Michael Hourani, M.D. was raised in abject poverty in Lebanon. Through a series of miracle-like incidences, he rose from the humility of riding a donkey to school to becoming one of the premier nephrologists in the world.
The story begins in Deir Mimas, a tiny village in southern Lebanon, where Michael and his brothers and sister were raised “poor, but not hungry,” thanks to a mother who displayed uncommon hard work, strong character, and a deep faith.
Academically gifted, Michael advanced in the Lebanese public school system and was miraculously accepted into a prestigious medical school in France. While there, he studied nephrology—the study of the kidneys.
Fast forward to the story of a kind and caring doctor who made his way to America and opened kidney dialysis clinics throughout the state of Michigan. Loved and respected by peers and patients, Dr. Hourani and his wife Jane are champions of philanthropy throughout the world, most particularly in Michigan and Deir Mimas, where they have educated multiple nieces and nephews, other relatives and doctors. In doing this, they are leaving a legacy for centuries into the future.