On April 20, 2018, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Dr. Ismail Khalil received an award in recognition for his achievements and contributions in the field of vascular surgery at the 10th annual congress of the Lebanese Society for Vascular Surgery at the Hilton Habtoor Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon.
The congress was held under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Ghassan Hasbani. In attendance were president of the Lebanese Society for Vascular Surgery (LSVS), Dr. Fady Hayek, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, Dr. Raymond Sayegh, vascular surgeons from across the globe as well as notable figures in the field.
The Award which was presented by Dr. Fady Hayek represents the highest honor a mentor can receive. It is namely recognition from peers in the profession and colleagues who were students in the past.
Dr. Hayek gave a speech on the contributions Dr. Khalil has added to the craft of vascular surgery. He introduced Dr. Khalil as “a doctor, a teacher, and a reference for vascular surgeons in the country for decades”.
Following Head of Division of Vascular Surgery, Director of the Ismail Khalil Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory, and one of Dr. Khalil’s former students, Dr. Fady Haddad, highlighted his tremendous contributions to vascular surgery. He said, “I present today one of the pillars of this society, an educator, an accomplished surgeon, a father of modern vascular surgery in Lebanon and the region, the ex-president of our society, and a relentless fighter, Al Muaalem, Professor Ismail Khalil.”
H.E. Ghassan Hasbani also gave a speech during the ceremony. “I convey my highest appreciation to someone who has offered the health industry in Lebanon a great deal of value. And when I say value, it is not just about scientific and medical value. This person has also given our country the humanitarian and human touch and the work ethic and dedication,” he said.
Dr. Ismail Khalil, Advisor to the Medical Center Director, Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Staff, Emeritus Professor of Surgery has been an AUB faculty member for many years, serving as chairman of the Department of Surgery from 1992 to 1994. He is credited for his huge efforts in building the vascular laboratory from the ground up and organizing the residency program and involving the entire faculty as a team in teaching.