On April 15, 2025, the Center for Obesity Prevention, Treatment, Education and Research (COPTER) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) in collaboration with the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences (FNHS) organized a half-day conference titled Obesity, Lifestyle Medicine and AI: Newest Updates Shaping the Future of Health, bringing together national and international experts.
Under the patronage and in presence of the Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Rakan Nassereldine, the conference was kicked off with a word by Dr. Antoine Aoun, COPTER Director, University Physician, and Associate Professor at the FNHS. Dr. Aoun explained that COPTER was established in response to the underestimated severity of obesity and its projected alarming rise in the coming years. He went on to outline COPTER’s roadmap, progress, and challenges, while commending his team’s dedication and professionalism.
Dr. Aoun concluded his address with a call to embrace the opportunities and innovations of the AI era—while remaining grounded in core values that prioritize fair access to quality healthcare, preserve the human touch in medicine, and uphold patient privacy and ethical standards.
Also in attendance were NDU President Father Bechara Khoury; Director of the Medical Care Directorate at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Joseph El Helou; as well as President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, Dr. Youssef Bakhash.
Following Dr. Aoun’s remarks, Dr. Jessy El Hayek, Dean of the FNHS, addressed the audience with an emotional speech celebrating COPTER’s first anniversary and the impact it achieved within one year: “COPTER has transformed from a bold idea into a dynamic and growing center that is advancing the way we address obesity. Its clinical services have flourished to include students, staff and faculty members; its community outreach has expanded to raise awareness among diverse groups; and its scientific contributions continue to grow through increased conference participation and research output,” she stressed.
Round one of the panels explored lifestyle medicine through the following topics:
- Advances in Smoking Cessation and Behavioral Interventions by Dr. Hala Kahi, specialist in Family Medicine and Tobacco Dependence Treatment; Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician; Medical Officer at the UN-ESCWA; Part-time faculty member at the Lebanese American University School of Medicine.
- Update on Lifestyle Medicine by Dr. Wayne Dysinger, practicing lifestyle, preventive and family medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer for Blue Zones Health; Former President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine; Founding and Former Chair of both the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Kahi clarified misconceptions about smoking especially vaping, highlighting that all sorts of smoking are equally hazardous, and can only be stopped through a combined pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy strategies. She ended by confirming that some AI tools are built to support smoking cessation, but still do not replace human interaction and close follow-up. In his presentation, Dr. Dysinger gave an overview of the global progress of lifestyle medicine which is echoed in COPTER’s efforts in Lebanon, pointing to the importance of empathy and connection with the patient.
The second round of topics revolved around weight-loss surgery:
- Update on Weight Loss Surgery by Dr. Rodrigue Chemaly, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons; Program Director at the Department of General Surgery, Lebanese American University (LAU) School of Medicine
- Short- and Long-Term Nutritional Management after Weight Loss Surgery by Mariam Allaik, USA Registered Dietitian and Clinical Dietitian at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
Dr. Rodrigue Chemaly discussed the safety, outcomes, and role of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) in managing obesity. He highlighted its excellent long-term results, particularly with Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and emphasized its safety—even in older patients—when carefully selected. Using statistics and real-life examples, Dr. Chemaly then demonstrated how MBS improves outcomes for joint and hernia surgeries. He stressed that no single surgical technique fits all; decisions should be personalized based on medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Ultimately, he concluded by saying that MBS is a powerful tool against obesity, requiring a multidisciplinary, long-term approach due to its complex, systemic impact. As for Allaik, she noted that obesity is a complex, chronic disease rooted in systemic failures—not just individual behavior. She emphasized the dietitian’s vital role in bariatric surgery, from pre-op assessments and tailored weight loss plans to post-op counseling and long-term monitoring of body composition. Allaik finally explained that aligning nutrition care with clinical guidelines leads to better outcomes, sustained weight loss, and muscle preservation—reinforcing the need for a coordinated, patient-centered approach to obesity.
The conference was then officially launched by Majed Bou Hadir, Director of the Public Affairs and Protocol at NDU who welcomed the Minister of Health as well as Dr. Joseph Bakhash, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, thanking them for their genuine support to NDU and to medical research. Father Bechara Khoury, NDU President, was proud to announce that COPTER is the beginning of a much bigger project: the NDU Medical Center, whose plans and strategy are ready, pending implementation soon. As he stated, this conference accurately reflects contemporary challenges in healthcare and opens new horizons for thought and action, particularly in light of the growing interconnectedness between medical sciences, technology, and modern lifestyles. The Father President added that the mission of COPTER is fully aligned with the mission of NDU, an institution that is committed to providing comprehensive education that promotes research, humanistic and ethical values, and seeks to prepare future leaders. Father Khoury concluded by saying, "What brings us together today transcends the boundaries of specializations to embody a collective commitment to building a better, healthier future based on cooperation, openness, and innovation."
As for Dr. Bakhash, he described the conference as a “timely initiative”, especially amid Lebanon’s ongoing political and institutional reforms. He applauded COPTER’s consistent efforts to prioritize health-related matters and lauded its commitment to drive positive change. He also underlined the transformative role of AI, noting that it “opens unprecedented horizons,” and should be used strategically to enhance medical care and overall well-being. Similarly, H.E Dr. Rakan Nassereddine praised the center's efforts as a tangible step in bolstering Lebanon's healthcare system. He acknowledged previous policy shortcomings and referred to a new reform phase fueled by pragmatic cooperation. Highlighting that closing the gap between scholarly research and national health planning is essential to making real progress in public health, Nassereddine lastly stated the strategic relevance of NDU's FNHS, pointing out its influence in generating qualified medical personnel and reinforcing the nation's ability to address urgent medical issues.
Round 3 of the conference focused on AI and health with the following speakers:
- Uncertainty in Medicine and Public Health: Better Decisions in the AI Era by Dr. Sani Hlais, family physician working in various academic institutions, including AUB, USJ, and the Lebanese University
- Role of AI in Cancer Diagnostics by Dr. Tony El Jabbour, board-certified pathologist specializing in gastrointestinal, liver, and molecular pathology at Hartford Healthcare and a clinical professor at the University of Connecticut
Dr. Hlais spoke about the importance of addressing uncertainty in medicine and public health, notably in the context of AI. He warned that downplaying uncertainty can result in a loss of trust, lead to inflexible care, and discourage patient involvement. While certainty may feel reassuring, overstating it can misguide both professionals and the public. Dr. Hlais also urged healthcare providers to be transparent about what is known and unknown, to offer choices clearly, and to engage patients in the process. As for Dr. El Jabbour, he explored how the use of AI tools like Neural Networks (ANNs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), is transforming cancer diagnostics. Given cancer’s global toll of 10 million deaths annually, El Jabbour shed light on the fact that AI’s remarkable ability to detect patterns in medical imaging—such as mammography, CT, MRI, and ultrasound—enables earlier, more accurate diagnoses.
As a final note, this conference ignited forward-thinking conversations at the intersection of health, technology, and policy. COPTER and FNHS have long shared a strong commitment to advancing education, community engagement, and research—and that commitment was visible through the impactful actions of this year's event. By bringing together leading voices and introducing practical solutions, the conference laid the groundwork for future collaborations that could reshape healthcare delivery in Lebanon and beyond, moving us closer to a smarter, more inclusive system equipped for the challenges ahead.