The NAAMA Summer International Conference “Sound Mind, Sound Body: Advances in Medicine and Public Health” in Beirut, Lebanon was a great success. More than 100 physicians and health professionals attended from the US and Lebanon. A stellar lineup of 30 speakers from both the US and the AUB covered topics related to the health of the mind and the body and talked about the latest accomplishments and research in the public health field and in medicine at large. Important lectures took place over the 3-day conference covering all kinds of medical related issues such as Physician Burn-out, The Refugees’ Mental and Physical Health, Women’s Health, and The Latest studies on Tobacco and Hookah Danger. From heart health to diabetes to depression and much more, the conference was a rich resource of information.

Socially speaking, our attendees enjoyed the beauty of the country by touring key historic places that mix smoothly with modern Lebanon, while enjoying its famous cuisine. As for the humanitarian aspect of the conference, we visited 3 NGOs —ANERA, Amel International, and Beit Aftal Assumoud — and learned about their work with the refugees. Our guests were so moved by the work Beit Atfal Assumoud is doing that they pledged $10,000 in monetary donations. In addition, volunteer physicians helped at Haifa Hospital, run by ANERA, in Burj Brajneh. As for the 2 youth programs, SPAAC and CAMES, our participants enjoyed a 3-week intensive Arabic language and cultural immersion course at the AUB. They are back with great memories and newfound friendships.

Here are some photos of the conference: