Faculty News

Slowly but surely, our reserve soldiers are returning to the classroom.

The war has affected all of us, and continues to influence everything we do, but have certainly not forgotten our important role - training the best doctors for the future of our country, and top-rate researchers in the fields of biomedicine and health. They will be the ones who make a positive difference as we look forward.

To date, some 50 reservists remain in active duty (among some 530 MD students and some 140 graduate students).

Every student receives personal attention from the academic secretariat and the educational management, a "coat of armor" answering to personal needs, and the  complete back-up and assistance of the student union.

Some of the personally tailored solutions we are offering include:

• "Make up" clinical round dates
• Remedial classes
• Additional exam dates
• Parallel semester ("shadowing")
• Semester extension
• Implementation of Bar-Ilan policies to assist returning students

We pray all will overcome the current difficulties, both personal and national.

How does one teach empathy? Apparently, in the 21st century, and at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine - also with the help of technology!

Last week, members of the management were presented with a project aimed at supplementing the teaching of the doctor/patient rapport - via the use of VR technology.

They were shown films that were produced especially for the project, heard about the ongoing discussions with the students following the viewing, and listened to the pilot findings of the research accompanying the implementation of the project.

The findings show significant differences among students before and after the viewing, on the Jefferson University Empathy Questionnaire.

Also, a report was presented that discussed answers to open-ended questions asked after the post-viewing questionnaire. Students wrote about the unique contribution of the experience, and the need to repeat this experience throughout their studies, including during their medical internship.

The Dean and management were impressed by the project, which is led by Dr. Yuri Perlitz, head of gynecology and director of the mother and child division at the Tzafon Medical Center and Dr. Nomy Dickman, the dean's advisor for innovative teaching and head of the unit for evaluation and teaching promotion, together with Faculty graduate Dr. Doron Kuhn-Shortz. They emphasized that all students in the clinical rounds should be allowed to participate in it.

Some present admitted that they had their doubts and were skeptical but after the presentation, were convinced of the importance of the project.

"Live" update picture from February 6, 2024:

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On January 24, 2024, an exciting White Coat ceremony was held at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine for the first time – six-year track MD students, the first class, received their white coats in preparation for the start of clinical studies in the hospitals as part of a medical exposure course.

The white coat ceremony symbolizes the transition from the pre-clinical studies that take place in the faculty, to the clinical studies in the hospitals that are studied at the patient's bedside.

The ceremony was attended by Prof. Orly Avni, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Moshe Dessau, Vice Dean for Pre-Clinical Education; Prof. Daniel Glikman, Associate Dean Clinical Advancement; Sharon Mines, Administrative Deputy to the Associate Dean of Medical Education; and Medical Exposure course coordinators Dr. Maya Wolff from the Galilee Medical Center and Dr. David Rotem from the Ziv Medical Center.

Prof. Avni congratulated the students, stating that this is a ceremony that is being performed for the first time in the first year of the six-year track before entering the medical departments, and stressing its importance for the students' identity as medical staff in the departments - and the responsibility they bear as a result.

In addition, they also congratulated Prof. Moshe Dessau and Dr. Maya Wolff on behalf of the course team (Dr. David Rotem, Coordinator and Dr. Shani Or, Teaching Assistant) for their dedicated professionalism and responsibility in the clinic, and their compassion and sensitivity.

The names of the 75 medical students were read and each of them personally received from the Dean and the course coordinators, the white coat and the personal badge with their name. The excitement was felt in the air.

The medical exposure course was designed with the aim of exposing the students to the clinic and the medical activity in the departments as early as the first year of studies for an initial introduction to the medical system in various fields of medicine and the development of communication and teamwork skills. Another goal of the course is to stimulate curiosity and interest, social bonding, and a break from the theoretical studies that characterize the pre-clinical phase of studies.

The students enjoyed lectures from the faculty on topics such as therapist-patient communication, taking medical history and performing a physical examination, teamwork and medical interfaces, the urgent patient and the chronic patient, and ethics in medicine. Later in the course, the students will join clinical meetings in the departments of internal medicine, surgery, children, emergency medicine, and gynecology and obstetrics in three hospitals in small groups accompanied by dedicated clinical instructors.

Best wishes to the students for success in their studies and clinical experiences!

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In the photo above, the Dean Prof. Orly Avni and Dr. Maya Wolff.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, in parallel with the event at Bar-Ilan University's Ramat Gan Campus, commemorated one hundred days of war and captivity.

From the words of the Dean, Prof. Orly Avni:

"Today, January 14th, time seems to have frozen since October 7th. The feeling of loss, the likes of which we have never known, families torn apart physically and emotionally, and entire communities facing displacement with the shocking reality of war and uncertainty. And our hearts are in Gaza. Sleepless nights, and fear of hearing 'we are sorry to inform you'. We see such young and alive faces hugging their families. Fearing the knock on the door. Recognizing more familiar names... We are making headway. But still, 136 innocent people, men, women and children are being held captive by Hamas. ...And we are being held to the test of the highest values of the Israeli spirit, mutual responsibility....And we, meanwhile, at the Faculty, will strengthen, and be strengthened, repair shaky foundations, and continue to lead in what we know how to do best, medical research and the training of doctors and scientists for the sake of the future of the State of Israel. We will prepare the ground for a quick and supportive absorption of all our soldiers, and we will continue to hear the voices of those in captivity. We, and our precious State of Israel, will return to prosper and flourish."

Student Aviad Shaertz and laboratory manager Moran Teitelbaum, who read a letter from Oferi Perry, the daughter of the abductee Haim Perry – also spoke

To see a video from the event, click here (credit and thanks to Michal Teitelbaum - Hydromedia).

Thanks to Yehiel Dahan, Tal Zadok, and Hadas Oren, for making the assembly possible.

Thursday January 4, 2024 was an exciting day at the Faculty, with the groundbreaking that took place at the "Bezeq" site which will be the future home of the Faculty's education facility.

In addition four new classrooms were opened in the office building across the street from the Faculty's campus. These classrooms are crucial in order to keep pace with the Faculty's growing student body, as we welcome the new six-year track MD class.

Pictured below: Ofer Shragay (V.P. Operations), Gadi Buganim, (head of Operations Division Construction Department), Ariel Tisson (Faculty Construction Manager), Noam David Reshelbach (Administrative Head of Faculty), Ran Shetel (Building Supervisor, Barnea Engineering and Building Ltd.).

We wish all a successful academic year - and continued expansion.

Yesterday, December 31, 2023, the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine finally completed the opening of the 2023-24 academic year for all students (with the hope that the serving reservists will also safely return to the classroom, soon).

First-year students in the four- and six-year track medical programs (the first six year cohort!) had their orientation. led by dedicated and excited faculty (clinical studies  commenced on November 5, 2023, three-year track first year on December 3, 2023, and four-year second year on December 24, 2023.)

Prof. Moshe Dessau, Vice Dean Pre-Clinical Education, conducted an online survey among the students in real time at the orientation, and asked each one to write how he or she feels, in one word. The results were presented at the meeting and can be seen here in the picture. Prof. Dessau: "We were happy to see that most of the emotions were of excitement, joy, hope, and motivation."

In the photo below, new medical students at orientation - and new graduate students (25 new student this year) at their orientation. The Dean, Prof. Orly Avni, in the photos, welcomed everyone with warm greetings and words of support.

On another note - the rector of Bar-Ilan University, Prof. Amnon Albeck, sent a letter regarding recent prestigious awards and appointments of faculty members and students, congratulating them on their achievements:

• Dr. Nomy Dickman on her appointment to the Collaborative Learning Based Team TBLC .Research and Scholarship Committee
• Dr. Moran Yadid on winning the prestigious Zuckerman award for this academic year
• Shira Ben Simon, for winning a scholarship named after the late Prof. Nehemia Levtzion, for doctoral students and outstanding doctoral students from the periphery for this academic year
• Orly Weissberg, for winning a prestigious scholarship from the Teva company ("NFBI") The National Forum for BioInnovators

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With much enthusiasm, the opening seminar of the second cohort of the Ilanot Galil program was a success.

Thirty nine "cadets" representing all sectors of Israeli society, medical students who just started their academic year today (December 31, 2023) at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, chose to join the prestigious "Ilanot" honors program that will be building the future generation of medicine in the North. The Ilanot program has defined as its goal to work hard to push the students, to challenge them, and to instill in them knowledge, tools and values that will help them in this great task.

We would like to thank the members of the advisory committee and other partners who contributed, supported, developed, and accompanied the seminar:
Itzik Devash
Prof. Imad Abu Al Naj
Prof. Lior Lowenstein
Dr. Noam Yehudai
Dr. Ariela Ofran

Special thanks to the administrative staff who toiled day and night to make this all possible and are a great inspiration:
Einat Ben Nun
Alexei Belinsky
Rachel Brenner-Shelem
Naama Yona
Ayelet Greenbaum
Adi Ben Mordechai

In the words of a second-year cadet: "The two days together gave me a lot of motivation to start the year, I found real partners on the journey here, my understanding became clearer about how many opportunities exist here in the North, and I leave here optimistic and excited for the future."
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Congratulations to Wisal Sawaed, a graduate student supervised by Dr. Ron Piran, on receipt of a scholarship from the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE and D cure Association. She was the only one to receive this award, which was presented at the National Diabetes Conference on December 27, 2023.

Wisal received the grant from Prof. Naim Shehadeh, Director of the Faculty's Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE and president of the Israeli Diabetes Association, and from Prof. Itamar Raz, head of the National Council of Diabetes.

Wisal is in the final stages of her doctorate and will be presenting her research in the coming weeks.

The week was full of important visits from the Bar-Ilan U Ramat Gan campus administration. After the "Triumvirate" Visit, Academic Secretariat delegates* headed by Dr. Orly Perl, visited on December 21, 2023.  The group met the Dean, Prof. Orly Avni and also (in no particular order) Prof. Meital Gal-Tanamy, Prof. Evan Elliott, Noam David Reshelbach, Sharon Mines, Dr. Rotem Kahlon, Prof. Moshe Dessau, Dr. Meir Shamay, Hadas Hasidim, Dr. Dorit Raviv Shay, and Sarit Azran Aharonovitz - during meetings regarding the disciplinary committee, scholarships, study programs, and postdoctoral studies.

We would be happy to host you and representatives from the campus in Ramat Gan, again.

* Shira Shaaben, office manager
  Oranit Hagbi, scholarships
  Tova Yosef, study programs
  Eveline Mor, disciplinary committee
  Dan Rotkovitch, postdoctoral studies

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine was honored to host a very important entourage from Bar-Ilan University yesterday, December 20, 2023 in Safed. The forum consisted of the President Prof. Arie Zaban, CEO Zohar Yinon, and Rector Prof. Amnon Albeck.

The group - including directors of the affiliated hospitals, the CEO of Clalit North District, and the mayor of Safed Mr. Shuki Ohana - was led by Prof. Orly Avni, Dean of the Faculty, and Noam David Reshelbach, administrative head.

Prof. Meital Gal Tanamy updated the guests on the latest developments at the Faculty, and Prof. Naim Shehada and Dr. Sivan Spitzer, on the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE.

The Forum toured the laboratories of researchers (PIs) Dr. Nir Qvit, Dr. Ronit Ilouz, Dr. Ron Piran and Dr. David Anshel, led by Prof. Gal Tanamy.

As part of the visit, the BIU management awarded all the affiliated hospital directors, and the CEO of Clalit North District, POCUS devices as appreciation for their contribution to the war effort.

Towards the end of the day, a Forum meeting was held at the Faculty, attended by the Dean and Sharon Mines (Administrative Deputy to the Associate Dean of Medical Education) as well as the medical students in the first year of the three-year track.

Congratulations to Prof. Samer Srouji, Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and head of the Galilee College of Dental Sciences at GMC, on his election as president of the IADR Dental Research Division in Israel.

IADR is an international non-profit association that promotes the health and well-being of the global community, and includes more than 10,000 leaders in dental, oral and craniofacial medicine research worldwide. Prof. Srouji was also elected to join the IADR Pan European Region European Dental Research Division (IADR PER) head council.

He serves as the head of the Bone Regeneration Lab at the Galilee Medical Center (an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine affiliate) and is director of the Department of Oral, Maxillofacial Surgery & Oral Medicine Institute and the head of the Galilee College of Dental Sciences, both at the Galilee Medical Center,

Prof. Srouji: "I am honored to be elected president of the dental research division in Israel. In collaboration with thousands of renowned researchers from all over the world, and under the umbrella of the international organization, I will work to promote dental research in Israel and globally. Moreover, I intend to strengthen dental research in the periphery of Israel and lead it to internationally recognized achievements".

Yesterday a joint meeting of the departments of Internal Medicine with the Faculty's educational management convened, in the presence of the Dean Prof. Orly Avni, This is the first of a series of similar meetings planned for the departments of surgery, pediatrics, and OB/GYN. Most of the department heads were in attendance.

The purpose of the gathering was to promote and improve clinical teaching at the Faculty.

Prof. Orly Avni, Prof. Lior Lowenstein, Prof. Raymond Farah, Dr. Nomy Dickman, Dr. Etty Kruzel, Dr. Tatiana Smolkin, Racheli Neve, Prof. Ido Birati, Prof. Danny Glikman were all invited to the podium.

Two programs for team development were presented at the meeting: an orientation day, and a workshop series for tutors - in addition to programs for joint research and faculty advancement. Guest lecturer, Shimon Sherzer, spoke about artificial intelligence.

The holiday of Hanuka symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

We gathered today at the Faculty - administrative and academic staff - to hold a symbolic candle lighting ceremony (in general, Hanuka candle lighting takes place at dusk, at home with one's family) and sing-along of Hanuka melodies.

Happy Hanuka!

We wish success to the 28 students in the three-year track who commenced their studies yesterday.

They will be taking two courses - Basic Clinical Principals to prepare them for their clinical rounds beginning at the end of March, and "HILA" that teaches doctor-patience communication and interpersonal relationship building.

The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE has been very active since the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" War on October 7, 2023. Below is a brief summary. You can learn more on their Facebook page, LinkedIn account, and YouTube channel.

Clinical consultation for family doctors regarding the best way to treat diabetes patients these trying days

Since the beginning of the war, SPHERE's diabetes experts, Prof. Naim Shehade, Dr. Afif Nachla and Prof. Julio Weinstein, have provided and continue to provide individual and immediate clinical advice to family doctors of the various HMOs operating in the Galilee regarding optimal patient care at this time.

Support program for diabetes, pre-diabetes and obesity patients in a state of war or under continuous states of stress

SPHERE has produced, with the Israeli Diabetes Association, a guide for managing diabetes in a state of war and continuous stress. In this guide, the mechanisms behind the harmful effect of the state of mental stress on our bodies are presented, and practical tools are offered from experts whose aim is to help prevent or reduce the negative impact on health. 

The guide was released in digital and printed versions, in Hebrew and Arabic, and so far over ten thousand copies have been distributed among diabetics in the Galilee region and demand continues, with additional copies printed and distributed. The guide consists of a combination of text and videos from professionals in the fields of nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and pharmacy.

A team of diabetes specialist doctors and diabetes nurses on behalf of SPHERE are offering telephone advice to evacuees in hotels in the north in addition to a hotline that is coordinated with the supervisors of the evacuees from the Ministry of Health. Glucometers were also sent to hotels in Haifa and Hadera.

Support for municipal health workers during an emergency

SPHERE began its journey two years ago, working with five local authorities: Safed, Nof HaGalil, Nazareth, Shafaram and Sahnin. About six months ago, SPHERE was chosen to lead, together with the Ministry of Health, a joint project to establish "health units" in 20 local authorities, as part of the government's decision to reduce disparities in Arab society.

Currently, a SPHERE team is in the field and is accompanying authorities who together provide answers to more than 600,000 people. The support includes: complex mapping processes; data cross-checking between the health system and official data; building a strategic plan adapted to each authority to deal with diabetes and obesity and accompanying directors in the field of health with the implementation.

With the outbreak of the war, SPHERE team members identified the challenges in the transition from routine health management to an emergency, and built an appropriate intervention plan.

Within a week, SPHERE created a digital platform that allows for the mapping of the field in terms of health. The mapping refers to the health services provided, the state of the health infrastructure in the shelters and the health needs of the population. SPHERE's team, together with medical students from the Faculty, helped the directors of health units to collect the essential information.
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Participation in international conferences in the field of diabetes

October

At the annual conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes EASD, which took place in early October in Germany and was attended by diabetes experts from all over the world, Prof. Naim Shehadeh, Director of SPHERE, presented the results of an international multicenter study in which 94 centers from 21 countries participated. In this study, the efficacy and safety of a drug from the SGLT2 family (Dapagliflozin) was proven in type 2 diabetes patients whose age ranges from 10-17 years.

This research is a medical breakthrough that will increase the medicinal arsenal intended for patients of this age and will improve treatment options, balance and prevention of disease complications for this age group.

November

At the Future of Precision Medicine Symposium attended by diabetes experts from around the world, in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the Novo Nordisk Foundation in Denmark, Dr. Sivan Spitzer, deputy director of SPHERE, presented remotely her work dealing with the transition from identifying the gaps to creating a new platform For community-based personalized medicine, a link to the lecture can be found here.

International Diabetes Day

This year, in light of the war, the activities were not conducted as usual. On November 14, 2023, International Diabetes Day, SPHERE held a virtual conference in collaboration with the Israeli Diabetes Association, which was attended by about a thousand patients, about diabetes and its complications, treatments, innovations and dealing with emergencies. See here.