The chaos and uncertainty of war and the challenges of a language barrier did not stop HCU alumna Hala Alameddine from realizing her childhood dream. A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Alameddine from her early youth aspired to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Raised in a close-knit family, life was full of possibilities until war broke out in Lebanon in 1975.
Despite the devastation of living in a war-torn country and witnessing Beirut transform from a once vibrant city to a place of upheaval and loss, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the Lebanese University – Faculty of Public Health in 2000 and worked as a nurse at Trad Hospital and medical center in Lebanon.
“The constant fear, the loss of loved ones, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure have left an indelible mark on my consciousness. These experiences have made me deeply appreciate the value of peace, stability and the preservation of human life. Living through war has also instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination. That resilience has become a guiding force in my life, pushing me to overcome challenges, pursue my goals, and never lose hope in the face of adversity,” shared Alameddine.
For Alameddine, working as a registered nurse was a dream come true and a pathway to use her skills to enhance the lives of others through healthcare.
“I have always had a heart for service and a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Becoming a nurse, I was able to fulfill my passion to make a positive impact on a daily basis.”
In 2001, Alameddine moved to the U.S. with her husband and set her focus on obtaining obtaining a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, from then HBU, drawn by the University’s faith-based culture and family-like environment. The small class sizes enabled her to get to know her professors, one whom she commends for an “unwavering faith” in her abilities.
“As an individual with an international background and limited English proficiency, I faced numerous obstacles when it came to expressing myself in this foreign language. However, Professor Gibson’s belief in me and his constant motivation allowed me to gradually gain confidence and improve my public speaking skills,” shared the HCU alumna.
Her graduate studies provided her with the knowledge and resources that helped shape her career path, but the University also nurtured her spiritual growth and deepened her desire to make a difference in the community.
Receiving her master’s degree in 2005, she combined her passion for healthcare and leadership into a career in healthcare administration, joining Kindred Hospital in Sugar Land as an area quality director in 2014 and advancing to chief clinical officer in 2015. Today, she serves as the chief operating officer/chief clinical officer overseeing all operations at the Sugar Land-area hospital.
Driven by a deep passion to help others, she went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services, Community Health Education in May 2020 while conducting research at M.D. Anderson where her findings were presented at a breast cancer symposium and published in the American Association for Cancer Research Journal.
In 2022, Alameddine experienced a devastating blow when she and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer two days apart. The emotional rollercoaster was unlike anything she had ever experienced, but she prevailed by leaning on her faith in God and the support of family. Today, she and her mother are both in remission.
“Amidst the darkness, my faith and the unwavering support of my kids became my solace. My faith provided hope and strength during the darkest moments, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. Through prayer, I found the courage to face each day with purpose. Equally important was the support of my kids. My kids were my reason to fight,” shared Alameddine.
She gained inspiration from a quote by Elder Bryan Mathison that reads – “When you have faith in God, you don’t have to worry about the future. You just know it’s all in His hands. You just go and do your best.” As she looks back on her journey from a war-torn country to today, she has done just that – trusted in God and done her best. Her goal for the future is to continue to use her skills to impact the lives of others through her passion for healthcare.