
Honoring Legacy: Micheline Nader and Zeina Fares Among 2024 Ellis Island Medalists for Contributions to Society
Micheline Nader, a member of the TAKREEM America Board of Directors, and Zeina Fares, a TAKREEM America Laureate, were both honored with the 2024 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This prestigious award, established in 1986, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to society while exemplifying the values of patriotism, diversity, and inclusion. Each year, honorees from various backgrounds and professions are celebrated for their impact on the world, whether through leadership in business, philanthropy, social justice, or the arts. This year’s group of 88 recipients, representing fields such as finance, entertainment, technology, philanthropy, and media, have all embraced their unique immigrant heritage, acknowledging the pivotal role American opportunities have played in their success. The award ceremony took place at a black-tie gala in Ellis Island’s Great Hall, a historic venue that once welcomed 12 million immigrants to the United States. Micheline Nader, BSN, MPH, DESS, is a healthcare entrepreneur, best-selling author, and President of Jesra Impact. With a background in hospital administration and healthcare management, she authored the book The Dolphin’s Dance: Discover Your True Self through a Powerful 5-Step Journey into Conscious Awareness, which connects traditional healthcare with complementary medicine. She also founded Blue Dolphin Healthcare Group, a successful nursing home chain, and currently serves on the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s advisory board. As a writer, speaker, and coach, Micheline empowers individuals through transformative content. Zeina Fares, who served as President of the Lebanese Club of Houston in 1996, is the Founding President of the American Foundation for Auxilia, a charity supporting children orphaned by the war in Lebanon. She is also a board member of the Arab-American Educational Foundation. Despite raising four children, Zeina has remained active, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart for six years. Today, she is a Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, where she contributes to the Development and Art of the Islamic Worlds subcommittees.