,” he said, dedicating his award to his family and to all Lebanese living abroad.

He concluded with a symbolic message: “The world is our arena, and the sky is the only limit.”

By honoring these four physicians, the Saint Joseph University of Beirut celebrates more than remarkable careers. It celebrates the spirit of service, the strength of its values, and the light of knowledge that continues to shine through its alumni. As USJ marks 150 years of history, it reaffirms that its greatest achievement lies in the lives it has shaped, lives dedicated to healing, discovery, and hope.

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