Ghada is an accomplished gynecologist and obstetrician who has spent the past 40 years devoted to women’s health. We speak to her about how her foundation, Maison des femmes de Saint-Denis, offers groundbreaking, comprehensive care to women who are victims of brutal violence, and about the little things in life (like receiving videos from her family) that keep her going each day.
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on her morning routine
I get up very early in the mornings, around 5:40 am, hoping to do some exercise, but since quarantine began, I’ve had a harder time motivating myself. Sometimes I’ll stay in bed a little longer, waiting for a video from San Francisco of my little girl Anna who I love seeing grow even from afar. And then very quickly: a shower, a coffee, and off to the hospital before the traffic jams hit. I really like arriving before my team — it's the best time to work quietly.
on moving to paris and her relationship to her native lebanon
I always thought that I would do something that would be of service to others, nothing more. Medicine came later as one of my options. I grew up in Lebanon and came to Paris at 18 to study medicine. My relationship with Lebanon is both very intense and distant. Everything that happens there touches me deeply, and at the same time, I know that my Lebanon, the one I loved and left, no longer exists and that today's Lebanon is being built without me. And I have never returned to live in my native country. I married a French man with whom I have 3 wonderful children and I have always worked in the Paris region. But I also know that the actions of the Lebanese “abroad” are very important to everyone who has stayed there, and I try to help when I have the chance.
““My biggest inspiration comes from my exchanges and interactions with my patients. And that’s why I haven’t left my clinic and that I continue to maintain my consultations.””
on what it’s like working in obstetrics and gynecology
Doctors are very lucky, they all study and practice their profession at the same time, so in my experience, there was no sudden passage of when I knew I would become an obstetrician. All of the early experiences blend together. But I did particularly like my internship at a birthing room. A gynecologist treats women in all areas of their health, including reproductive and sexual. They do cancer prevention, surgery, psychology, and it was there where I first began to learn how to do this kind of work and developed a deep admiration for those who do it.
on starting maison des femmes de saint-denis, an organization that provides care to victims of violence
I discovered female genital mutilation (FGC) late in my career as a doctor. Not only did it come in as a shock, but it was also horrifying to find out how rampant it is in Egypt, a country I thought I knew. When I arrived in Seine-Saint-Denis, I discovered that almost 14% of the women were cut there, so learning reconstruction and reparation was an important skill to develop.
Listening to women and caring for their health for years has given me the experience and tools to create a comprehensive care path and system for my patients. I have always liked to organize, coordinate and support teams and so I created La Maison des Femmes. Running an organization is another job in itself, in addition to my role as a gynecologist and obstetrician, I’ve also had to learn how to manage, lead and raise funds.
““People think that the elderly are stuck in their past. But I know a lot of them who are incredibly active and in the know. My notion of beauty has softened and I am more touched by the atmosphere a person gives off than by their specific features.””
on what she does for fun
I read, I swim, and when I have a lot of time in front of me (which has become quite infrequent), I play the piano. When my kids are around I try to spend quality time with them. I also like to tinker, repair objects, transform furniture.
on relaxation
I rarely feel the need to calm down. But at times, when my schedule gets so busy that I don't know where to start, I treat myself to 2 hours of gardening, followed by a nap in the sun on my terrace or an intensive massage session with the wonderful masseuse who works right next to my house. In the winter, I also love to sit by the fireplace and catch up on reading.
on what she’s currently reading
Right now I'm reading a book on psychotrauma, but it's more of a professional read.
Books that stand out to me include The Letters of Rosa Luxembourg, Body and Soul by Franck Conroy; La maladroite by Alexandre Seurat, The Choice by Edith Eva Eger, Fault Lines by Nancy Huston, Doing Good Better by William Mac Askill, Le lumineux destin d'Alexandra David-Néel by Jean Chalon, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, La fabrique des pervers by Sophie Chauveau, Dans la maison de l'ogre by Bernard Lempert, The Man in Red by Julian Barnes and so many others…
on her beauty routine
I place a lot of importance on caring for my hair as it is very curly and dry, so needs a lot of hydration. So I try all the oils, creams, and conditioners that I can, hoping to find the most effective mix. As for the rest of my routine, I’ll put on a little lipstick to give me “bonne mine” and I’m ready to go.
ghada’s favorite places in paris
Best museum: Jacquemart André
Best café: Le Fumoir
Best restaurant: La Maison Blanche for the exceptional views of Paris
Best park: Montsouris
Best wellness spot: La Sultane de Saba
