Meet the New Co-Presidents of the Student Association – Odaya Zuzut and Noam Weisbuch

The Student Association at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee has elected its new co-presidents: Odaya Zuzut and Noam Weisbuch. Bringing together experience in leadership, volunteering, community engagement, and student advocacy, they share a commitment to strengthening student life and fostering a vibrant, supportive community within the Faculty.

Odaya Zuzut

Odaya, 25, is originally from Ashkelon and is currently a second-year student in the Faculty’s four-year medical program.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at Bar-Ilan University and was accepted into the program during her third year of studies. Over the years, she has volunteered in a variety of settings, including Magen David Adom (MDA), hospitals, and informal education programs. She also completed two years of National Service as a Bnei Akiva youth movement coordinator and later worked with at-risk youth during her undergraduate studies.

The combination of these experiences, which have accompanied her from a young age, inspired her decision to pursue medicine—a field that brings together compassion, care, and human connection with the challenge and professionalism of clinical practice.

Noam Weisbuch

Noam, 30, is originally from Rehovot and is a member of the inaugural class of the Faculty’s six-year medical program.

Before beginning her medical studies, she served as a career officer in the Israel Defense Forces, working as a software developer and team commander. These roles provided her with extensive experience in leadership, working under pressure, and managing complex projects. At the same time, she has been volunteering with Magen David Adom (MDA) since the age of 16 and, following her military service, began working as a paramedic.

Over the years, Noam served as Volunteer and Human Resources Coordinator at MDA’s Tel Aviv station and was an elected member of the organization’s Volunteer Committee, where she promoted new initiatives, represented volunteers, and collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders. Through these experiences, she came to realize that the work she finds most meaningful is that which directly touches people’s lives. For her, medicine represents a combination of responsibility, compassion, attentiveness, and service—values that continue to guide her work on behalf of the student community.

A Shared Vision

Over the past two years, Odaya and Noam have worked together in a variety of leadership roles within the Faculty, serving as class representatives, departmental coordinators for culture, student welfare, and pre-clinical affairs, and active members of the Student Association. Their work has been driven by a deep commitment to making the Faculty a welcoming, empowering, and supportive place in which to learn and grow.

Together, they have led numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing student life. These include building an extensive network of benefits and discounts with local businesses, establishing collaborations with Gold Gym, and creating a professional partnership with the Pirchei Refua program to expand career-development opportunities for students. They have also promoted community initiatives such as “Chamin on Thursday” gatherings and blood donation drives held at the Faculty.

Among the major events they organized were the Faculty’s opening-year celebration in collaboration with Faculty staff, featuring a scholarship fair and food stalls, a stand-up comedy evening with Guy Hochman, a house party, a social event at a winery in the Golan Heights, and an unforgettable Purim Week. They also worked to strengthen Faculty pride and community spirit through the design and distribution of Faculty-branded hoodies for students, staff, and alumni.

Their efforts extended to organizing a hackathon, information and orientation events for prospective and incoming students, and laying the groundwork for the Faculty’s competitive sports team, led by Harel Luria.

In addition, they collaborated with Prof. Ayelet Arbel-Eden to establish a student leadership group focused on medical education and led several meaningful projects, including the creation of a memorial garden honoring fallen soldiers and victims of war.

Odaya and Noam believe that a student association should be present in students’ lives not only during major events but also in everyday moments. This is especially important in a close-knit Faculty community located in the Galilee. Their goal is to continue building a student association that is attentive, proactive, transparent, and fully dedicated to student well-being.

They believe that the experience they have gained, together with their commitment to collaboration, accessibility, creativity, and hard work, will enable them to continue strengthening the Faculty as a true home for its students—a place where people can learn, contribute, and grow together.

They are committed to continuing to lead, create, and serve the student community, always striving to give their very best.