American University of Beirut Medical Center Becomes First Medical Center in Lebanon and Fourth in the World to Receive ACGME-I Accreditation

July 3, 2014-Beirut, Lebanon – The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has become the first Medical Center in Lebanon the and fourth in the World to receive institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education – International (ACGME-I). The accreditation became effective Tuesday July 1^st, 2014.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International LLC (ACGME-I) is a non-governmental organization responsible for the accreditation of international graduate medical education (GME) programs such as internships, residencies and fellowships for physicians, in the US and the ACGME-I is the international arm of the ACGME.

“We are extremely proud of achieving this accreditation,” commented Dean Mohammed Sayegh, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “The achievement of this milestone would not have been possible without the tremendous effort and dedication displayed by our medical education team led by Dr. Kamal Badr, Associate Dean for Medical Education, Dr. Salah Zeineddine, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education and the GME Committee.” added Dr. Sayegh.

Under the ACGME-I structure, doctors in training programs (residents) undergo structured specialist training supervised by dedicated senior clinicians after graduating from medical school.

Physicians who complete an ACGME-I accredited program have been educated in an educational setting where these standards have been met. Physicians are regularly assessed on their medical knowledge, clinical skills, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills. This ensures the aspiring specialist doctors are well-trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide excellent care by the time they finish their training which spans for four to six years.

“The ACGME-I institutional accreditation is effective for two years and is a milestone on the path to AUBMC’s next goal to secure accreditation for individual training programs.” said Dr. Kamal Badr. “This is a transformational achievement that solidifies the AUB Faculty of Medicine’s pioneering role in advancing medical education in the region and is the first accreditation of its kind in Lebanon.” added Dr. Badr.

ACGME-I recently accredited national programs in Abu-Dhabi, Qatar and Singapore. As of 2016, trainees who do not graduate from ACGME (I)-accredited institutions will no longer be able to continue to more advance training in US medical institutions. AUBMC’s ACGME-I accreditation will provide medical students in Lebanon and the region the opportunity to do so.

“Our unwavering commitment to our academic mission is a major pillar of the AUBMC 2020 Vision and this institutional accreditation from ACGME-I is a testament to the excellent standards of our graduate medical education programs.” added Dr. Sayegh.

AUBMC is the first medical institution in the Middle East to have earned the three international accreditations of JCI, Magnet and CAP, attesting to its superior standards in patient-centered care, nursing, and pathology/laboratory services. 

For more information please visit our website www.aubmc.org or contact:

The AUBMC Office of Communications at 0096 1 350000 ext. 4732

Rana Alley, Director of Strategic Planning and Communications 00961 1 350000 ext. 4722

Email: praubmc@aub.edu.lb

Ketchum Raad Middle East

Suzan Bou Dargham, Account Director – 00961 3 690505 – Email: suzan.dargham@ketchum-raad.com

Note to Editors

About American University of Beirut Medical Center

Since 1902, the American University of Beirut Medical Center has been the most trusted and respected healthcare provider in Lebanon and the region, handling more than 300,000 patient visits annually.  AUB is building on its strong foundations in medical education and health care through the AUBMC 2020 Vision. In addition to improving facilities and capacity, the AUBMC 2020 Vision will establish centers of excellence that will provide new medical options for the treatment of illnesses endemic in the Arab world, and it will expand access to the quality of care that families in Lebanon have depended on for generations.

Launched in 2010, the AUBMC 2020 Vision is an ambitious and comprehensive initiative that affirms AUBMC’s position as the leading medical center and healthcare institution in the region. The AUBMC 2020 Vision is transforming medical education, research and practice, and most importantly, medical care in the region, bringing them to new levels of excellence.  It consists of major new medical (clinical and academic) facilities, the establishment of clinical and research centers of excellence, investment in state-of-the-art equipment, recruitment of talented physicians and nurses, and regional and international partnerships.  Read more at www.aubmc.org/2020