ABOUT THE DR. NADIM YOUSIF KASSEM SCHOLARSHIP

In 2013, the PCRF launched a fund in the memory of a great supporter of the PCRF, loving father, husband, humanitarian and doctor, Nadim Yousif Kassem.

Nadim was born in 1931 in Rama, Palestine. His family briefly moved to Aley, Lebanon during the Palestinian rebellion against the British in 1938. He returned to Palestine and completed his elementary school education in Rama. He was selected as one of 25 pupils from all over Palestine to attend high school at the prestigious Arab College in Jerusalem, from which he graduated in 1947 with a Palestine Matriculation Certificate. He continued his studies at the Arab College, which was converted to a University in 1948, when the Palestinian Nakba took place.

Nadim was 16 when he moved to Aley, with his younger siblings, mother, and aunts, while his older brothers stayed behind in Rama. Refusing to live in a refugee camp, he worked day and night to provide for his family of 8 people. He taught school during the day and gave English lessons in the evenings. He ultimately became the principal of the boys' branch of one of the local schools. When he returned to Lebanon, literally 50 years later, his pupils remembered him and remarked that he was an outstanding teacher and mentor who had not been forgotten in all those years.
 

In 1951, Nadim and his family were repatriated under the UN-decreed family reunification decision. He led his family on their long walk home from Lebanon to Rama. To keep the children safe from land mines, he walked ahead to establish a path, then returned to the children's resting place, carrying the youngest of them on his shoulders, and retraced his steps, making the rest of his family walk exactly in his footprints. Years later, one of his sisters asked, "Who could not love a man who did all that for us?"

Back in Rama, Nadim taught in the village school. There was a lack of high schools in the Arab sector and he wanted his sisters to be educated, so in 1952, together with his brother Shakib and 2 others, he founded the nucleus of what became the most acclaimed Arab High School in the country. He again taught Arabic, English, and mathematics while establishing one secondary class after the other until a full Secondary School was in place. At his brother Shakib's encouragement, he then applied for medical school and was accepted. Out of over 400 Jewish candidates and 30 Arab candidates, he was 1 of only 4 Arab students to be accepted to a class of 65 students in all.

The first year in medical school (1955-1956) was awful for him. All the lectures were in Hebrew which he did not yet understand. He wanted to quit but did not know how he could return to his family, friends and students and tell them he had given up. So, he persevered, working as hard as ever, learned meticulous Hebrew and earned exceptional grades. He was at the top of his class every year, earning scholarships to return each semester. His excellent diagnostic skills, calm leadership, and deep empathy earned him the admiration of his professors and colleagues alike. He was one of the most respected and beloved members of his class.

While living in Jerusalem, Nadim resided at the German Hospice. His room was always full of engaging conversation, students and their parents seeking medical help and general advice, classical music and more. He began to treat the nuns at the Hospice as well. Ultimately, due to his late hours at the hospital, Mother Superior allowed Nadim to have a key to the Hospice. There were only 2 other keys, Mother Superior and the grounds keeper each had one as well.

Nadim traveled to the United States of America in the 1960’s, where he met his future wife May Halawi. Together, they raised 4 accomplished children: Juhayna, Nabil, Raniya and Jawad and later became grandparents to Laith and Kais. He returned to his beloved Palestine to visit nearly yearly. Throughout his life, Nadim supported Palestinian and Arab causes, donating generously to groups such as the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and United Palestinian Appeal. Prior to his death, he and his family funded an isolation room to be built in The Huda Al Masri Pediatric Cancer Department in Beit Jala.

In America, Nadim worked many jobs. He became Medical Director at Schering Plough Pharmaceutical Company while also treating patients in several nursing facilities and was Medical Director of local Nursing Home as well. He successfully presented to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) many meticulously designed clinical trials that gained approval for the introduction of new drugs to the market, many of which we continue to use today. He was known for his unwavering integrity and attention to detail.

At home, May and Nadim created a warm, welcoming environment. Their house was filled with friends and family. During the years he lived in America, Nadim established himself as an honorable man, a well-respected physician, a meticulous pharmaceutical researcher and an Arab nationalist. He remained a staunch advocate for Palestinian rights, freedoms and education throughout his life. He would have been so happy, honored and humbled by the outpouring of financial support from friends, family and colleagues from all over the world that has led to the establishment of this scholarship in his name.

Nadim dreamed of one day returning to his beloved homeland. In February 2013, upon his death, he was buried in Rama; finally home again.

This scholarship under his family's generous support will enable Palestinian doctors and nurses receive training and education to improve their skills and better provide care for Palestinian children suffering from cancer and other medical conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.