Faculty News

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.

Dr. Nomy Dickman, head of the unit for Development and Evaluation of Education at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, and member of  AVaKE, recently served as a counselor for the Erasmus+-project of the European Union on “Changing Landscapes in the Health and Life Sci­ences: Ethical Challenges of Big Data” (DATAETHICS). AVaKE, the Association for Values and Knowledge Education, is an associate partner of the project which was coordinated by the Uni­versity Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen.

This transnational project aims at updating the conceptual and ethical considerations that arise from Biomedical Big Data (BBD) collection and use. The project will expedite cooperation between EU countries to identify best practices for BBD. Pparticipants were from nine European universities and medical faculties from Ireland, Spain, UK, Sweden, NL, France, Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Prof. Jean-Luc Patry of the University of Salzburg writes: "On behalf of AVaKE, the Association for Values and Knowledge Education (AVaKE), I wish to thank you for your contribution in the virtual exercise of the DATAETHICS Erasmus+ project (which was conceived by AVaKE) and particularly for the feedback to the students that you provided in the Academic panel (Zoom conference on March 3, 2021)."

Dr. Dickman promotes and supervises teaching with VaKE, supervises research on VaKE, initiates VaKE teaching and research programs and promotes VaKE in Israel and worldwide.

Just before the Passover break, on March 22, 2021, a Zoom ceremony took place to acknowledge the hard work of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine's clinical instructors. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to excellent teachers from the following hospitals and Kupot Holim:

• The EMMS (Scottish) hospital in Nazareth
• The Holy Family Hospital (Italian) in Nazareth​
• The French Hospital in Nazareth ​
• Emek Medical Center (Afula)
• Mazor (Mazra) Mental Health Center (Acco) 
• Clalit Health Services Northern District 
• Clalit Health Services Haifa and Western Galilee District 
• Maccabi Health Services Northern District 

Introduced by the Administrative Head of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Noam Reshelbach, the Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki then offered words of thanks. He pointed out the special challenges faced during the trying Corona times when teaching arrangements had to be quickly adapted and modified. He then tied in the underlying message of Passover and the Seder - asking questions - with the goal of effective medical education.

Representatives from each hospital and health fund were then invited to say a few words and Dr. Nomy Dickman, head of the unit for Development and Evaluation of Education pointed out how hard it is to be an excellent teacher of medicine, and thanked all present for their dedication.

A short video of the Faculty was aired and Prof. Skorecki ended with a positive note, that the Faculty hopes to see increasing numbers of clinical instructors in the near future.

Award recipients (in Hebrew):

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine Tenth Anniversary festivities opened on March 24, 2021 with a timely and interesting Zoom webinar, the first of a series of four. Led by Prof. Daniel Glikman, Vice Dean for Pre-clinical Studies, the webinar discussed antibiotic use and questioned whether we have reached an end of an era. After an introduction by the Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki, Prof. Glikman, a pediatrician specializing in pediatric infectious diseases who has been with the Faculty since its founding, brought up many questions, including:

• How did antibiotics develop?
• How widespread is antibiotic use, among humans and in agriculture?
• How does antibiotic resistance come into being, how serious is it, and what can we do about this?
• How has antibiotic use and misuse changed since its discovery?
• What is bacteria and how do they behave?
• Is this is local or a global challenge, and why?
• Why aren't new antibiotics being developed?
• How can we help the situation?

For those of you who missed the webinar, it can be viewed here (in Hebrew).

Dr. Lilach Malatskey, Vice Dean for Community Medical Education at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, is excited to announce that an online course (in Hebrew) in Lifestyle Medicine has been launched by the Israeli Society of Lifestyle Medicine of the Israeli Medical Association. Dr. Malatskey serves as the academic coordinator of the course and is one of the lecturers. 

With optimism and an increasing feeling of freedom in the air, the Azrieli Faculty convened today (still via Zoom) to toast the upcoming holiday of Passover as well as Easter, Ramadan, and Ziyarat al-Nabi Shu'ayb, all celebrated in the rejuvenating spring season.

Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, opened the meeting from his office with a dvar Torah. He pointed out that one of the lesser known aspects important in the Passover holiday, is the pascal sacrifice (קרבן פסח) which is symbolically portrayed in the Seder. He explained that the root of the word קרבן (sacrifice/korban) can mean להקריב (sacrifice, or give up) but also לקרב (to make closer). We learn from this that one cannot get close without giving up, sacrificing, something. Indeed, the Passover sacrifice must be done in the community of others, not alone. In a similar manner, the work of the Faculty embodies sacrifice, while working together.

Also offering toasts were Ms. Ligat Daudi representing the student body; Dr. Erez Onn, director general of the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poria; Dr. Salman Zarka, director of the Ziv Medical Center in Safed; Dr. Masad Barhoum, general director of the Galilee Medical Center; Dr. Fahed Hakim, general director of EMMS Nazareth Hospital; Mr. Yoel Carasso of the Beyachad Foundation that was visiting the Faculty and joined the toast; Prof. Johnny Younis, vice dean clinical education; and Prof. Tzipora C. Falik-Zaccai, vice dean, medical research.

Happy Passover!

Last evening, March 18, 2021, the 7th annual Galileum conference presenting the final projects of high school student research in science and technology was held via Zoom and EventPlace. Participants included the medical cadet project, a prestigious three-year program for high school students in the Galilee that includes lectures, seminars, excursions, and ultimately, preparation of a final research paper under the supervision of an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine researcher. The highly regarded program counts towards the Bagrut matriculation for the students.

After introductory remarks by Ms. Ofri Peri Galin, the Galileum medical cadet research project coordinator; Ms. Carmit Shahar, director of Galileum; Prof. Chaim Putterman, Azrieli Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Research Institute at the Galilee Medical Center; Mr. Menachem Nadler, head of the division for gifted and outstanding children at the Ministry of Education; Ms. Nurit Tsur-Rabino, CEO of the Western Galilee Cluster; Mr. David Zigdon, CEO of MIGAL Galilee Research Institute; Prof. Reuven Yosef, national biology research project instructor; and Mr. Yoel Avni, the agriculture pedagogic supervisor, the students accompanied by their proud families and guests as well as dignitaries, dispersed to Zoom rooms to present their research. After the "defense" and a joint escape room activity, all participants reconvened to hear the names of the evening's winners (in Hebrew):

סופיה נסדקינה - מבואות עירון
מאיה מטאנס - מקיף א' מע'ר
איריס ניצן - אנה פראנק סאסא
רעות יצחק - אנה פראנק סאסא
איאן ק'בלאן - מקיף בית ג'ן
נוהא פארס - אורט דנציגר קרית שמונה
נועה פריסלץ - ליאו בק, חיפה

We are proud of all 40 young researchers, and look forward to reading about your future accomplishments and achievements in the future! As Prof. Putterman said, "I do not see this as a presentation of your final projects, but as a conference launching your future research!"

On March 11, 2021, International Kidney Day, Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine and a nephrologist himself, presented in a podcast about the causes of kidney disease and revealed several less known facts to the public. This and other podcasts can be accessed via the BIU Bardaat application, here. More details in Hebrew, here.

For years it has been known that there are higher mortality and morbidity rates in the Haifa Bay area. A new research study evaluates the economic price that the State of Israel pays for morbidity and mortality in the region from air pollution...to read on, click here and here.

On February 18, 2021, Dr. Meital Gal Tanamy participated in a Q&A panel with Prof. Cyrille Cohen, Prof. Mira Barda-Saad, and Prof. Eitan Okun, via Zoom, to answer questions regarding the Coronavirus vaccine. Hosted by the Bar-Ilan U. Human Resources department, over 200 Bar-Ilan staff members attended. 

A first at the Faculty!

The international forum convened at three o'clock Israel time, eight AM eastern standard time, and five o'clock UAE time. As the 50 participants were signing into the Zoom meeting, introductions were made and small talk ensued about the weather (rare snow storm in Safed and also in NY). Dr. Elliot Goodman of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY opened, saying that while this is the 4th of a series of academic lectures, it is the first in cooperation with the Galilee Medical Center, an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine affiliate hospital, and the Gulf Medical University in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. It is part of a collaborative effort to advance medical education and research.

Dr. Eli Kakiashvili of the GMC spoke next, welcoming everyone and pointing out that these meetings only began a few months ago and that they are pleased to now welcome GMU. He invited suggestions and remarks to further deepen the collaboration.

Next to offer opening remarks was Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Dean of the GMU College of Medicine who stated that only a few short months ago the collaboration agreement was signed and that already it is bearing fruits. He looks forward to continuing in the areas of education and research.

From the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Eric Shinwell introduced the speaker, Dr. Terrah Paul Olsen of Emory University, and thanked her warmly for agreeing to speak to the forum.

 And finally, before the presentation, Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine offered words of thanks to Dr. Paul Olson and to the moderators, Dr. Goodman and Dr. Kakiashvili. He continued, saying that all too often, Memorandums of Agreement are signed with little getting off the ground. In this case, joint academic research has already been published thanks to the cooperation between BIU and GMU, and joint programs are planned. He added that BIU and GMU share a common vision, as both are exploring overlapping areas of interest in education, research, and innovation. This relationship is already blossoming, he said, and this meeting is only one example. The collaboration between Israel, UAE, and the USA is "strong global health at its best."

Dr. Paul Olson spoke about the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  IBD includes two major conditions, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.  They are serious chronic conditions that are mostly managed with a number of medications that keep the symptoms under control.  In the most severe cases, in certain circumstances, surgery is required.  Her talk focused on the indications for surgery and the possible approaches that are used.

After the half hour presentation by Dr. Terrah Paul Olson, a Q&A session ensued and Dr. Goodman offered closing remarks including mention of the next meeting in a month's time, on trauma treatment, a specialty of GMC as a result of their treatment of Syrian war casualties.

On the evening of February 17, 2021, some 150 parents, students, teachers, and municipality leaders convened via Zoom to hear Prof. Daniel Glickman, Vice Dean Pre-clinical Studies at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine speak about the Coronavirus vaccine, and answer questions.

The community meeting was called to dispel misinformation and skepticism about the Coronavirus vaccine that is circulating among some residents.

Opening and moderating the evening was Rabbi Nadavia Naeh, an Amit high school principal in Safed. Offering words of welcome, were Prof Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty, and Mr. Shuki Ohana, Safed's mayor. The evening was organized by Mr. Noam Reshelbach, the administrative head of the Faculty, and Mr. Motti Cohen, the head of the education division at the Safed municipality. Naeh pointed out that learning is a way of life and hence offered this evening of enrichment. Five area schools were in attendance. Skorecki mentioned how proud he is to be a resident of Safed and thanked the organizers and speaker. Ohana pointed out the strong leadership of the city, and urged its citizens, especially the youth, to get vaccinated and to feel free to ask questions.

Prof. Glikman's engaging, well-rounded, and easy to understand lecture was followed by a Q&A session. Dozens of questions were submitted.

The past few years have seen a sharp increase in burnout and stress felt by doctors, leading to a growing need for emotional assistance. But doctors do not often seek help, and the situation has only been made worse due to Corona, as the medical establishment finds itself on the front lines, battling a challenging pandemic.

Welcome “Mifne,” a support system for physicians, the brainchild of Dr. Lilach Malatskey, head of the Israeli Medical Association Forum Physicians Health and Wellbeing, and of course, Azrieli’s Vice Dean for Community Education.

Stepping to the plate, the Israeli Medical Association is now helping to enable a support system led by clinical social worker Aliza Dolev. Mifne, as it has been named, is a multidisciplinary guidance and treatment support system for physicians and their families who need personal, emotional, and psychological assistance regarding family and work. It includes professional regional coordinators who accompany the doctor when necessary, as well as a network of experienced and professionally selected senior therapists who have been trained to treat doctors in various fields (psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers, couple and family therapists, etc.).

“We hope that this will indeed be a turning point (“mifne”) for every doctor. It is discreet and easily accessible, here to provide physicians and their families with a safe space to enable them to effectively deal with their challenges,” added Dr. Malatskey. For more information see their website: www.mifne.org.il.

 An article on Mifne appeared in the February 5, 2021 “Musaf” supplement of Yediot Aharonot.

Congratulations to Dr. Eli Kakiashvili on his appointment as clinical lecturer at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Kakiashvili specializes in surgery.