Hot Topics in Internal Medicine

Hot Topics In Internal Medicine

LAU Beirut Campus

Saturday June 22, 2019

Speakers and Abstracts

LAU Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Speakers

(The speakers are listed in the order of the program sessions)

Georges Ghanem, MD, FESC, FACC

Dr. Georges Ghanem obtained his MD from St. Joseph University in Lebanon in 1985; he pursued his Cardiology Residency & Fellowship in Paris under the mentorship of PRs. Jean Acar & Alec Vahanian. Member of major international medical and scientific societies, Dr. Ghanem is:

In his clinical practice, Dr. George Ghanem was a pioneer in introducing major interventional cardiology techniques in Lebanon since 1993: the first Percutaneous Mitral Commissurotomy, the first intra-coronary stenting, the first carotid stenting, in 2012 the first Trans-Catheter-Aortic-Valve-Implantation (TAVI) and in 2015 the 1st Mitral Clip intervention.

His name appears in more than 70 publications (manuscripts, editorials, abstracts and book chapters). He organized, chaired and lectured extensively in multiple local, regional and international cardiology meetings and symposiums. Dr. Ghanem is a permanent faculty member and abstract grader in major European & American courses (Euro-PCR, Gulf-PCR, ACC, TCT, C3)

Dr. Ghanem occupied major leadership positions at LAU Medical Center formerly known “Rizk Hospital” during the last decades as Head of Cardiology, Chairman of Internal medicine, President of the Medical Committee, President of the Executive Committee and Member of the Board.    

In September 2016, he was appointed as Chief Medical Officer at the Lebanese American University Medical Center – Rizk Hospital. Since that date he sits on the “Steering Committee for Health Affairs”.

In September 2017, he was promoted to Full Professor in Cardiology at LAU School of Medicine.

In parallel to his activities in the medical field, Dr. Ghanem is a Master in Martial arts; he pursues an intense activity in many sport techniques and conduct counselling activities in sport & health domain.

(8:30 - 9:00 AM) Session title: Heart Failure: Arms for Massive Repair

Objectives

The objectives of this lecture are:

Marie-Louise Coussa-Koniski MD, FCCP

(9:00 - 9:30 PM) Session title: Sleep Disordered Breathing: Something Interesting for every Specialty

Abstract

Imagine a news report of a government study showing that a life-threatening cancer present in 12% of adults goes untreated 80% of the time. Patient advocacy and public health organizations would have major concerns and launch widespread initiatives to address this massive diagnosis and treatment gap. Presently, sleep apnea, a serious and life-threatening sleep illness, fits this profile.

There is now little debate that sleep apnea is causally associated with neuro behavioral and quality of life consequences with increased risk of accidents. Moreover There are now convincing data regarding association between Sleep Apnea (SA) and Hypertension, Arrhythmias, Stroke, Coronary heart disease, Pulmonary hypertension and Increased cardiovascular mortality,

The underdiagnosis and under-treatment of SA is due to lack of awareness, underappreciation of the seriousness of the condition, and a healthcare system hyper-focused on acute illness; this is draining the healthcare system of billions of dollars, while millions of patients suffer the chronic effects of this sleep disorder.

The objective of this presentation is to draw the attention of everyone in the medical community to important data published during 2017-2018.

Rajaa Chatila, MD

Dr. Rajaa Chatila is an associate professor of medicine, at the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University and faculty member in the department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology division at the Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital since 2009. In February 2016, she was appointed as the Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME) at LAU’s school of medicine.

Dr. Chatila graduated from the American University of Beirut with a BS-Biology in 1989 then earned a Medical Degree diploma in 1993.  She then completed residency training in Internal Medicine at St. Raphael Hospital, Yale University, in 1996, followed by fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. USA which she completed in 1999.  Since her return to Lebanon, Dr. Chatila, has worked in several medical centers.  She sat on several committees as member and head (head of research and ethics committees, elected head of the medical staff committees in two different hospitals, member and co-chair of mortality morbidity committee, member peer review committee, member of the expert panel at the LOP and member of the scientific committee of LSGE congress).  She is currently a member of the LSGE Hepatology committee, SAC committee, heads the GME committee and sits on the Hospital House-staff Committee of LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

Dr. Chatila is American board certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology.  She is a member of the ECOO, World Gastroenterology Organization and the Lebanese Society of Gastroenterology. She has assisted and participated in numerous educational activities and conferences as invited speaker and moderator of sessions.  She has always been actively involved in teaching and assessing medical students, residents and fellows.   She also has been advisor to several students and residents.

She has published in peer review medical journals. She is currently involved in clinical research investigating: colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, gastro esophageal reflux disease and predictors of achievement in medical education.

(9:30 - 10:00 AM) Session title: Proton Pump Inhibitors: Controversies and Risks

Abstract

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), used for acid suppression, indigestion and GERD, are among the top 10 most frequently prescribed medications for Proton pumps are not limited to the parietal cell and in fact are everywhere in our body.  It turned out, that the use of PPIs affects our bodies in so many ways.  Numerous side effects have lately come to light, thus bringing the unrestricted use and safety under more scrutiny.

Jocelyne Fares, MD

Dr. Jocelyn Eid Fares is specialized in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. She graduated in 2002 from the American University of Beirut-Medical Center (AUBMC). She headed the Endocrinology Division for 14 years at the Middle East institute of Health – Bsalim. She is currently assistant clinical professor at the LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

(10:30 - 11:00 AM) Session title: Diabetes, Oral and Injectable Medications Beyond Guidelines

Abstract

Diabetes is a systemic, multifactorial, and polygenic disease. What is really striking about diabetes is that over a relatively short period of time, a number of new drugs and approaches have become available.

The other interesting thing is that there are now multiple targets. It is not just the glucose or the glycated hemoglobin (A1c), but it is also the weight, the prevention of hypoglycemia and other targets.

Doctors may have some difficulty finding the best treatment for the individual patient with so many options open. Everybody seems to get confused, partly because the guidelines make it clear that there is not one specific way to choose.

This presentation will discuss the means by which physicians should choose medications for diabetic patients.

Zelia Francis, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

Dr. Zelia Francis graduated in Internal Medecine and Endocrinology from the Lebanese University in Beirut. She subsequently did her residency at St Joseph Hospital and St Antoine University Hospital in Paris where she obtained a Diploma in Endocrinology from the  Collège de Médecine des Hôpitaux de Paris. Dr. Francis went on to complete another residency in Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology at the Institut Gustave Roussy In Villejuif, France.

Dr. Francis is head of the Endocrinology Division at the CHU-Hopital Libanais Geitaoui and is a lecturer at the Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences.

(11:00 - 11:30 AM) Session title: Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia (PBH)

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is an increasingly recognized complication of bariatric surgery occurring after both roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. In contrast to dumping syndrome, PBH presents months to years after surgery and has a more dramatic presentation comprising neuroglycopenic symptoms.

The complex pathophysiology of this syndrome remains poorly understood. Both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent mechanisms contribute to PBH.

It responds variably to nutrition changes and pharmacological therapy, and reversal of the gastric bypass may be required for severe cases.

Rita Assi, MD

Assistant Professor of Hematology-Oncology at the Lebanese American University and Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

Dr. Assi obtained her M.D. degree from the Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences in 2010.

Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Assi completed a 3-year residency training in Internal Medicine at the Lebanese University Affiliated Hospitals.

Following the completion of her residency training, Rita pursued a fellowship in Hematology/ Oncology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center from which she graduated in 2016.

Subsequently, Dr. Assi moved to the United States where she completed additional two-years fellowship training in the diagnosis and management of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She graduated from that program in July 2018.

Dr. Assi is a member of several international prestigious organizations and societies such as the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Society of Hematological Oncology.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston bestowed on Dr. Assi several Honors and Awards such as the “The Kimberley Patterson Endowed Fellowship in Leukemia Research” and “Best Leukemia Fellow”, as well as multiple abstract achievement awards. She also received the “Sherwin Family Endowed Award” from the  American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr Assi has also presented her work in several regional and international prestigious meetings such as ASH and ASCO.

Dr. Assi is the author of more than 27 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious and high impact scientific international journals.

(11:30 - 12:00 PM) Session title: State of the Art: Approach to Anemia and Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Anemia and thrombocytopenia are two of the most common hematologic findings with variable clinical expression encountered by general physicians on the medical-surgical grounds.

This presentation provides an overview of the causes of these two disorders and a state-of-art general approach to the evaluation of adult patients with anemia or thrombocytopenia from an internal medicine integrated perspective.

Jacques Mokhbat, MD, FACP

jacques-mokhbat

Dr. Mokhbat is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, subspecialty in Infectious Diseases. Dr. Mokhbat is currently the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Lebanese American University Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine and LAU Medical Center- Rizk hospital.

He graduated from Saint Joseph University in Beirut with a degree in Medicine in 1977 and completed specialty training in Clinical Microbiology at the Saint Joseph Hospital/Broussais Paris, France. He obtained certificates in Medical Bacteriology, Virology and Immunology. He went on to complete a residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Michael Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA. After which, he completed a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, USA. Dr. Mokhbat  is American Board certified in Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases.

After being an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the American University of Beirut,  he then joined the growing Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences where he chaired the Department of Microbiology, then the Department of Medicine. He was also appointed Professor of Medicine.

After joining the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Dr. Mokhbat was first appointed as Chair of Medicine then Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education from 2013 - 2016. He has been active in clinical and educational activities as well as research projects. Dr. Mokhbat is experienced in the treatment and management of the HIV infection and is a passionate advocate of people living with HIV and AIDS. He worked as consultant to the WHO Program on HIV/AIDS and served as advisor to several countries in the Middle East and North Africa in the field of medical management of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Mokhbat is also a member of many Professional Societies like the American College of Physicians, the American Society for Microbiology, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the International AIDS Society, the Lebanese Society for Infectious Diseases and the Lebanese AIDS Society amongst others.

(13:30 - 14:00 PM) Session title: What’s Hot in HIV?

Abstract

Almost 40 years have passed since the first recognized case of AIDS was described. These forty years have been more than extraordinary, in evolution of social habits, of legal systems, of human rights, sexual rights, women rights and patient rights. But more so, there were extreme progress in the understanding of virology and antiviral therapy. Thanks to numerous antiretroviral agents and to the understanding of combination therapy, HIV infection is now controllable and effective antiviral therapy gives the person living with HIV an opportunity for normal life span, and undetectable is now synonymous of untransmissible. Therefore current policies of test and treat as well as preexposure prophylaxis stand as leading the methods for control of the epidemic.

Rody El Nawar, MD

Dr. El Nawar obtained his Medical Degree from the Lebanese University Faculty of Medicine in 2012. He then pursued a Neurology residency at the Lebanese University Faculty of Medicine in association with the University of Paris 7 Diderot and graduated in 2017. He completed a two years fellowship in stroke and vascular disorders at Centre Hospitalier de Versailles and Hopital Rene Dubos in Pontoise.

He is the primary author on several stroke related studies some published and others in press, and had 4 abstracts presented at European Congress in 2018. He is also actively involved in more than 10 research projects in France and Lebanon.

In April 2018, he was accepted as full time faculty at the Lebanese American University School of Medicine and Instructor in the neurology division at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital. He is the coordinator of the newly opened comprehensive stroke unit at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

(14:00 - 14:30 PM) Session title: Headaches: Update in Approach and Management

Objectives

The objectives of this lecture are:

Rania Sakr, MD

(15:00 - 15:30 PM) Session title: Adult Vaccination: Routine and catch-up

Abstract

Having a solid shield of defense against invaders was humans’ prime occupation since the dawn of time. It remains medicine’s prime occupation, with vaccination as the nuclear weapon. Establishing this protection in the older population or one that has not necessarily abided by the set schedule of vaccinations, has become a challenge specially with our aging population. Physicians will be offered an update on vaccinations, for immunocompetent adults, and individuals with unknown vaccination status.

Alain Tanios, MD

alain-tanios

Dr. Alain Tanios obtained his MD from the Lebanese University, specialized in Internal Medicine then in Emergency Medicine. He joined LAU as  Instructor in  the School of Medicine. He became an  ACLS instructor. He was appointed as program director for Emergency Medicine residency program.

Additionally, Dr. Tanios received a Diploma Clinical Simulation to expanded his simulation teaching skills.

(15:30 - 16:00 AM) Session title: Resuscitation Update

Abstract

After a cardiac arrest, the first minutes are the key and what you can do very early, before a resuscitation team is gathered, are the most important determinants of the prognosis. Best resuscitation teams will fail to achieve ROSC without neurological intact unless correct early detection and early management is done. Involvement of everyone in the correct manner is key to a successful resuscitation.

A review about the new trends and latest updates in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest, starting with important early detection and diagnosis, and the stress on early treatment, and early defibrillation if indicated.

These key basic steps are the basis of life support, and further new complex management and resuscitation efforts will be discussed.

Bernard Hojaili, MD, FACR

Dr. Hojaili is an Assistant Professor of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, and Immunology at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine and Acting head of the division of Rheumatology at the LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital.

He graduated as a Medical Doctor from the Lebanese University Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA. After that, he completed his fellowship training at the Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital of the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in Bronx, New York, USA.
Dr. Hojaili is member of the American Boards of Rheumatology &  Internal Medicine.

(16:00 - 16:30 PM) Session title: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Update in Management

Objectives

The objectives of this lecture are: