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LAU Medical Center Centennial Banner

A century of care.
A legacy of compassion.
A future devoted to life,
health, and hope.

centennial gala

We celebrated an unforgettable centennial gala, marking 100 years of memories, achievements, and community spirit. It was a night to remember!

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LAU Medical Center - Rizk Hospital Historical Timeline

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Step back in time and explore the history that has shaped our journey for more than a century. From our earliest beginnings to today’s milestones, discover the moments that built our enduring legacy.

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Legacy of Dr. Assaad Rizk

“Journey of Pioneers” pays tribute to Dr. Assaad Rizk, a visionary leader whose dedication and compassion transformed medicine. Through the stories of those who knew and worked alongside him, this short film honors a lifetime devoted to healing, teaching, and advancing care for generations to come.

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100 Years of Healing with Compassion and Transforming Healthcare Excellence

Marking a century of excellence, this MTV documentary honors LAU Medical Center, from its roots of compassion to its pioneering role in advancing healthcare nationwide and beyond borders. Through reflections from leadership, it celebrates a vision of care, medical innovation, and commitment to every patient for a better life.

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Our Corporate Journey

This film is a reflection on the 100-year journey of LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital; from a modest 12-bed clinic to a landmark of medical transformation. Through archival moments and historic milestones, it highlights the people, places, and purpose that shaped a century of care. Rooted in our past, we look ahead to the next chapter of medical service.

Pioneering Medical Milestones

1971

Rizk Hospital inaugurated one of the first Hemodialysis Centers in Lebanon, marking a significant advancement in the country’s nephrology care and offering life-saving treatment to patients with kidney failure.

1973

Dr. Toufic Rizk Foundation established a nonprofit blood bank, laying the groundwork for the future Centre Libanais de Transfusion Sanguine.

1981

Amidst the Lebanese Civil War, Dr. Assaad Rizk held the groundbreaking ceremony for Building B, reflecting resilience and unwavering commitment to the hospital’s growth despite ongoing conflict.

1985

Rizk Hospital launched Lebanon’s first Kidney Transplant Program, pioneering organ transplantation in the country and offering new hope to patients with end-stage renal disease.

1993

The hospital performed Lebanon’s first Percutaneous Mitral Dilatation, a breakthrough in interventional cardiology that allowed for less invasive treatment of mitral valve stenosis.

1994

Steadfast in its leadership in cardiac care, the hospital carried out Lebanon’s first coronary stent procedure, expanding the options available for patients with coronary artery disease.

1998

Two major national firsts were achieved: The first carotid angioplasty and stent procedure.

1999

Rizk Hospital performed one of Lebanon’s first cardiac transplantations, further advancing cardiac surgery in the region.

2002

The hospital launched the first helipad ever built on top of a building in Lebanon, significantly improving emergency response capabilities.

2003

Lebanon’s first endoscopic spine surgery was performed at Rizk Hospital, enhancing patient recovery times through a minimally invasive approach to spinal conditions.

2005

The hospital introduced the nation’s first total vertebral replacement via a thoracic approach, marking a significant advancement in spinal surgery.

2006

Rizk Hospital performed Lebanon’s first minimally invasive hip-replacement surgery, contributing to reduced patient trauma, faster recovery and improved outcomes in orthopedic care.

2012

Lebanon’s first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure was conducted at the hospital, enabling high-risk patients with aortic valve disease to undergo life-saving treatment without open-heart surgery.

2015

Rizk Hospital hosted Lebanon’s first MitraClip procedure, offering a minimally invasive treatment option for mitral valve regurgitation and enhancing quality of life for patients who are unable to undergo surgery.

2018

The hospital launched the first Comprehensive Stroke Center in the country. The center is a specialized facility that delivers rapid, multidisciplinary stroke care and significantly improves patient survival and recovery rates.

2022

Rizk Hospital installed Lebanon’s first Hybrid Operating Room, combining surgical precision with real-time imaging technology to support complex, high-risk procedures across multiple specialties.