The Lebanese Physicians' Podcast
by Khalil Diab
RSSGiven the current events in Lebanon, Lebanese physicians working there have been in the news extensively lately. Some have chosen to leave in search of a more stable life; some have chosen to stay, and some have chosen not to move back to Lebanon in the first place. We will interview Lebanese physicians working in Lebanon and beyond to get their opinions about the events taking place in Lebanon, the future of medicine in Lebanon, and the role Lebanese physicians play worldwide in their respective fields, and their connections to their home county. We will highlight success stories, stories that were not so successful, and everything in between. Medical students, physicians-in-training, and attending physicians at different points in their careers will be interviewed.We hope you will find this podcast beneficial and exciting!
Episodes
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Understanding Young Minds: Parenting, Trauma & the Future of Mental Health in Lebanon
How have years of instability, conflict, and economic hardship affected Lebanon’s children and adolescents? Dr. Pia Tohme Khalaf, Associate Professor of Psychology at Lebanese American University (LAU), joins The Lebanese Physicians Podcast to discuss parenting, emotional attachment, adolescent...
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Can AI Make Healthcare More Human? | Charbel Rizkallah, Hikma AI
Can artificial intelligence make healthcare more human? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we speak with Charbel Rizkallah, Founder and CEO of Hikma AI, whose wife's battle with the rare blood disorder paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) inspired him to rethink hospital…
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From Beirut to Nobel Laureates: A Young Lebanese Scientist’s Inspiring Journey | Tala Kaddoura
From Lebanon’s economic crisis to the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, AUB PhD researcher Tala Kaddoura shares her inspiring journey of perseverance, scientific discovery, and ambition. Discover how her groundbreaking research using 3D kidney organoids could advance our...
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Perimenopause Uncovered: The Symptoms Doctors Miss, Hormone Therapy Myths & What Every Woman Should Know | Dr. Nadine Hammoud
Brain fog, anxiety, sleepless nights, weight gain, and changes in sexual health—could perimenopause be the missing diagnosis? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Nadine Hammoud, board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, breaks down the…
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Surviving the ICU Is Just the Beginning: The Hidden Struggles of Recovery | Dr. Hera Tashjian
What happens after a patient survives the ICU? Is survival enough, or should we be measuring something more? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Hera Tashjian, Chief Nursing Officer at Almoosa Health Group in Saudi Arabia, about the often-overlooked challenges of...
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The Revenue You’re Missing: What Physicians Need to Know About Billing & Practice Profitability
Physicians spend years learning how to diagnose and treat patients but very little time learning how to run a financially healthy medical practice. In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Heather Signorelli, a board-certified pathologist, CEO of NetRevMD, and…
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LGBTQ+ Healthcare Abroad: Finding Safe Care, Acceptance & Belonging | Dr. Diaa Al-Jamali
What happens when you move to a new country and don’t know where, or whether, you can find healthcare where you feel safe, respected, and understood? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Diaa El-Jamali, physician and founder of Lasso Health, about navigating LGBTQ+...
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Could We Recognize It Before It’s Too Late? Postpartum Depression & Psychosis
When do the “baby blues” become something more serious—and what warning signs should families and clinicians never ignore? In this important conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Myriam Ferzli, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Northern Virginia; Dr. Elias Ghoussoub and Dr. Farid Talih,...
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Disaster Diaries: Stories of Humanity from the Front Lines | Dr. Jamla Rizek
What happens to the people behind the statistics when disaster strikes? In this powerful conversation, disaster and emergency nurse Dr. Jamla Rizek shares unforgettable stories from more than 20 disaster-response missions and her book Disaster Diaries. From caring for children after unimaginable...
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Breaking the Stigma: The Fight for LGBTQ+ Health Equity in Lebanon | The LebMASH Story
What happens when stigma and discrimination become barriers to healthcare? In this powerful episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Sarah Abboud, Dr. Zavi Lakissian, and Dr. Claude Chidiac share the story of LebMASH (Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health) and its work to…
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From Lebanon to the World: ILMA USA & the Power of the Medical Diaspora
How can Lebanon’s “brain drain” become a powerful global brain network? In this special episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I discuss with leaders from ILMA USA the growing Lebanese medical diaspora, mentorship and research opportunities, supporting the next generation of physicians, and...
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The Future of AI in Healthcare: What Every Physician Needs to Know | Carter Abdullah
How will AI transform the way physicians practice medicine? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Carter Abdullah, an AI engineer and developer of Brev.dev, about the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. We discuss how AI can reduce repetitive...
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The AI-Powered Dental Practice: How AI Is Transforming Dentistry | Fadi Abboud
How will AI change the future of dentistry? n this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with dentist and entrepreneur Fadi Abboud, founder of Eolocus, about how AI is transforming dental practices from patient retention and scheduling to practice efficiency, automation, and…
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The Human Side of Medicine: Dr. David Spiro on Grief, Physician Burnout & Why Stories Matter
What happens when physicians become patients, teachers become storytellers, and medicine meets humanity? In this powerful episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. David Spiro, Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and...
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Cyclospora Outbreak Explained: Why Cases Are Surging & How to Stay Safe | Dr. Wassim Abdallah
A surprising rise in Cyclospora infections is making headlines across the United States. But what exactly is Cyclospora, why are cases increasing this summer, and how can you protect yourself and your family? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Wassim Abdallah,...
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From Surgeon to Patient: Fighting Drug-Resistant TB and Running Again | Dr. Glenn Geelhoed
After decades of caring for patients in underserved communities around the world, Dr. Glenn Geelhoed suddenly became the patient. A diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis forced him to stop running, miss his 50th Marine Corps Marathon, and endure months of difficult treatment. But he never...
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What happens when a physician’s passion for music becomes a lifelong creative journey?
In this episode, Dr. Khalil Diab sits down with physician and musician John Lebanon to explore growing up in Beirut, discovering music during Lebanon’s power outages, balancing medicine with creativity, and the story behind his latest album, Kite Without a String. They discuss songwriting…
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Clinical Reasoning in the AI Era: Can Artificial Intelligence Think Like a Doctor?
How do expert clinicians actually think? Why do diagnostic errors happen? And can artificial intelligence improve clinical reasoning without replacing physicians? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Raja-Elie Abdulnour, Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician at...
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From Beginner to Boston: Rahul Nandi’s Journey to a Sub-3 Marathon
How does someone who never ran growing up become a Boston Marathon qualifier and sub-3-hour marathoner? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Rahul Nandi shares his remarkable journey from running his first marathon in India to completing more than 50 marathons and chasing a…
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The End of Clinical Trial Delays? AI, Site Selection, and the Future of Research
Clinical trials save lives but why does it often take years before a study can enroll its first patient? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Khalil Diab sits down with oncologist, physician executive, author, and Chief Medical Officer of Ryght AI, Chadi Nabhan, to explore how...
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Why Couples Fight About Money And How to Build Financial Intimacy Instead with Sami Al Natour
Money is a topic that affects nearly every relationship, yet it can be one of the most difficult conversations for couples to have. In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Khalil Diab speaks with Sami Al Natour about the communication patterns that often emerge when couples…
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The Hidden Career Path for Doctors: From Oncology to Pharma Leadership
What happens when a successful oncologist leaves clinical practice to help develop cancer treatments on a global scale? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Dr. Safi Shahda shares his journey from academic oncology to leadership roles at Eli Lilly, Intellia Therapeutics, and...
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Global Hypertension Crisis: Why 1.7 Billion People Are at Risk Inequality, Prevention & AI Solutions
In this episode of the Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with hypertension researcher Dr. Farah Allouch to discuss the growing global hypertension epidemic affecting over 1.7 billion people worldwide. We explore the widening healthcare inequality gap between high- and low-income countries,...
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The Future of Oncology: How AI and Virtual Cancer Clinics Are Transforming Cancer Care
Can cancer care be delivered virtually without compromising quality? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Dany Matar about Color, the first ASCO-certified virtual cancer clinic in the United States. We discuss how artificial intelligence, multidisciplinary expert...
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From Invisible to Influential: How Doctors Can Build Their Brand Online
Most physicians spend decades mastering medicine, but very little time building their visibility. In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with digital strategist and entrepreneur Roy Abdo, founder and CEO of Digital Revamp, to discuss how physicians can use storytelling,...
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Immigration in Crisis: How New U.S. Policies Are Impacting Physicians and Patient Care
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with immigration attorney and former leader of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Sarah Peterson, to break down the rapidly evolving U.S. immigration landscape and its profound impact on healthcare. With over 600 policy...
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Scholar Activism & Collective Healing: Lessons from the Crisis in Lebanon
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Carmen Geha, political scientist, scholar activist, and leadership expert, to explore how academia can respond to crisis, trauma, and societal breakdown. Drawing from her experience at the American University of Beirut during...
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Fatigue in Standardized Patients: The Hidden Risk in Medical Education | Dr. Zakia Dimassi
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Zakia Dimassi, a leader in medical education at Khalifa University, to explore an often overlooked issue in simulation-based training: fatigue in standardized patients (SPs). Drawing from her recent publication in Clinical...
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Beyond the Blast: Inside Beirut's Hospitals on April 8, 2026
On April 8, 2026, intense Israeli airstrikes on the middle of day in Beirut led to around 250 dead people and more than 1100 wounded with a lot of people still missing under the rubble. In this powerful episode of the Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we take you inside the devastating events of April...
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From AI Awareness to Real Impact Building the Future of Innovation in MENA/Christophe Zoghby
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Christophe Zoghby, founder of ZAKA AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is moving beyond hype and into real-world impact across the MENA region. From launching in the Beirut AI community to building one of the region’s...
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AI & Mental Health: Can AI Therapy Be Safe, Scalable, and Human-Centered?
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health—and ask a critical question: Can AI truly support emotional well-being safely and effectively? I sit down with Srishti Srivastava, the founder of Healo, an...
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Breathing Better: Using Digital Innovation to Transform Asthma and COPD Care in Low-Resource Settings
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Dr. Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, Professor of Oncology and Pharmacy at Kingston University and a leader in the EU-funded MULTIPULM project. We discuss how digital health innovations have the potential to transform the care of chronic respiratory diseases…
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Dr. Aline Charabaty on Women in GI, IBD Leadership, and Scrubs & Heels
n this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Aline Charabaty about her journey from Lebanon to becoming a leader in gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, and women’s leadership in medicine. She shares insights on building IBD programs, the mission of Scrubs & Heels,...
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Leave or Return? Zina Malas on Migration, Identity & Coming Back to Lebanon
In this powerful episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with entrepreneur and consultant Zina Malas, Founder & CEO of Tawlé Consultancy, to discuss migration, identity, ambition, and the difficult choices many Lebanese professionals face. ⚠️ Important context: This conversation…
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From Neurochemistry to Cardio: How Exercise Can Rewire Mood & Beat Depression
Can something as simple as walking or running rival antidepressants? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Farid Talih, American board–certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine and addiction specialist, to explore the powerful science behind exercise as a treatment...
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Career Reinvention, and Thought Leadership with Former LinkedIn MENA Insider Nabila Rahhal
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with Nabila Rahhal, former LinkedIn MENA Insider, journalist, and content strategist, to explore the powerful intersection between algorithm and authenticity. Nabila shares her journey from education to journalism, her years at...
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Three Decades at the Frontlines of Epidemics, Policy, and Global Health Leadership
In this powerful episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rana Hajjeh, a global public health leader whose career has spanned over three decades at the heart of epidemic response, vaccine policy, and global health diplomacy. From her early training as an Epidemic...
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New Year Nutrition: Why Diets Fail and How to Succeed
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down again with Christelle Bashi, clinical dietitian and founder of Yes You Can Clinic in Lebanon, for an honest and practical conversation about New Year’s resolutions, nutrition, and long-term lifestyle change. Why do 80% of people...
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From Grants to Grazing Boards: Reinventing Success with Pamela Abi Khalil Maalouf
What happens when a carefully built academic career no longer feels aligned with who you are becoming? In this episode, we sit down with Pamela Abi Khalil Maalouf, who made the bold leap from a successful career in research and grant administration at AUBMC to founding Bites on Boards—a creative,...
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من سامسونج إلى ريادة الأعمال قرارات مصيرية، ثقافات مختلفة، وبناء شركة من الصفر
في هذه الحلقة العميقة والصريحة، نناقش الرحلة الكاملة للانتقال من العمل داخل شركة عالمية بحجم سامسونج إلى عالم ريادة الأعمال وبناء الشركات من الصفر. نتحدث عن: لحظة اتخاذ القرار وكم كان الخوف والشك جزءًا منها الفرق الحقيقي بين ثقافة الشركات العالمية وشركات العائلة كيف تنتقل من بيئة منظمة إلى حرية...
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Bridging Healthcare Worlds Mazen Samadi’s Journey from Lebanon to the U.S. Healthcare System
From the classrooms of Lebanese American University to hospital leadership in the United States, Mazen Samadishares an honest, insightful journey across healthcare systems. In this episode, we explore what it takes to transition from Lebanon to the U.S., how the role of pharmacists has evolved…
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From CDC to Coaching: Building a Healthier Life with Rola Doughan
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we speak with Rola Naaman Doughan, a public health specialist whose career led her from the CDC to launching her own health coaching practice — Healthier with Rola. Rola opens up about burnout, purpose, and what pushed her to shift from public...
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Giving Psychiatry a Voice: The Birth of the Lebanese Journal of Mental Health
In this landmark episode, we sit down with Dr. Ramy Bou Khalil and Dr. Joseph El Khoury to explore the vision, urgency, and meaning behind the launch of the Lebanese Journal of Mental Health (LJMH). Drawing on journeys that span academia, clinical care, leadership, and the diaspora, our guests...
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From Beirut to the Open Seas: Inside Maritime Medicine with Dr. Kevin Saliba
How does a physician go from building a genetics startup in Beirut to practicing medicine hundreds of miles offshore? In this episode, we explore the world of maritime medicine, a little-known field at the crossroads of clinical care, emergency decision-making, prevention, and global regulation....
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2025 Year in Review – Reflections, Stories, and What’s Next | The Lebanese Physicians Podcast
What a year it has been. In this special Year in Review 2025 episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Khalil Diab and MohammadAli Jardaly look back at a remarkable year of conversations that went far beyond medicine. From artificial intelligence and innovation to humanities, storytelling,...
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Weaving a Life Across Continents: Medicine, Humanities, and Home with Dr. Nancy Chedid
In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Dr. Nancy Chedid—surgeon, educator, writer, musician, and cultural bridge—shares the extraordinary journey that shaped her life across the United States and Lebanon. From training at Yale, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Harvard to rebuilding a life in…
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The Hidden Roots of Our Tongue: Levantine Arabic and Phoenician Echoes with Dr. Jamil Bayram
In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Dr. Jamil Bayram, an ER physician, who has researched the origins of Levantine dialects, to uncover the deep historical layers embedded in the way we speak today. From the ancient shores of the Phoenicians to the bustling streets of Beirut, Damascus,...
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The Global Cancer Divide: What the Data Reveal About Lebanon and Low-Resource Countries
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most important public-health conversations of our time: the widening global cancer divide. Using insights from the latest Lancet and GBD 2023 data, we explore why cancer has become the second leading cause of death...
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From Pain to Purpose: Joumana Mansour on Wellness, Coaching, and Her New Book
In this inspiring episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with Joumana Mansour, personal growth expert, wellness specialist, and founder of Journey of You, a bilingual (Arabic/English) platform transforming how individuals, medical students, and physicians understand emotional...
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East Meets Middle East: Global Healthcare Strategy & Innovation with Dr. Firas Mahdi
In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Khalil Diab and Dr. Mohammad Ali sit down with Dr. Firas Mahdi, Partner at LEK Consulting in Singapore, to explore the intersection of strategy, technology, and innovation in healthcare across Asia and the Middle East. From his...
About this show
RSSGiven the current events in Lebanon, Lebanese physicians working there have been in the news extensively lately. Some have chosen to leave in search of a more stable life; some have chosen to stay, and some have chosen not to move back to Lebanon in the first place. We will interview Lebanese physicians working in Lebanon and beyond to get their opinions about the events taking place in Lebanon, the future of medicine in Lebanon, and the role Lebanese physicians play worldwide in their respective fields, and their connections to their home county. We will highlight success stories, stories that were not so successful, and everything in between. Medical students, physicians-in-training, and attending physicians at different points in their careers will be interviewed.We hope you will find this podcast beneficial and exciting!
Hosted by
Khalil Diab