Faculty News

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine administrative staff had a fun day away from the office, a "Yom Gibush" (lit. day to bond), on July 10, 2023. The weather was hot but very tolerable, and the mood was collegial.

First stop, healthy and filling breakfast picnic at the Bet She'arim National Park.

Next, very interesting guided tour of the site led by the very knowledgeable Eitan Omer of Moreshet.

Then, off to the nearby Druze town Daliyat al-Karmel for a fun workshop on medicinal plants led by Maya Abu - everyone went home with lavender ointment prepared at the workshop.

Lunch at the delicious Nurah's Kitchen which included a hands-on workshop to prepare the sweet pastry dessert.

A perfect way to start off the new week!

Special thanks to Nurit Maor, Shlomit Yosef, Ilana Bar-Sabag, and Elad Levy for their hard work, making this a most memorable day.

Congratulations to 109 new Israeli physicians who received their MD diplomas at a festive graduation ceremony last night (July 3, 2023) at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine campus in Safed.

With beautiful weather, a full moon rising after a stunning Galilean sunset - 70 graduates of the seventh four-year track and 39 graduates of the eighth three-year track  took the Oath of the Hebrew Physician (written by Prof. L. Heylprin) before being personally handed their diplomas.

Officially opening the festivities was Hadas Oren, Faculty Events Coordinator, who invited Noam David Reshelbach, Administrative Head of Faculty, to lead the evening.

After the procession, speakers greeting the crowd of family, friends, faculty members and clinicians, included the President of Bar-Ilan University, Prof. Arie Zaban; Rector, Prof. Amnon Albeck; the new Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Orly Avni; Mayor of Safed, Mr. Shuki Ohana; parent representative, Gil Castel; and student representative, Lee Azoulay.

The evening included a touching tribute (picture below) to Prof. Amir Kuperman, a much-loved physician, researcher, and very dedicated teacher who passed away exactly a year ago. As his wife and children took to the podium, a short inspiring video of Prof. Kuperman describing his love of teaching, was projected.

Musical interludes were performed by the talented duet Tzili Yanko and Yaniv Lifschitz.

The formal ceremony culminated with the singing of HaTikva, and the traditional cap tossing.

To date, 846 doctors have graduated from the Faculty.

We wish success to our new doctors!

Some pictures of the event can be seen here.

Congratulations to our PhD graduates!

• Dr. Ligat Shalev (Prof. Mary Rudolf, Dr. Sivan Spitzer, Prof. Anthony Luder z”l) 
• Dr. Guy Journo (Prof. Meir Shamay)
• Dr. Dalia Niv (Prof. David Karasik)    `
• Dr. Iryna Khrystoforova (Prof. David Karasik)
• Dr. Ipsita Chatterjee (Prof. Evan Elliott)      
• Dr. Trishna Saha Detroja (Dr. Avraham Samson, Dr. Hava Gil-Henn)      
• Dr. Katreena Yamin (Prof. Itay Onn)
• Dr. Alexandra Boginya (Prof. Itay Onn)      
• Dr. Rajesh Detroja (Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern)      
• Dr. Liron Davis (Prof. Evan Elliott)   
• Dr. Inass Kayyal-Tarabeia (Prof. Michael Blank, Dr. Keren Agay-Shay)   

Graduation was held at main Bar-Ilan University Ramat Gan campus on June 29, 2023.

Bar-Ilan ceremony program with dissertation topics can be seen here.

The Faculty staff welcomes Six Year Track* applicants as they arrive in Safed for entrance exams. Interviews next!

Wishing only success to all involved.

* The Six Year Track is a new program at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, opening for the first time in Academic Year 2023-24

The excitement never goes away, each year, as we personally hand every medical student his or her new, starched White Coat, signifying the transition from pre-clinical studies in the classroom to clinical studies in the hospital. This will be their new uniform that they can wear with pride as they train to become Israel's next generation of physicians.

This year's ceremony took place at the Yigal Alon auditorium a few blocks from the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine campus in Safed, on June 8, 2023.

Opening the event was Sharon Mines, Administrative Deputy to the Associate Dean of Medical Education, who warmly welcomed the Faculty's new Dean, Prof. Orly Avni.

A student, Atara Gordon, gave a short dvar torah.

Then, the following Deans welcomed the students and their proud invited family members and friends:

• Prof. Orly Avni, Dean
• Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean Medical Education and Head of the Department of Neonatology Ziv Medical Center
• Prof. Daniel Glikman, Vice Dean Pre-Clinical Studies and Senior Physician of Pediatrics at Tzafon Medical Center in Poria

After a creative video prepared by the students to share their daily experiences with those present was screened, it was time to give each of the 104 students their White Coats, starting with recipients of the Paul and Edwina Heller Scholarship for Excellence. Dr. Anat Einy joined the above Deans in distributing the coats.

At this point, to assist in the distribution, Dr. Dana Krupik and Dr. Irina Nordkin joined those on the podium and also asked HILA Course instructors to participate.

With all 104 students donning their White Coats, the task of emceeing the event was now passed on to the students themselves, led by Liad Weinstock and Amatzia Harif. The students Oshra Meir, Hahnd Hanu, and Tal Zadok spoke, as did Koral Nativ, the wife of the student Eliashiv Nativ.

Three students played a musical interlude.

The ceremony was very moving and exciting, and we look forward to their formal MD graduation in a few years!

A few pictures can be seen here.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine is excited that two of its graduate students - Orly Weissberg from Prof. Evan Elliott's lab and Aviv Mesika from Prof. Tzipora Falik-Zaccai's lab - won Teva's National BioInnovators scholarship.

As part of the program, each year 30 outstanding students from Israeli universities are selected to participate in the program. The students benefit from a Teva-led mentoring program for the year, with senior leaders in science and industry. The goal is to train students in the field and to give them the tools to turn a scientific idea from academia into an innovative business development that can solve a medical issue.

In May, Orly and Aviv even participated in the BioMix2023 competition as part of the BioMed conference in Tel Aviv.

They were asked to present innovative and applicable ideas that are not part of their current research - an innovative idea that could solve a medical problem.

Out of 30 contestants from all the universities in Israel, the top 10 were selected for the continuation of the competition, of which 2 were from the Faculty of Medicine, Orly and Aviv. Each of the selected students was given a team to work with over the next few months, with the goal of turning these ideas into a business plan.

Orly's idea is called HostDefender - gene therapy to reduce the toxicity of bone marrow transplants and increase the pool of donors.

Aviv's idea is called LacriScan - for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases.

From the Galilee Medical Center (GMC) Facebook page:

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine held a ceremony at the Galilee Medical Center on May 22, 2023 to present certificates of appreciation to 41 medical center instructors who teach at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, as well as to three outstanding departments — the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Internal Medicine B, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Representing the Faculty of Medicine were Prof. Orly Avni, incoming Dean of the Faculty; Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean for Medical Education; and Dr. Nomy Dickman, head of the unit for Development and Evaluation of Education.

Prof. Masad Barhoum, Director General of Galilee Medical Center, congratulated the recipients and Prof. Avni thanked the medical center and Prof. Barhoum, while praising the important cooperation between the institutions. Dr. Dunia Hasan spoke on behalf of all of the award recipients.

After the congratulatory words, the teachers went up one by one to the auditorium stage and received their certificates of excellence.

A moving moment was when Hila Kuperman, received a certificate of excellence on behalf of her late husband, Prof. Amir Kuperman.

We were pleased on May 18, 2023 to open the graduation season with the commencement exercises of the seventh MSc class, a ceremony that symbolizes the culmination of an important period as student scientists and researchers, and the start of a new direction.

After the opening of the ceremony by Ms. Hadas Hasidim, the Faculty management and academic staff marched down the isle, headed by Prof. Chaim Putterman, Acting Dean; Prof. Orly Avni, incoming Dean; Prof. Meital Gal-Tanamy, Chair of the Graduate Degree committee; and Prof. Michael Blank, chair of the Graduate Degree Teaching Committee.

After a welcome by Prof. Avni and Prof. Gal-Tanamy, Shiri Golan was invited to sing "Smiles" (originally performed by Chava Alberstein, lyrics by Leah Naor, music by Angel Cabral).

Following, Dr. Nir Qvit, an Azrieli Faculty of Medicine researcher, offered a short scientific lecture in his field.

First to receive their diplomas were the students who graduated with honors (names in Hebrew):

• טל טליה אביטן, בהנחיית: פרופ' אורלי אבני
• סאמר איוב, בהנחיית: פרופ' מיטל גל תנעמי
• שירה בן סימון, בהנחיית דר' שי בל
• למא ביבאר, בהנחיית פרופ' חיים פוטרמן ודר' אנדריי בראשטר
• גילת שמעון, בהנחיית דר' רונית אילוז

Then, by research group (also in Hebrew):

• בהנחיית דר' רונית אילוז: אסחאר מסרי איסמאעיל, מוחמד אבוריא (בהיעדרו)
•  בהנחיית דר' קובי ממן: רוז גבארה, רואן פוקרא 
• בהנחיית דר' רון פירן: נרמין גנאים
• בהנחיית דר' חוה גיל חן: מיכל גנדלר שקולניק, עדן פוצ'טר, דאניה נסאר
• בהנחיית פרופ' איתי און: חנאן זבידאת
• בהנחיית דר' ניר קוויט: נורה סיידה, רינווה סכראן, שמואל סילניצקי (בהיעדרו)
• בהנחיית פרופ' פריד נחול: רנין סעד, סאברין שחאדיה
•  בהנחיית פרופ' מאיר שמאי: יקין קזל, סאמיה שוגן 
• בהנחיית פרופ' עמרי קורן (אשר נבצר ממנו להגיע): אלונה ריומין, מיכל גרינברג (בהיעדרה)
• בהנחיית פרופ' חיים פוטרמן ודר' אנדריי בראשטר (בהיעדרו): אבלין גליק סוסאן (בהיעדרה)
• בהנחיית פרופ' משה דסאו: שגיא חמו בן מוחה (בהיעדרה)
• בהנחיית פרופ' אבי פרץ: ליאן טנוס (בהיעדרה)
• בהנחיית דר' דוד אנשל סייפרס: גיל רזמוביץ' (בהיעדרו)  

The musician Shiri Golan was again invited to the stage, to perform the song "Ten Li" (lyrics by Yoram Tohar Lev, composed by Yigal Bashan) and after that, the  MSc graduate Shira Ben Simon, spoke. Shira completed her master's degree under the guidance of Dr. Shai Bel and is immediately continuing on for a PhD degree.

Special thanks to Hadas Oren, Nurit Maor, Dan Hinenzon and his team, and Yehiel Dahan for their dedicated work in this ceremony year round.

A few pictures here.

At a ceremony commemorating the 56th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem held in the city of Afula on May 15, 2023, a certificate of recognition was awarded to Prof. Avi Peretz on behalf of the Department of Jewish Culture in the presence of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Head of the Religious Education Administration at the Ministry of Education.

The certificate was awarded to Prof. Peretz for his contribution to the field of health education promotion and promotion of equality in medicine for the benefit of the residents of the North.

Well done Prof. Peretz!

Delegates from the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine and affiliate hospitals were honored to visit RSU-Red Cross Medical College of Stradina University on May 7-12, 2023.

They were exposed to educational methods in the simulation room of the Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital & the Emergency Medical Aid Department and in addition, visited the new RSU Anatomy Museum. Meetings were held on a variety of topics such as medical education and orthopedics.

The following lectures were given:

• Dr. Nomy Dickman: Students as near peer teachers: future professional educators  
• Prof. Alexander Lerner: Damage control and functional restoration after severe war trauma to limbs.  
• Dr. Muhammad. Mansur: General Approach To Trauma Patient   
• Dr. Alejandro Roisentul: The humanitarian role of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons - our experience in the Syrian civilian war 
• Prof. Jean Soustiel: Penetrating wartime head injuries. The experience of the Syria civil war  
• Dr. Dafna Willner: Airway management in trauma  

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine looks forward to reciprocating in the very near future, thanks to Erasmus exchange program.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine was honored to host the father of Team Based Learning (TBL), Prof. Larry K. Michaelsen, at a well-attended workshop on May 2, 2023 in Safed.

Organized by Dr. Nomy Dickman, head of the unit for Development and Evaluation of Education, and Prof. Eric Shinwelll, Associate Dean Medical Education, several dozen researchers, clinical physicians, students, and even a high school teacher - from all over the country and of all ages and backgrounds - attended this hands-on workshop that described as well as demonstrated Team Based Learning.

All enthusiastically participated, in teams!

But pictures are worth a thousand words:

"The promotion of excellence in teaching is an important constant at Ziv Medical Center and the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. Excellence is defined as striving to do one's best under any given condition and at all times. Excellence is a way of life and a worldview. It can be seen in the manner in which one carries out tasks with dedication, investment, and the desire to achieve the best. The certificates of excellence awarded today are based on student feedback following this year's medical instruction."

After Sharon Mines, Administrative Deputy to the Associate Dean of Medical Education, opened the April 30, 2023 ceremony with these words of introduction, the following speakers were invited to the podium at the Ziv Medical Center to express their thanks: 

• Prof. Salman Zarka, Director of Ziv Medical Center
• Prof. Chaim Putterman, Acting Dean
• Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean, Medical Education
• Dr. Nomy Dickman, Head of the Unit for Development and Evaluation of Education at the Faculty

Shira Golan entertained the audience with a musical interlude.

Joining in to personally hand out the certificates of appreciation individually, was Prof. Daniel Glikman, Vice Dean Clinical Studies.

Prof. David Peleg shared a few words in the name of all the recipients.

A few photos, courtesy of Ziv Medical Center spokesperson's office, can be seen here.

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, along with Bar-Ilan University, commemorated both Israel Independence Day (April 26, 2023) as well as Yom HaZikaron - Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism.

The Faculty of Medicine held a student-led ceremony on April 24, 2023. 

Acting Dean, Prof. Chaim Putterman, shared a few words, the traditional "Yizkor" and "El Maleh Rahamim" prayers were recited, a memorial candle was lit, and a few fallen soldiers were profiled - this year Major Roi Klein, First Sergeant Tuvia Yanai Weissman, First Sergeant Abraham (Avi) Greenzweig, Police Officer Amir Khoury.

May their memories be for a blessing.

The ceremony culminated in the singing of "HaTikvah."

Doctors from Tzafon Medical Center received certificates of appreciation for excellence in teaching from the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine on April 19, 2023. Thirty one certificates of excellence were distributed at the ceremony to doctors, with five more certificates for outstanding departments, and two certificates for outstanding department chairpeople.

The first to offer greetings was Acting Dean, Prof. Chaim Putterman who spoke about the importance of good teachers for our future doctors. He was followed by Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean for Medical Education who shared his personal story about why he chose pediatrics, inspired by another doctor. Dr. Nomy Dickman, head of the unit for Development and Evaluation of Education at the Faculty, spoke about the different models defining a good doctor and showed a video of graduates sharing what most influenced them during their studies. Finally, Prof. Erez Onn, director of Tzafon Medical Center spoke, sharing that among the doctors sitting in the hall and receiving the certificate, were some of his previous students.

The doctors were then called one by one to the stage to receive the certificates and a gift from Tzafon Medical Center. 

Photos from the ceremony can be seen here.

As in previous years, the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine Student Union organized and led a very moving ceremony to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This year, the focus was on the Warsaw Ghetto uprising that took place eighty years ago, with a focus on the valiant attempts of medical personnel to help as best they could under the circumstances, in a most selfless manner. Medical students researched, prepared and presented their findings, incorporating written primary source testimonies. The presentation was most informative and enlightening.

The presentation opened with the following declaration: "This year we chose to dedicate the ceremony to telling the story of the quiet albeit active resistance of the physicians in the ghetto. They stood true to their conscience and oath, all the while suffering themselves from exhaustion, starvation, and lack of medical supplies. They stood by their patients, smuggling supplies, performing operations and other procedures forbidden by the Nazis - while some could still have chosen to escape with their families. Most did not survive the atrocities of the Holocaust, yet some did, made Aliyah, and contributed to the founding of the Jewish State. We, the doctors of the future, see these doctors as our role models and would like to make their voices heard, and give them their due credit."

The names of physicians of the time that were mentioned and quoted included  Dr. Mark Dvorzhetski, Dr. Israel Milejkowski, Dr. Anna Braude Heller, Professor Witold Orlowski, and Dr. Marek Balin.

Special focus was placed on detailing a medical school that was established in a clandestine manner from May 11, 1941 - July 20, 1942, and included some 500 students of which approximately 50 survived. A special candle was lit in their memory.

Research that was carried out at the time in the ghetto, primarily studying severe hunger, was also presented.

Musical interludes led by the students as well as the son of a staff member, expressed the prevalent mood in the room.

The ceremony, which opened with the 2-minute national siren at 10 AM on April 18, 2023, culminated with the singing of the national anthem, Hatikva.