Faculty News

At the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University it is the season to say thanks.

After ceremonies of appreciation at the Ziv Medical Center, the Baruch Padeh Medical Center, the Galilee Medical Center, and Nazareth hospitals and Galilee Kupot Holim - on June 9, 2021 excellent teachers from the Azrieli Faculty were acknowledged in a ceremony held at the Faculty. Offering warm words were Prof. Karl Skorecki (Dean of the Azrieli Faculty), Prof. Eric Shinwell (Associate Dean, Medical Education), Dr. Meital Gal-Tanamy (Head of  the Advanced Degree Teaching Committee), and Dr. Nomy Dickman (Head of Unit, Evaluation and Advancement of Education). 

After a musical interlude by Gadi Altman, Prof. Skorecki as well as Prof. Chaim Putterman (Associate Dean, Research) and Prof. Eric Shinwell were invited to the podium for the awarding of certificates.

The following were awarded for excellence in teaching in the Graduate Degree program:

Prof. Amnon Harel
Prof. Itay Onn
Dr. Alon Barash

And the following for excellence in teaching pre-clinical (medical) courses:

Dr.  Jumanah Essa-Hadad
Dr. Meital Gal-Tanamy
Dr. Nir Qvit
Dr. Ron Piran
Dr. Miri Bentwich
Nadav Toledano

In addition, the following courses were noted:

Infections and Inflammations (Prof. Omry Koren, Prof. Daniel Glikman, Dr. Shai Bel)
Aging (Dr. Amitai Oberman, Dr. David Enshell-Seijffers)

Dr. Alon Barash spoke in the name of the award recipients.

Your hard work is appreciated.

Pictures can be seen here.

Congratulations to Tom Neimarkas (Dr. Meital Gal Tanamy advisor) and Lihi Grinberg (Dr. Ron Piran advisor) on receipt of the Rector’s Prize for Outstanding Students. A ceremony was held at the BIU Ramat Gan campus on June 7, 2021.

[Photo credit: Shlomi Amsalem, BIU]

The much anticipated White Coat ceremony, in person, no masks, all together at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. Who thought we'd make it? But we did!

With much excitement, 81 students of the 9th four-year track medical school class convened outside the Azrieli campus in Safed with their families and loved ones, on a beautiful spring day, June 2, 2021 to receive their coveted White Coats symbolizing their transition from pre-clinical medical studies to clinical studies. Just a few short weeks earlier no one knew if the ceremony would take place, if it would be via Zoom, or with limited capacity. But with Covid-19 restrictions cautiously being lifted in Israel, following a massive vaccination campaign, we were all witness to the beauty of real life medical miracles.

Noam Reshelbach, Administrative Head of the Faculty, served as master of ceremonies, calling up Faculty figureheads to share kind words with the excited audience - and remind all who were present, how the students and teachers overcame the challenges posed by Covid-19, online learning, and illness. Invited to the podium were Prof. Karl Skorecki, the Dean; Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean for Medical Education; Prof. Daniel Glikman, Vice Dean for Pre-clinical Studies; and the student Avraham Shreiber who opened with a short dvar torah offering parallels between the medical white coat and the white coat donned by the Cohen Gadol (Holy Priest of biblical times). 

After a short video depicting student life, prepared by the students themselves, Profs. Skorecki, Shinwell, and Glikman, as well as Sharon Mines, the administrative coordinator of medical education, invited the students by name to received their White Coats. First up were recipients of the Paul and Edwina Heller Memorial Fund scholarship.

A parent representative then spoke, as did two students, Sonia Modilevsky and Estela Payapanyan, who thanked those who made this achievement possible.

Pictures of the event can be seen here.

[Picture credit Dror Miller]

As part of the "transition course" of HILA-Professional Foundations for the Future Doctor, which takes place during the last week of the pre-clinical study phase at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, a full day was devoted to geriatric medicine. It is one of the highlights and marks the completion of a three-week pre-clinical course devoted entirely to aging and geriatrics.

On May 30, 2021 some 50 seniors, members of area kibbutzim, visited the Faculty to be interviewed by the students.

One of the goals was to learn first hand about the world as seen and lived by the elderly. In this way, it is hoped, the students will develop and enhance their knowledge, skills, and approach required to care for the elderly population.  Emphasis was placed on the importance of a comprehensive and extended history at this age, refining the need for physical, functional, and cognitive therapy. Especially important for the elderly population are keen communication and interview skills, essential for obtaining personal and medical information from these patients.

Another goal was to expose students first hand to the challenges the elderly face when they meet with community and hospital health care teams.

The day began together, with a lecture on geriatrics, and after the personal interviews, a joint discussion was held with the students during which the seniors and students shared their personal experiences from the meeting.

The seniors were extremely moved: "I do not remember when was the last time someone from the health system sat with me and listened to me for a long time without looking at the computer," shared one of the participants.

The guests were then given an overview of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, the creative solutions used to train students during the Corona period, and plans for the future.

Later in the day, nine geriatric specialist physicians met with the students in small groups. They discussed the content that came up in the interviews and role played how to act when asked to examine an elderly person with confusion who arrives in the emergency room.

Student feedback at the end of the day was most positive, on a professional as well as personal level.

As part of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine 10th year celebrations, Dr. Ram Cohen presented a webinar, the third in a series of four, on parasites.

Dr. Cohen is a veterinarian who relocated with his family to the north from Tel Aviv to study medicine at Azrieli. He subsequently chose to specialize in internal medicine at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poria as part of the Northern Stars program.

After a welcome by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dr. Cohen opened up the lecture explaining the special Northern Stars program. He then proceeded to offer an intriguing introduction to the tiny yet expanse world of parasites. The Zoom audience was exposed to the lifecycle of parasites, their modus operandi, evolution, how and why they induce behavior change in hosts such as mice, research exploring a possible link to human psychiatric illnesses, and more. Most poignantly, Dr. Cohen explained how toxoplasmosis is transmitted - and encouraged the participants not to fear cats! A myriad of research studies were presented, as well as questions for future exploration. 

To view the webinar on YouTube, click here.

You can read up about the first 10th anniversary Faculty webinar, Have Antibiotics Become Passe, here; and the second, The Teddy Bear Hospital, here. Stay tuned for the fourth and final in the series, also to be broadcast via Zoom, in a few weeks.

It is the season to say thank you to the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine's wonderful clinical instructors.

Yesterday, May 26, 2021, a ceremony was held in person at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed to thank our excellent teachers specifically from Ziv, who are dedicated to the training of our next generation of physicians.

Moderated by Sharon Mines, the administrative coordinator of medical education, speakers offering kind words of thanks included the Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Karl Skorecki; Associate Dean of Medical Education, Prof. Eric Shinwell; Head of Unit, Evaluation and Advancement of Educationת Dr. Nomy Dickman; the Director of Ziv Medical Center, Prof. Salman Zarka; and pre-clinical instructor, Dr. Dana Krupik.

The ceremony included a musical interlude and reading of the names of the Certificate of Appreciation recipients.

List of certificate recipients below (in Hebrew):

גב' הילה בן עמרם    מנחה מצטיינת בלימודים הפרה קליניים
ד"ר אולגה טרוכין             מורה מצטיינת בחוג לקרדיולוגיה
ד"ר אירנה אפשטיין        מורה מצטיינת בתחום רפואת עיניים
ד"ר אלכסיי לזוטקין                  מורה מצטיין בתחום הרדמה 
ד"ר אלכסנדר איזקסון                  מורה מצטיין בתחום הרדמה 
ד"ר אלכסנדר ברלין                  מורה מצטיין בתחום הרדמה 
ד"ר אלכסנדר קופמן                  מורה מצטיין בתחום הרדמה 
ד"ר אנדריי נסאר             מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה
ד"ר דוד רותם            מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה
ד"ר דנה קרופיק         מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית הארבע שנתית
ד"ר וולאא עבוד    מורה מצטיין בחוג גינקולוגיה ומיילדות
ד"ר חן ריידר        מרצה פרה קליני מצטיינת בתוכנית התלת שנתית
ד"ר טטיאנה לוינס          מורה מצטיינת בחוג לקרדיולוגיה
ד"ר יונס בטחיש    מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית הארבע שנתית ומורה מצטיין בתחום נפרולוגיה
ד"ר יורם עוזר           מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה    
ד"ר זאב לוי          מורה מצטיין בחוג לפסיכיאטריה        
ד"ר מוסא שחאדה          מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה
ד"ר מעיין זיסקינד       מורה מצטיינת בחוג לפסיכיאטריה
ד"ר נג'יב דאלי    מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית הארבע שנתית, מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית התלת שנתית ומורה מצטיין בתחום המטולוגיה
ד"ר נועם רשף          מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה
ד"ר נעים סמעאן    מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית הארבע שנתית, מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית התלת שנתית ומנחה מצטיין  בלימודים הפרה קליניים
ד"ר נעמה מיימון    מורה מצטיינת בחוג גינקולוגיה ומיילדות
ד"ר סבטלנה גנדלר    מורה מצטיינת בחוג גינקולוגיה ומיילדות
ד"ר ענאן אבו עוואד           מורה מצטיין בתחום נוירולוגיה
ד"ר ענת עמיטל    מרצה פרה קליני מצטיינת בתוכנית התלת שנתית
ד"ר קאסם שלאעטה    מורה מצטיין בחוג לרפואה פנימית
ד"ר ראדי שאהין         מורה מצטיין בתחום נוירולוגיה
ד"ר רמי גריפאת    מרצה פרה קליני מצטיין בתוכנית התלת שנתית
ד"ר רשא אליאס    מורה מצטיינת בחוג לפסיכיאטריה
פרופ' אלכסנדר לרנר      מורה מצטיין בתחום אורתופדיה
ד"ר אביב וידן        מורה מצטיינת בתחום רפואת עיניים
ד"ר אורי יצקר             מורה מצטיין בחוג לפסיכיאטריה
ד"ר לידיה איזקסון          מורה מצטיינת בחוג לפסיכיאטריה
ד"ר מייס נסאר חליחל       מורה מצטיינת בחוג לרפואה פנימית

מחלקות מצטיינות בהוראה:
 ד"ר מעיין זיסקינד תקבל את הפרס עבור מחלקת פסיכיאטריה
פרופ' אלכסנדר לרנר יקבל את הפרס עבור מחלקת אורתופדיה
דר' מרסלו דיימן יקבל את הפרס עבור מחלקת דימות
ד"ר נג'יב דאלי יקבל את הפרס בשם מחלקת המטולוגיה

תעודות תחומים מצטיינים בהוראה: 
פסיכיאטריה-בהובלת  ד"ר לידיה איזקסון, ראש החוג. את הפרס יקבל דר' זאב לוי, עקב העדרותה של דר' איזיקסון 
אורולוגיה- בהובלת ד"ר רן כץ, ראש התחום

[Photo credit: Ziv Medical Center, סימון חדד . For more photos see here.]

On May 20, 2021, a festive ceremony (in person!) was held at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poria to personally thank the excellent clinical teachers who are training the next generation of physicians. This follows the ceremony held at the end of April to thank excellent teachers from another affiliate hospital, the Galilee Medical Center.

In addition to presenting certificates, the gathering commemorated Dr. Orna Nitzan z"l, head of the infectious diseases unit, who recently passed away prematurely in her forties. A masterful teacher herself who was warmly loved and appreciated by her students, Dr. Nitzan is survived by her husband and three children whom she raised with boundless dedication. Her daughter Avigail spoke in her memory.

The ceremony was hosted by Maya Tsaban, the hospital's spokeswoman, and from the Azrieli Faculty, speakers included Prof. Karl Skorecki, the Dean; Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean, Medical Education; Dr. Nomy Dickman, Head of Unit, Evaluation and Advancement of Education; and Dr. Nizar Horrany head of the stroke unit who represented the prize recipients.

We deeply appreciate their hard work.

(Hebrew article here.)

(Picture credit: Yigal Levy of Padeh-Poria spokesperson's office)

Twenty additional budding scientists "graduated" the Medical Cadets program, made possible thanks to collaboration between the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, the Ministry of Education, and the Eastern Galilee Municipality Cluster (represented by Galilium).

On May 12, 2021, participants convened via Zoom to hear the warm remarks and congratulatory blessings of the Mayor of Safed, Shuki Ohana; Head of the Regenerative Medicine and Diabetes lab, Dr. Ron Piran, and others. The students worked very hard to reach this impressive accomplishment. 

To read more about the Medical Cadet program, click here and here.

Below is the Hebrew schedule of the evening:

A modest yet emotional ceremony was held today at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, granting scholarships in memory of Ilana Ne'eman who was murdered at the age of 17 at the Maalot Massacre in 1974.

Ilana was a high school student from Safed and was spending the weekend with her class at the Netiv Meir School in Maalot when DFLP terrorists infiltrated Israel from Lebanon, killed other victims on their way to Maalot, then left 22 students dead after an attempted rescue operation by Sayeret Matkal.

Former Mayor of Safed, Ilan Shohat, who was named after his aunt, initiated the scholarship which was granted today to two medical students who have committed to volunteering in the community. The students introduced themselves, and Shohat's daughter read a letter that was written by Ilana Ne'eman just before she was murdered. The Dean Prof. Karl Skorecki, Faculty members, family, and a survivor of the attack were in attendance.

Does your Teddy Bear have a tummy ache? Has your doll broken its arm? Afraid your Raggedy Ann caught Corona? All these scenarios and more were addressed at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine annual Teddy Bear Hospital.

After a break last year due to Corona, this year, again thanks to the warm support and generosity of Freddy Zinger, the Teddy Bear Hospital has returned, this time via Zoom.

On the afternoon of May 3, 2021, over 500 pre-registered youngsters accompanied by their parents were greeted online by a staff of over 30 first and second year medical school students led by Amit Gabbai who did their best to expose the children to typical medical scenarios in orthopedics, emergency medicine, radiology, surgery, cardiology, ophthamology and ENT, as well as dentistry - via their stuffed animals.

After short pre-recorded videos introducing the viewers to the above departments, break away rooms were opened to "treat" the dolls in real time. Medical students interacted with their charges via Zoom, instructing them how, for example, to make a cast for their Teddy Bear's broken leg. In this way, the children (and their parents!) were exposed to typical medical conditions they might encounter one day, with the hopes of allaying their fears or anxiety related to medical care. The session ended with a pre-recorded song and dance about nutrition.

The children also learned how to check pulse and blood pressure, and were taught all about vaccines, blood tests, hygiene, and what to expect in the emergency room.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Karl Skorecki, brought his favorite doll, Chickie the chicken, who didn't feel well, for treatment.

Children actively participated in the activity, asked excellent questions, and shared their personal experiences about health care.

We hope to see you next year! Meanwhile, you can view a few videos (in Hebrew - but you'll get the idea!) here, here, here, and here.

Pictures of the event can be seen here.

A very emotional street naming ceremony in Rosh HaAyin took place on April 22, 2021. 

The new street is named after Prof. Michael Weingarten, z"l.

Prof. Weingarten was one of the founders of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine and was very loved by his colleagues and patients. Originally an Oleh from England, Prof. Weingarten, a specialist in family medicine, established a clinic in Rosh HaAyin where he devoted himself to the local population and became well known and appreciated. Upon the establishment of Bar-Ilan University's new Faculty of Medicine in the year 2011, he chose to move with his family to Safed to become Associate Dean of Medical Education where he built up the medical curriculum from scratch. 

He is missed.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine views excellence in medical education as one of its top priorities. In order to acknowledge those who have devoted themselves to training the next generation of physicians - and who are good at what they do - the Faculty holds ceremonies bestowing certificates of excellence.

The ceremony singling out excellent teachers from the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya (GMC) was held today in person, with the option to join online for those who could not make it or who do not hold a "Green Pass."

Moderated by Sharon Mines, the administrative coordinator of medical education, the ceremony was opened by the Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Karl Skorecki. Following, with words of thanks, appreciation, encouragement, and optimism for the future landscape of medical care in Israel, were Prof. Eric Shinwell (Associate Dean, Medical Education), Dr. Nomy Dickman (Head of Unit, Evaluation and Advancement of Education), and Prof. Masad Barhoum (General Director of GMC).

After a short musical interlude by the GMC chorus, certificates were handed out individually to the proud recipients.

We appreciate your hard work!

List of recipients (in Hebrew):

על הצטיינותם בהוראה בלימודים הקדם קליניים:

ד"ר רנין אבו שאקרה
ד"ר צפריר אור
פרופ' יעקב בורנשטיין
ד"ר חסן דוניה
ד"ר ירובינסקי דימיטרי
ד"ר פאדי חסן
ד"ר מיכל כרמיאל
ד"ר מרינה נודלמן
ד"ר מוחמד נפאע
ד"ר לואיזה עכריה
ד"ר אירינה רובינצ'יק

על הצטיינותם בהוראה הקלינית בבתי החולים:
בתחום האף, אוזן גרון:
ד"ר מעיין גרובר
ד"ר עמיאל דרור
 ד"ר אייל סלע

בתחום האנדוקרינולוגיה וסכרת:
 ד"ר עמיר בשקין

בתחום הגניקולוגיה ומיילדות:
ד"ר חמודי רודי
ד"ר אבישלום שרון
בתחום האונקולוגיה:
ד"ר חטיב אחמד
ד"ר פאינה דורלשטר
ד"ר אנקה ליבוביץ

בתחום הדימות:
ד"ר עודד בן חיים
ד"ר יערה בראשטר

בתחום האורולוגיה:
ד"ר נסיב דאלי
ד"ר דימיטרי פרטר
בתחום הגריאטריה:
ד"ר בוריס סבירסקי

בתחום טיפול נמרץ:
ד"ר אלכסנדר סמוחלוב

בתחום הגסטרו:
ד"ר סבית ויסאם
ד"ר תאופיק חורי
ד"ר מיכל כרמיאל

בתחום המטולוגיה:
ד"ר אמיר קופרמן

בתחום נאונטולוגיה:
ד"ר אירנה אולנובסקי

בתחום פה ולסת:
ד"ר ליאור צדוק

חוג לרפואה פנימית:
ד"ר רינה דולינסקי
פרופ' עאסי נימר
ד"ר אמיר סעב
ד"ר  אליאס סעד

חוג לרפואת ילדים:
ד"ר שאדיה חסן

חוג קרדיולוגיה:
ד"ר אלי חלפון
ד"ר גסאן מועדי

חוג לכירורגיה:
ד"ר אירנה אולנובסקי
ד"ר איגור וקסמן

מחלקות מצטיינות:
גריאטריה - ד"ר אדוארד קייקוב
אורולוגיה – ד"ר דוד קקישבילי
פנימית ב  - ד"ר אמיר סעב
נאונטולוגיה -  ד"ר ורד שלייפר שפר

תוכנית המנטור:
ד"ר אלית ארנון שלג
 

Congratulations to Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern upon receipt of the Rector's prize for scientific innovation. Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern is one of 16 Bar-Ilan University faculty to receive this accolade for excellent scientific achievement in the 2019-20 academic year. In addition to a warm letter from the Rector, Prof. Amnon Albeck, as well as a research grant from the university, Bar-Ilan hopes to hold a ceremony in person this year.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine today held a ceremony commemorated Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism, Israel's official remembrance day.

Yom HaZikaron falls this year on April 14, 2021 but staff and students convened in person (according to Ministry of Health regulations, due to to the Coronavirus) and via Zoom today, April 13, 2021.

The Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki, shared a few solemn words, yet reiterating that the transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) on Wednesday night (April 14, 2021) is what makes our country so unique - the ability to be grateful for all the sacrifices that have made our independence possible, and to continue to look forward with optimism and plans for growth.

Lee Azouli who heads the Student Union came to the podium next, describing his feelings about his extended army service, his friends from his unit, battles fought, and the hardship of loss.

However, the main speaker was Oded Raanan, the son of the Ahi (INS) Dakar commander. Mr. Raanan was only a child when his father never returned from the fateful journey from England to Haifa in 1968. Sixty-nine crew members were never found, though the submarine was finally located in the year 1999. A short question and answer session followed, then the singing of Hatikvah, the national anthem.

יהי זכרם ברוך May all the fallen rest in peace.

The Azrileli Faculty of Medicine Student Union commemorated Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day) in a very moving ceremony via Zoom for students and staff alike.

Immediately after the national two minute siren at 10 AM, Estela Payapanyan of the Student Union invited the Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki, to say a few words. Prof. Skorecki pointed out that this year, special attention is being devoted to the courage of medical professionals during the Holocaust. He presented a short history of the codes of medical and research ethics, and its importance. Lee Azulai of the Student Union spoke next, sharing a bit about his experience as a medical student in Germany. The highlight of the gathering was a third generation testimonial of a second year student in the four-year track, Michel Buchinger, who told the story of her grandfather, a survivor, and his family.

The ceremony culminated with Hatikvah, the National Anthem.