On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the Faculty of Public Health’s Department of Nursing Sciences (DNS) at Antonine University (UA) organized parallel celebrations on May 12, 2026, simultaneously held at the Hadat–Baabda and Mejdlaya–Zgharta Campuses. Bringing together students, alumni, healthcare professionals, and faculty members, both events highlighted the human, professional, and community dimensions of nursing while honoring the dedication and commitment of current and future nurses.
At the Hadat–Baabda Campus, the event “Voices of Success: Inspiring the Future of Nursing” welcomed nursing students for a day centered on professional inspiration and exchange. The program opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Manal Merhi, Head of the Department of Nursing Sciences, followed by talks and discussions led by nurses from diverse professional backgrounds.
Participants engaged with Ms. Rodica Aoun, Nurse Manager of Pediatric Specialty Clinics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center; Mr. Hadi Chaya, Senior Nurse Manager of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit at Saint Charles Hospital; and Mr. Jad Karam, Technical Sales Engineer at MESI France. Through their personal and professional journeys, the speakers reflected on the realities of healthcare practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, technological innovation, and the evolving responsibilities of nurses with in contemporary healthcare systems.
The event concluded with an inspirational video, a cake-cutting ceremony, and a convivial gathering that fostered a spirit of appreciation, connection, and belonging among participants.
Meanwhile, at the Mejdlaya–Zgharta Campus, nursing students and alumni gathered for a more interactive and reflective celebration centered on dialogue and peer exchange. The event featured a World Café activity involving six DNS alumni, allowing students to rotate between discussion tables and engage in conversations about professional pathways, challenges, and lived experiences within the nursing field.
The program also included a collective appreciation activity during which students wrote personal messages on nursing appreciation cards, expressing gratitude toward the profession and reflecting on the values that shape nursing practice. Symbolic gifts and commemorative gestures further reinforced the atmosphere of recognition and solidarity, before participants gathered for a closing social moment around cake and informal exchanges.
Through these parallel celebrations, UA reaffirmed its commitment to preparing healthcare professionals who combine scientific competence with empathy, responsibility, and human-centered care. By creating spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and professional reflection, the University continues to foster a learning environment rooted in academic excellence and holistic well-being, in line with its mission of integral human development.