Contents:
- Message of the President
- Message of the Newsletter Editor
- Minutes of the New Orleans Meeting
- The WALN Second Homecoming Meeting
- Elections of the WALN Board of Officers
- Member News
- Upcoming Events
- Byblos, city of the book
- Poetry and WALN


President’s Message

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

Enclosed in the current newsletter you will find an excerpt of our 2nd Homecoming Meeting in Lebanon. Despite all of the problems and the unexpected shelling during our stay by the Israeli Air Force, everyone that attended the meeting felt that we achieved a great success. The meeting was extremely fruitful and beneficial. I, for one, enjoyed my stay in Lebanon, like usual. I thought the meeting was outstanding. The papers were top caliber scientifically. The social program was excellent. I would like to extend special thanks to His Excellency, K. Karam, the Minister of Health, for his support and patronage.

During the meeting in Lebanon several issues were discussed including the new elections for the next Board of Officers as well as several other projects that we are still working on. At that time we asked members to submit nominations for officers for all of the positions so elections can be made in the upcoming year. I would urge everyone to send their nominations as soon as possible to us.

I would urge every member of the World Association of Lebanese Neurosurgeons to follow his inner feelings and persevere hard to keep this organization together. I have but to quote Mahatma Gandhi, “Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking”. Please let us remember that united we have power, but separate, we have no power. I have been preaching this for two years and I hope that it is in everyone’s heart. Please do not be angry with each other because again as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding”. Let us forgive because forgiveness is an attribute of the strong and not of the weak.

I would urge everyone attending the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in Boston to come to the WALN dinner and discuss their thoughts and give us their opinions and help us to take this organization to a new level. We need to hold the elections next year. We need to prepare everyone and keep working toward our goals to be up to the level of the turn of the century. Dr. Bejjani and the other officers will also give you more information in their messages about what we will be doing. Please help support the newsletter and this organization.

Sincerely,

Mokbel K. Chedid, M.D.
President of WALN


Message of the Newsletter Editor

Dear Members

I hope this message will reach all well. This is probably the Newsletter before the last that I have the honor and the pleasure to edit. This is also the last Nesletter of the second millennium. During my tenure, we edited six Newsletters, trying each time to bring the members closer to one another. We tried to update the WALN database to the best of our ability, and published the First WALN Directory. We launched the first website. We have just acquired the name WWW.WALN.ORG and hopefully will move the webpage to this new address soon. We gathered the biographical profiles of our Honorary Presidents, and tried to spice our Newsletter with various vignettes. This period brought me great joy and pride to belong to such an organization.

Soon, elections will be held to get a new Board of officers for WALN. This will be the Third slate of officers of WALN. We are looking forward to these elections to bring new blood to the Association. I know there is a lot of enthusiast for WALN that want this organization to prosper and flourish, and that will achieve the goals that we could not: the traveling fellowship, the not-for profit status, among others. These individuals will be entrusted on the Labor of the founders and members of WALN for the past decade. Nominations are sought from now for all the positions: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and all four Regional Representatives. Please mail them to us or communicate them during the upcoming WALN reunion. We are planning the elections to be held during the WALN reunion in San Fransisco, April 2000, along with the AANS meeting. The elected slate of officers will start its new functions in June 2000. Although we all enjoyed our tenure and will leave our positions with a drop of regret, we are very enthusiastic to this new WALN era.

The second WALN homecoming meeting was a success, marked by a friendly or should I say brotherly atmosphere where all neurosurgeons from Lebanon and abroad gathered to celebrate their unity and Lebanese Neurosurgery. Both the Scientific and Social programs were rich. The only missing elements were the members that could not attend.

As always you are invited to participate in this Newsletter. We will be holding our semiannual reunion in Boston as will be announced in another section of the Newsletter. I hope to see as many of you as possible there.

Long live WALN.

Ghassan K. Bejjani, MD
WALN Newsletter Editor


Minutes of the New Orleans Meeting

(prepared by Mokbel Chedid, MD, President of WALN)

A WALN meeting was held at Byblos restaurant in New Orleans on 4/27/1999. Were present the following members: Drs B. Iskandar, M. Hariz, C. Abood, N. Thomas, K. Muakkassa, P. Hitchon, N. Latuf, O. Saaba, H. Kadi, M. Chedid and Dr. and Mrs A. Abla.

The following guests attended also: T. Garey, Dr. Dennis McDonnell, Chief of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Caroll and Johnnie Green from Flint, Michigan, and a guest visitor from Czekoslovakia, Dr. Martin.

The dinner was enjoyable. The restaurant was top quality.

Dr. Chedid opened the business meeting. The upcoming WALN Homecoming Congres in Beirut was the first topic of discussion. The present members were updated on the progress made in preparation for the meeting by Drs Charbel and Comair. Everybody was encouraged to submit articles and vignettes to the Newsletter. Update on the Not for Profit status of WALN was also given.

The dues were next on the Agenda. Dr. Hitchon suggested to have three levels of contribution: $50, $100, and $200 instead of only $50 and $200. This suggestion was voted and passed. Dr. Latuf discussed the bad economic situation in Brazil that would prevent many of our Brazilian colleagues from attending the Homecoming meeting in Beirut, and suggested to hold the next WALN meeting in Brazil. Dr. Chedid will follow-up on the matter and study its feasibility. Another topic brought up by Dr. Hitchon was the geographical location of the President of WALN. There was a consensus in the group that he (she) should preferably be from Northern America, although there is nothing in the Bylaws that restricts the geographical location of the President to any particular area.

The last issue before adjourning the meeting was that of the upcoming elections of the Board of Officers. Nominations were solicited, hoping to complete them by the date of the Upcoming WALN reunion.


A Traditional Lebanese Neurosurgical Event: The WALN Second Homecoming Meeting

The Second WALN Homecoming Meeting took place - as scheduled - in the Riviera Hotel in Beirut, on June 21-23, 1999. Like the previous WALN meeting, it was successful with over 90 registrants, 42 presentations by 31 speakers from Lebanon, the Arab Countries, Europe, and North America.

The opening reception took place on the afternoon of Sunday June 20, 1999.

Dr Karam Karam, Secretary of Health for the Lebanese Government, representing the President Mr. Emile Lahoud, was the first speaker. He emphasized that other medical professionals should follow the example of WALN and that the country is proud of the potential of Lebanese emigrants abroad.

Dr. Nabil Okais, President of the Lebanese Neurosurgical Society, the host of the meeting welcomed the participants, wishing the same success to the Second WALN reunion that The First reunion had accomplished. He emphasized the importance of the continuity in evolution and the openness in this era of multi-nationalism. Solidarity was another theme he stressed since “our strength united far outweighs the sum of our individual power”. “Our pluri-lingual and multi-cultural education and training should be a strength and not a burden” he added.

Our President Dr. Chedid said that “this meeting is not a natural accident but a history made by the men and women of this pure land of ours. In our beloved Lebanon History is made every day under the direction of our President and his outstanding government.

It has been said that men are two kinds: one kind, the majority is made by history, and the other kind, a minority, shapes, makes and writes the history. We, in WALN commend our President for making the history of Lebanon and its legacy. And WALN is honored to be part of this history making in Beirut.”

He continued “We hoped that all members of WALN would share this meeting however it was not possible. In the name of all our members I would like to extend our regards and respect to everyone who shared our mission, past, present and future. In the name of WALN we extend our unconditional love and respect for those who work for Lebanon, from the mountains where the breeze is filled with the aroma of pine, soil, flowers and cedar trees, to the sandy beaches bathing under the sun.”

He ended his talk by thanking participants from the Arab countries, the local organizing committee, lead byDr Comair and the local host, Dr. Okais President of the Lebanese Neurosurgical Society.

Dr. Youssef Comair, Regional Representative of WALN and chairman of the organizing committee spoke on the role that professional societies like WALN play in adavanced medical specialities like Neurosurgery. “As members of this Association, we have multiple obligations. We have to stay competent throughout our professional career, and provide the same standard of care regardless of our position. We have to base our science on statistics and epidemiology, and to promote medical knowledge. We should be involved in various important social issues, like prevention, and foremost we have to place the well being of our patient ahead of ours. It is from these guidelines that WALN draws its mission”.

The following morning the scientific program started, and was comprised of morning sessions over the ensuing three days. The talks were varied in nature from historical topics, to Cerebrovascular presentations on carotid endarterectomies, cerebral aneurysms, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke and endovascular techniques, to presentations on spine surgery for trauma, degenerative disease, intraspinal tumors, spine infections, and various instrumentation techniques. Functional Neurosurgery had its place with a presentation on chronic motor stimulation for pain. Pediatric neurosurgery, skull base surgery, and neuro-oncology were also featured with talks on pediatric shunts, Arnold Chiari malformations, skull base anatomy, approaches and pitfalls, and intrinsic brain tumors.

The business meeting was held on Wednesday, June 23. The main topic for discussion was the Third WALN Homecoming meeting. It was decided to hold it in Beirut in the year 2001, in conjunction with the meeting of the French Neurosurgical Society (Societe des Neurochirurgiens de Langue Francaise). Dr. Okais will be organizing the latter meeting and will co-ordinate with the WALN officers the date and location of these events. The other issue was the election of the officers. Dr. Awad had nominated by proxy Dr. Chedid for President, Dr. Bejjani for Secretary Treasurer, and Dr. Iskandar for Newsletter Editor. Nominations were sought from the floor. Dr. Charbel nominated himself for President. Dr. Hitchon nominated Dr. Comair for President, Dr. Muakassa for Secretary Treasurer and Dr. Bejjani for Newsletter Editor. It was decided to seek more nominations and votes and hope to hold the elections before June 2000, expiration date of the term of the current officers.

The social program was as successful with daily trips to all four corners of Lebanon: Byblos, Kesrouan, Jounieh, Beit-ed-dine, Sydon, and Baalbeck. After each excursion, the day ended with a dinner reception, where participants enjoyed the richness of Lebanese cuisine. Bourj El Hamam -Broummana- on Monday, Restaurant El-Mir Amin on Tuesday in Beiteddine, and the ATCL -Kaslik – on Wednesday were the chosen restaurants. Some WALN members showcased their hidden talents. Dr. Chedid proved to be an excellent commentator and excursion guide throughout the tours. He was elected permanent tour guide for WALN by all present. Dr. Awad revealed himself as a poet (cf. WALN and poetry in this Issue).

Among those who attended the meeting were Drs. Thomas and Abood: this was their first trip to the homeland. Also Ms Herrod and Mrs. and Mr. Greene visited Lebanon for the first time, invited by Dr. Chedid. Representing the PANS, Dr. Joharji and the Executive Editor of the PANS Journal, Ms Valerie A. McCune, came from Saudi Arabia.

Despite the security events that took place on Thursday with the Israeli bombing of the power plants of Beirut and the bridges of Southern Lebanon, many participants spent the remainder of the week enjoying various Lebanese areas, before heading back.


Elections of the WALN Board of Officers

The Election of the WALN Board of Officers is scheduled to take place during the AANS meeting in San Fransisco April 8-13, 1999. Some nominations were already made during the Second Homecoming Meeting in Beirut in June 1999 (cf. the special article on the meeting in this issue). The final list of candidates will be announced in the 2000 winter issue of the WALN Newsletter.

Please send to either Dr Chedid or Dr Bejjani the nominations and proxy votes for all the Officers positions: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Regional Representatives for North America, South America, Europe and Lebanon. This can be done by mail, email, or fax. The deadline for receipt is April 1st, 2000. Enclosed in this issue you will find an excerpt of the bylaws as they relate to the role of the officers and their election process.


Member News

- Five new members have joined WALNduring the last meeting in Beirut, raising the total number of mebers to over 340. We have also over 90 completed biographical profiles.

- Dr Ghassan Skaff held a successful spine course at the American University of Beirut following the WALN meeting on June 1999.

- Four members of WALN have moved their practice. Tristate Neurosurgical Associates of Pittburgh, PA, comprising Drs Joe Maroon, Adnan Abla, Ghassan Bejjani, and Hikmat El Kadi, has moved from Allegheny General Hospital to The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

- Dr Afif Iliya has started his own private practice in NY.

- According to the latest US World and News Report the neurosurgical practice of Drs. Muakkassa and Khayyat in Akron, OH was ranked 39th in the nation.


Upcoming Events

- The next meeting of WALN will be held in parallel with the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in Boston. The traditional dinner will be held at Phoenicia Restaurant on Tuesday November 2nd, 1999 at 7 P.M. The business meeting will follow the dinner. The restaurant is located on 240 Cambridge Street (at the corner of Garden Street). Their phone number is 617-523-4606. We hope to see as many members as possible there.

- The next meeting of the Societe de Neurochirurgie de Langue Francaise (SNCLF) will be held from November 28 through December 1, 1999 at Hotel Sofitel, Rive Gauche in Paris. Plans are being made to hold the 2001 meeting of the Societe de Neurochirurgie de Langue Francaise in Beirut, in conjunction with the WALN. Dr. Nabil Okais, Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hotel Dieu De France in Beirut will be organizing this meeting. For more information please contact him at the following address:
Hotel Dieu De France
Beirut, Lebanon
Phone number: 961-1- 323-771
Fax number: 961-1-386-794
Email: OKAIS@dm.net.lb

- The third PANS biannual meeting will be held in Beirut in the fall of the year 2000. The President Elect, Dr. Antoine Nachanakian will be organizing the meeting. For more information please contact him at the following address:
Hopital Orthodoxe Saint George
P.O. Box 166378
Beirut, Lebanon
Phone number: 961-1-560-052
Fax number: 961-1-582-560
Email: Becca@cyberia.net.lb


Byblos, city of the book: From the Alphabet to Adonis

(By Ghassan K. Bejjani, MD)

Byblos is one of the northern coastal cities of Lebanon, situated 40km north of Beirut. It was called Byblos by the Greek, from “Bublos” the greek word for papyrus, since the latter was shipped to Greece from Egypt via this city. It is also known as Gebal in the Bible, Giblet by the crusaders, and Jbail in Arabic. Byblos was the most eminent City in the early Pheonician era and gave the world the Alphabet and Adonis.

Byblos is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the world. It has been continuously occupied from the 5th millennium B.C. until our days, for more than 7000 years straight.

Remains of Neolithic cultures from 5000 B.C. were found in Byblos. In the 4th millennium B.C., during the Chalcolithic period, metals and ceramics became widely used. The inhabitants had their own burial rituals where the dead were buried in distinctive terracotta jars.

The Phoenician culture made its debut by the end of the 4th millennium. Byblos became the eminent commercial and religious Phoenician city-state, compared to other coastal cities like Sidon and Tyre. It hosted the famous Temple of Baalat Jebel, well known in Antiquity. The cult of the Baalat Jebel spread all the way to the Nile Valley. Special links with Egypt encouraged the growth of the city. Egyptians would import via Jbeil the Lebanese Cedar wood to build their ships. Copper transported to Jbeil from the Caucase by land was also shipped to Egypt. Pharaos would send religious donations to the Temple of Baalat Jebel. The latter might have been built by Egyptian merchants in the site of a prehistoric grotto. As the remainder of the Pheonician cities Byblos was successfully linked or dominated by various powers of the Antiquity. The mixture of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Mycenian cultures formed the Jiblite culture.

Around 2150 B.C. the Amorites invaded the city, and controlled it until 1750 B.C when the Hyksos, armed with chariots and horses took over. Soon the Egyptians retaliated and reoccupied the coastal area in 1580 B.C. This reinforced even further the Egyptian cultural influence, with temples and burial chambers decorated the Egyptian way. It is during this period that the linear alphabet was developed. This replaced the cuneiform script to record trading transactions and quickly spread in the Ancient World. Between 1100 and 725 B.C., Tyr became the most eminent Phoenician city-state eclipsing Byblos. The Assyrians, the Persians and the Greek successively ruled Byblos. Byblos, unlike Tyre did not resist Alexander and continued to flourish. The Romans were next in the list of the conquerors. Byblos had lost most of its commercial strength, partially secondary to the deforestation over the previous millennia. When the Roman Empire split in 395AD, Byblos allied itself with the East and became an important religious center, home to a bishopric under Emperor Diocletian.

In 636 A.D., the city came under Arab control, until 1098 when the city was conquered by the crusaders led by the Count of Tripoli, Raymond de Saint Gilles. The Crusaders left the city in 1266, after the forces of Sultan Baibars put the city under siege. The turcs controlled the city again in 1516. In 1860, the French Ernest Renan, started excavating in Byblos, bringing to light some of its glorious past.

The present city is a mixture of archaeological sites of various ages, bearing testimony to its past. The harbor is located east of the city. In the south a promontory hosts the crusaders castle and the ancient ruins from the B.C. era. More to the north, lies the inhabited old town, that stops at the Medieval rampart. The modern city lies between this rampart and the Tripoli-Beirut highway.

Byblos also gave the world the legend of Adonis, that illustrates the natures eternal cycle of death and rebirth. This Legend has multiple versions: Phoenician, Egyptian, and Greek.

In the Egyptian legend, after Osiris was killed by his brother Seth, his coffin landed in Byblos under a bush. The latter became a tree that the king of Byblos used to reinforce his roof. It is there that his sister Isis, in the shape of a sorrow brought him back to Egypt.

In the Greek mythology Adonis is the fruit of the incestuous relationship of Cyprus’s king, Cinyrias, with his daughter Myrrha. Still a teenager, he became the lover of both Aphrodite and Persephone, Goddess of the underworld. Mars, jealous of the young man, send him a wild pig that fatally wounded him while he was hunting. The Goddess tried to save her lover. The young man died and his blood tinted the river Adonis. Aphrodite implored Zeus to restore the young man back to life. The latter agreed that Adonis should spend the months of winter with Persephone in Hades and the summer with Aphrodite.

For the Phoenicians Adonis was the object of desire and love by Hathor (Achtarout), the Lady of Byblos. Wounded by a wild pig, he was brought back to her. When Adonis died, he was buried by tearful Hathor. However her love brought him back to life from the Underworld. Each year, when Adonis is in the underworld, nature dies, and it is only in the spring when Hathor brings him back that nature blooms again.

The river Adonis(AKA Nahr Ibrahim) empties in the sea five miles south of Byblos. The Giblites localized the tomb of young Adonis to their city, making it an adoration site to the cult of the death and life. Pilgrims would visit the city from far to worship the young God. Festivities and religious ceremonies would last a week with the death and rebirth of Adonis. His legend is the allegory of nature death and rebirth every spring. Every year, in February the river gets tinted with blood again. It is in fact the land in the Aqoura area, rich in iron, that is washed in the river by heavy rain every winter and that taints the river in red.


Poetry and WALN

Issam Awad, MD, Past President of WALN

During the dinner held at club ATCL, on the last night of the WALN Homecoming meting in Beirut, Dr. Awad, Past President and founder of WALN, revealed a new talent of his: Poetry. He gave us four verses in Arabic that you will see below. I took the liberty of translating them to English for the sake of our non-Arabic speaking members.

Neurosurgeons gathered in the homeland
Blessed hands and accomplished minds
May be somebody is more accomplished in science
But in gentleness none surpassed another

For the sake of loyalty, study and training
For the sake of a tear shed by a mother on a suffering son
Long lives WALN, so we stay united
A flare of guidance and pride for every Lebanese.


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