On October 30, 2015, the Department of Ophthalmology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) honored Dr. Edward Khawam, the teacher and mentor of generations who joined AUBMC in 1966 as a clinical associate, for his many contributions to the department in specific and to the field of pediatric ophthalmology at large. The honoring ceremony, held in Hisham Jaroudi Auditorium, listed the many achievements of Dr. Khawam during his long and distinguished career.
The ceremony was attended by AUB President, Fadlo Khuri, Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research and Director of the Abu-Haidar Neuroscience Institute (AHNI) and the Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center, Dr. Samia Khoury, Chief of Staff, Dr. Hassan El Solh, Director of the Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Elias Traboulsi, present and past presidents of the Lebanese Ophthalmological Society, members of the Department of Pediatrics, the Khawam family, a number of dignitaries, and members of the AUBMC community.
In his remarks, Chairperson of the Department of Ophthalmology at AUBMC, Dr. Baha Noureddin, reflected on Dr. Khawam as an exemplary teacher. “The legions of medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty that he taught so well by example will for years to come carry his lessons forward,” he said. “Dr. Khawam truly embodies all AUBMC values of respect, integrity, teamwork, accountability, stewardship, and diversity. To date, Dr. Khawam is keen to consistently involve trainees in at least one research project culminating in one or more publications yearly.”
President Khuri highlighted Dr. Khawam's dedication to teaching. “His consistent research productivity over the years has distinguished him as "a true scholar," he said. Dr. Khuri also expressed how fond he was of an "exemplary ophthalmology department" which he was glad to review in 2014 prior to assuming position of AUB President.
Dr. Christiane Haddad, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the Department of Ophthalmology at AUBMC, gave an insight into Dr. Khawam’s biography. She described him as a “pioneer in subspecialization since he established the first pediatric ophthalmology service not only in AUBMC and Lebanon but in the whole region.” With the many years of dedication and commitment to his profession, he indisputably became the authority in the field of motility disorders. Dr. Khawam has been loyally teaching and operating in his subspecialty at AUBMC. His love and passion for his subspecialty are selfishly unparalleled and never wane with time.
Guest speaker, Dr. Elias Traboulsi, Director of the Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cleveland Clinic delivered a superb lecture on a topic dear to Dr. Khawam, "Strabismus Surgery in Graves' Disease". Being himself a trainee under Dr. Khawam, Dr. Traboulsi followed in his footsteps to become a world-renowned expert in the field of pediatric ophthalmology and genetic eye diseases. He had the heartiest wishes to Dr. Khawam for many long and productive years.
Dr. Khawam was humbly thankful for the attendees. He wished Dr. Noureddin, in heading the Department of Ophthalmology, to remain the "solid-rock lighthouse that directs the ships at sea". He was handed the honoring plaque by Dr. Noureddin and Dr. Samia Khoury. The ceremony was followed by a dinner at the Gruen restaurant, Gefinor.