Curriculum Overview

The Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine is the first in Lebanon to adopt a modern curriculum that integrates basic and clinical sciences and facilitates hands-on experience from the first weeks. The integration of basic and clinical sciences helps consolidate knowledge application and clinical skills simultaneously.

A fundamental goal of the curriculum is to equip students with the skills and attitudes required to become independent life-long learners, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. With the exponential growth in medical knowledge, it is vital to focus on teaching students how to learn, rather than on imparting a huge body of information.

Other features of the program are community-based learning, promotion of research and evidence-based practice, complemented by a special emphasis on communication skills, teamwork, attitudes, ethics, professionalism, and interprofessional collaboration. In this regard, LAU was the pioneer in implementing interprofessional education (IPE) as an essential pedagogical method in the curricula of LAU’s health care programs (medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, and nursing).

The LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine program is fully accredited by the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD – Turkey) which is recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) as accrediting agency.

The program graduation competencies are derived from the Association of American Medical Colleges Physician Competency Reference Set framed in the following eight domains and detailed at the end of this document:

1. Patient Care
2. Knowledge for Practice
3. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
5. Professionalism
6. Systems-Based Practice
7. Interprofessional Collaboration
8. Personal and Professional Development

Years I and II are comprised of nine organ-system modules (see “curriculum timeline” on this page). Each module contributes to the graduation competency domains through four themes:

1. Basic and Clinical Sciences
2. Clinical Skills
3. Professional, Behavioral Development, and Ethics
4. Population Health, Social Medicine & Global Health

In addition to traditional lectures and bedside teaching, new instructional modalities are utilized, such as simulation-based education, virtual teaching, small-group teaching, team-based learning, case-based discussion, problem-based learning, flipped classroom instruction, peer-assisted learning, and computer and internet-assisted instruction. Students are provided with a study guide for each module that has all the needed information, including learning objectives, themes, and measures of success. To increase clinical exposure in the preclinical years, two activities were recently added to the curriculum:

• In Med I, students spend a one-week rotation, at the end of the academic year, shadowing a healthcare provider at the hospital.
• In Med II, students  complete a clinical observership program between October and April of the academic year, during which they shadow medical doctors during work rounds in the outpatient clinics (OPCs) at both LAUMC-Saint John’s Hospital (LAUMC-SJH) and LAU Byblos campus in order to enhance their learning and exposure to various medical specialties (Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Otolaryngology , Family Medicine, Gastroenterology , Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Urology) including the Emergency Room.
• A research orientation session is offered to introduce Med I and Med II students to Research Faculty at the SOM. Students are encouraged to take part in ongoing research projects which will equip them with valuable skills, will foster critical thinking, and will cultivate the next generation of medical innovators.
   
• Years III and IV correspond to clinical clerkships in healthcare facilities, mainly the LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital (LAU Medical Center–RH). In Year III, students rotate in seven core clerkships, while in Year IV, the schedule is more flexible, with core rotations and electives. Longitudinal and vertical integration of general disciplines/constructs, such as medical ethics, professionalism, quality of healthcare, clinical reasoning, research, social medicine, artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, and others is ensured through common class activities on a weekly basis.  The longitudinal thread curriculum is dynamic; recently, it was adapted to include several topics pertaining to global health, humanities, and other disciplines.

Learning during the clinical years occurs mostly in the workplace and involves real patient encounters in addition to simulation-based education. Educational strategies and settings include small and large group teaching, case discussions, rounds, tutorials, problem-based learning, practice on simulation models, bedside teaching, outpatient clinics, mobile clinic, and journal clubs, in addition to other modalities. A one-week transition curriculum including orientation to the clinical years is offered prior to the start of Med III, and a capstone week concluding the MD program and offering orientation to residency is delivered at the end of Med IV.

Admission to the MD Program

The medical program has a distinct admission process and particular eligibility criteria. Please see M.D. Admission Requirements for more information.

Merit Scholarships

The school offers a number of full and partial merit scholarships to outstanding applicants, based on certain guidelines. Please see Merit Scholarships for more information.

Graduation Policies

In order to be eligible for graduation, a student must:

• Pass all medicine years within the respective time limit set for the MD program at LAU,
• Demonstrate satisfactory performance in all competencies,
• Demonstrate satisfactory completion of all assigned remedial work, and
• Demonstrate compliance with policies and code of conduct.

Duration of the MD Program

Students will not be allowed to spend more than six years at the LAU Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine from matriculation to graduation. This time will include any approved Leave of Absence irrespective of the reasons for the leave. If the timely completion of the MD degree requirements is in jeopardy, the Student Promotion Committee will meet and request a plan from the student with a timeline to complete these requirements. If the student does not meet this time limit, he/she may not be granted the MD degree.

Curriculum Timeline

Year I

• Foundations of Medicine 
• Hematology & Immunology
• Endocrinology & Reproductive Medicine
• Nephrology
• Pulmonary Medicine

Modules include content in the following disciplines:

• Anatomy
• Histology
• Pathology
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Clinical Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Genetics
• Clinical Skills
• Behavioral Science & Medical Ethics
• Population Health & Social Medicine

Year II

• Gastroenterology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Musculoskeletal System & Dermatology
• Neurosciences & Psychiatry

Modules include content in the following disciplines:

• Anatomy
• Histology
• Pathology
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Clinical Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Genetics
• Clinical Skills
• Behavioral Science & Medical Ethics
• Population Health & Social Medicine

Year III

1. Core Clerkships:

• Internal Medicine (8 weeks)
• Surgery (8 weeks)
• Pediatrics (8 weeks)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology (8 weeks)
• Psychiatry (4 weeks)
• Primary Care & Rehabilitation (4 weeks)
• Neurology (4 weeks)

2. Longitudinal and Vertical Threads:

• Continuity Experience Clerkship
• Longitudinal Themes
• Procedural Skills

Year IV

1. Core Clerkships:

• Intensive Care Unit (4 weeks)
• Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
• Medicine (4 weeks)
• Surgical Specialties (4 Weeks)
• Anesthesiology (3 weeks)
• Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (2 weeks)
• Radiology (2 weeks)
• Otolaryngology (2 weeks)
• Ophthalmology (2 weeks)
• Electives (14 weeks)

2. Longitudinal Threads:

• Continuity Experience Clerkship
• Procedural Skills

3. Capstone Week (1 week)

MD Program Graduation Competencies

PATIENT CARE: Provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

1. Perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential for the area of practice
2. Gather essential and accurate information about patients and their condition through history-taking, physical examination, and the use of laboratory data, imaging, and other tests
3. Organize and prioritize responsibilities to provide care that is safe, effective, and efficient
4. Interpret laboratory data, imaging studies, and other tests required for the area of practice
5. Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
6. Develop and carry out patient management plans
7. Counsel and educate patients and their families to empower them to participate in their care and enable shared decision making
8. Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings and following up on patient progress and outcomes
9. Provide health care services to patients, families, and communities aimed at preventing health problems or maintaining health
10. Provide appropriate role modeling
11. Perform supervisory responsibilities commensurate with one’s roles, abilities, and qualifications

KNOWLEDGE FOR PRACTICE: Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.

1. Demonstrate an investigatory and analytic approach to clinical situations
2. Apply established and emerging biophysical scientific principles fundamental to health care for patients and populations
3. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care
4. Apply principles of epidemiological sciences to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations
5. Apply principles of social-behavioral sciences to provision of patient care, including assessment of the impact of psychosocial-cultural influences on health, disease, care-seeking, care-compliance, and barriers to and attitudes toward care
6. Contribute to the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of new health care knowledge and practices

PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT: Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and lifelong learning.

1. Identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise
2. Set learning and improvement goals
3. Identify and perform learning activities that address one’s gaps in knowledge, skills, or attitudes
4. Systematically analyze practice using quality-improvement methods and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement
5. Incorporate feedback into daily practice
6. Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
7. Use information technology to optimize learning
8. Participate in the education of patients, families, students, trainees, peers, and other health professionals
9. Obtain and utilize information about individual patients, populations of patients, or communities from which patients are drawn to improve care
10. Continually identify, analyze, and implement new knowledge, guidelines, standards, technologies, products, or services that have been demonstrated to improve outcomes

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.

1. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
2. Communicate effectively with colleagues within one’s profession or specialty, other health professionals, and health-related agencies (see also interprofessional collaboration competency (IPC) 7.3)
3. Work effectively with others as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group (see also IPC 7.4)
4. Act in a consultative role to other health professionals
5. Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records
6. Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations (e.g., about issues such as death, end-of-life issues, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics)
7. Demonstrate insight and understanding about emotions and human responses to emotions that allow one to develop and manage interpersonal interactions

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.

1. Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others
2. Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest
3. Demonstrate respect for patient privacy and autonomy
4. Demonstrate accountability to patients, society, and the profession
5. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation
6. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, informed consent, and business practices, including compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations

SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE: Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

1. Work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to one’s clinical specialty
2. Coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to one’s clinical specialty
3. Incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or population-based care
4. Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems
5. Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions

INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION: Demonstrate the ability to engage in an interprofessional team in a manner that optimizes safe, effective patient and population-centered care.

1. Work with other health professionals to establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust
2. Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of the patients and populations served
3. Communicate with other health professionals in a responsive and responsible manner that supports the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease in individual patients and populations
4. Participate in different team roles to establish, develop, and continuously enhance interprofessional teams to provide patient and population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Demonstrate the qualities required to sustain lifelong personal and professional growth.

1. Develop the ability to use self-awareness of knowledge, skills, and emotional limitations to engage in appropriate help-seeking behaviors
2. Demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms to respond to stress
3. Manage conflict between personal and professional responsibilities
4. Practice flexibility and maturity in adjusting to change with the capacity to alter behavior
5. Demonstrate trustworthiness that makes colleagues feel secure when one is responsible for the care of patients
6. Provide leadership skills that enhance team functioning, the learning environment, and/or the health care delivery system
7. Demonstrate self-confidence that puts patients, families, and members of the health care team at ease
8. Recognize that ambiguity is part of clinical health care and respond by using appropriate resources in dealing with uncertainty

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Programs

Graduate Medical Education (GME) at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, includes 17 residency and 7 fellowship programs listed below.  A total of around 234 residents and fellows are enrolled in these various programs receiving training in line with ACGMEI requirements that aim at achieving the following six competencies: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice Based Learning and Improvement, System Based Practice, Professionalism, and Inter-communication Skills.  Trainees are supervised and assessed according to these requisite milestones using different forms of work-based assessment tools including but not limited to MiniCEX, chart stimulated recall, and 360-degree assessments.  Furthermore, the trainees sit for annual in-house and/or in-training international exams.  Most of the latter are American exams and some others European. Trainees receive various life-support training and certification according to their specialty needs.  These include BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP.

All applicants to the GME programs should hold a Medical Diploma granted by an institution that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Education and acknowledged by the Lebanese Ministry of Education & Higher Education.

Applicants applying for fellowship programs should have successfully completed their training in Internal Medicine from university programs recognized by LAU.

• Anesthesiology (4 years)

The Anesthesiology Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a comprehensive four-year program. Our primary objective is to empower each trainee to reach their full potential by offering a robust curriculum comprising of extensive didactic sessions, diverse clinical rotations, simulation-based education, and exceptional mentorship.

The program includes one year of non-anesthesia clinical training and three years of clinical anesthesia training.

The PGY1 year exposes residents to surgical and medical subspecialties, as well as rotations in critical care, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology. This experience in clinical medicine will form the foundation to acquire fundamentals skills.

As they progress through the program, senior residents gain exposure to a wide array of clinical cases in anesthesia subspecialties, including cardiothoracic anesthesia, neuro-anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, regional anesthesia, pain management (acute, chronic, and cancer), regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, procedural sedation, and anesthesia for ambulatory and major surgeries.

Our program’s affiliated sites (LAUMC-SJH and CMC) provide an enriching environment for residents to gain exposure to specialized procedures, further enhancing their learning experience.

Research is integral to our program, with opportunities available at all levels of training. The trainees participate in scholarly activity, and present their projects at national meetings.

Upon completion of our program, graduates are supposed to excel in both academic and community practice settings, equipped with the skills and confidence to make meaningful contributions to patient care.

• Diagnostic Radiology (5 years)

The Diagnostic Radiology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, offers a five-year training program. The curriculum is in compliance with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of the ACGMEI.

The aim of the program is to foster a strong foundation of general radiology knowledge to allow graduates to be an integral, value-added member of a medical team and create radiologists who practice collaborative medicine with all clinicians. We provide our residents the highest quality training through state-of-the-art education in all aspects of radiology thus bringing understanding to the pathologic basis of disease on imaging.

During the first year of training (PGY1), residents will rotate among clinical and surgical wards to acquire acceptable clinical experience prior to their training in the imaging field. Trainees will begin their training in the department of Medical Imaging during the last three months of their PGY1 year.  By the end of their PGY2 year, they should acquire knowledge in basic imaging techniques and physics, as well as knowledge in radiologic anatomy and pathology. Thereafter and until completion of training in the PGY5 year, trainees will gain more experience in all forms of Diagnostic Radiology.

During the scope of their training, residents will be rotating in various radiologic subspecialties, which include conventional radiography and fluoroscopy, thoracic and body imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, neuroradiology, ultrasonography, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and breast imaging.

Trainees enrolled in the program receive didactic sessions by faculty members and actively participate in didactic sessions and case discussions on a daily basis. Moreover, they are encouraged to attend clinic-radiological interdepartmental conferences.

All trainees are required to participate in research projects, including original research, case reports, meta-analyses, and review articles, under direct faculty supervision. Trainees are encouraged to publish at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduating.

Upon completion of our program, graduates can confidently practice with excellence as leaders in their field and function as effective consultants for their clinical colleagues.

• Dermatology (4 years)

The Dermatology Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a four-year program aiming to train highly competent, professional and compassionate dermatologists, proficient in diagnosis and clinical care to become future educators and leaders in their field.

During the course of their residency, trainees are required to complete one preliminary year (PGY1) in internal medicine, pediatrics or both internal medicine and pediatrics (transitional year). This is followed by three years of residency in dermatology (PGY2, 3 and 4).  PGY2-PGY4 residents training rotate at the LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH outpatient clinics. They are exposed to medical dermatology including cutaneous oncology, autoimmune diseases, bullous diseases, pediatric dermatology with extensive exposure to management of vascular malformations, and surgical dermatology with exposure to Mohs micrographic surgery cases. Senior residents also tend to a longitudinal clinic at the Fanar Elpis and Hazmieh dispensaries.

The LAU Dermatology Residency Program provides a comprehensive didactic curriculum over the last three years of residency training that is complementary to the clinical training. This educational curriculum includes grand rounds, CME lectures, journal clubs, core curriculum lectures, basic science seminars, dermatology book club, dermatopathology lectures as well as slide viewing. 

• Emergency Medicine (4 years)

The Emergency Medicine Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a four-year program, having its curriculum in compliance with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of ACGMEI.

The objective of the program is to train and graduate competent residents, with developed skills in all aspects of the Emergency Medicine (EM). We accomplish this by providing an in-depth didactic program, a variety of clinical experience in our two University Medical Centers and outstanding teaching and mentorship.

PGY1 and PGY2 residents rotate in the EM and in multiple medical and surgical disciplines to develop skills needed for their EM practice, including pediatric rotations, anesthesia, and radiology. Senior residents rotate in the EM along with ICU and CCU. We also provide opportunity for research at all levels of training, and we require every graduating resident to be involved in at least one research project prior to graduation.

Upon completion of our training program, graduates can confidently practice in the community, treat and stabilize severely ill patients, and contribute to any health care team.

• Family Medicine (4 years)

The Family Medicine Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, offers either a three-year track according to ACGMEI requirements or a 4-year track that satisfies the requirements of the Arab Board of Family Medicine. The mission of the program is to promote and achieve excellent community-oriented primary healthcare at the local, national, and regional levels through education, research, and services.

In their first year, residents rotate in disciplines that offer foundational inpatient clinical skills in Internal Medicine, Intensive Care, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. As residents approach their senior years, they are exposed to multiple disciplines with more focus on the outpatient setting such as Musculoskeletal & Sports Medicine, Dermatology, Mental Health, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology. Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, and Urology. In addition, residents have a continuity family medicine clinic throughout the four years.

Primary training sites are the LAUMC-RH, LAUMC-SJH, and LAU campus clinics (Beirut & Byblos). Affiliated sites include Hazmieh Primary Healthcare Center (PHCC), Karaguezian PHCC, and Al Salamah PHCC.

Educational activities in the form of lectures, grand rounds, journal clubs, and board review sessions are held twice on a weekly basis throughout the year. The training program follows the competency based medical education model set by the ACGMEI and residents are expected to attain competency in all six areas upon graduation. Each resident is expected to complete a quality improvement project and a full research project with a written manuscript before graduation.  The program has an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia in Canada to facilitate the process for willing graduates to practice as family physicians in Canada upon graduation.

• General Surgery (5 years)

The General Surgery Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, offers two program tracks: a five-year categorical and a one-year preliminary. Our curriculum adheres to the requirements of the ACGMEI. We maintain high standards for certifying surgeons, aiming to equip our trainees with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for excellent patient care and surgical skills. Our goal is to foster the development of physician scholars who prioritize patient, family, and community care, bridging the gap between medical school and independent clinical practice. This is achieved through a resident-centered, dynamic curriculum featuring diverse clinical exposure, robust didactic sessions, close supervision and feedback, varied assessment methods, and a strong mentorship program with actionable improvement plans.

Residents rotate at our main training sites, LAUMCRH and LAUMCSJH, as well as affiliated medical centers such as Clemenceau Medical Center and Military Hospital. Rotations encompass critical care units and emergency department in addition to surgical subspecialties, including but not limited to: Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, and Pediatric Surgery. We emphasize and facilitate research opportunities at all training levels, requiring completion of a research project for graduation. Residents also engage in medical education, teaching clinical students, and participating in school activities to develop teaching skills.

• Internal Medicine (3 years)

The Internal Medicine Residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, offers two program tracks: a three-year categorical and a one-year preliminary. Our curriculum complies with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of the ACGMEI.

Our Internal Medicine Residency Training Program maintains high standards for certifying internists and sub- specialists. We aim to impart and guide our trainees to possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for the provision of excellent care. Our goal is to transform medical students into physician scholars who care for the patient, family, and community combining and continuing the longitudinal professional development between medical school and autonomous clinical practice. This is accomplished through a curriculum that is resident centered, dynamic, with a wide variety of clinical exposure, robust didactic deliverables, close supervision and feedback, diverse assessment methods, and solid mentorship program with actionable improvement plans.

We offer our residents rotations through two main training sites at LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH, in addition to the affiliated dispensaries. Rotations include regular wards, critical care units, emergency department, primary care and night float. In addition, all residents rotate in all internal medicine subspecialties: Nephrology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology and Rheumatology.  Residents also benefit from a total of six months of individualized experience tailored to their future career plans including selective and elective rotations.  All residents in categorical track have their own continuity outpatient clinic under the supervision of an experienced LAU faculty member.  We also provide, encourage, and support opportunities for research at all levels of training, with a completed research project being a mandatory requirement for graduation. Residents are also trained as educators through involvement in medical education of the students in clinical years and participation in the school activities.

• Neurology (4 years)

The Neurology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program based at LAUMC-RH. The program offers a diversified clinical experience with rich exposure to inpatient services, consultative services, and outpatient settings.

The aim of the program is to prepare the physician for independent practice of clinical neurology by providing supervised clinical training with increasing responsibilities for outpatient and inpatient care. In addition, the program provides trainees with a solid foundation in the basic neurosciences, which is an opportunity to become familiar with various research methodology and skills for a research career in basic neurosciences and in clinical neurology. Finally, the program helps trainees develop personal attributes required to become a well-rounded effective, ethical, humane, reliable physician, endowed with excellent communication skills.

The transitional year neurology residents (PGY1) rotate in different disciplines in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology.

The second-year neurology residents (PGY2) spend time on the neurology inpatient services, in addition to pediatric neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, and neuroradiology.

During the PGY3 year, trainees rotate in consult services, pediatric neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurosurgery, outpatient clinic rotation, and EEG/EMG/EP/Intraoperative monitoring.

The PGY4 residents are responsible for overseeing the neurology ward, consult services, pediatric neurology, and well as EMG, EEG/EP and outpatient services.  They are in charge of the supervision and education of junior residents and students.  They also have 3 blocks of elective rotations.

An important part of the program is to participate in clinical or basic neuroscience research. All residents are encouraged to be involved in at least one project to be published during their training years.

• Neurosurgery (7 years)

The Neurosurgery residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a seven-year program with the first two years PGY1 and PGY2 dedicated to fundamental skills allowing the resident to rotate in different specialties: general surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuroradiology, emergency medicine, neuro ICU, psychiatry and neuropathology. There are 54 months of clinical neurosurgery and 18 months of the program dedicated for elective clinical education and/or research.

At the completion of training, graduates will function effectively as consultants, integrating physician roles for the provision of optimal, ethical, and patient-centered medical care. They will demonstrate and maintain clinical knowledge, diagnostic and therapeutic procedural skills and attitudes appropriate to their neurosurgical practice. This includes appropriate assessment of a neurosurgical patient, the provision of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, and seeking appropriate consultation from other health professionals.

• Obstetrics and Gynecology (4 years)

The Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a four-year program adopting a curriculum in compliance with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of the ACGMEI.

The aim of the program is to enhance the skills, knowledge, and professional growth of our trainees. We accomplish this by providing supervised clinical teaching and an in-depth didactic program, in accordance with the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) objectives, spanning the fields of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecology.

The Obstetrics and Gynecology residents rotate at LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH, and at Rafic Hariri University Hospital. They build up their experience along the four years of post-graduate training in the delivery room, operating room, inpatient ward, and affiliated outpatient clinic sites. The PGY1 resident rotates in addition in primary specialties that reinforce the fundamental concepts in medicine, while PGY3 and/or PGY4 residents are given the opportunity of an extramural rotation targeting areas of interest. In addition, residents will have the opportunity to participate in activities at the simulation center. We also provide opportunity for research at all levels of training and mandate the completion of one research project prior to graduation.

Upon completion of our program, graduates can confidently engage in autonomous practice in academic or private institutions and promote women’s health.

• Ophthalmology (4 years)

The Ophthalmology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a four-year program (1 transitional year and 3 ophthalmology years). The aim of the program is to provide our residents with the most diverse and comprehensive ophthalmology clinical and surgical experience. We accomplish this by providing an in-depth didactic education and experiential hands-on training.

Transitional Year (PGY1) residents rotate in disciplines that offer fundamental clinical skills in the primary specialties such as dermatology, radiology, internal medicine and emergency medicine. Senior residents (PGY2-PGY4) are exposed to clinical and surgical cases from all ophthalmology subspecialties:  retina, cornea/anterior segment, uveitis, retina, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and oculo-plastics. We also provide research opportunities whereby each resident has at least one research project to complete throughout residency. Upon completion of our program, graduates can confidently pursue further subspecialty training internationally or start their practice in the community.

• Orthopedics (5 years)

The Orthopedic residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a five-year program having its curriculum in compliance with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of the ACGMEI.

The aim of the program is to enable trainees to develop their skills to the highest capacity. We accomplish this by providing an in-depth didactic program, a wide variety of clinical experiences at LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH and outstanding teaching and mentorship.

Transitional Year (PGY1) residents rotate in disciplines that offer fundamental clinical skills in primary surgical specialties including emergency medicine and critical care unit. Senior residents (PGY2-PGY5) are exposed to clinical cases from all orthopedic subspecialties: reconstructive hip & knee surgery, spine surgery, upper limb surgery, hand surgery, foot & ankle surgery and sports medicine.

We also provide many opportunities for high quality research at all levels of training.  Graduates from our program are capable of safe and independent competent practice of general orthopedic surgery.

• Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (4 years)

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency at the Lebanese American University Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a five-year post-graduate training program. The main clinical training sites are LAUMC-RH, LAUMC-SJH and Sacred Heart Hospital.

The program encompasses all diseases and pathologies of the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck area.  Trainees have a broad exposure in the fields of general otolaryngology, otology/neurotology, rhinology/skull base surgery, laryngology/airway management, head and neck surgical oncology, thyroid/parathyroid surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, and facial plastic and reconstructive head and neck surgery.

The program provides trainees with all the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes for the assessment and management of otolaryngology head and neck patients in the outpatient clinics, inpatient service, emergency room, and the operating room settings. In addition, residents assess patients on other services when consulted, and provide assistance to other services in the management of otolaryngology head and neck surgery disorders and related issues.

• Pathology (4 years)

The Anatomic Pathology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a comprehensive and rigorous four-year curriculum designed to foster expertise in anatomic pathology. This curriculum is designed not only to meet the educational needs of aspiring pathologists but also to prepare them for significant contributions to the medical and scientific communities.

The program is structured into a basic core curriculum that spans three years and an optional fourth year focused on specialized training.

During the first three years of training, residents undertake rotations at three main Pathology services located at LAUMC-RH, Clemenceau Medical Center, and Sacred Heart Hospital. These essential rotations include extensive training in surgical pathology and cytopathology, forming the backbone of the residency experience. The final year offers flexibility for residents to tailor their educational experience according to individual career goals. Options include a surgical pathology fellowship or chief resident role, where residents gain progressive responsibilities leading to independent case sign-outs, a fellowship in a pathology subspecialty at approved programs in the US or Europe or electives and focused training in surgical pathology or other pathology subspecialties in the US or Europe.

Trainees in the program at LAU are expected to engage actively in a variety of educational activities.  They participate in patient services under supervision, gradually taking on more responsibility.   They attend and contribute to teaching sessions and educational activities involving students and junior residents.  Trainees also engage in interactive conferences, case reviews and departmental quality improvement initiatives.  The program helps trainees develop research skills to enable them to complete supervised research projects by the end of their training.

The program also encourages external rotations in renowned pathology departments across the US or Europe. This exposure allows residents to experience diverse clinical environments and approaches, enriching their training and broadening their professional perspective.

• Pediatrics (3 years)

The Pediatrics residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program having its curriculum in compliance with the foundational and advanced specialty requirements of the ACGMEI since May 2024. A 4-year track training program is available to applicants intending to sit for the Arab Board of Pediatrics.

The aim of the program is to enable each trainee to develop his or her skills to the highest capacity. We accomplish this by providing an in-depth didactic program, a wide variety of clinical experiences and outstanding teaching and mentorship.

Pediatrics residents are given exposure to many pediatric inpatient and outpatient diseases as well as well-child visits. They rotate in LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH as well in the Beirut University Governmental hospital and the Central Military Hospital. This allows for a broader exposure to diverse healthcare systems. Our residents interact with different pediatric subspecialists in the field of neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonary, cardiology, neonatology, and endocrinology.  We also provide opportunity for quality improvement and research at all levels of training. Upon completion of our program, graduates can confidently take their places in academic or community practice and be successful advocates of children and their heath.

• Psychiatry (4 years)

The Psychiatry residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, offers a program with a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide residents with diverse clinical experiences and foster a deep understanding of mental health. The program integrates ACGMEI required competencies into the curriculum.

Rotations encompass inpatient and outpatients’ settings, aiming to cultivate expertise in diagnostic assessment, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy techniques. Objectives of rotations include proficiency in managing a wide range of psychiatric disorders, developing effective communication skills with patients and interdisciplinary teams, and gaining insight into the socioeconomic determinants in mental health.

PGY1 and PGY2 rotate in medical settings as well as inpatient psychiatry settings where they learn diagnosis and management of emergency cases, including schizophrenia, bipolar, substance abuse, suicidal patients, and personality disorders. PGY3 encounters liaison psychiatry patients and are initiated to child and adolescent psychiatry. Senior residents take responsibilities for community services and are trained to different types of psychotherapy. PGY5 residents are offered the opportunity to travel abroad to broaden their exposure and expertise, immersing themselves in diverse cultural contexts, gaining insights into varied approaches to mental health.

Affiliated sites include major psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, and academic institutions, offering exposure to diverse patient modalities and treatment modalities.

Residents at all levels engage in research projects exploring topics such as treatment outcomes, neurobiological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, and innovative interventions, contributing to the advancement of the field and their own professional development.

• Urology (5 years)

Urology residency at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a five-year post-graduate training program. It is a competency-based curriculum following ACGMEI standards.

Residency is an essential dimension of the transformation of the medical student to the independent practitioner along the continuum of medical education. Though it is physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding, and requires longitudinally-concentrated effort on the part of the resident, it could be an enjoyable experience in a healthy learning environment and professional guidance

The goals and objectives are developed and are appropriately implemented to help urology residents attain proficiency in all competencies and sub-competencies mandated by ACGMEI upon graduation. The main clinical training sites are LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH. The affiliated training site in Lebanon is Clemenceau Medical Center. The PGY1 is a preliminary year in surgery with rotations in medicine and ancillary services. PGY2 to PGY5 include the urology rotation in the three training sites designed to make residents’ progression in cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor skills smooth until attaining the professional identity needed for autonomous and safe practice.

Since our philosophy is “together we learn, together we move forward”, the Urology faculty are committed to turn Urology residents into outstanding urologists.

Fellowship Programs

• Cardiology (3 years)

The Cardiology fellowship training program at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program in compliance with the recommendations of the Core Cardiology Training Symposium (COCATS 4) used by the American College of Cardiology as reference for the cardiology fellowship curriculum.

The fellows should have completed 3 years of internal medicine residency by the time they enter the program. The first two years of fellowship are completed at LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH and are devoted to full-time clinical activities and research. During this time, with close staff mentoring and supervision, fellows care for acutely ill medical and surgical patients, provide ongoing outpatient care for these patients and perform and interpret both invasive and noninvasive diagnostic procedures.

Our fellows benefit from an exposure to a wide range of interventions that covers the entire field of cardiology including noninvasive cardiac evaluation in the noninvasive cardiology lab and the radiology department, invasive procedures that cover all kinds of coronary interventions and structural heart disease interventions, and invasive cardiac electrophysiology procedures that covers implantation of devices and ablation of cardiac arrhythmias.

Fellows participate in didactic sessions. There is flexibility in completing the third in Lebanon or abroad and can be tailored to the fellow’s long-term goals and sub-specialty aspirations.

• Endocrinology (2 years)

The Endocrinology Fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a two-year program designed to provide comprehensive training in the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of the broad spectrum of endocrine diseases and diabetes. There is a strong emphasis on research and scholarly activity. The program prepares and qualifies trainees for a successful academic and/or clinical career in endocrinology.

During their training, fellows rotate in the inpatient and outpatient clinical services at LAUMC-RH and affiliated dispensaries, as well as a rotation in the Chronic Care Center.

During the first year, the fellows gain experience in the inpatient evaluation and management of various endocrine disorders as well as the appropriate transfer of patients to the outpatient setting.  During all clinical encounter, fellows are supervised by faculty.

During year 2, clinical experience is extended with substantial opportunity for elective rotations. A scholarly project is expected to be completed during the 2^nd year as well.

Please take a close look at the LAU Endocrinology Fellowship — it may be just the right fellowship for you!

• Gastroenterology (3 years)

The Gastroenterology fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program dedicated to teach the art and science of gastroenterology in compliance with ACGMEI.  The curriculum includes rotations in outpatient and inpatient services, a wide range of endoscopic activities, didactic conferences and research. Clinical duties are distributed between LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH. Fellows also have longitudinal clinic at the Beirut Bar Association dispensary. Graduates of the program are fully prepared to enter independent clinical and academic practice. After completing our program, our fellows become experts with the presentation, natural history, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatobiliary diseases.

Our program is designed to provide robust opportunities for fellows to develop clinical competence in the broad field of gastroenterology, including hepatology, endoscopy, clinical nutrition, pancreatobiliary, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal motility/ functional disorders and GI oncology.

Elective rotations are encouraged in our program to enhance competency in various gastrointestinal subspecialties. Electives can be completed at well-recognized medical academic institutions nationally or internationally. Fellows have the opportunity to tailor their electives to their interests and anticipated future careers. Our goal for our graduates is to become leaders in the field of gastroenterology.

• Hematology/Oncology (3 years)

The Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program with a curriculum in compliance with the ACGMEI requirements.

The goal of the program is to develop in our fellows the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a broad spectrum of hematological and oncological conditions, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This is achieved by providing our fellows with a broad clinical exposure, an in-depth didactic program, and outstanding teaching and mentorship.

Fellows gain clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of solid tumors, hematological malignancies, and benign hematological conditions. A new feature of our program is autologous stem cell transplantation, now performed at LAUMC-RH. A significant part of the medical oncology clinical experience takes place in the outpatient setting.  Fellows have elective rotations in radiology, laboratory medicine and blood bank, pathology, hematopathology, and radiation oncology.

Affiliated sites are LAUMC-SJH and Mount Lebanon Hospital (for radiation oncology).  Our fellows are required to be involved in clinical research and to submit/publish two research projects by the end of their fellowship.

Upon completion of our program, our graduates are able to confidently integrate academic or community practices and be successful contributors to the health care system.

• Infectious Diseases (2 years)

The Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a two-year program organized to provide training and supervised experience to ID fellows to acquire the competency of a specialist in the field of infectious diseases.  A third year of ID subspecialty training (primarily for research training) is strongly encouraged for those ID fellows pursuing a career in academic medicine, clinical investigation, or public health. This year will be offered through affiliation to French and British programs. 

The curriculum includes adult and pediatric inpatient services, outpatient clinic rotations at LAUMC-RH and LAUMC-SJH as well as affiliated dispensaries. Our fellows attend various didactic lectures, clinical case conference, journal clubs, and research meetings.

Research activities are a critical component of the ID training program. All ID subspecialty fellows are required to submit one or two research projects by the end of their fellowship training.

• Nephrology (3 years)

The Nephrology fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a two-year program, with an ACGMEI compliant curriculum.

Our goal is to train fellows to provide compassionate patient care with a variety of kidney diseases and mold them into future clinicians, educators, and researchers.

Our training offers in-depth didactic lectures provided by expert nephrologists, pathology lectures, as well as specialized lectures by faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, especially in regard to glomerular diseases and onco-nephrology subspecialty.  At LAUMC-RH, fellows have clinical exposure to all aspects of nephrology, including hypertension clinic, acid-base and electrolytes disturbances, acute/chronic kidney diseases, acute dialysis, plasma exchange, training in one of the best-established dialysis centers, exposure to inpatient and outpatient clinical nephrology, busy consultation service with all specialties including oncology and cardiology and chronic kidney transplant patients’ follow-up. 

By the completion of our program, we hope to graduate accomplished nephrologists with a large array of skills, deep knowledge, research background, and above all professionalism and ethics.

• Pulmonary & Critical Care (3 years)

The Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, is a three-year program covering all aspects of the specialty including outpatient pulmonary, inpatient pulmonary, and critical care in-depth training.

The aim of the program is to graduate well-rounded fellows, appropriately trained in all aspects of Pulmonary and Critical Care.  Our fellows benefit from a broad didactic program. Our main training site is LAUMC-RH, a referral center for complex pulmonary, critical care and neuro-interventional cases. Fellows get to perform various critical care procedures including advanced bronchoscopy, radial and convex endobronchial ultrasound, rigid bronchoscopy, Argon Plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, and endobronchial stent placement.  Trainees have ample training in sleep medicine.

Fellows also rotate at LAUMC-SJH, giving them exposure to management of patients outside of large referral centers.

Fellows have access to multiple research projects, and are expected to lead projects of their own during their training.

Overall, through a wide variety of clinical experiences as well as outstanding teaching and mentorship, we pride ourselves on graduating competent and confident Pulmonary and Critical Care physicians.

Application Process of Graduate Medical Education Programs

The GME application process is posted on the LAU School of Medicine- GME webpage. The latter includes the application form, the list of required documents, as well as a timeline and calendar of relevant application process deadlines. Interested applicants may contact the GME office via email or attend to the office located in Achrafieh, School of Medicine Administrative Offices, Independence Street, Sarraf Building, 2^nd floor, Beirut, Lebanon.