Faculty News

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.

Congratulations to Dr. Adnan Zina on his appointment as clinical lecturer at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Zina specializes in family medicine and endocrinology.

Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Faculty, moderated a virtual briefing on the coronavirus pandemic and Israel's ongoing vaccination campaign to an audience that included hundreds of health ministry representatives and members of the Jewish community from around the world. Professor Michael Edelstein was one of the three expert panelists. The event, held on February 9, 2021, was hosted by the Center for Jewish Impact and Bar-Ilan University.

Speakers included Prof. Michael Edelstein of the Faculty, among others.

To learn more, see here.

Dr. David Azoulay of the Galilee Medical Center, an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine affiliate hospital, successfully organized “The Katedra for Public Health in Maalot Tarshicha” virtual public scientific meeting and open discussion on different medical aspects of Coronavirus, held on January 10, 2021. There were approximately 50 participants.

Speakers included Dr. Amiel Dror; Dr. Amir Bashkin; Dr. David Azoulay; and Limor Sharoni.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. David Azoulay, a researcher at affiliate hospital, Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, has received the Israel Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences 2020 excellent research award.

The decision was based on two papers published in international scientific journals:

1. A new flow cytometry based application developed by Dr. Azoulay for differentiation between indolent and aggressive lymphomas.
2. Research showing blood levels of BDNF as a biomarker for development of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with hematological malignancies.

Prof. Chaim Putterman, Azrieli Associate Dean for Research and Director of the GMC Research Institute, congratulated Dr. Azoulay: "This award is further proof of your independent scientific contribution, while continuing your hard clinical laboratory work."

Dr. Azoulay would like to thank his colleagues: "I thank all the collaborators and laboratory staff and God willing, we will together continue to contribute to medical research in the Galilee."

On the evening of December 30, 2020, some 70 students, parents, teachers, researchers, and dignitaries convened via Zoom to launch the fifth Medical Cadets program, made possible thanks to cooperation between the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, the Ministry of Education, and the Eastern Galilee Municipality Cluster (represented by Galilium).

Thirty-eight highly precocious, serious and dedicated high school students from the Galilee were chosen for this most prestigious three-year program of lectures, seminars, excursions, and ultimately, preparation of a final research paper under the supervision of an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine researcher. The program counts towards the Bagrut matriculation and is highly regarded.

The Zoom launch opened with welcoming remarks from the Mayor of Safed, Mr. Shuki Ohana. Also sharing their blessings were Mr. Menachem Adler of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Carmit Shahar, Ms. Almog Meshal (coordinator), and Dr. Yiftah Barsheshet (program pedagogic director who greeted the participants in the name of the Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki).

Dr. Barsheshet gave an intriguing brief presentation on Corona virus research being done at the Faculty (in particular, the research of Dr. Meital Gal Tanamy and Dr. Moshe Dessau), and a 12th grade student, Ms. Hadar Amarusi, shared her research with the attentive audience.

This year, as every year, we will be welcoming a heterogeneous group of students, from the following cities and towns:

Safed, Kiryat Shemona, Sajur, Hatzor HaGlilit, Maghar, Beit Jann, Ayelet Hashahar, Horfish, Pekiin

We wish the students success and look forward to reading their research papers.

Congratulations to Prof. Samer Srouji, Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial, Oral Medicine Institute and Head of Bone Regeneration Lab at the Galilee Medical Center affiliate hospital - and Azrieli Faculty member - on his appointment as International Association for Dental Research officer (treasurer).

The IADR, an international organization with local branches, is considered a leader in dental research.

This is the first time that the local chapter will include a Bar-Ilan U. officer. Officers work directly with the global organization regarding matters such as local and international conferences. All Israeli universities have IADR members, and nationally there are 4 officers.

IADR holds an annual dental research conference in Israel and Israel participates in the European as well as international conferences on clinical as well as general research.

Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, personally congratulated Prof. Srouji: "I was informed about this achievement also from other colleagues in Israel. You bring to this position vision as well as accomplishments. This gives a good name to Bar-Ilan University."