Minister of Health Uriel Buso Visits Azrieli Faculty of Medicine

Israeli Minister of Health, Uriel Menachem Buso, visited the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine this week. Also in attendance were Prof. Arie Zaban, BIU president, and Zohar Yinon, BIU CEO, as well as the mayor of Safed, Yossi Kakon.

Prof. Orly Avni, Dean of the Faculty, presented to the Minister the extensive work of the Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee and the community, its research activities and achievements, and initiatives such as the establishment of research centers that will connect academia with medical practice. She also presented the Faculty’s goals for the coming years, emphasizing the importance, especially considering the current events.

The university’s CEO, Zohar Yinon, presented the Faculty’s future infrastructural plans.

Also joining the visit were Prof. Naim Shaehadeh, the director of the Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE, and Dr. Sivan Spitzer, deputy director of the SPHERE. Dr. Spitzer presented the SPHERE’s model in local municipalities, and emphasized the success of the activities, which led to the implementation of the model nationwide by the Ministry of Health.

Minister Buso shared that he grew up in the periphery and as such understands the importance of investing in it. He promised to promote the allocation of resources to the Faculty, as part of the Ministry of Health’s activities.

Prof. Orly Avni, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine: “Today, the Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee demonstrated to Minister of Health Uriel Buso the role of academia in reducing health disparities in the periphery. We have a clear vision for strengthening the medical system in the north, working in collaboration with researchers at the Faculty and clinical staff in the Galilee. All of this is to improve medical services for the residents of the Galilee.”

Dr. Sivan Spitzer: “The Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE of the Faculty of Medicine serves as an operational arm for the Ministry of Health in working with local authorities to improve the health of northern residents.”