{"id":4851,"date":"2022-09-08T13:36:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T13:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecfmg.org\/news\/?p=4851"},"modified":"2025-01-09T16:45:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T16:45:31","slug":"ecfmgfaimer-storytellers-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intealth.org\/storytellers\/2022\/09\/08\/ecfmgfaimer-storytellers-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming the First Neurointensivist in My Country"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

It was 2:00 AM at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, moments before a long trip to the United States. I was drinking coffee and trying desperately to distract myself. At the time, I was 30 years old, recently engaged, and a fresh graduate in pulmonary and critical care. I was on my way to begin a U.S. graduate medical education program on a J-1 visa for subspecialty training in neurocritical care.<\/p>\n

After enduring hard, emotional goodbye moments with loved ones, I did not engage in productive self-care. Instead of thinking positively as I was about to embark on my journey, I sat worrying about a number of things\u2026(read more<\/a> <\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"Dr.<\/div>\n
\n

Name:<\/strong> Toufic Chaaban, MD
\nTitle:<\/strong> Program Director, Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
\nInstitution:<\/strong> Lebanese American University, Beirut
\nExchange Visitor Sponsorship Program Alumnus:<\/strong> The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (July 2018 \u2013 June 2020)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\u201cGo back to your home country, make a difference, fill a gap, and feel the satisfaction of achieving something for your country.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

— Dr. Toufic Chaaban<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n