Newsletter 2010 - Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS National)

NEWSLETTER 

SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY 

S Y R I A N A M E R I C A N M E D I C A L S O C I E T Y • 2 0 1 0 • I S S U E N O 9 

am writing to share with you on behalf of the board of directors the 

latest developments and progress of the Syrian American Medical 

Society (SAMS). 

I would like to start by thanking the board of directors and the board 

of governors and the 2010 convention committee and all those who 

pitched in to help SAMS during this busy last year. SAMS activities have 

accelerated indeed and we plan on maintaining this momentum well into 

the future. I will list some of the achievements and initiatives currently in 

progress: 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

• Convention: The 2010 Convention was a resounding 

success due to the efforts of Dr. Ani and his committee. The 

convention was well attended by SAMS’ members, medical stu- Hassan Abbass, MD, FACS 

dents and Syrian officials and SAMS was able to raise more than $60,000 in donations to the 

foundation through the leadership drive and from private donations. The donation recognition 

levels are listed in this newsletter and I thank all of you who contributed to this drive. The level 

of donations was a resounding vote of confidence in your society and we will make sure the funds 

will be put to good use. Our medical and education reform suggestions have also been heard at 

the highest level and we have been asked to formalize our suggestions into a “mini” reform convention. 

I have asked Dr. Mazen Daoud to preside over a dedicated reform committee that will 

formally present our members medical and educational reform agenda during a 1-2 day meeting 

on the sidelines of the 2011 Convention. Drs. Ayman Saleh and Tarek Kteleh will be co-chairing 

the 2011 convention which will be held in Aleppo for the first time and the board has expressed 

the ultimate trust in their ability to make this a very successful convention. 

• New Programs: SAMS-New is no longer New! The group has been very active with 

workshops and online courses in Damascus, Homs and Aleppo. This model is now being adopted 

to form other special interest/specialty groups. It is my pleasure to announce the formation of 

SAMS-Thoracic under the leadership of Dr. Abdul Ghani Sankri-Tarbichi using the same model 

and a SAMS-Oncologic group is currently in development. These groups will help coordinate 

SAMS members’ specialty efforts especially during activities outside the scope of the annual convention. 

In my report last year, I mentioned our efforts to cooperate with NAAMA. It is now 

my pleasure to report signing a historic alliance agreement with NAAMA and IMSA whereby we 

will work together on sharing the membership renewal forms, holding a joint convention in the 

US the first of which will take place in the fall of 2011 in Las Vegas, and cooperate on regional 

medical and educational projects while maintaining our full independence of our board and 

membership decisions. 

• Existing Programs: The scholarship program under the leadership of Dr. Kteleh continues 

to thrive with 43 medical students and residents helped since its’ inception. The Pediatric 

Ophthalmology fellowship sponsored by the Northeast chapter is now a reality with the first 

fellowship planned for next summer. The Ohio chapter under the leadership of Dr. Saker was 

successful in raising the funds necessary to help Medwish deliver a 40 Ft. container with more 

than $1 million in medical equipment to charity hospitals in Syria. Syrian Ministry of Health 

CPD credentialing was successful and will continue in parallel with our US CME credentialing 

through the Cleveland clinic. 

continue page 2 

BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS 

PRESIDENT 

Hassan Abbass, MD 

hassan@abbass.com 

PAST PRESIDENT 

Naim Farhat, MD 

nfarhat@aol.com 

VICE PRESIDENT 

Nizar Zein, MD 

zeinn@ccf.org 

TREASURER 

Ayman Saleh , MD 

asaleh@neoucom.edu 

Wadah Atassi, MD 

atassi@doctor.com 

Fadi Bashour, MD 

fsbashour@hotmail.com 

Basel Moussa, MD 

baselmoussa@yahoo.com 

Executive Coordinator 

Lucine Saleh, MBA 

lucinesaleh@gmail.com 

MARK YOUR 

CALENDAR 

SAMS 2011 Annual 

Medical Convention 

Aleppo, Syria 

July 4-7, 2011

continue from page 1 

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2010 ISSUE 9 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

• Membership: Our membership ranks grew on the heels of the success of the convention last summer. We expect 

further growth later this year with the oncoming biennial elections and the shared renewal forms with NAAMA. I urge you 

all to renew your memberships promptly. If your membership is not current then you would not be able to run for office or 

vote in the SAMS elections. Make your voice heard now! 

Finally, I would like to remind you again to participate in your chapter and specialty group activities and reap the maximum benefits 

from your membership. This is your volunteer society and I want you all to share in the pride of what we are achieving. Please do not 

hesitate to contact me or any of the board members with your suggestions and look forward to see you all at the convention in Aleppo 

this summer. 

Hassan Abbass, MD, FACS 

SAMS 2010 11 th ANNUAL MEDICAL CONVENTION 

SAMS 11 th annual medical convention was held in Damascus, 

Syria July 4 to July 7th 2010. The convention was successful 

on both levels, academic and social. 

On an academic level 170 physicians from the U.S. attended 

the convention. In addition 175 medical students and physicians 

from Syria attended the convention as well. 

The convention started with the opening ceremony on July 

4th. Among the attendees was the Minister of health Dr. 

Rida Said, in addition to many other officials. The opening 

ceremony started with the Syrian national anthem followed 

by a video presentation highlighting Syria landmarks. Dr. 

Rida Said, Dr. Hassan Abbass and myself, Dr. Nasser Ani, 

spoke about the convention, SAMS achievements, the exchange 

of knowledge with our colleagues in Syria, and the 

medical charity SAMS is offering to the under privileged. 

Following the opening ceremony the orthopedic and spine 

sessions started. The second day focused on oncological 

conditions and treatment. The third day focus was cardiology 

and pulmonary medicine. The fourth day presentation 

dealt with different subspecialties. The maximum CME was 

33 credits for attendees. 

On the social level we had two major events. The GALA 

was on July 5 th , 2010 at the Sheraton hotel. About 460 

attendees were present. This was a successful fundraising 

event. The gala started with the “ARADA AL SHAMIE” 

followed by a jewelry show. Abou Al Kheir Jewelry organized 

a jewelry fashion show with top models from Lebanon 

that attracted the attention of all the attendees. The gala 

event was highlighted by the special entertainment of the 

famous electric organ player Mr. Magdy Al Hussaini and the 

fabulous singing of Miss Reeda Boutros. 

On the last day of the convention some members of SAMS 

had dinner at the Al Narinj restaurant in the old city of 

Damascus to unwind from the intense work during the 

convention. The leadership of the SAMS Northeast chapter 

met with Dr. Rida Said the Minister of Health to finalize the 

details of the Pediatric Opthalmology fellow program which 

will start in July of 2010. The candidate was picked after 

the interview process, and the plans are moving forward for 

Dr. Mohammad Aladdin Rashwani to start an international 

fellowship for one year in the USA. Upon his completion of 

the fellowship he will be returning to Syria to work under the 

direction of BASMA organization, the Ministry of Health, 

and the Ministry of Higher Education. 

The President, Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, and the First Lady, 

Asma Al-Assad, met with some SAMS members, over a 

casual dinner and discussed different topics, including the 

importance of education in Syria, the exchange of expertise 

between local physician and SAMS members, and different 

NGO’S and charities in Syria 

Finally, I encourage everybody to participate in future SAMS 

Conventions. Next year’s convention will be held in Aleppo 

with the collaboration of the Ministry of Health and the 

Ministry of Higher Education. I hope that all of you will 

participate, and save the date for the SAMS 12 th annual 

medical convention. 

On a final note anyone who donates a minimum $100 to 

the SAMS Foundation will receive a DVD of the gala dinner 

and a CD with all the photos taken during the convention 

as a token of appreciation. Please contact Lucine Saleh at: 

samsconference@gmail.com 

NASSER ANI, MD 

Chairman 2010 Convention 

President SAMS N.E. Foundation

THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF THE 

FOLLOWING THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE TO OUR 

CAUSE. 

Diamond Level: $10,000 and more 

The Ghrewati Family to the SAMS NE Foundation for the Oncology fellowship. 

Talal Al Zein to SAMS National Foundation 

Nizar Al Asaad to SAMS National Foundation 

St. Jude Medical to the Cardiac Team 

Platinum: $2,000 and more 

Abu Al Kheir Jewelry to sponsor our Gala in Damascus 

DePuy Spine Company to the convention 

St. Jude Medical to the Convention 

SAMS Northeast Chapter 

Hassan Abbass, MD 

Firas Abu Koura, MD 

Rami Akhrass, MD 

Thabet Alsheikh, MD 

Mazen Daoud, MD 

Naim Farhat, MD 

Tarek Kteleh, MD 

Zaher Sahloul, MD 

Ayman Saleh, MD 

Gold Level: $1,000 and more 

Fadi Bashour, MD 

Firas Saker, MD 

Samer Siouffi, MD 

Ghassan Zalzaleh, MD 

Silver Level: $500 and more 

Moustapha Abou Samra, MD 

Bronze Level: $100 and more 

Souhail Samaan, MD 

We thank you ! 

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2010 ISSUE 9

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GALA HIGHLIGHTS 

SAMS established a tradition of honoring special individuals who helped or had major 

effects on SAMS mission. During the Gala at the 11 th convention in Damascus, the 

following distinguished honorees were presented with recognition awards: 

Dr. Simaan after receiving his award 

Dr. Sahloul receiving his award 

Dr. Saleh receiving his award 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Souheil Samaan 

Dr. Simaan was head of the dept. of Surgery and one of the most popular professors at 

Damascus Medical School for many years. He completed his training at Metrohealth Medical 

Center in Cleveland, Ohio in 1967 and went on to complete a fellowship in oncologic surgery 

at Sloan Memorial Kettering Cancer Center before his return to Syria. He is the Emeritus 

Professor of Surgery at Damascus University and founder of the Syrian Society of Surgery 

along with a long list of other achievements. Dr. Simaan gave a very well received speech at 

the Gala promoting innovation in medicine and surgery. 

Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Zaher Sahloul 

Dr. Sahloul has made a long term commitment to SAMS as a co-founder 

of the society and founder of the Midwest chapter. He has also served as 

previous conference chairman and CME coordinator and continues to serve 

as the foundation president of the board. He has always demonstrated the 

willingness and readiness to pitch in and help with SAMS’ activities. 

Convention Chair Award: Dr. Ayman Saleh 

For his dedication to ensuring the successful organization of the 2010 

convention.

Dr. Traboulsi receiving his award 

CME Director Award: Dr. Elias Traboulsi 

For his efforts on behalf of the Cleveland Clinic in ensuring the compliance 

of SAMS Convention and lecturers with all the extensive CME requirements. 

Special Innovation Award: Dr. Bassel Atassi 

Dr. Atassi is the founder of the SAMS-New group. Along with his colleagues in the group they developed the telemedicine 

program, the mentorship, online courses and the onsite courses that have helped hundreds of medical students already. 

Dr. Licina after receiving his award Dr. Tuzuc after receiving his award 

The Cardiac Team receiving their award 

Friends of SAMS awards 2010: 

E. Murat Tuzcu, MD, Joe Sam Robinson, 

MD, Arthur Grigorian, MD, Aaron 

Barth, MBA, Al Stubblefield, Michael 

Licina, MD 

For devoting and sacrificing their 

vacations and family time in the pursuit 

of promoting SAMS convention and 

mission. 

Appreciation Award: 

2010 Cardiac Team, Thomas Ryan, Mary 

Venezia and Tamela Reamer 

For their dedication to the success of the 

annual SAMS cardiac surgery and mission 

team under the leadership of Dr. Rami 

Akhrass. 

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SAMS ANNUAL ELECTROPHYSILOGY TRAINING COURSE: 9 YEARS LATER 

SAMS annual EP course remains very successful and very well attended. Our faculty team continues to grow. Ms. 

Donna Cummings, RN, technical field engineer with Medtronic, has contributed vitally to the annual course for the 

last 7 years. Last year we were joined by Dr. Eyman Mortada, a practicing electrophysiologist in the US, and this year 

Mr. Ziad Dahr, technical field engineer with Medtronic, joined our team as its newest member. 

For the last three years our faculty worked very hard to secure scholarships to the top performers in the annual course 

final exam. Biotronik awarded Dr. Hesham Kassem a 5-day scholarship to the Netherlands in 2008. This year, the 

following six scholarships will be awarded to the top three participants in 2009 and the top three in 2010. Two 

3-month scholarship to the US sponsored by Medtronic, four 2-week scholarships to the US sponsored by St. Jude 

Medical. All expenses are paid for by the sponsors. 

Congratulations to the following top physicians for excelling in the field of electrophysiology : 

1. Fares Hujier, MD, Cardiologist, AlBassel Heart Institute, Damascus 

2. Majd Nassar, MD, Cardiologist, AlBassel Heart Institute, Damascus 

3. Riad Maamo, MD, Cardiologist, Aleppo 

4. Basem Baradie, MD, Cardiology Fellow, AlBassel Hospital, Aleppo 

5. Akram Rustom, MD, Cardiology Fellow, AlBassel Heart Institute, Damascus 

6. Ibrahim Shaar, MD, Cardiologist, AlAssad Hospital, Lattakia 

Our annual training course, our faculty efforts and our colleague physicians’ outstanding performances along with the 

tremendous support from AlBassel Heart Institue and the different sponsoring companies continue to prove that SAMS 

activities is a realistic and a viable way to achieve a true transfer of new skills and to improve on existing ones. 

Thabet Alsheikh, MD 

Recipient of 1st BIV ICD implanted by 

graduates of the EP course. 

Program faculty (left to right) 

Eyman Mortada, Ziad Dahr, Donna 

Cummings, Thabet Alsheikh 

Attendees of this year’s training 

course

SAMS OH CHAPTER NEWS 

Join me to welcome the new SAMS-OH board members 

President Firas Saker,MD,FAAP 

Attending Neonatologist 

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Board members 

SAMS OH Chapter board members 

Dr. Saleh Daoud 

CLEVELAND DISTRICT: 

• Amir Alamir, MD 

• Bana Anbari DDS, MSD 

• Basem Haddad, MD 

• Khaled Issa MD, FACP 

Assistant Professor of Medicine 

Case Western Reserve University 

Consultant, Gastroenterology & Hepatology 

• Mazhar Kilani, MD 

• Fares Raslan MD 

Clinical assistant professor in anesthesiology 

Case Western Reserve University 

COLUMBUS DISTRICT: 

• Bashar Hachwa, MD 

TOLEDO DISTRICT: 

• Moustafa Aouthmany, MD 

THE DEAN’S RECEPTION: 

SAMS Ohio members were delighted to hear from the Dean of Damascus 

University school of Medicine (Dr. Saleh Daoud) about the past, present 

and future of the Damascus University school of Medicine, and the 

important role that SAMS can play to promote education and the quality 

of health in Syria. 

SAMS OH CHAPTER ANNUAL DINNER 

- Dr. Lee Ponsky, founder of MedWish International, was the key note speaker of SAMS-OH annual dinner on October 

29th, 2010. The Syrian American Medical Society presented Medwish International with a check of $10,000 in support 

of their humanitarian role in the third world countries. Congressman Kucinich also emphasized the important role that 

SAMS plays to promote health care in Syria. Members of the ACLU were also present in support of the event 

Congressman Kucinich during MedWish Event Dr. Lee Ponsky receiving donation check Chris Link, Executive Director ACLU 

Firas Saker, MD, FAAP 

President SAMS OH chapter 

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SAMS-NORTHEAST CHAPTER 

Since its inception in 2007, SAMS-NE has made a wide stride toward 

achieving its goals, and helping our community in Syria, and in the 

USA. 

Over the past three years, a scholarship of $ 14,000 was granted to 

four Syrian medical students to help them cover the cost of traveling 

while seeking a post-graduate residency position in the USA. 

On an educational level, I am very excited to report that the SAMS-NE 

sponsorship of a new fellowship program in pediatric ophthalmology 

is a reality now. The candidate, who is a Syrian ophthalmologist, is 

already selected to start the training program at the University of 

Tennessee in the near future, with all the expenses, and fringe benefits 

being fully funded by SAMS-NE foundation. Following the training, 

the candidate will return to Syria to treat sick children and train other 

ophthalmologists under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and 

BASMA organization. Our next step is a sponsorship of an oncology 

fellow for 2011. The funds for such a fellowship in the amount of $ 

25,000 are already secured. 

As part of our continuing education the SAMS-NE hosts three 

lectures every year in an effort to cultivate medical knowledge in our 

community, the latest lecture was in August of this year by Dr. Lama 

Al Aswad who gave a power point presentation with video-assisted 

demonstration about the common diseases of the eye. 

A Laser ophthalmic equipment was purchased by the SAMS-NE 

foundation in the amount of $22,300 for the Assaf Foundation in 

Syria to treat needy patients suffering from eye diseases. That fund 

was raised during our Gala event in November 2009. 

SAMS-MIDWEST CHAPTER 

During the last several months, many events took place in the 

Midwest Chapter. A Charity FUNdraising night, “Oriental Night” 

was a success, with more than 200 people in the attendance and more 

than $50,000 in the box, went for the renovation of the Deaf & Mute 

Society building in Damascus, as well as buying new hearing aids 

to its students. The food was Turkish, and the clothes were folkloric 

“Arabic “. 

As soon as the spring was around, we insist to have our share in the 

health fair for underserved areas in Chicago Land initiated by IMAN 

charitable organization. Later that month, we have our annual picnic 

and the election for a new board. 

In August, the chapter had its annual Residents dinner, where 

introduction about SAMS and its mission was done and new faces 

were invited to share the responsibility and the fun!. 

The chapter has invited the Dean of Damascus University Medical 

On a different venue, the charitable event that the SAMS-NE, in 

collaboration with NY chapter of the Arab American Association that 

hosted Bab Al Hara cast members and took place early this year raised 

$ 10,000. The proceeds of the event were donated to The Light & 

Flowers Association to buy medical equipment for kids with cerebral 

palsy in Syria. 

On a social level, SAMS-NE Auxiliary conducts 10 “Cup of Tea” 

events every year. The proceeds of these events go to the SAMS- 

NE Foundation 

Recently, the website www.samsne.org was revamped to facilitate 

tracking our rapid growing activities and make grant and 

fellowship applications accessible to everyone. The new web site 

will soon incorporate popular social media sections, in particular, 

“Face book” and “linkedin”. 

On a personal note, I would like to thank Dr. Nasser Ani for his 

role in leading the successful charity events for the foundation, 

Mrs.Rima Hashim the past auxiliary president, Dr Samar 

Shami the present auxiliary president for playing a vital role in 

our organization, as well as Dr. Samer Farah, and Dr. Lama Al 

Aswad who were the driving force behind arranging the pediatric 

ophthalmology fellowship program. 

Shafik Hashim, MD 

President, SAMS-NE Chapter 

Board member SAMS-NE Foundation 

School, Prof. Dr. Saleh Daoud, to speak to the members about 

the situation of the medical education in Syria and the role SAMS 

members could/should play in the matter. The event took place in the 

lake Michigan Odyssey Cruise ship on 10/10/10. 

Every year the chapter host a residency applicants’ interview 

workshop, this year is a little different. Not only did we select the 

presenters to be members in residency selecting committees in their 

respected hospitals, but we are going to broadcast the workshop live 

to 10 centers in the U.S and 5 in Syria as well, with the help of our 

friends in SAMS NEW group. 

That was the summary, and you could find the details on our web site 

www.samsmed.org 

Ghassan Zalzaleh, MD 

Midwest chapter President

SAMS-NEW GROUP 

SAMS-NEW, Syrian American Medical Society-North American Educational Web, is a group of young generation of SAMS physicians 

who are actively doing online based projects conducted to Syria throughout the year. The group was formed in mid of 2009. 

The general goals of SAMS-NEW group are 

1. Enhance medical education among medical students and residents in Syria through practical online activities. 

2. Enhance the quality and accessibility of health care services in Syria through education, partnership and volunteerism. 

3. Build relationship with medical societies and other official non-governmental organizations and individuals who have similar 

purposes of the group in the USA, Syria and other countries. 

4. Participate in other SAMS activities. 

The first year ended with a lot of successful stories, the main projects were Online courses, Online library and Online mentorship. 

Summary of the first year achievements: 

-First SAMS-NEW National meeting in Chicago in May 29 2010: attended by more than 70 Syrian physicians between residents, 

fellows, specialists as well as the presence and support of SAMS Midwest Chapter board members. The meeting celebrated the first year 

achievement and discussed the current and future plans. 

issues. 

-Online Courses: More than 45 interactive online lectures were conducted to 4 terminals 

in Syria , specifically to medical students in Damascus , Aleppo , Homs and Alkalamoon 

university in D’er Atieh. The Online courses committee is working currently on the next 

courses semester, this year Latakia joined the courses. For more details please see the online 

courses webpage. 

-Online library: provides educational help and research modalities to students and trainees 

in Syrian different medical schools. More than 100 articles were delivered to Syria upon an 

online request from the medical students. This project is currently on hold due to logistic 

-Online mentorship: provide all Syrian physicians in training (i.e. students, residents, and fellows) with career choice advice, patientcare 

advice, medical education counsel, and to mentor Syrian medical students and residents interested in obtaining a higher education 

in the United States and Canada 

Future plans: 

-AJM (Avicenna Journal of Medicine): the group is working to establish the first world class medical journal presented from Syrian 

American physicians to the health care providers in Syria . The group has already assigned experienced personals to form the Editorial 

board and organize the journal framework. The journal will contain different sections including guidelines section, original articles, 

review articles and research section. The group is anticipating releasing the first volume within the next three months. 

-On-Site courses: This program will provide clinical educational opportunities for trainee in Syrian universities, through direct physical 

interaction with American trained Syrian physicians. The group is currently in contact with Damascus university administration to 

discuss the eligibility and logistics of the project. 

For more information about the group and the different projects, visit www.samsnew.org 

Bassel Atassi, MD 

SAMS-NEW member 

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OVERVIEW OF SAMS PROGRAMS 

The SAMS Scholarship Program is pleased 

to announce that it started its 4 th yearly cycle 

October of 2010. The program started 4 years 

ago with more than $70,000 raised and 28 

interest free loans delivered in addition to other 

12 loans delivered this year in October which 

brings up the number of loans awarded to 40. 

The loans range from $2,500-$5,000 and are 

given to the needy Syrian graduates who are 

applying to the medical residency to help them 

through this long and expensive process. The 

program is sustained through the payback of the 

loans by the recipients within a year and a half 

of starting their residency and by the generous 

donations from the Syrian American physician 

community members. 

Therefore, we urge you to support the program 

through your tax deductible donations which 

help those needy Syrian physicians who are 

going through the same challenge you went 

through many years ago. You might remember 

those challenges and the appreciation you had to 

those who provided you with any help every step 

during that long and tough road. When you 

donate to such a noble cause, you are not only 

helping needy young brothers, but also investing 

your donations in making a great American 

physician from Syrian decent who in his/her 

turn will make a huge fortune to his family 

and to our society. This organized effort should 

materialize to more loyal members in the future 

who are excited to help in their turn their junior 

Syrian fellows. The more donations we obtain 

the larger loans we can provide. Please remember 

the program and those needy young colleagues 

with your donations. 

The SAMS Observership Program has also been 

running for the third year and it had more than 

150 applications from Syrian medical students 

and graduates, most of them got accommodated 

for rotations in US hospitals and clinics through 

the program. The goal of the observership 

program is to academically help those applicants 

to strengthen their credentials in order for them 

to be competitive in the search for residency 

positions. This kind of rotations are becoming 

more difficult to get and therefore, this program 

was a resort to many Syrian graduates to find 

a rotation in US hospitals in order to improve 

SAMS 2011 ANNUAL MEDICAL CONVENTION 

their English, medical terms, CV as well as to 

get American letters of recommendation and 

American experience which all help their chances 

in getting medical residency in the US. Please 

participate in this program by being willing to 

accommodate some of those applicants to rotate 

in your clinic or hospital. 

Eventually, I would like to thank those who were 

of great support to both programs and recognize 

them in this newsletter. I would also like to 

thank those who were great supporters but were 

not mentioned here. The scholarship program: 

Dr. Nizar Elkhalili, Abdulfatah Elshaar, Nasser 

Ani, Thabet Alsheikh, Zaher Sahloul, Naim 

Farhat, Hassan Abbass, Imad Khadra, Elie 

Azrak, Ayman Khiami, Ayman Saleh, Abdul 

Amine & Bassel Moussa. 

The observership program: Dr. Muhammad 

Bakleh, Ahmad Agha, Hassan Alzein, Suhail 

Khadra, Maher Tabbaa, Ziad Ani, Wadah Atassi, 

Osama Alaasar, Rami Akhras, Osama Qubaia, 

Mounzer Kassab, Aref Kali, Ahmad Batrash, 

Maher Adi, Aoni Zeibo, Mohammad Ajjan, 

Moustafa Outhmani, Rami Doukky, and Naim 

Alkhouri 

Tarek Kteleh, MD 

SAMS scholarship committee chair 

We are greatly honored to be appointed to the positions of Co-Chairmen of SAMS 12th Annual Medical Convention, 2011. As we prepare 

for the upcoming months, we feel great pride at the thought of working closely with all of you during this extremely important time. Together 

and with your help we can achieve our mission and lead hopefully to a successful convention in Aleppo, Syria July 4th-7th Dear Colleagues: 

, 2011. 

The committee that will be working with you 

this year is: 

Convention Co-Chairman: Ayman Saleh, MD. 

Convention Co- Chairman: Tarek Kteleh, MD 

CME Coordinator: Maher Adi, MD 

Convention Committee Members: 

Elie Azrak, MD 

Amir Habra, MD 

Jaber Monla-Hassan, MD 

Wael Kouli, MD 

Firas Saker, MD 

Maan Fares, MD 

Executive Coordinator: Lucine Saleh, MBA 

As with previous years, Cleveland Clinic will be our 

Continuing Medical Education (CME) sponsor, on 

our upcoming 12 th annual medical convention 2011. 

This year’s convention theme will be “Frontiers of 

Medicine: Bridging Healthcare between USA & 

Syria”. The specialties that will be covered are: 

• Oncology & Hematology 

• Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery 

• Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Medicine 

• General Surgery and subspecialties 

(ENT, Plastic, Urology, Vascular, etc) 

• Neurology & Neurosurgery 

• Internal Medicine and subspecialties 

(Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Nephrology , GI) 

• Pediatrics & OB-GYN 

• Other Specialties (Ophthalmology, Dermatology, 

Psychiatry) 

• Dental 

Under the instruction of globally renowned 

faculty, the educational program utilizes lectures 

and hands-on workshops to present the most 

current controversies, emerging technology, and 

latest surgical techniques in the management of 

surgical conditions. Additionally the convention 

includes round table discussion and debate on the 

management of challenging medical conditions. 

We urge all of you who are interested in attending 

this coming annual medical convention to register 

for the convention. 

Visit SAMS website at www.sams-usa.net and 

download the registration form. 

Furthermore, we are planning to have more 

social activities, events and site tours during this 

upcoming convention to accommodate the greater 

need and requests from our members and to make 

the experience more rewarding and memorable. 

Further details will follow. 

Lucine Saleh, SAMS National Executive 

Coordinator will be more than happy to 

help if you have any question. Email address: 


We are looking forward to your active 

participation, and meeting all of you in Aleppo, 

Syria. 

Sincerely yours, 

Ayman Saleh, MD. 

Convention Co-Chairman 

Tarek Kteleh, MD. 

Convention Co-Chairman

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2011 




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National Membership Dues (mandatory for all 

Please contact SAMS 

(866) 809-9039 

chapters SAMS Annual and groups) Membership Amount Due Enter Amount 


Questions? 

Practicing National Membership Physicians Dues (mandatory for all $150 $ __________ 

Please contact SAMS 

Residents, Fellows & Medical Students 

Free 

$ __________ 

Mail (866) Payment 809-9039 

chapters and groups) 

To: 


SAMS 

Local Practicing Chapter Physicians Dues (Please specify chapter) 

$50 $150 $ $ __________ 

PO Box 1015 

□ Residents, Midwest □ Fellows Michigan & Medical □ Northeast Students □ Ohio 

Free 

$ __________ 

Canfield, 

Mail Payment 

OH. 44406 

To: 

SAMS 

Local Chapter Dues (Please specify chapter) 

$50 $ __________ 

PO Box 1015 

By Fax: 

SAMS □ Midwest Groups □ Michigan (Please specify □ Northeast group) □ Ohio 

Canfield, 

(330) 286-0325 

OH. 44406 

□ SAMS New Group 

Practicing SAMS Groups Physicians (Please specify group) 

$50 $ __________ 

By Fax: 

(330) 286-0325 

Residents □ SAMS & New Fellows Group 

$25 $ __________ 

□ Practicing SAMS Thoracic Physicians Group 

$50 $ __________ 

Practicing Residents Physicians & Fellows $100 $25 $ $ __________ 

Residents □ SAMS & Thoracic Fellows Group 

Practicing Physicians 

$50 

Total Amount $100 Due 

$ __________ 

$ $ __________ 

Payment due by Check 

or Credit Card 

Residents & Fellows 

Credit Card Payment 

$50 $ __________ 

Payment due by Check 

□ Visa □ MasterCard Exp. Date: ___________ 

Credit Card Number: Payment 

Total 

□ Make Amount 

Please accept Checks Due 

my check Payable $ __________ to SAMS 

Amount : $ ________ Check #: _______ 

or Credit Card 

□ _______ Visa □ - MasterCard ________ - ________ Exp. Date: - ___________ 

_________ 

Credit Card Number: 

□ Make 

Please bill accept Checks 

my credit my check Payable to SAMS 

card 

Amount: Amount $ : $ _________ ________ Check #: _______ 

_______ - ________ Signature: - ________ - _________ 

X 

______________________________________ 

Signature: 

* □ Remit Please bill this my portion credit card with payment * 

Amount: $ _________ 

X 

* Remit this portion with payment * 

______________________________________ SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY 

Renewal of Dues & Subscription 2011 

□ Check □ Credit Card 

Check #: __________ SYRIAN □ Visa AMERICAN □ MasterCard MEDICAL Exp. Date: SOCIETY ______ 

Amount: __________ Amount: __________ 

Disclaimer: □ Check This is not an official receipt without □ returned Credit Card check or proof of credit card payment. 

Check #: __________ □ Visa □ MasterCard Exp. Date: ______ 

Renewal of Dues YOUR & Subscription COPY 2011 

Receipt 

YOUR COPY 

Amount: __________ Amount: __________ 

Receipt 

Disclaimer: SYRIAN This is not AMERICAN an official receipt MEDICAL without SOCIETY returned check or proof of credit P.O.BOX card payment. 1015 CANFIELD, OH. 44406 

WEBSITE: www.sams-usa.net EMAIL: samsconference@gmail.com PHONE: (866) 809-9039 FAX: (330) 286-0325 

SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY P.O.BOX 1015 CANFIELD, OH. 44406 

WEBSITE: www.sams-usa.net EMAIL: samsconference@gmail.com PHONE: (866) 809-9039 FAX: (330) 286-0325 

11 





Visit us on the Web www.sams-usa.net 

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Newsletter 2010 - Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS National)

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