Impact Stories

Dr. Fady (BS ’82, MD ’86) and Roula Dalloul (BA ’88) Sharara have been supporting scholarships and the Brave Heart Fund, which assists the families of children suffering from congenital heart disease who are being cared for at the AUBMC Children’s Heart Center, for many years. They recently made another gift to establish a current scholarship fund so they could help even more AUB medical students. “The circumstances in Lebanon are so challenging. Young people need our help. There are kids today who are not getting the opportunities that so many of us had because of the situation. Any of us who graduated from AUB – and can help – need to do so. If there is a time to help AUB, it’s now,” says Fady. “After all,” he continues, “all you take with you when you leave this world are your good deeds.”

Although Sharara left Lebanon the day after he earned his MD degree, he has stayed in touch with his alma mater over the years. “My wife and I feel a strong attachment to AUB,” explains Fady. “We always will.” He laughs. “The best seven years of my life were at AUB.”

Fady and Roula are motivated to support AUB not just by the desire to “change kids’ lives,” but also because they feel strongly that education is the key to a better future for Lebanon. “Without education, Lebanon will never go anywhere.” Fady, who is the founder and medical director of the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine (VCRM) in Reston, Virginia and a clinical professor at George Washington University, credits his AUB education for the success that he has enjoyed. “Everyone I know who graduated from AUB with me has excelled. It’s that education that we need to support.”

“Fady and Roula are especially good friends of AUB. We are deeply grateful for their support – especially during these challenging times,” says Associate Vice President for Development Walid Katergi.