MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
- The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) provides comprehensive cancer treatment and compassionate nursing care for adults. The institute has established a research network that includes basic, translational, clinical and population based research serving Lebanon and the Middle East Region.
- The Institute’s robust and integrated multidisciplinary programs encompass palliative and supportive care, radiation oncology pathology and laboratory services, and a clinical research unit offering cancer patients enhanced collaborative care. It engages in and endows community outreach initiatives to help raise awareness on cancer prevention, risk factors and the importance of early detection through educational campaigns with the aim to improve knowledge on the disease and its treatment outcomes.
- Our mission is to reduce the burden of cancer in Lebanon and the region by employing state-of-the-art medical knowledge and technology and developing integrated and advanced programs in patient care, research, education and prevention that meet the services offered in eminent international cancer centers.
- The NKBCI is an exciting and growing institute with leading clinicians, educators, and scientists working together to improve patient care. Our faculty participates in a full-range of academic activities that includes basic science research, clinical research, and teaching. We aspire to be a reference in medical care leading innovation in the treatment of cancer in Lebanon and the region.
- With multiple health care accreditations: Joint Commision International -JCI- , MAGNET designations for Nursing services, CAP accreditation for our Pathology and Laboratory services, JACIE accreditation for our Bone Marrow Transplant Program, NKBCI institute offers a holistic medical care platform to ensure optimal patient outcomes and support throughout the recovery journey. AUBMC is the only institution in the region to have received the 3 international accreditations namely: JCI, Magnet, CAP, and ACGME-I attesting to its superior standards in patient-centered care, nursing, pathology/laboratory services and graduate medical education.
HISTORY AND EXPANSION
HISTORY – The Institute
- The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is a state-of-the-art adult cancer facility that provides comprehensive cancer treatment and research.
- NKBCI became operational in 2007 upon receiving a generous contribution by the Naef K. Basile Foundation. Established in 1995, it bears the name of the late Dr. Naef K. Basile, a Lebanese-American obstetrician-gynecologist whose lifelong wish was to give back to his country of birth, founding a cutting-edge institute that would compare with the best cancer centers in the world.
- The NKBCI relies on multidisciplinary specialized teams to diagnose and treat cancer and fosters health education programs to raise awareness on cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Expansion
- Beginning of 2019, the Daniel ACC has featured an expansion of the institute’s ambulatory infusion center that now includes a 43 beds facility. This expansion will allow serving more patients in a timely and effective manner.
- With more subspecialized faculty joining the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at AUBMC, the number of clinics have now grown to 11 in the aim to better respond to medical needs and improve patient experience at NKBCI, accounting for the urgency of cancer care. The flow of patients at the Daniel ACC follows a patient-centered model where all concerned health professionals are involved in care: Applying a one-stop service setup to provide all needed services at the same point of care.
MISSION AND VISION
Our Mission
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (AUBMC FM) aims to reduce the burden of cancer in Lebanon and the region through the application of state-of-the-art medical knowledge and technology and the development of integrated and advanced programs in patient care, research, education and prevention.
Our Vision
The Naef K. Basile Institute (NKBCI) aspires to be a leading institute for cancer prevention and treatment through the promotion of excellence in patient care, research, and education and enhancing effectiveness and collaboration among cancer programs and healthcare providers.
DIVISIONS & servICES
Our Services
NKBCI facilities have been originally set up to contain a spacious patient and family area that allows a friendly environment. Our commitment to patients goes beyond the delivery of sophisticated care; we respect the individual needs of all those who seek our care and work to empower patients with the knowledge and support they need to face cancer.
NKBCI provides consultation services and care to patients with Solid Tumor, Benign and Malignant hematological diseases in Lebanon and the region.
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) consists of 5 major service units:
- Clinics
- Ambulatory Infusion Center (Outpatient)
- Inpatient Unit
- Stem Cell Transplant Unit
- Radiotherapy Unit
WHY COME TO US
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is a Center of Excellence dedicated to the treatment of adult cancer patients. NKBCI has a leading fellowship training Program with strong affiliations with regional and international institutions including King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, King Hussein Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Winship Cancer Institute. Our faculty are national, regional, and international leaders in clinical and translational research with ongoing clinical trials and more than 80 major publications annually.
NKBCI is the first medical institute in Lebanon to:
- Develop subspecialized programs for the management of brain, breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, head and neck and lung cancers, in addition to lymphoma, hematological malignancies, bleeding and thrombotic disorders and stem cell transplantation.
- Establish clinical programs for the comprehensive treatment of cancer:
- Cardio-Oncology Program
- Onco-Fertility Program
- Psycho-Oncology Program
- Sexo-Oncology Progam
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program with awareness outreach activities planned throughout the year
- Palliative and Supportive Care Program
- Genomic Profiling Program
- Lymphatic Care Program
- Perform the first unrelated donor stem cell transplant and over 100 stem cell transplants annually.
- Perform the first radiofrequency (RF) ablation of a breast mass by the Radiation Therapy team.
- Have specialized oncology nurses, case managers, social workers and dedicated oncology pharmacists as part of the multi-disciplinary team (AUBMC is the first healthcare facility with MAGNET designation in the Middle East Region, a nursing accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Establish the first structured Data Management and Clinical Research Unit in Lebanon with a prospective database for several cancer disease sites.
- Earn the Joint Accreditation Committee of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) (JACIE) accreditation for its Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Europe’s official accreditation body in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and cellular therapy.
FACULTY
Hiba Moukadem, M.D.
Clinical Instructor, Hematology – Oncology
Subspecialty: Breast Cancer / Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant
Ext: 7980
Malek Safa, MD
Associate Professor, Hematology – Oncology
Subspecialty: Lung cancer
Ms446@aub.edu.lb
Ext: 7980
Karim Farah, MD
kt19@aub.edu.lb
Ext 8092
Clinical associates
Diana Abboud, MD
da119@aub.edu.lb
Omaya Beydoun, MD
ob17@aub.edu.lb
Abbas Farran, MD
af102@aub.edu.lb
Hiba Moukadem, M.D.
Clinical Instructor, Hematology – Oncology
Director Cancer Prevention & Control Program
Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant
Ext: 7980
STAFF
Administration
Celine Abou Karam, RN, MLC
Clinical Department Administrator
Naef K. Basile Cancer institute
Ext: 7903
Sana Murad, BSc
GME Program Coordinator
Hematology Oncology Division
Ext: 7989
Nada Kashmar, MBA
Senior Office Assistant
Hematology Oncology Division
Ext: 5150
Vanessa Boustani, MIB
Coordinator
Radiation Oncology Department
Ext: 5198
Palliative care
Rola Mashmoushi, RN
Palliative Care Nurse
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 6282
Veronique Al Khoury, MS
Palliative Care and Tumor Boards Coordinator
Palliative and Supportive Care Program
Ext: 8432
Nursing & Quality Control
Mohammad Fakhereddine, RN
Quality control officer
Case manager
Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Ext: 6282
Haidar Noun, RN
Nurse Manager, Inpatient Unit
Naef K. Basile Institute
Ext: 6281
Rita Nehme, RN
Coordinator
Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Ext: 7106
Basel Abou Heit, RN
Nurse Manager
Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Ext: 7093
Data Management & Clinical Research Unit
Maya Charafeddine, MPH
Clinical Data Manager
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 5110
Monita Darazi, RN, MSN
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 7804
Lama Zahreddine, MS
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 7803
Kristel Dagher, RN, MBA
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 8437
Cancer Prevention & Control Program
Dima Karam, MPH, MRes, Master of Health Communication
Health communication specialist
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Breast Cancer Community Program
Zeinab Chahine, BSc
Breast Cancer Community Program Coordinator
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 8179
Social services
Joyce Baddoush
Social Worker Case Manager
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Ext: 7843
EDUCATION
- The main objective behind the 4-year residency program at the Department of Radiation Oncology and the 3-year fellowship program at the Division of Hematology Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine at AUBMC is to train specialists to serve in the region and identify unique individuals with outstanding research potential for further training in the United States. NKBCI physicians are involved in training residents and fellows in both the Inpatient (including SCT Unit) and Outpatient Units.
- The Department of Internal Medicine – Hematology Oncology has a three years fellowship program starting at the level of PGY IV. Each candidate is required to have completed his/her residency in internal medicine. Non-AUB graduate applicants to the fellowship programs should sit for an English proficiency examination.
- The Department of Radiation Oncology has a 4 years residency program starting at the level of PGY II. Non-AUB graduate applicants to the residency programs should sit for a medical science examination (also called Dean’s Exam or IFOM clinical science examination) and an English proficiency examination. In addition, the Department provides 2-year residency program in Medical Physics.
- Interested applicants need to fill out an online application on the Graduate Medical Education (GME) website from mid -November to the first of January and submit the required papers to the GME Office. For more information on the specific programs, eligibility criteria and requirements, and applications, please visit the GME website.
Directors of the Educational Programs
Iman Abou Dalle, MD
Assistant Professor, Hematology Oncology
Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program
Hematology Oncology Department
Ext: 8477
Zeina Ayyoub, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Director, Radiation/Oncology Residency Program
Radiation Oncology Department
Ext: 5198
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Tumor Boards and Patient Coordination Meetings
Every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month 1:00 – 2:00pm
Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Marwan Najjar
Every Monday 8:30 – 9:30am
Gastrointestinal Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Deborah Mukherji
Every Monday 11:00am – 12:00pm
BMT Journal Club / Malignant Hematology Lecture
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Tuesday 1:30 – 2:30pm
Gastrointestinal Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Ali Shamseddine
Every Tuesday 2:30 – 4:00pm
Breast Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr Nagi El Saghir
Every Wednesday 11:30am – 12:30pm
BMT Multi-disciplinary Meeting
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00pm
Pediatric Tumor Board
Pathology Conference Room, 3rd floor
Dr. Miguel Abboud
Every Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00pm
Radiation Oncology Journal Club
Radiation Oncology Conference Room
Dr. Fady Geara
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month 2:30 – 3:30pm
AUBMC-MSKCC Gastrointestinal Video Conference
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Ali Shamseddine
Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month 12:00 – 1:00pm
Gynecology Tumor Board
Pathology Conference Room, 3rd floor
Dr Muhieddine Seoud
Once a month on Thursday 5:00 – 6:00 pm
AUBMC-MDACC Leukemia/Lymphoma Teleconference
Dean’s Conference Room
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Friday 9:00 – 10:00am
Lung Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Arafat Tfayli
Every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month 2:00 – 3:00pm
Head and Neck Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Roger Moukarbel
Every 1st Friday of the month 4:00 – 5:00pm
AUBMC-MSKCC Breast Video Conference/Breast Cancer Case Discussions
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Nagi El Saghir
Every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 1:00 – 2:00pm
Rare Tumor Board
Nagi El Saghir Conference Room – ACC- 4th floor
Dr. Fady Geara
FAQS
At what age do you start taking patients?
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute is a specialized cancer center for adults above 15 years of age. Only patients with specific blood disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia can be seen by our specialists below the age of 15.
How can I take an appointment in the hematology-oncology clinic?
Please use the following numbers to schedule your appointment with our specialized hematology-oncology doctors.
Phone Number: 00961 – 1 – 374 374 ext.: 7980 – 9691
Direct Line: 00961 – 1 – 759 618
Fax: 00961 – 1 – 350 000 ext.: 7942
We promise to give you an appointment within week at the maximum.
How can I take an appointment in the radiation oncology clinic?
Please use the following numbers to schedule your appointment with our radiation oncologists.
Phone Number: 00961 – 1 – 374 374 ext.: 5090/1
Direct Line: 00961 – 1 – 344 839
Fax: 00961 – 1 – 370 795
We promise to give you an appointment within a week at the maximum.
Do you support patients financially?
- The Cancer Support Fund (CSF) is a charitable organization at the NKBCI launched in 2018. The Cancer Support Fund offers financial, assistance and emotional and psychosocial support to financially disadvantaged adult cancer patients in need, assuring that they have equal opportunity to receive appropriate healthcare services.
The CSF provides Adult Cancer Patients with financial support as assessed by the AUBMC Social Services Department with no discrimination based on gender or religion.
All patients presenting to AUBMC can also request the support of the Social Services Department, which serves as a link between the patient, community organizations, and other AUBMC staff, for evaluation and assistance. The Social Services Department is comprised of eligible individuals specialized in assisting patients with a range of social, emotional, family, and health-related problems.
- The Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation, established in 2011 is a charitable fundraising organization aimed at helping patients financially and morally and raising awareness about breast cancer.
It has extablished a fund to support patients with the medical expenses on an Outpatient and Inpatient basis (for treatment and diagnosis care) after being assessed by the Department of Social Services.
Can we donate hair?
We welcome your hair donations to support adult cancer patients who lost their hair due to treatment. If interested please contact:
Ms. Zeinab Chahine
Phone: 00961-1-350000 ext.: 8179
Email: zc08@aub.edu.lb
Can we donate money?
We welcome your financial donations to support all needy adult cancer patients. If interested please contact the Cancer Support Fund:
Phone: 00961-1-350000 ext.: 7746
Fax: 00961-1-350000 ext: 7900
Email: info@csf-lebanon.org
Facebook: Cancer Support Fund
Instagram: CancerSupFUnd
TO MAKE A DONATION:
Please consult the American University of Beirut Cancer Support Fund’s dedicated giving page link for donations: giving.aub.edu.lb/csf, or by clicking the image below.
For more information on how to support, or any questions about, the Cancer Support Fund, please contact Mr. Walid Katergi: wk17@aub.edu.lb; +961 71 179 129
QUICK LINKS
