CLINIC MISSION
- The Benign Blood Clinic (BBC) provides the required care for the diagnosis and management of patients with various benign hematological disorders including but not limited to:
– Cytopenia: A lower than normal number of blood cells.
– Nutrient deficiencies: Low levels of macronutrients and micronutrients needed for biological functions.
– Hemoglobinopathies: Inherited disorders of abnormal production or structure of hemoglobin.
– Hypercoagulability: Blood clotting disorder where blood forms clots too easily.
– Bleeding disorders: Inherited or acquired, or resulting from other conditions or certain medications.
– Women’s health and obstetric-related complications: Anemia bleeding and clotting conditions in women and hematologic disorders in pregnancy.
- Our clinic team includes experienced hematologists, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and clinical fellows.
- This dedicated team also offers the recommended genetic counseling for various benign hematological disorders.
- Our mission also includes raising awareness regarding the required screening of family members, while providing adequate and regular follow-up during treatments.
Patient Care
The clinic provides services for the following disorders among multiple others:
- Red cell disorders: anemia, Iron deficiency, Immune hemolytic anemia, erythrocytosis, hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia, sickle cell disease), G6PD deficiency, porphyria.
- White cell disorders: neutropenia, leucopenia, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia.
- Platelet disorders: thrombocytopenia, Immune thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, platelet function disorders.
- Bleeding disorders: Inherited and Acquired Hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, factor deficiencies, Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), afibrinogenemia, perioperative management of patients with various bleeding diathesis.
- Thrombotic disorders: Venous thromboembolism, hypercoagulability (inherited and acquired thrombophilia), Antiphospholipid syndrome, pre-and postoperative management of thrombosis and thrombosis risk.
- Women’s health and obstetrics related complications: iron deficiency anemia, recurrent miscarriages, antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.
- All related diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions are available at the Benign Blood Clinic at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute Clinics.
Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions
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Diagnostic evaluations provided will include the following among multiple others:
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Therapeutic procedures and treatments will be provided as needed after confirming the diagnosis and will include among others:
Clinical Research
The mission of our research program is to explore various benign hematology clinical morbidities and determine their associations with underlying disease pathophysiology and risk factors so that effective treatments can be developed.
Ongoing benign hematology research projects include:
Additional Services and Activities
- The Benign Blood Clinic will also provide an educational experience for clinical fellows and residents.
- Various research activities will be included as well including the participation in clinical trials and observational studies.
Affiliations
- The Benign Hematology Program works in continuous collaboration with:
–Heidelberg University and Dana Fabre Cancer Institute to continuously update its guidelines for treatment and follow up on the latest innovative treatment for better outcomes.
-Dr. Maria-Domenica Cappellini, Professor of Medicine, foremost Italian scholar of Hematological disorders at the University of Milan and editorial board member of Haematologica journal, to continuously explore and research novel therapies for disorders of the blood.
Dr. Cappellini has a worldwide network of research collaborations, her extensive research covers over 500 publications on Hematological conditions ranging from inherited hematological disorders like Thalassemia to Anemia, Hemogloginopathies, and Iron deficiencies.
- The Benign Hematology Program is a member of international societies:
– The American Society of Hematology: The American Society of Hematology (ASH) leads the world in promoting and supporting clinical and scientific hematology research through its many innovative award programs, meetings, publications, and advocacy efforts.
With more than 18,000 members from nearly 100 countries, ASH is the world’s largest professional society serving both clinicians and scientists around the world who are working to conquer blood diseases.
– The European Hematology Association: The European Hematology Association (EHA) promotes excellence in patient care, research, and education in hematology. The Iargest European-based organization connecting hematologists worldwide to support career development and research, harmonize hematology education, and advocate for hematologists and hematology
Medical Team
Dr. Ali Taher, MD, Ph.D., FRCP
Professor, Hematology – Oncology
Director – Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
Subspecialty: Benign Hematology
Dr. Taher is an international hematology authority with over 30 years of experience in managing patients with a wide variety of benign blood disorders including but not limited to thalassemia, sickle cell disease, bleeding disorders, thrombosis and hemostasis.
Highly recognized for his pioneering work in benign hemoglobinopathies, his major contribution to benign hematology is reflected by an extensive publication record and a high number of awards for his contribution to research and education.
After being appointed as a Consultant Hematologist in the Hemophilia and Hemostasis Unit at the Royal Free Hospital for one year, Dr. Taher joined AUB in 1993. He has contributed to establishing state-of-the-art programs for the prevention and management of thalassemia in Lebanon through the Chronic Care Center (CCC).
Appointed Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), he is also awarded a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) for his ground-breaking work on thalassemia intermedia which unraveled morbidity behind the disease.
Lately Dr. Taher has been awarded the Education and Mentoring Award 2022 by the European Hematology Association (EHA) for his outstanding efforts in educating and mentoring hematologists worldwide.
Dr. Taher is a member of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), European Hematology Association (EHA), and The International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH), and has been recognized among the world’s top 2 percent of scholars in the field of Hematological disorders, based on a citation-based listing, with around 683 manuscripts published in leading peer-reviewed international journals (Citations 16,574; h-index 62).
Dr. Nour Moukalled, M.D.
Clinical Instructor, Hematology – Oncology
Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant / Benign Hematology
Ext: 7980
Dr. Moukalled’s clinical expertise involves the diagnosis and management of benign and malignant hematologic disorders, including multiple myeloma and plasma cell disorders, indolent and aggressive lymphomas, acute and chronic leukemias, in addition to thromboembolism and hemoglobinopathies, among others and she is part of the stem cells transplantation team at AUBMC.
Dr. Nour graduated with a BS in Medical Laboratory Technology with distinction from AUB before earning her MD degree from Balamand University and rejoining AUB for three years of residency training in Internal Medicine, followed by three years of clinical fellowship in Hematology-Oncology. She later joined Emory University Hospital-Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta where she pursued an advanced fellowship training in malignant hematology, cellular therapy, and bone marrow transplantation for two years (H. J. Khoury Fellowship), in addition to training in hemostasis and hemoglobinopathies, focusing on sickle cell disease.
Katia Felfli, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse, Hematology Oncology Specialty Clinics
Katia received her B.S. diploma in nursing from Saint Joseph University and has been working at AUBMC ever since graduating, bringing a 25-year nursing experience to Hematology patients. She has been providing specialized nursing care to Hematology Oncology patients since 2007, focusing on Hematological disorders. Katia is a chosen RN role model for preceptorship and mentorship of newly employed RNs. She regularly provides patients with education about disease management in addition to medical care.
Location and apointment scheduling
The Benign Blood Clinic is located on the 5th floor at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute Oupatients clinics at the Aida and Halim Daniel Academic Center (Daniel ACC) at AUBMC.
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To contact us for an appointment, please call:
Phone Number: +961 – 1 – 374 374 ext. 7980 – 9691
Direct Line: +961 – 1 – 759 618
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Clinic hours:
– Every Tuesday :10 am till 4 pm
– Every Wednesday: 1 pm till 4 pm
– Every Friday: 10 am till 3 pm
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Email the team for consults or test results: b-hema@aub.edu.lb
Or fill the contact form below
CONTACT THE BENIGN BLOOD CLINIC
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