H.E. Metropolitan Elias Audi, President
Mr. Georges Fernainé, Vice President
Mr. Gabriel Trad, Secretary

Members
Mr. Nadim Abou Rizk
Mr. Roy Badaro
Mr. Moufid Barakat
Mrs. Ama Debbas
Mr. Edgard Fakhoury
Mr. Samir Hanna, Advisor
Dr. Khalil Melki
Mr. Edgard Rizk


Directors
Mr. Salam S. Rayes, Chief Executive Officer

Mrs. Noha Chahine, Director
Dr. Imad El Hajj, Director
Mr. Dimitri Haddad, Director
Ms. Wafa Maalouf, Director of Nursing
Mr. Ziad Kamel, Director
Ms. Lina Moukheiber, Director of Development
Dr. Aida Yazigi, Medical Director

Top of page INTRODUCTION Since 1878, Saint George Hospital has been supporting lives. A non-profit community hospital, Saint George has become synonymous with generosity and hope. Founded by people who cared, their quest has been carried on through generations. Today, the hospital has grown up into a total healthcare institution, providing overall in-patient and out-patient services to the community. At the forefront of medicine, Saint George Hospital is constantly in pursuit of excellence. The generosity of countless of supporters brought latest high-tech equipment and made advanced interventions possible with some registered unprecedented breakthroughs in surgery. The recent conflict in Lebanon did little to diminish the aim of the hospital. Faith and devotion of many who served unselfishly during the hardest of times, helped to rebuild the social fabric of the country and further exemplify the value of the hospital as a cornerstone for the community. Many things have changed over the years, but Saint George is still committed to the challenge of helping to re-build the community in terms of healthcare, education, research, faith and heritage…committed to be supporter of life, in the name of compassion. Top of page HISTORY It all began over 128 years ago, when the founders of the hospital and several community leaders had a marvelous idea. They established a philanthropic society to care for the poor. This one idea, that held a thought for the less fortunate, sparked a resounding call to all who could help. 1878 - House to Hospital Mr. Panoyot Fakhoury, a member of the Orthodox community, donated two rooms in his Gemayze home to be used as a clinic and in-patient facility. During 1880, 416 patients were treated, 18 of whom were hospitalized. By 1881, the number of patients had reached 2000. To cope with the patient load, a hospital of six rooms was constructed in 1883. Six doctors worked tirelessly, three of whom were American citizens headed by Dr. Cornelius Van Dyke, who later founded the American University of Beirut School of Medicine. 1913 - Time to Grow As the hospital reputation grew, so did patient demand. This led to the construction of a 90 bed hospital that saw completion in 1913. The philanthropic society and the "Waqf" of the Saint George Church secured funds for the new site. The hospital was confiscated by the French authorities between 1919 and 1923. During this time it was used as a teaching center affiliated to the Saint Joseph (French) School of Medicine. In the 1930's, to cope with the depression, hospital management planted vegetables, raised cattle and poultry in plots of adjacent land as a regular food supply for patients. During World War II, the hospital faced financial difficulties. These were overcome; thanks to the campaigning and fund raising of a committee of three well-known members of the community. 1966 - Further Expansion To meet the high demand of caring for a much bigger flow of patients, the hospital once again had no choice but to expand. A new 275 bed facility was completed in 1966. This facility was in use untill June 2005. Funds for the new hospital were secured by the Church through the sale of land and by the contribution of generous donors. 1975 - Hardships This year saw the start of the era of hardship of Lebanon. Internal conflicts and terror demolished most of the country's infrastructure. Deaths and casualties were many. People bonded and helped each other to get through the suffering. Saint George Hospital did not close its doors at all. Quite the opposite, there were times when surgery was performed in hallways due to lack of space. Clean drinking water and food for the elderly was distributed to homes. 1983 - Diamond Jubilee In the midst of the unrest,with a 5 years delay due to the war the hospital marked its centennial anniversary. His Eminence, Metropolitan Elias Audi truly described the spirit of the hospital and its mission with those words: "It is not by accident that we are in this part of the world, but as a living witness to His glory. We shall stay, serve and preserve unto the end by the grace of God." 1984-1987 New Services As the conflict continued its rage and ravage, the struggle to provide quality health care and service continued. During these years three major services became available at the hospital: CT scan, Open Heart, and Quality Assurance. 1995 - 2001 New Horizons The country's struggle ended in 1990. Peace brought with it the opportunity to inject new high tech services, such as: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) kidney Transplant Unit. Endovascular unit Osteodensitometry Molecular Biology Laboratory Quality Systems for Health Care ISO 9000 (International Organization for Standardization) certification Faculty of Medicine in association with the University of Balamand Faculty of Medicine in association with the University of Balamand 2003 - 125th Year Anniversary A year full of events to celebrate 125 years of service to the community. A year to be remembered by many who participated in some of the 24 activities ranging from conferences to cultural events, concerts, recitals, a photo contest, a walkathon, a health fair and planting of trees. A year that culminated on April 4, 2004 with a Gala Evening dinner held at the Phoenicia Hotel. 2004 and Beyond: Inauguration of the New Extension The stone laid down during the ground-breaking ceremony in February 1998 yielded a new 200 bed hospital in June 2004 which became fully operational in June 2005 (Phase I). The following new high tech equipment were added to the 2001 acquisitions: Panoramic Dental Machine Audiometry Advanced Prodigy Densitometry Unit Electromyogram (EMG) Urodynamics New 16 Multi-Slice CT-Scan Flat-Panel Cardiac Catheterization Machine Electro-Physiology Unit Enhanced Sleep Apnea Unit New Flat Panel X-Ray Machine New Physiotherapy Center with Pool Community Health Clinic Top of page MISSION Saint George Hospital University Medical Center is a nonprofit academic medical center, owned by the Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut and has an academic affiliation with the University of Balamand. It is committed to treat all patients with dignity, respect and compassion regardless of the religion, sect, nationality, socioeconomic status and race. It provides quality healthcare services to the sick and indigents at the lowest possible cost. To Support Life... Top of page VISION OF SERVICE To develop and implement Pathways for Excellence through: Seeking to continuously strive to meet the hospital’s main goals in alignment with its quality policy. Intending to be a leader and a referral center for healthcare services both nationally and in the Middle East region. Aiming towards establishing Total Quality Systems based on research and performance evaluation administratively and clinically, and acting as a role model for healthcare institutions. Top of page

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