Anis K. Saliba, admirable, selfless doctor
Dr. Anis K. Saliba, 91, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, March 10, 2024, after a short illness. He was the son of the late Khalil and Rose (Salloum) Saliba of Karaoun, Lebanon. Dr. Saliba is survived by his wife of 65 years, Siham; his son, Khalil G. Saliba (Marcy); and daughter, Dr. Nada Saliba Hart (Thomas). He was cherished and adored by his six grandchildren, Grace, Alyse, Christopher, Bradley, Audrey and Natalie, who affectionally called him “Gido,” which is grandfather in Arabic. He was predeceased by his older siblings, Wadiha, Josephine, Mary and George, whom he loved and spoke of often. He is mourned by his many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Saliba graduated from the International College at the American University of Beirut and then received his medical degree from the Damascus University School of Medicine in Syria. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1960, where he began his medical training, completing his surgical residency at Coney Island Hospital in New York and a thoracic surgical fellowship at St. Vincent's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
After a phone call from his medical school classmate, Dr. Nizar Kuseybi, Dr. Saliba moved his family to Lewes in 1967 to begin his career as a surgeon while also acting as a general practitioner to many in the community. His nearly 40-year career at Beebe was marked by selfless dedication to his community and his patients, particularly those of modest means. Many of Dr. Saliba’s patients never received a bill. He volunteered his services to Lewes Little League, Lewes Fire Department, the Stockley Center for disabilities in Georgetown, and many other nonprofit organizations. Already board-certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery, Dr. Saliba found the time to earn a third board certification in surgical critical care at 60.
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Saliba served Beebe in multiple leadership roles, including president, chief of staff, and its board of directors before his retirement in 2003. Upon retirement, he continued to serve on Beebe’s board, as well as volunteer at medical clinics throughout Sussex County.
Dr. Saliba was a lifelong learner, often seen with a book in one hand and his dictionary in the other. He combined his passion for education with his proud heritage by donating his childhood home to become a public library for the benefit of his hometown.
He loved to work his two-acre garden in his surgical scrubs, growing and delivering his vegetables to his many friends.
Dr. Saliba earned many awards in his lifetime, but his legacy was his devotion to family, community, and profession, along with the multitude of people he treated over so many years.
A Celebration of Dr. Saliba’s Life will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, March 15, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations for the Dr. Anis and Sue Saliba Nursing Scholarship for Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing may be made in his name to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, beebehealthcare.org/memorial-gifts; or to the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club, P.O. Box 91, Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Dr. Saliba’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
