The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at
the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
is a one of AUBMC’s Centers of Excellence, providing
comprehensive cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
for adult cancer patients in addition to education and research.
The NKBCI has a leading fellowship training program with
strong affiliations with local, regional and international
institutions, and NKBCI faculty are national, regional, and international leaders in clinical
and translational research with ongoing clinical trials and more than 70 major publications annually.
Vision
To be a leading institute for cancer prevention and treatment through promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education and enhancing effectiveness
and collaboration among cancer programs and healthcare providers.
Mission
To reduce the burden of cancer in Lebanon and the region through the application of state-of-the-art medical knowledge and technology and the development of integrated and advanced programs in patient care, research, education and prevention.
The Dedicated Staff
Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute is comprised of more than 150 faculty and
staff including: the Director, Deputy Director for Academic and Research Affairs, Chairman of the Department of Radiation Therapy, Head of the Hematology Oncology Division, physicians, clinical associates, fellows, residents, clinical department administrators, nurse managers, clinical nurse coordinators, and registered nurses, physicists, pharmacists, technicians, a data manager and tumor registry assistant, clinical trials coordinators, a quality officer, palliative care staff, social workers, and other support staff.
Dr. Ali Taher became the Director of the NKBCI on 1 October 2017. Taher is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine at AUBMC, as well as an adjunct Professor of Hematology & Medical Oncology at Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Dr. Fady Geara, Head of Radiation Oncology and Founding Director of the NKBCI
Dr. Nagi El Saghir, Director, Breast Center of Excellence; Head of the Division of Hematology-Oncology in the Dept. of Internal Medicine
Dr. Ali Bazerbachi,
Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at AUBMC
Dr. Hazem Assi, Director for Clinical Services at the NKBCI
Dr. Hibah Osman, Director of the Palliative Medicine Program at the NKBCI at AUBMC
Trailblazing Programs,
Comprehensive Services
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at AUBMC serves as the Adult Hematology Oncology and Radiation Therapy Unit. NKBCI provides consultation services and care to patients with Solid Tumor and Hematological Malignancies in Lebanon and the region. Through its partnership with the Naef Basile Foundation, AUBMC has expanded and developed its oncology services to reach out to more patients in Lebanon and the region; in 2018, the NKBCI was serving over 2500 new patients per year.
The visionary scope of the NKBCI's programs and services encompasses but is not limited to:
Research and Data Management, Educational Programs, Social Work Activities, Outreach Programs, and International Affiliations. Through its multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, administration, researchers and support services, the NKBCI attracts patients who are seeking comprehensive care from all sectors of Lebanon's population and throughout the greater region.
Unique programs at the NKBCI include:
➤ Promoting health education to raise public awareness
for cancer prevention and early diagnosis (photo, right).
➤ Collaboration with the AUB Faculty of Health Sciences
on tobacco control in the region.
➤ Supporting cancer epidemiology in the region and the
Lebanese national cancer registry.
➤ Partnering with the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation
to promote early diagnosis and treatment.
➤ Working with the Lebanese national committee for
palliative care and improving access to opiates.
NKBCI facilities were designed to provide a spacious
patient and family area within a comfortable environment
(photo, right)). The Institute’s commitment to patients goes
well beyond the delivery of sophisticated care and includes
respecting the individual needs of all those who seek our
care and work to empower patients with the knowledge
and support they need to successfully fight cancer.
The NKBCI has four major service units:
the Ambulatory Treatment Unit (Outpatient), the Inpatient Unit, the Stem Cell Transplant Unit, and the Radiation Oncology Unit. Each one provides state-of-the-art services and technology. Since the opening of the NKBCI in 2008, all have been continuously expanding their capacity to serve patients; today the NKBCI is helping over 2500 new patients per year.
State-of-the-art equipment at the Radiation Oncology Unit includes restful "sky ceilings" for the patients.
NKBCI clinical services include:
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Inpatient diagnostic & therapeutic clinical services
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Inpatient chemotherapy services
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Stem cell transplantation
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Radiation oncology
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Outpatient clinics
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Outpatient Chemotherapy Infusion Center
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Walk-in clinical services
A Matrix of Support
The Institute is supported by many AUBMC
departments and programs that are providing
superlative care for cancer patients, including:
The Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Program
that utilizes front-line diagnostic equipment to identify
each patient’s unique needs and provides the highest
quality of care by a team of nurses specially trained in
BMT services. Learn more
The Radiation Oncology Department is actively
involved in multi-disciplinary cancer management and
implements the most advanced therapies available today,
providing patients with the potential for improved results with reduced side effects. Learn more
The Department of Surgery, through its several divisions (Cardiothoracic, General, Neuro, Orthopedic, Plastic, Urology, and Vascular Surgery) maintains an active clinical profile encompassing a wide spectrum of adult and pediatric procedures.
The Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine provides critical clinical laboratory services in Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, Neuropathology, Blood Bank, Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Microbiology (Bacteriology, Parasitology, & Serology), Cytogenetics, and Molecular Diagnostics. Learn more
The Department of Diagnostic Radiology provides clinical services in general diagnostic radiology, vascular and interventional radiology, ultrasound, breast imaging, CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine.
The multi-disciplinary Mamdouha El-Sayed Bobst Breast Center offers a full range of mammography and breast care services in a private and supportive environment, using advanced technology such as full-field digital mammography with high- resolution ultrasound and an image-guided biopsy system. Learn more
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides comprehensive management of all treatments for gynecologic cancers, as well as a wide range of the most advanced gynecologic surgery for endometrial, cervical, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. Learn more
The NKBCI maintains local medical collaborations with Nabatieh Governmental University Hospital, Keserwan Medical Center, and Medrar Cancer Center.
The Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute has also established regional and international collaborations with sister institutions that enhance teaching, training, management of cases, and research activities.
Regional collaborations include: the King Hussein Cancer Center, in Amman and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyad.
International collaborations include three of the premier comprehensive cancer centers in the United States: the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Education: The Future of Oncology
Generosity of spirit, far-reaching vision, unswerving commitment: all these qualities made it possible for Naef K. Basile to plan and fund the cancer institute that bears his name today. The decision of Dr. Basile’s family to continue his dream combined fruitfully with the vision and the dedication of so many leaders at American University of Beirut. Together they have realized Naef’s most lasting legacy to his beloved Lebanon, with the launching in 2008 of the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute.
NKBCI physicians are involved in training residents and fellows in both the Inpatient and Outpatient Units. The four-year residency program at the Department of Radiation Oncology and the three-year fellowship program at the Division of Hematology Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine at AUBMC train specialists to serve in the region and identify unique individuals with outstanding research potential for further training in the United States.
The Work Continues
Find more information about the cancer institute in this brochure.
Find a full description of NKBCI services, medical faculty and support staff,
department locations, clinic hours, and how to schedule appointments at the
AUBMC website and the website for the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and
Clinical Center – the ACC – which is soon to be the primary location for the NKBCI.
The work of the Naef K. Basile Foundation is not finished! In addition to continuing to support the NKBCI, the Foundation seeks to further its scope of positive impact in Lebanon by partnering with diverse programs and institutions in Lebanon who are addressing the fight against cancer. Learn about opportunities for Foundation support.