Christelle El Khoury’s Journey With the Online MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence
| 4 Min Read
Christelle El Khoury, MD, is a family medicine physician with a growing focus on applying artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical education. With experience as a medical expert in AI initiatives, she has helped develop clinical prompts and educational frameworks for large language models, focusing on improved patient education and clinician learning.
She has also worked with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Hospitals, where her research focused on cervical cancer screening and patient-centered alternatives to traditional exams. This background fostered Christelle’s interest in improving the delivery and understanding of medical information.
Returning to Lebanese American University as an alumnus, Christelle chose the online MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence program to deepen her understanding of healthcare and AI.
Why Choose Lebanese American University?
“As an LAU alumna, returning to the university felt like a natural choice and a way to stay connected with its faculty and academic community. LAU is well known for its strong academic reputation, and the presence of its New York campus reflects its global outlook.”
Christelle was also drawn to the Applied AI program’s pioneer status in the region. “It aligned closely with my interest in integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare and medical education, and it felt like the right place to build that foundation.” This alignment provided the perfect motivation for her to pursue the program while balancing her personal and professional life alongside her academic responsibilities.
Gaining a Solid Foundation in AI
Christelle found the program’s online format essential for managing her commitments; “I chose the online format because it gave me the flexibility to balance my studies with my professional responsibilities and family life while living in the United States. It allowed me to stay connected to LAU and continue my education without needing to relocate.”
“The structure made it easier to integrate learning into my routine and apply what I was learning to my work and interests in healthcare and AI.” This flexibility made her experience far more practical and impactful while also helping her maintain a balanced life.
Building Confidence Through a Strong AI Foundation
The online MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence provided Christelle with advanced AI knowledge, helping her develop the ability to read, understand, and critically engage with AI concepts and applications.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the program was that it gave me a clear overview of the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and a solid foundation to build on. Coming from a medical background, I did not have formal training in AI, so this was an important step for me.”
This foundation strengthened her confidence, encouraging her interest to continue exploring how AI can be used in healthcare and medical education.
The Impact on Career and Future Plans
The program has helped define the direction Christelle wanted to pursue professionally. “It strengthened my confidence in working at the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence and gave me the tools to think more critically about how technology can support healthcare.”
The influence of the Masters also encouraged her to actively participate in AI-related projects and to contribute to medical education and patient engagement through thoughtful and responsible use of AI.
Academic Experience at the Lebanese American University
Coming from a medical background, Christelle describes her academic experience as both challenging and rewarding; “Learning a new field like artificial intelligence pushed me to think differently and develop new skills.”
She highlights how hands-on projects that connected AI with real healthcare and educational needs made the learning experience more practical and relevant—helping her see how the knowledge could be applied beyond the classroom.
Christelle also shares her advice for prospective students considering the online MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence.
Advice for Future Students
“I would encourage anyone interested in this field to consider the program. Being part of the first cohort was a unique experience, and it was rewarding to see how the program developed over time.
The faculty were supportive, and I had the opportunity to meet colleagues from many different professional backgrounds. That diversity made the learning experience richer and showed how AI can be applied across different fields.”
Whether you’re from a technical, professional, or non-technical background and looking to grow your career in AI, explore our online MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence and take the first step in your academic journey with us.