July 7, 2014--The American University of Beirut Medical Center celebrated the inauguration of the Andre and Gerard Tabourian Dentofacial Conference Room on July 7, 2014.
AUB and the Tabourian family share a long and proud history. The late Dr. Karekin Tabourian (DDS ’23), Andre and Gerard’s father, enrolled in AUB almost one hundred years ago. After earning his BS and DDS degrees, he joined the School of Dentistry (established in 1910) where he rose to be a professor and head of Clinics. He held this position until the dental school closed in 1940. Dr. Karekin Tabourian was also a member of the Municipal Council of Beirut and was awarded the Commander of the National Order of the Cedar.
Former MP Andre Tabourian (BBA ’50), who passed away in 2008, and his brother Gerard honored their father’s memory through a gift to AUB to name the Karekin Tabourian Dentofacial Clinic, which was inaugurated in May 2007. In addition to being a three-term member of the Lebanese Parliament, Andre was a successful businessman, dedicated alumnus, and generous philanthropist. Dr. Gerard Tabourian followed his father into dentistry. After a distinguished dental education and early career in the United States, he returned to Lebanon to join and expand his father’s dental practice.
In his remarks, Dr. Joseph Ghafari, Head, Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at AUBMC, lauded Andre and Gerard Tabourian for their “generosity, trust, and total loyalty to AUB.” He indicated that Gerard’s gift to dedicate the conference room reflected his brotherly love and the long-standing Tabourian family commitment to AUB’s educational mission. Ghafari further delineated the impact of the succeeding Tabourian gifts on the various landmark achievements of the division up to the recent launch of the MS in Orthodontics program, approved by the New York State Education Department and Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education.
Dr. George Zaytoun (BS’72, MD’76), chairman of the parent department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, emphasized the unique and sustained support of the Tabourian brothers to the revival of dentistry at AUB, so intimately linked to their father’s educational legacy. Speaking on behalf of VP for Medical Affairs Mohamed H. Sayegh (BS ’80, MD ’84), Dr. Ziyad Ghazzal (BS ’78, MD ’82) , deputy vice president/dean and associate dean for clinical affairs, noted the importance of this gift to the success of the AUBMC 2020 Vision to transform medical care, education, research and practice in the region. “We will only be able to accomplish this vision with the support and dedication of our alumni, friends, and community,” he said.
Dr. Gerard Tabourian, Jr. spoke movingly on behalf of his family. He reflected on his father and uncle’s “very special” relationship and the deep sense of gratitude to AUB that they shared. He noted that he and the other members of the “third generation” look forward to “perpetuating the family tradition of giving back to Lebanon in general and AUB in particular.”