In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Michelle Cherro, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Mass General in Boston and lead author of the 2025 PLOS One study, “Predictors of suicide attempts among adolescents with suicidal ideations and a plan.” Dr. Cherro discusses the motivations behind her team’s work with co-authors Dr. Hala Itani, Dr. Elie Ghossoub, and Dr. Fadi Maalouf at the American University of Beirut, exploring what drives some adolescents from suicidal thoughts and planning to an actual suicide attempt.

We unpack the study’s key findings, that female adolescents, antisocial behaviors, and substance use strongly predict attempts, and discuss how these insights can inform prevention efforts in Lebanon where the rates are not higher than elsewhere despite the unstable economic and political situation.

Tune in for a compelling conversation bridging U.S.-based data with Lebanese mental-health realities, and for practical reflections on what clinicians, schools, and families can do to protect at-risk youth.

📖 Reference: Cherro M, Itani H, Ghossoub E, Maalouf F. Predictors of suicide attempts among adolescents with suicidal ideations and a plan: Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). PLOS One. 2025 Aug 28; 20(8):e0331261. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331261.

#AdolescentMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #Lebanon #GlobalHealth #Psychiatry #BehavioralHealth #PublicHealth #YouthWellbeing #mentalhealthawareness

In this episode, we explore a milestone achievement for the Lebanese American University (LAU) Internal Medicine Residency Program: earning the prestigious ACGME-International (ACGME-I) accreditation. We break down what ACGME-I is, why LAU pursued it, and what it means for residents, patients, and the future of graduate medical education in Lebanon and the region.

Our discussion covers the rigorous process of accreditation, the challenges faced, and the transformative impact on training, patient safety, and international opportunities for residents and faculty. We also explore how this recognition positions LAU as a leader in shaping regional standards for medical education.

Whether you’re a medical student, resident, faculty member, or healthcare leader, this episode offers valuable insights into how ACGME-I accreditation is redefining professional growth and healthcare excellence in Lebanon.

#MedicalEducation #GraduateMedicalEducation #ACGMEI #InternalMedicine #ResidencyTraining #LebaneseAmericanUniversity #HealthcareLeadership #AcademicMedicine #ProfessionalDevelopment #GlobalHealth

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, Drs. Khalil Diab and MohammadAli Jardaly speak with Nadine Sabra, digital health lead at the American University of Beirut’s Global Health Institute and member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Health AI Conference. We discuss:

• Nadine’s journey into digital health and AI

• The most promising applications of AI in healthcare today

• The ethical and regulatory challenges in integrating AI into practice

• How AI can shape patient care and health systems in the next decade

• AUB’s initiatives to prepare the next generation of leaders in digital health

This is a forward-looking conversation about how the Middle East and the world can harness AI responsibly to build more equitable, innovative, and resilient health systems.

#HealthAI #DigitalHealth #GlobalHealth #MedicalInnovation #FutureOfHealthcare #AUB #Lebanon #AIInMedicine #EquityInHealth #LebanesePhysiciansPodcast

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