Faculty News

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine Student Union decided that its students deserve a break. On March 11, 2024, three buses departed Safed for the Golan Heights Winery for an evening of "music, sunset, and wine & cheese." We are told that the sunset was stunning, and that there was plenty of wine & cheese, ice cream and other munchies. Tal Zadok, the student union chairperson added, "we played music, and there was a photo booth for everyone to take their pictures. In all, a wonderful success!"

We would like to welcome the first cohort of FLIP: French Hospital Leadership and Innovation Program.

FLIP is a training program for medical innovation and entrepreneurship of the French Hospital in Nazareth, in collaboration with the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. It was inaugurated by Dr. Ferass Abu Hanna, the program director, with general manager of the French Hospital, Prof. Nael Elias, and Prof. Ido Birati, director of the Kittner- Davidai division of cardiovascular medicine at Tzafon Medical Center and associate dean for clinical research at the Faculty of Medicine.

The first meeting took place in the presence of the Alpha Omega company, a groundbreaking technological company active with the Arab sector, under the direction of Tal Har Lev Idelman of SIT. The meeting was also attended by Noor Nasir, co-founder and CEO of Nurami, a groundbreaking entrepreneur who shared her inspiring story.

This program is held with the support of the Innovation Authority to encourage entrepreneurship in the Arab sector and will train about 80 innovators over 4 cycles.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine has not forgotten that 19 women are still being held captive in Gaza. We await their return (and the return of all captives) home.

However, the Student Union commemorated International Women's Day by distributing flowers at the Faculty on March 7, and the Faculty as a whole celebrated the day on March 10, 2024.

The day opened with breakfast, followed by a lecture by Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari (pictured to the right, next to Prof. Orly Avni), legal scholar, international activist for women's rights, full professor at the BIU Faculty of Law, founding head of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women and former Vice President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Since October 7, Prof. Halperin-Kaddari has been one of the main Israeli activists in the international arena on the issue of gender violence and sex crimes committed by Hamas. She gave over 75 interviews in the foreign media including CNN, France24, Sky News, BBC, Der Spiegel, Sunday Times. She is also in contact with the various UN bodies, including meeting in Geneva with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Turk, and lead the visit to Israel of Attorney Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General's special representative on sexual violence in conflict. Prof. Halperin-Kaddari was even invited by the US delegation to the UN to brief the Security Council on the issue of Hamas' sexual violence and was mentioned by the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Griffin, as a "critical factor for the delivery of the briefing." For her important and many years of activity for the advancement of women's rights in Israel and around the world and for her work since October 7, Prof. Halperin-Kaddari was chosen to receive this year an honorary degree from Brandeis University, as well as the human rights badge from the Ingrid Solmes Foundation in Germany.

After the lecture, the audience was invited to the performance "Singing Women שרים נשים," a tribute to the best female singers - by the band "Shablul," and then, to a fashion exchange fair, where participants were invited to bring items of clothing in excellent condition to be offered for exchange. The remaining items of clothing were donated to the evacuees.

Also on the subject of Women's Day, Dr. Rola Khamisy was invited for an interview on the occasion of International Women's Day, and asked to talk about sex and gender conscious medicine, on the Arabic Israeli channel MACAN with the senior journalist Galia Natur Kador.

You can listen to the entire interview here.

The Knesset of Israel gathered to mark International Women's Day and make special note of the contribution of women in the Iron Swords War.

Our MD six-year program student, Noam Weisbach (in uniform), took part in the event as a Magen David Adom MADAIS representative in the panel on "Warriors on the Home Front" where she discussed her activities as a paramedic during the war in general and on October 7 in particular, when she evacuated many wounded from the war zone.

Azrieli Faculty of Medicine staff enjoyed a break from routine, a fun morning away from the office, that included a delicious brunch then movie, at "Movieland" in the city of Carmiel.

Special thanks to the Bar-Ilan University Department of Human Resources for this initiative and to Nurit Maor for making all the arrangements.

A group of ninth grade students from Nesher Middle School visited Prof. Itay Onn's laboratory on February 22, 2024. These students are participants in the Ramon Foundation's SpaceLab project, which focuses on science education and space exploration.

The students chose to focus on the topic of building biological walls using fungus. These walls are easy to prepare, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. Under the guidance of Prof. Onn, the students prepared an experiment to test how microgravity affects the construction of the biological wall. During the visit, the students toured the laboratory. The director of the laboratory, Dr. Avi Matityahu, and the students demonstrated and explained the methods for growing the fungus and for analyzing the results that the students will use in the experiment. The group will soon compete in the district finals. If they win, they will compete in the national finals. The winning team will get to perform the experiment aboard the International Space Laboratory. We wish them success!

Prof. Amnon Albeck, Rector of Bar-Ilan University, has sent a personal congratulatory letter to Dr. Shai Bel, one of twelve Bar-Ilan University researchers who were chosen this year for this prize, for his achievements in the 2022-23 academic year. A celebratory event will take place in May.

Congratulations, Dr. Bel!

Six third-year, four-year MD track students from the prestigious ROM Galil community medicine program, headed by Dr. Anat Einy, flew down recently for two days to volunteer at a counseling clinic  for citizens who were relocated to Eilat due to the war. Participating in the activity were the Natan non-profit association, the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, and professional experts from the North. 

The consulting doctors, who volunteered, remained in the center and the North of the country while the students (who went down south in two rounds), Dr. Dalit Navot, Dr. Sharon Shaul - responsible for the health field at the Natan association, and Dr. Einy went down to Eilat to be with the students.

Consultant physicians included:

• Dr. Amitai Oberman of Tzafon Medical Center (internal medicine and geriatrics), as well as Faculty of Medicine instructor
• Prof. Peter Gilby, Clalit physician (ENT) as well as Faculty of Medicine instructor
• Dr. Ayelet Ollech of the Sheba Medical Center (pediatric dermatology)

Consultations was carried out with the help of telemedicine, via a system that allows accurate remote photography, transmission of images from an otoscope, transmission of heart sounds, transmission of ultrasound and EKG images.

Each patient arrived about an hour before the consultation with the specialist, the student received him or her, performed a medical interview and a relevant physical examination. Afterwards, the student sat with the patient and presented them in front of a screen to the consultant. After a combined conversation with the patient, the consultant and the student, the consulting doctor made his recommendations and the student continued with the patient for an explanation of how to proceed.

There were about ten patients in each round.

Patients and students were very satisfied with the learning, and grateful.

The educators reported that this was an example of medical education at its best.

We hope to continue, with evacuees from the north as well. 

The student union and Faculty management would like to express their thanks to the Faculty of Medicine students who serve in the IDF reserves, and have organized for them a winter gift basket that includes a blanket, thermal cup, and tea infusions.

Thank you.

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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