Faculty News

The "social action" team comprised of representatives from the administrative and academic staffs at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine organized a festive candle lighting for the Bnei Menashe community living in Safed. About twenty families arrived with their children at the Faculty on the evening of December 20, 2022, the third night of Hanukkah. The children had fun playing in the dark outside with flashlights and dreidls. Dr. Kobi Maman, faculty representative, said a few words. Sunil Pashkar, a PhD student from India who introduced the Faculty in Hindi, and Shimshon, the head of the community, welcomed the participants. Community members sang traditional songs accompanied by guitar, while our international students from India bridged the language gap. And yes, of course there were sufganiot (donuts)! We looking forward to more community engagement events in the future.

This year's cohort of medical cadets were honored at a ceremony at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine on the second night of Hanuka, December 19, 2022. The group of high-achievers will be exposed to the world of medicine as early as their high school years.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was held in the Esther & Haim Carasso Auditorium, were Mayor of Safed, Mr. Shuki Ohana; supervisor of programs for excelling students of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Avishag Idan; academic advisor of the program, Dr. Chen Carvalho Shochat; and researcher/lecturer Dr. Alon Barash who spoke about the human heart.

This year is the fifth cycle of the program. Some 70 students from the 10th, 11th and 12th grades are participating this year. The students come many schools in the north of Israel: Ulpanat Amit Safed, Ulpanat Kiryat Shmona, Danziger Kiryat Shmona, Anna Frank Sasa, ORT Sajur, Makif A and B Majar, Makif Beit Jan, Makif Hula Valley, Makif Har Vagya, Makif Six-Year Horfish, Makif Six-Year Peki'in, Amit Hatzor Educational Campus, ORT Hatzor, Sciences and Arts Nahariya, Shehakim Nahariya, WIZO Nir Ha'emek Afula, ORT Oren Afula, ORT Alon Ben Gurion Afula, ORT Yigal Alon Nof HaGalil, ORT Ma'alot, Multidisciplinary Safed, and Nofei Golan Katsrin.

The event included a festive reception and Hanuka candle lighting.

A festive and exciting ceremony inaugurated the official cooperation between The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE and the Municipality of Nof HaGalil. The celebratory event took place at the Nof HaGalil municipality on December 7, 2022 and was attended by many officials, including Mayor of Nof HaGalil, Mr. Ronen Plot; Deputy Mayor, Dr. Shukri Awuda; and of course, SPHERE director and deputy director, Prof. Naim Shehadeh and Dr. Sivan Spitzer, respectively. The event was also attended by important players such as directors of the departments of education, welfare, absorption and volunteering in the municipality of Nof HaGalil; directors of local health funds (Kupot Holm); and SPHERE reps.

Plot said, "In the future, many children will thank us for the investment we are making today, a result of the excellent partnership we forged here with SPHERE."

Awuda said that the city is blessed by being able to take part in this important initiative.

Shehadeh reiterated, "The SPHERE approach is to treat all aspects of the disease, including prevention, information and education, with the aim of reducing gaps between the periphery and the center [of the country] by working together with all the players in the city, with the local authority being at the center."

SPHERE is a research initiative for personalized social medicine that promotes equity in health that brings together under one roof researchers from different fields - biology, medicine, social sciences and humanities - for the purpose of dealing with the challenge posed by diabetes in the Galilee.

Read more (in Hebrew) on the SPHERE Facebook page.

On December 1, 2022 Ravit Steinmetz, the Israel representative of Northern NJ Federation (pictured above in the middle), visited the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, accompanied by Dr. Sharon Goldman, VP for Global Resources (above, left). As the Northern NJ Federation is twinned with the city of Naharia, she met with Professor Chaim Putterman, Acting Dean and Associate Dean Research (pictured above, to the right), to learn about the research, projects, and programs in Naharia in which the Faculty is involved (the Galilee Medical Center is an Azrieli affiliate hospital). Steinmetz was also given a briefing by Dr. Alon Barash, who demonstrated the unique anatomage anatomy table, highlighting the Faculty's advanced pedagogical techniques; and Professor Shai Bel (pictured below, to the left) shared thoughts and ideas on the amazing world of the microbiome.

This academic year, we began a new Happy Hour tradition - a great opportunity for students and faculty members alike to meet, drink, and get to know each other better. 
Participants enjoyed music, good food and other refreshments.

Photos, from November 24, 2022, thanks to Dr. Ron Orbach.

Bar-Ilan’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine and the The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE initiated community testing for the early detection of diabetes in November – National Diabetes Awareness Month. On November 22, 2022 free diabetes screening tests were performed on the Ramat Gan campus.

Some 250 blood tests were performed at the mobile clinic which was situated at the center of the busy campus promenade, midday. Students, faculty, administration, and even just passers-by took advantage of the opportunity.

One faculty member who requested to remain anonymous said, "I was afraid to take the test, because I know I am pre-diabetic. But I now see that by cutting out sugar, reducing my carb intake, and exercising, something is working well. My results surprised me for the good!"

For more information on SPHERE, visit their Facebook page here.

Pictured above: Zohar Yinon, CEO of Bar-Ilan University, at the diabetes screening on campus.

A year after the festive launch of The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE, trustees of The Russell Berrie Foundation, led by the Foundation's president Mrs. Angelica Berrie, visited Israel. On November 15, 2022 they joined the SPHERE team for a day of learning in the city of Shefaraam, one of SPHERE's five pilot cities. The day focused on learning about the implementation of the SPHERE project and the joint work with the local authorities.

Mr. Orsan Yasen, mayor of Shefaraam, and Mr. Omar Al Malak, the Municipality's CEO, welcomed those present and noted the importance of improving the health of the residents and reducing the rate of diabetes in the city. 

Dr. Sharon Goldman, V.P. Resource Development at Bar-Ilan University, emphasized the significant partnerships forged in the field. She noted that SPHERE faithfully represents the vision of Bar-Ilan University to bring research to the field and lead a significant change for the well-being of the community.

Prof. Chaim Putterman, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasized that reducing the gaps in health among the residents of the North was one of the main motives that led to the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine in Safed by Bar-Ilan University and added that SPHERE's work is a clear expression of this concept. He added his hope that "Mishfaram [lit. from Shefaraam, whose name is related to the word Shofar] - will hear the sound of success throughout the Galilee."

Prof. Naim Shehadeh, director of SPHERE, reviewed the alarming data on diabetes in the Galilee and said that "the SPHERE model is a unique model that combines academia, community, health insurance funds, hospitals, local authorities and the private sector. Everyone works together in a true partnership for two main goals: Reducing the disparity in diabetes between the population of the Galilee and the general population and developing new models for the treatment of diabetes adapted for implementation in the periphery."

Dr. Sivan Spitzer, Deputy Director of SPHERE, emphasized the importance of the connection between a person's health outcomes and their place of residence. Based on the unique model she developed, Dr. Spitzer reviewed, before the trustees of The Russell Berrie Foundation, the paradigm shift that SPHERE is leading to assimilating health as part of its activities daily life of the local authority.

After the morning meeting, the participants went on a tour of Shefaraam, in order to see and understand the connection between the structural characteristics of the city and the health of the residents. During the tour, the members of the delegation met the local partners. They spoke with Dr. Rami Abu Rumhin, Director of the Clalit Clinic; Dr. Khaled Mahajna, Director of the Maccabi Clinic; and nurse Ms. Nijmi Abbas about the current challenges in dealing with and treating diabetes in the city. The members of the delegation also met Mr. Hany Jarjoura, the director of the unit for economic development in the municipality, and Ms. Sara Hosary, coordinator of the SPHERE BaRaK (health, authority, community) in the municipality.

Ms. Angelica Berrie concluded the visit with optimism, "It is exciting to see how much the processes are beginning to change in the field and we are looking forward to next year's visit."

For several years the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Medicine at the Riga Stradins University in Latvia have collaborated with one another. This has included frontal lectures by Azrieli faculty, to students and medical specialists alike, as well as lectures by professors from Riga in hospitals affiliated to Azrieli, in addition to student visits and joint Zoom lectures and seminars during COVID.

At the end of October 2022, Prof. Alexander Lerner of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine was invited to Riga in order to train doctors and students from the RSU Faculty of Medicine in new methods of treating serious injuries, including modern war injuries.

Students from dozens of European, Asian, African and Latin American countries study at the RSU Faculty of Medicine. Many of them were exposed for the first time to, and personally saw the results of the humanitarian treatment of, Syrian citizens (from an "enemy state") in the hospitals in northern Israel that are affiliated to the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine. Following three standing-room-only lectures given by Prof. Lerner, students expressed their excitement. But what impressed Prof. Lerner the most were the  Israeli students studying at RSU, who said that after such lectures they are even more proud of their country and feel the respect of their classmates from other countries.

The Israeli Ambassador to Latvia, Mrs. Sharon Rapoport-Palgi, with whom Prof. Lerner met in Riga at the end of the lectures, noted the great importance of such collaboration in order to strengthen the ties between the two countries and to improve Israel's reputation worldwide.

[Pictured: Prof. Lerner with Israeli students]

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine warmly welcomed Karen and Dr. Marc Rivo to Safed on November 6, 2022 for the unveiling of a plaque in their honor, located at the new Faculty building just a few minutes from the main Azrieli campus. The new building will house the administrative offices of The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE as well as brain and health sciences laboratories. The Rivos are very dedicated supporters of Azrieli Faculty of Medicine programs.

[Picture credit Dr. Micha de Vries and Noam David Reshelbach]

With much excitement and beautiful weather, academic year 2022-23 opened this morning at all Bar-Ilan University campuses and most especially, at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Safed.

Two orientations were held this morning, for incoming MD students as well MSc and PhD students.

Welcoming our future physicians, from the podium in the Esther & Haim Carasso Auditorium, were Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Daniel Glikman, Vice Dean, Pre-Clinical Studies; Dr. Amitai Oberman, Chairperson of the Achievement Committee; Noam David Reshelbach, Administrative Head of Faculty; Sharon Mines, Administrative Deputy to the Associate Dean of Medical Education; Dor Ezon; Chairperson of the Student Union; Prof. Eric Shinwell, Associate Dean, Medical Education; and Dr. Shai Bel, Head of the MD/PhD Program. Immediately after the gathering, without further ado, classes began!

Welcoming the new graduate students were Prof. Meital Gal Tanamy, Chairperson of the Graduate Degree Committee; Noam David Reshelbach, Administrative Head of Faculty; Prof. Karl Skorecki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Hadas Hasidim, Coordinator Graduate Studies; Shlomit Nishri, Head Librarian; and Prof. Michael Blank, Chairperson of the Graduate Teaching Committee.

A few interesting statistics about our students:

• We welcome 101 new students to the four-year MD track and 36 to the three-year MD track.
• This year, 242 students will be enrolled in pre-clinical studies, the largest number so far, requiring new classroom space.
• In total, this year 411 medical students can call Azrieli, home (37% are men; 63% are women)
• To date, 1478 students have studied medicine at Azrieli, and some 700 are now physicians (the first two graduating classes have completed their internships).
• Twenty-eight first year MD students have joined the prestigious Ilanot Medical Leadership Program.
• Eight second year MD students have joined the highly competitive ROM Galil Family Medicine Program (previously known as Tsafon Yarok).

• 130 graduate students are currently carrying out bio-medical research at the Azrieli Faculty.
• The Faculty has welcomed international graduate students from India, Ukraine, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and this year, from Nigeria.
• To date, 90 students have received Masters Degrees in medical sciences, and 36 have received Doctoral Degrees in medical sciences and health sciences.
• We have 38 research groups at the Faculty and its Affiliate Medical Centers

We wish all students and researchers/advisors a very healthy, productive year of learning and research!

[Thank you to Dr. Ron Orbach, Benny Dayan, and Tova Hasidim for the pictures. Additional pictures can be seen here.]

Just before the start of the academic school year, 29 first year medical students who were scrupulously chosen for the new Ilanot Medical Leadership Program in the Galilee convened for their opening orientation seminar that took place at Kibbutz Kfar Giladi on October 2-3, 2022.

With much excitement, the cadets were given the opportunity to become acquainted with the program from up close, from representatives of the Ministry of Health. They met with senior officials including Prof. Nachman Ash, Director General of the Ministry of Health; Dr. Noam Yehudai, Deputy Director of Baruch Padeh Medical Center; and Dr. Ariella Ofran, Director of Eastern Galilee Clalit Health Services.

In addition, Prof. Chaim Putterman, Associate Dean Research at the Faculty of Medicine, met the cadets and got to know them, explaining to them the deep partnership and commitment the Faculty has regarding the success of the program.

At the gathering, the cadets also heard about the social and health challenges, as well as unique opportunities for doctors in the North, during meetings with leaders of the local community and leading specialists in the region.

We wish the best of luck to the cadets, the pioneers of the Ilanot Galil program.

The program includes substantial financial assistance throughout the medical training, mentorship, leadership training, and support during internship. Recipients commit to settling in the Galilee for 7 years after they graduate.

Congratulations to Dr. Nir Qvit upon the publication of the Elsevier book edited by him, Peptide and Peptidomimetic Therapeutics: From Bench to Bedside.

Elsevier writes:

• Helps researchers and clinicians harness the full of power of peptides and peptidomimetics in their daily work and drug discovery
• Features chapters running from “bench to bedside”, providing a thorough grounding in fundamental peptide science, drug delivery methods, and targeting of specific disease types
• Features chapter contributions from international leaders in peptide science and drug development

(Book cover picture taken from amazon.com)

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine ushered in the new Jewish year, 5783, at a festive midday toast at the Safed campus. The gathering was broadcast as well via Zoom for those who were unable to physically attend.

The Dean, Prof. Karl Skorecki, and the Administrative Head of Faculty, Noam David Reshelbach, shared a few words with the crowd. Farewell blessings were given to Zvi Tabachnik, security and safety supervisor, who will be leaving the Faculty after over eight years of excellent, dedicated work.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, falls this year on September 26-27, 2022.

Prof. Chaim Putterman, Associate Dean Research (pictured to left with Prof. Fahed Hakim, General Director of EMMS Nazareth Hospital), represented the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at the 10th Annual Galilee Conference that took place in Migdal HaEmek on September 13, 2022. The conference is a meeting ground for local decision makers to discuss gaps felt in various realms, including medicine, in the periphery.

The conference opened with greetings from Oded Forer, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee. Full itinerary can be seen here.

Noam David Reshelbach, Administrative Head of Faculty, also attended this important event whose byline was "Turning the Galilee into Midtown." Local Hebrew coverage can be seen here.

As part of the MAHAR (Hebrew acronym for medical social responsibility) course requirements, the Student Leader’s Wellness Team of the Healthy Faculty initiative, led by Dr. Jumanah Essa-Hadad and Dr. Lilach Malatskey, organized various activities during the 2021-2022 academic year to improve student health and wellbeing.  These activities included active breaks for all students at the faculty (e.g. healthy snacks, exercise sessions, yoga), hikes in the Galilee to encourage social engagement and physical activity, a mental health media campaign, among others. It is sometimes a challenge to find time for active breaks within the heavy course load, or rooms/resources for activities, but we believe in the important impact this initiative has on the wellbeing of the students. 

To see a short video prepared by the class, click here.