Dr. Fatma Ben Abid is a medical oncologist and internationally engaged leader in supportive care in cancer, whose career bridges scientific rigor, humanistic medicine, and cross-cultural collaboration. Born in Carthage, Tunisia, at the heart of the Mediterranean, her personal and professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to building connections—between countries, disciplines, science, and compassionate patient care.
Dr. Ben Abid received her medical training in Tunis, followed by advanced specialization in France, where she developed strong expertise in medical oncology, hematology, bone marrow transplantation, and supportive care. She completed her clinical training at leading French cancer centers, including the René Huguenin–Curie Center and the Henri Becquerel Center, gaining broad experience in systemic therapies, hematologic malignancies, and oncology day hospital care. Her early training also included residency work in bone marrow transplantation in Tunis and internal medicine at La Rabta Hospital.
Her academic background is complemented by advanced European certifications, including a Specialist Degree in Medical Oncology, an Inter-University Diploma in Infection Management and Supportive Care in Onco-Hematology (GISCOH) from the Universities of Paris XI and XII, a University Diploma in Clinical Oncology from the Gustave Roussy Institute, and advanced training in anticancer chemotherapy through Gustave Roussy in partnership with the European School of Oncology.
In 2020, Dr. Ben Abid co-founded the Clinique d’Oncologie du 16 Novembre in Rabat, Morocco, where she currently serves as Head of the Departments of Medical Oncology and Supportive Care. Under her leadership, the institution was recognized in 2023 as a MASCC-designated Center of Excellence, highlighting its commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care. A distinctive feature of her work has been the integration of art therapy into supportive care—an initiative inspired by her own practice as a painter and her belief in the therapeutic power of creativity in healing.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Ben Abid is a founding leader in national and international supportive care initiatives. She is Co-Founder and Secretary General of the Moroccan Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MoASCC)and an active member of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), where she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Affiliates Committee. Through these roles, she actively contributes to expanding supportive care standards across regions, particularly in low- and middle-income settings.
Dr. Ben Abid’s professional philosophy is deeply rooted in the conviction that oncology is both a science and a vocation—one that must honor evidence-based medicine while addressing patients’ emotional, spiritual, and social needs. Her work across Tunisia, France, and Morocco reflects a sustained commitment to advancing oncology care that is not only technically excellent, but also profoundly humane.
She remains dedicated to the global development of supportive care in cancer, striving to expand its reach, elevate its standards, and ensure that compassionate, holistic oncology becomes an integral part of cancer care worldwide.