As of September 2023, Ms. Salam Awwad has taken on the pivotal role of Dean of the Tareq Ahmed Juffali Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences at Bethlehem University. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Ms. Salam has made significant contributions to nursing education and practice in the region.
Ms. Salam’s journey in nursing began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bethlehem University in 1990. She quickly moved into practice as a full-time staff nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Jerusalem, where she honed her clinical skills and developed a passion for patient education. In 1994, she earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Villanova University, focusing on Nursing Education with a clinical emphasis on Adult Health Nursing. This solid educational foundation paved the way for her long-standing role as an instructor at Bethlehem University, where she has taught various nursing courses for nearly 30 years.
Throughout her tenure, Ms. Salam has been deeply involved in the academic growth of her students. She has taught essential subjects such as Nursing Fundamentals and Adult Health Nursing, while also advising students on their educational journeys and coordinating international exchange programs. Her commitment to enhancing nursing education is evident in her role as the coordinator of the Nursing Program on the Qubeibeh campus from 2007 to 2014, where she fostered community health initiatives and practical learning experiences.
Ms. Salam’s commitment to advancing nursing education is evident in her active participation in international conferences and workshops. Most recently, in January 2024, she attended a conference in Dubai focused on using simulation in teaching and learning, a cutting-edge educational tool that she plans to implement at Bethlehem University. Earlier, in June 2023, she took part in an Erasmus+ workshop in Helsinki, Finland, that explored the role of technology in education.
In addition to her many roles as a teacher, clinical instructor, and program coordinator, Ms. Salam has been instrumental in organizing exchange programs for Bethlehem University’s nursing students. She facilitates opportunities for students to gain international experience, as well as for foreign students to train in Palestine. These exchanges have broadened students’ perspectives and helped them adapt to working in diverse healthcare settings.
Ms. Salam Awwad’s leadership, both as an educator and as a dean, is grounded in compassion, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to healthcare. Her contributions to Bethlehem University, the nursing profession, and the broader healthcare community in Palestine are invaluable.