Eighteen women healthcare professionals from across Lebanon have taken part in a first-of-its-kind leadership workshop aimed at strengthening female voices in a sector long dominated by men.
The two-day programme, By Women, For Women—Leadership Mastery in Healthcare, was held at the American University of Beirut (AUB). It brought together doctors, nurses, and specialists to learn how to navigate leadership roles, manage teams, and build resilience.
The event was jointly organised by the Center for Women in Business at AUB’s Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the AUB Medical Center (AUBMC).
Although women make up a large share of Lebanon’s healthcare workforce, leadership positions are overwhelmingly held by men. Organisers said the programme was designed to challenge that imbalance by providing participants with the skills and confidence to step into senior roles.
Professor Yusuf Sidani, dean of the OSB, said the initiative was about more than equity. “At OSB, we believe that advancing women’s leadership is not only a matter of fairness but a driver of excellence and innovation,” he said.
The sessions opened with Dr Ghina Ghazeeri, head of reproductive endocrinology at AUBMC, who delivered a masterclass on healthcare leadership. She stressed the importance of combining evidence-based strategies with empathy and teamwork. “Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the healthcare sector,” she said. “Together, we can change this narrative.”
The first day also included workshops on driving change, overcoming institutional barriers, and bringing entrepreneurial thinking into hospital settings. Dr Rola Chami-Malaeb, assistant professor of human resource management, was joined by fertility nurse Manal Ayoub, who shared personal experiences of leading innovation from within.
On the second day, the focus shifted to emotional intelligence, resilience, and avoiding burnout. Speakers included Dr Hiba Hamadeh, programme manager at AUB, and Dr Maya Romani, associate professor of family medicine. Both highlighted the challenges of balancing clinical demands with leadership responsibilities.
Personal stories added weight to the sessions. Nurse leader Nayla Abi Younes recounted her journey from bedside care to senior management, while Dr Lara Nahouli, a fellow in obstetrics and gynaecology, spoke about courage and adaptability in breaking barriers.
Dr Nada Khaddage-Soboh, director of the Center for Women in Business, closed the workshop by urging participants to “negotiate fearlessly, advocate for their teams, and celebrate their achievements without hesitation”.
By the end of the programme, attendees had formed a network of women leaders committed to supporting each other. Organisers say this is the first step in a long-term plan, with future workshops set to expand the initiative across Lebanon and the region.
For many participants, the impact was immediate: new skills gained, fresh confidence instilled, and lasting bonds forged. The hope, say organisers, is that these women will carry the momentum into their hospitals, clinics, and communities—helping to transform the face of healthcare leadership in Lebanon.
