Executive Team at Labib Medical Center
Dr. Labib Abouzahr
CEO and Chief-of-Staff
Dr. Abouzahr serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Labib Medical Center (LMC), where he leads the organization’s strategic vision and long-term growth. In this role, he oversees the development and execution of major institutional initiatives, guiding LMC’s evolution as a center of medical excellence. Since returning to Lebanon in 2005, Dr. Abouzahr has directed the expansion of the hospital’s facilities, the introduction of advanced clinical specialties, and the modernization of digital systems and medical equipment.
A strong advocate for patient-centered care, Dr. Abouzahr has played a pivotal role in aligning operational strategy with the delivery of high-quality, safe, and compassionate medical services. Through his leadership, he has fostered a culture of continuous improvement, professional empowerment, and clinical excellence—contributing to LMC’s emergence as one of the country’s leading healthcare institutions.
In addition to his role as CEO, Dr. Abouzahr serves as Chief of Staff at LMC. In this capacity, he works closely with clinical teams to oversee day-to-day medical operations, staff performance, and quality of care. His responsibilities include the recruitment, development, and retention of physicians, surgeons, and key clinical personnel, ensuring a supportive environment where medical professionals can thrive and deliver exceptional patient outcomes.
Dr. Abouzahr earned his Doctor of Medicine from the American University of Beirut in 1988. He completed his specialty training in General Surgery (1994) and Cardiothoracic Surgery (1997) at the University of Toronto, subsequently becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in both disciplines. Following a clinical fellowship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, he served as an attending surgeon and lecturer at the University of Toronto. He later joined McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences Centre as an assistant clinical professor and attending surgeon, positions he held until 2005.
With more than three decades of surgical and leadership experience, Dr. Abouzahr has contributed significantly to the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery in the region, helping establish LMC’s department as one of the most advanced and respected in Lebanon and beyond.
Mr. Mouin Abouzahr
General Director
As General Director, Mouin Abouzahr oversees all business operations and strategic initiatives that support LMC’s mission and long-term growth. His responsibilities span the definition and development of clinical and support services, contract negotiations with public and private payers, management of supplier partnerships, and recruitment of highly qualified talent across the organization. He also plays a central role in ensuring that the quality of care delivered at LMC consistently meets the highest standards.
Working closely with the CEO and CFO, Mr. Abouzahr manages the hospital’s overall financial performance, ensuring strong alignment between strategic priorities, operational plans, and fiscal sustainability. A core focus of his leadership is cultivating a culture of quality—reflected in the hospital’s infrastructure, medical technologies, clinical services, and patient experience.
Mr. Abouzahr’s involvement with LMC began well before he officially joined the organization in 1989. Under the mentorship of his father, Dr. Labib Kamel Abouzahr, the hospital’s founder, he gained a comprehensive understanding of hospital operations and the principles on which LMC was built. This early experience instilled in him a deeply rooted commitment to patient-first decision making, as well as a balanced appreciation for the hospital’s historical legacy, cultural role, and strategic direction.
Through a combination of operational expertise and strong business acumen, Mr. Abouzahr has shaped LMC’s growth strategy for more than three decades. His focus on anticipating regional healthcare needs, supporting physician excellence, and expanding core services has been central to the hospital’s evolution. Under his leadership, LMC achieved ISO-9001 certification for its quality management system and expanded into a 137-bed medical center offering a broad spectrum of specialties and serving a catchment population exceeding one million people.
Mr. Abouzahr holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minor coursework in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut (1986). His enduring commitment to excellence, service, and strategic development continues to drive LMC’s position as a leading healthcare institution in Lebanon.
Ms. Samar Al-Rifai
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Samar leads all financial operations, accounting functions, and financial reporting at LMC. She plays a central role in shaping the hospital’s financial strategy, supporting major investment decisions, and ensuring strong fiscal governance. Samar oversees a team of 15 professionals across financial accounting, billing, auditing and collections, and cashier operations, guiding the department to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
Samar joined LMC in 2003 as a junior accountant and quickly distinguished herself through her technical expertise and dedication. As she progressed to senior accountant, she played a pivotal role in restructuring LMC’s financial accounting department, transitioning it from reliance on outsourced services to a fully internalized, independently functioning unit. Under her leadership, LMC’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards — demonstrating her commitment to transparency and rigorous financial oversight.
Appointed CFO in 2010, Samar further strengthened LMC’s financial infrastructure by consolidating accounting, billing, auditing, and cashier functions into a unified finance department. Her leadership continues to foster collaboration, precision, and ethical practice, ensuring that financial operations effectively support LMC’s strategic priorities and clinical mission.
Samar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (with distinction) from Hariri Canadian University and an Master’s of Business Administration from the Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut.
Dr. Hazem Badih
Medical Director & Deputy Chief-of-Staff
As Medical Director and Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Badih oversees all aspects of medical administration at LMC and plays a critical role in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct, clinical governance, and patient care. His responsibilities include supervising the performance of the medical staff, developing and updating medical policies and procedures, coordinating physician duty coverage, and managing the recruitment and credentialing of new medical staff. He also supports the Chief of Staff in all related operational and administrative functions, contributing to the overall effectiveness of LMC’s clinical services.
Dr. Badih joined LMC in 1999 as a general and vascular surgeon, bringing with him extensive international training and expertise. He was appointed Medical Director and Deputy Chief of Staff in 2001 and later served as Quality Manager and Chief of Surgery from 2002 to 2008. During his tenure, he has also contributed to broader public health advancement through his role as Chairman of the Medical and Health Committee of the Municipality of Saida.
Prior to joining LMC, Dr. Badih completed his surgical training across the Hospitals of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland from 1992 to 1999. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a member of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.
Dr. Badih earned his Bachelor of Science from the American University of Beirut in 1987 and completed his medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1992.
Dr. Gemma El Sayar
Chief Development and Transformation Officer
As Chief Development and Transformation Officer, Dr. Sayar leads LMC’s organizational transformation efforts, ensuring that process improvements, operational changes, and system upgrades are implemented seamlessly across all departments. She is responsible for anticipating challenges, guiding change management initiatives, and driving innovation to support LMC’s long-term strategic goals. In addition to this role, she serves as Nursing Director, overseeing the administration, strategic planning, budgeting, organizational structure, and clinical operations of the nursing division.
Dr. Sayar joined LMC in 2002 and became Nursing Director in 2012, after advancing through a series of progressively senior roles. Alongside her responsibilities at LMC, she has built substantial expertise as a healthcare consultant and trainer, developing evidence-based strategies that enhance nursing practice and support organizational excellence. She is widely experienced in conflict management, negotiation, team facilitation, and staff development, and is recognized for her ability to foster collaboration, motivate teams, and lead with a hands-on, outcome-driven approach.
Over the past five years, Dr. Sayar also led LMC’s health-system information technology initiatives, where she oversaw the implementation of the hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR) system and guided the analysis and optimization of related clinical workflows. Her work has been instrumental in strengthening LMC’s operational efficiency and advancing its digital transformation.
Dr. Sayar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Lebanese University, a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration from Saint Joseph University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from ESA Business School and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, with a focus on emotional intelligence in nursing.
Dr. Mohamad Ibrahim
Patient Safety and Risk Management Director
As Patient Safety and Risk Management Director, Dr. Ibrahim leads LMC’s efforts to strengthen clinical safety, reduce risk, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. He oversees the development and enhancement of risk management and patient safety programs, with responsibilities spanning risk identification, assessment, analysis, mitigation, and staff education. His role ensures that LMC’s systems, processes, and teams consistently operate with the highest standards of safety and quality.
With more than 14 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Dr. Ibrahim has developed extensive expertise in risk management, patient safety, healthcare quality, infection control, occupational health, and food safety. In addition to his leadership at LMC, he serves as a university lecturer and is frequently invited to conduct seminars, training programs, and consultations for hospitals across Lebanon. He is a national accreditation surveyor for the Ministry of Public Health and has served as a national expert for the World Health Organization office in Beirut. Dr. Ibrahim is also an active member of numerous international professional associations, reflecting his ongoing commitment to global best practices in healthcare safety and quality.
Dr. Ibrahim holds a Master of Science in Clinical Microbiology from the University of Balamand, with a focus on infection control. He later earned both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Health Sciences with a concentration in Change Management from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. He has completed extensive national and international professional development programs and holds postgraduate certifications from institutions such as Harvard Medical School and the World Health Organization, with training in patient safety, risk management, quality systems, informatics, and leadership in healthcare settings.
Ms. Rima Francis
Quality Director
As Quality Director, Rima leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of LMC’s Quality Management Systems. She is also responsible for the design and execution of LMC’s Patient Experience Program, ensuring that patient-centered care, safety, and service excellence remain at the core of the hospital’s operations.
With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Rima has developed deep expertise in nursing practice, infection prevention and control, quality management, patient safety, strategic planning, and healthcare accreditation standards. She began her career at LMC as an intensive care unit nurse before progressing into leadership roles within the nursing department and the infection prevention and control unit. In these positions, she played a key role in overseeing Quality, Risk Management, and Patient Safety programs, contributing significantly to LMC’s adherence to both ISO 9001 standards and national accreditation requirements.
Rima holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the Lebanese University; a University Diploma (DU) in Intensive Care from Saint Joseph University; a DESS in Risk Management of Hospital Infections, also from Saint Joseph University; and a University Diploma (DU) in Healthcare Quality Management from the Lebanese German University.
Ms. Lama Fouad Arnaout
Administrative and Material Management Director
As Administrative and Material Management Director, Lama oversees the daily operations of LMC’s administrative departments and ensures the efficient coordination of all non-clinical services. Her responsibilities span human resources, medical records administration, information technology operations, patient admitting processes, pricing of medical supplies, and alignment of billing strategies with contractual agreements. Through close collaboration with department leaders—including HR, Medical Administration, IT, Admitting, and Finance—Lama ensures that LMC’s administrative infrastructure operates smoothly, effectively, and in full support of high-quality patient care.
Lama joined LMC in 1992 as Administrative Director, where she led the development and management of the Human Resources Department. In this capacity, she oversaw the implementation of HR policies aligned with Ministry of Public Health accreditation standards, administered compensation and benefits programs, and analyzed workforce data to support organizational planning and employee development. Her leadership emphasized compliance, operational efficiency, and the advancement of a positive work environment that supports both staff well-being and patient satisfaction.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Lama was appointed to direct LMC’s procurement function. She manages the hospital’s sourcing and supply chain operations, ensuring the cost-effective and timely acquisition of all goods and services. Her work includes negotiating with suppliers, optimizing inventory, overseeing delivery logistics, and ensuring that procurement decisions align with organizational goals and budgetary targets.
Lama holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology from the American University of Beirut (1990) and a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Administration from the American University of Beirut (1992).
Ms. Sabah Skakini
Human Resources Director
As Human Resources Director, Sabah oversees all aspects of LMC’s human capital strategy and workforce operations. Her responsibilities encompass strategic planning, talent management, recruitment and onboarding, employee development, continuous education, budget and resource forecasting, organizational development, and employee relations. She plays a key role in ensuring that LMC’s HR policies and practices support a high-performing, engaged, and patient-centered workforce.
Sabah joined LMC in 2013 and has since provided HR leadership to a team of more than 400 employees. Her work includes designing innovative HR solutions, developing and implementing policies, managing employee performance and competency frameworks, optimizing HR processes, and promoting staff well-being. With over 13 years of progressive experience—and additional work as a healthcare consultant and trainer—she has cultivated deep expertise in workforce management, communication, conflict resolution, and employee motivation. Her leadership has contributed to fostering a positive organizational culture characterized by collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Sabah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Sciences from the Lebanese University–Faculty of Public Health and a Master’s degree in Healthcare and Quality Management from the Lebanese University–Faculty of Sciences. She also earned a University Diploma in Healthcare and Quality Management from the Lebanese German University and GATES Group, and has completed extensive professional training programs, earning certifications from recognized institutions both locally and internationally.