BEIRUT–On the decision of President Emile Lahoud–Dr. Haroutune Armenian was awarded Lebanon’s Cedar Medal last week during a ceremony that marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the American University of Beirut (AUB).
In speaking of Dr. Armenians accomplishmen’s–the Dean of AUB’s Faculty of Health Sciences Huda Zurayk–said that his achievemen’s and input in the medical field internationally–regionally–and locally have brought honor not only to the school–but to all of Lebanon. "For this reason–President Lahoud wanted to pay tribute to him."
Dr. Armenian–a graduate of the Hamazkayin Nshan Palandjian Jemaran–studied medicine at AUB–specializing in internal medicine. He received his PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University–and went on to head the School of Public Health there–as well as at AUB. He is currently the President and Dean of the American University of Armenia and a Professor of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University–Bloomberg School of Public Health.
In detailing Armenians accomplishmen’s–associate Dean Iman Nuwayhid said–"He is truly a bridge between the east and west," never missing an opportunity to academically link Armenia–Lebanon–and the United Sates.
In bestowing the honor to Dr. Armenian on behalf of President Lahoud–Health Minister Karam Karam said–"Dr. Armenian embodies the highest level of cultural cooperation."
After accepting the award–Dr. Armenian shared the honor with his colleagues at the AUB Faculty of Health Sciences. He thanked President Lahoud and Health Minister Karam for the privilege–adding that the public health sector requires collective efforts–and he has been fortunate to have worked with excellent coworkers–professors–and students.
As the first independent school of public health in the region–AUB’s Faculty of Health Sciences has educated over 1700 public health and health sciences professionals–many of whom have made important contributions to the promotion of public health in Lebanon–the Arab region–and the world.