Lebanese HealthCare Management Association

Tomorrow September 06th 2002 is the first anniversary of the establishment of the Lebanese HealthCare Management Association (LHMA) as an autonomous Chapter of the Lebanese Management Association (LMA). On that day in 2001, I had sent the first message concerning the LHMA to the then-potential individuals, firms, associations, officials whom I thought may be interested to join the LHMA.

Today, as I look back, I can inform you of the following progress:

1. About 650 members have indicated their interest to join the LHMA, either by sending enrollment forms, or by contacting me and other members of the Committee.

2. The Advisory Board has been established and has met twice since November. I wish to seize this occasion to thank them for their support to launch the Association.

3. The Founding Committee has met many times, almost monthly, and has acted on several matters related to the establishment of the Association. The support of the members needs to be acknowledged.

4. The Association held a formal reception to celebrate its official launch on April 23rd at the Gefinor Rotana Hotel. The 220 guests were supportive of this development.

5. Four seminars have been held over the period May 27th -July 09th namely:

The Role of Academic Medical Centers in Health Development- May 27th- Chaired by HE Dr Karam Karam, with four distinguished panelists namely: Mr John Rhoder, Mr Joseph Otayek, Mr Mohamad Firikh and Dr Imad Al Hajj.
The Role of the Media in Health Development- June 10th- Chaired by HE Minister Marwan Hamadeh, with three panelists namely Mr Nasser Safieddine, Dr Nabil Dajani and Mr Adib Farha.
The Role of International Organizations in Health Development- June 25th- Chaired by HE Dr Adnan Mroueh, with three distinguished panelists namely Dr Abdallah Bou Habib, Miss Asma Qordahi and Dr Mustafa Khojali
The Role of Medical Insurance in Health Development- July 09th - Chaired by Minister Basel Fuleihan with four distinguished panelists namely Dr Walid Ammar, Mr Munir Kharma, Mr Antoine Wakim and Mr Kamal Hamdan
All seminars were well attended and were held at the Gefinor Rotana Hotel

6. The LHMA posted its website www.lhma-lma.org on June 10th. The website posts the presentations, news of the LHMA, enrollment forms and links. A new window will now include job opportunities. The website is currently being updated. It will be revised every 2-3 months.

7. A bank account has been opened for the Association at the Saudi National Commercial Bank Account Number 461-007668, as of July 2002. Members may settle their membership fees directly into this account.

8. Membership cards are being produced for members who have settled their membership dues. We need two passport photographs to issue the card that will be valid until December 2003.

9. Receipts for the membership fees and membership cards will be issued as of October 01st to all registered members.

10. After the summer recess, we plan to re-convene and plan for elections. Only members who have settled their dues can participate in voting and holding offices.

Let me again thank you all for your support and have a happy anniversary.

Nabil M Kronfol MD, DrPH
Founder and President of the Chapter
Lebanese HealthCare Management Association LHMA

September 06th 2002

Programs for 2002-2003

- Establishment of the Association
- First General Assembly
- Discussion of the programs
- Database of health professionals in health care management

Monthly seminars on:

"Lebanon's health sector: issues and opportunities for Reform and Development"
- Educational programs - 3 courses - for this year (2002)
- Development of an interactive website
- Questionnaires and Interviews on the demand for programs
- "Suggested Readings": Articles of interest to health professionals
(adapted from the LMA program)