LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital marked World Physiotherapy Day by announcing an initiative that will offer personalized and compassionate physiotherapy sessions to members of the Lebanese Red Cross and the Lebanese Civil Defense.

They are often among the first to arrive when others need help. On September 8, LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital announced a World Physiotherapy Day initiative focused on their well-being. In the weeks ahead, the Physiotherapy Department will begin welcoming 12 members of the Lebanese Red Cross and 12 members of the Lebanese Civil Defense for complimentary sessions tailored to their individual needs. The launch was marked by a cake-cutting gathering at the department, attended by leadership from the Lebanese Red Cross, the Lebanese Civil Defense, and LAU Health System.

Those present included Dr. Antoine Zoghbi, President of the Lebanese Red Cross, and Mr. Walid Hachache, Head of the Service and Operations Unit at the Lebanese Civil Defense. Joining them from LAU Health System were Dr. Zeina Khouri-Stevens, Executive Vice President; Dr. Karl Jallad, Group CMO; Mr. Sami Rizk, CEO of LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital; Mr. Saad El Zein, Head of Marketing & Communications; and Mr. Richard Zeidan, Manager of the Physiotherapy Department at LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital.

Following the cake cutting, Dr. Zoghbi emphasized that every stage of patient care matters. He noted that first responders and frontline healthcare professionals provide lifesaving care at the outset, while physiotherapists play an equally important role in recovery. He also thanked Mr. Sami Rizk for his longstanding support of the Lebanese Red Cross and described LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital as an institution that upholds humane medical values in Lebanon.

Mr. Hachache emphasized the humanitarian mission shared by the Lebanese Civil Defense and the medical center. He thanked the team for its service to others and expressed his appreciation for the cooperation between the two organizations.

Dr. Khouri-Stevens praised the Lebanese Civil Defense’s readiness to respond at any hour. When Mr. Hachache replied that such readiness had become second nature, she noted that this quiet sense of duty is what makes first responders “silent warriors,” before thanking the Physiotherapy team for its dedication. World Physiotherapy Day is observed annually on September 8 to raise awareness of the profession’s contribution to health and well-being. The 2026 theme focuses on the role of physiotherapy and physical activity in the prevention, management, and recovery from cardiovascular disease and stroke. More broadly, physiotherapy can help identify movement concerns, manage pain, restore function after illness or injury, reduce the risk of further injury, and help people remain active.

The physical demands of frontline service make this recognition especially relevant. Lifting, carrying equipment, prolonged standing, and rapid movement in unpredictable environments can strain muscles and joints. The upcoming sessions will give participants dedicated time to address their own health, acknowledging the physical toll borne by people who consistently place the needs of others first.

During their scheduled appointments, participants will receive physiotherapy care tailored to their individual needs, along with practical guidance they can apply in their daily routines.

Through this initiative, LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital is translating appreciation for those who answer the call into meaningful support. Led by its Physiotherapy Department, the effort reflects the academic medical center’s commitment to clinical excellence, exceptional patient-centered care, and community impact, bringing its promise of Healing with Compassion to life.

By Meera Shamma