Alexandre Nehme, M.D., receives Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award
Professor of clinical orthopedic surgery
Dean of Faculty of Medicine
Saint George University of Beirut, Beruit, Lebanon
Fellowship: Adult lower limb reconstruction, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, Minnesota
Residency: Orthopedic surgery and traumatology, Rangueil Hospital, Toulouse, France
Medical school: Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
Undergraduate: American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
International educational leader through disaster
Alexandre Nehme, M.D. (ORAL ’04), was instrumental in the creation of the Saint George University of Beirut (SGUB) medical school. And after disaster struck, his resilient leadership played a major role in ensuring the school’s survival.
After completing a fellowship in adult lower limb reconstruction at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Dr. Nehme returned to his native Lebanon. He became a consultant, then chair of Orthopedic Surgery at Saint George Hospital University Medical Center in Beirut. In 2017, he was appointed chief medical officer of the medical center and in 2018 was asked to oversee the creation of the SGUB medical school.
Realizing he wanted to bring Mayo-quality education to the healthcare workforce in Beirut, he approached Mayo Clinic Academic Solutions for support to build the SGUB medical school. He oversaw the implementation of faculty development, transformational new curriculum to enhance self-learning, and blended education with healthcare simulation.
Today, Dr. Nehme is a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery and dean of the SGUB medical school.
But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of Lebanon’s banking system, a vast chemical explosion in August 2020 at the nearby Port of Beirut destroyed over 80% of the hospital, injured over 160 staff members and resulted in 17 hospital fatalities. The electricity ceased functioning, and the COVID unit had no backup generator for patient ventilation. Dr. Nehme led evacuation efforts and helped set up field hospitals, working almost nonstop for three weeks. Today, the hospital is operating at 70% of its original capacity.
Despite this extreme setback, Dr. Nehme and his colleagues proceeded with faculty development and capacity- and curriculum-building efforts for SGUB — and the first medical class matriculated in October 2022. Throughout these trials, he’s proven his ability to live out Mayo Clinic’s mission and values in the worst of times.
The Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1981 by the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees to acknowledge and show appreciation for the exceptional contributions of Mayo alumni to the field of medicine, including medical practice, research, education, and administration. Individuals receiving this award are recognized nationally — and often internationally — in their fields. Learn about the other awardees here.