Saniya Habboub

Lebanese physician and pioneer in women's medical education

Saniya Habboub (1901 – September 1983) was a pioneering Lebanese physician and one of the first women from Lebanon to study medicine abroad. She played a significant role in advancing women's medical education and healthcare in the Arab world.

Early Life and Education

Saniya Habboub was born in 1901 in Beirut, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. She was raised in a progressive family that valued education, which was uncommon for women at the time. Her father, a prominent figure in Beirut, encouraged her academic pursuits.

Habboub attended the American University of Beirut (AUB), where she completed her undergraduate studies. She was one of the few women at the university during that period. Her passion for medicine led her to pursue further studies abroad.

Medical Education and Career

In 1926, Saniya Habboub traveled to the United States to study medicine at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, one of the few medical schools that accepted women at the time. She graduated in 1931, becoming one of the first Lebanese women to earn a medical degree from an American institution.

Dr. Saniya M. Habboub

Upon returning to Lebanon, Habboub established her medical practice in Beirut. She specialized in gynecology and obstetrics, areas where she felt she could make the most impact on women's health. Her practice quickly gained a reputation for providing compassionate and comprehensive care to women.

Contributions to Women's Health and Education

Saniya Habboub was not only a physician but also an advocate for women's rights and education. She was actively involved in various organizations that promoted women's health and education in Lebanon and the broader Arab world. Her efforts were instrumental in encouraging more women to pursue careers in medicine and other sciences.

Habboub also contributed to the establishment of several healthcare facilities and programs aimed at improving maternal and child health. Her work laid the foundation for future generations of female physicians in the region.

Legacy

Saniya Habboub's legacy is remembered for her pioneering spirit and dedication to advancing women's roles in medicine. She broke barriers and served as a role model for countless women aspiring to enter the medical profession. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on healthcare and women's education in Lebanon.

Related Pages

• American University of Beirut
• Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania
• Gynecology
• Obstetrics