The University of Balamand (UOB) and Bellevue Medical Center (BMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the hospital’s premises in Mansourieh. The agreement was signed in the presence of esteemed medical professionals, including Dr. Elias Warrak, the President of the University of Balamand, Dr. Sami Azar, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UOB, Dr. Nayef Maalouf, CEO of Bellevue Medical Center, and Dr. Ghassan Maalouf, the Medical Director and Vice President for Medical Affairs at BMC, as well as a delegation of deans from different UOB faculties, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff.

This MoU aims to improve the quality of healthcare and clinical practice by developing medical programs that are tailored to the needs of residents, as well as providing medical students with the necessary skills to excel in their profession. Ultimately, the objective is to raise the standard of health and medical services in Lebanon by producing highly skilled medical professionals.

In his welcoming note, Dr. Nayef Maalouf emphasized the hospital's commitment to maintaining the quality of its medical services, asserting: “We recognize that in order to achieve this, we need to constantly improve ourselves and stay updated with the latest medical advancements on all levels. One of the ways to achieve this mission is by offering opportunities to young medical professionals to learn and train at our hospital.”

Dr. Ghassan Maalouf also expressed his commitment to preparing an exceptional medical team through this collaboration with the University of Balamand. He noted: “Through this partnership, we will leverage our strengths to create new opportunities for research, education, and patient care. We will work together to develop innovative solutions to healthcare challenges and improve the health and well-being of our community.”

In his speech, Dr. Elias Warrak emphasized the importance of collaborating with Bellevue Medical Center, stating: “Our Faculty of Medicine has a long-standing reputation for excellence, and we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education, and our residents with the best possible training opportunities.” He added: “Today’s affiliation with Bellevue Medical Center is a testament to that commitment.”

Dr. Sami Azar also revealed his enthusiasm about the partnership with BMC, explaining: “This affiliation is an incredible opportunity for medical students and residents to rotate through various departments and gain hand-on experience in this state-of-the-art medical facility. This partnership allows them to learn from some of the finest healthcare professionals in the country and exposes them to a wide range of medical conditions.” ​