Once again we are on the threshold of a New Year and hope that it has better things in store for us than its predecessor.
We are in the midst of a "Tsunami" that is sweeping the world, our region, and all of us who live here.
Government upheavals and revolutions in the Arab countries continue; their implications are far from clear as yet but they put us to the test of an emerging and different reality.
One example of the prevailing uncertainty and lack of clarity manifested itself quite recently on our border with Egypt, in a murderous attack on innocent civilians driving to the Red Sea resort of Eilat for a holiday. Dr. Eyal Behrbalk , an Orthopedic Surgeon at our Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, was at the scene of the fighting (more later)*.
And then, more recently still, came the drama at Israel's Embassy in Cairo, Egypt – an attempt by an Egyptian lynch mob to overrun the Embassy – followed by a military operation ensuring the safe return home of all the Embassy staff. This situation reflects the deepening frustration of the Egyptian man in the street and the even greater patience that is required from Israel...
The unrest in Gaza is threatening to boil up and, once again, about one million Israeli residents live under the constant menace of HAMAS and their Qassam and GRAD rockets.
Tension is mounting in light of the imminent UN vote on the declaration of a
Palestinian state.
Terror has also returned to Tel Aviv, in an attempt to attack children celebrating the end of their summer holidays in a Tel Aviv nightclub. This attack was foiled by Israeli Police officers who bodily protected the children from the attackers. Eight Policemen were wounded, 3 of them treated in our hospital, one of them in extremely serious condition.
Concurrently, we have passed the summer months marked by social protests and outpourings in all parts of the country – protests led by young people mainly aroused by Tweeter and Facebook. There can be no doubt that this still ongoing protest is bound to lead to changes in our social reality as we know it Something will have to give. These young people, the present middle-class generation who want to live in dignity and self-respect but find it almost impossible -- they and their outcry can no longer be ignored.
In light of this dynamic reality, with never a dull moment, our Medical Center continues to cope with the many hardships arising from the complex present reality, such as returning to the 24/7 on-call system, and readiness for anything likely to occur given the security position. The budget gaps, etc., are very much in evidence. But we must carry on, keep on hoping and aspiring to attain and accomplish more, to practice good medicine, to provide optimal service for our patients and continue to lead as a center for excellence.
We are continuing to fill the Sammy Ofer Heart Building, and the following departments have recently been transferred there:
- The two Internal Medicine Departments D and H.
- The Cardiothoracic Surgery Dept.
- The Cardiology Intensive Care Dept.
- The Cardiology Intermediate Dept.
We have also begun on the construction of a new Dermatology Internal Medicine Division, and will shortly begin to build the new Neurology Department.
The two departments will be housed in the Sammy Ofer Heart Building, and their
construction has been made possible thanks to generous donations.
We are continuing to head the successful "Adopt A Researcher" project, which brings the researcher into the various stages and progression of research. (So far we have mobilized 8 "Adopters"). Details of this project can be found on our website.
We hope to be able to further our banner project in the near future with the assistance of Dr. Karin Weiner Lachmi (see foll. details) and concentrate on the particulars – if Israeli reality allows. This entails: The construction of a leading Neurosurgery Center.
WITH ALL GOOD WISHES FOR A TRANQUIL , HEALTHFUL SHANA TOVA,
Yours,
Ronit Blum
Director, Association of Friends
Dr. Eyal Behrbalk, Orthopedic Surgeon at our Medical Center, treated victims of the terrorist attack near the Egyptian border on the road to Eilat
Under the cooperation agreement between the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Dr. Eyal Behrbalk was flown to Eilat as on-duty physician at the "Tzukey Ovda" base. At the end of his shift, on his way back to the airfield, he found himself on the scene of the battle. As the only physician at the scene he assisted the IDF in treating wounded on the ground and evacuating them from the battle site. Some time later, when this event was thought to be over, a burst of gunfire was heard and a casualty was reported. The wounded man was a member of the special forces and had been hit by a sniper. The wound was serious, and after lengthy resuscitation attempts – sadly in vain – the victim, Pascal Abrahami, died in Dr. Behrbalk's arms. He spoke of "a terrible pain in my body" – that is how described the sensation and the hurt that on this occasion he had not been able to alleviate.
New Project: Neuroscience Institute is Launched in California
We are pleased to announce the launching of the new TASMC Neuroscience Institute project in California. To mark the event, the Friends of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC) held a special dinner in Palo Alto, California on May 22, 2011, for a gathering of 50 local Israeli and Jewish entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The event was organized by the TASMC’s new representative in Silicon Valley, Dr. Karin Weiner Lachmi, PhD, Director of Development for the Western U.S. region. Addressing the group were two honored speakers, Director General of the TASMC Professor Gabriel I. Barbash and Professor Itzhak Fried. Professor Gabi Barbash highlighted some of the key differences in the U.S. and Israeli healthcare systems. Professor Fried led a thought-provoking discussion, one which was also featured in a recently published article in Scientific American, entitled “How Free is Your Will? – Neurological Explorations of the Human Mind.”
The event marked the first official promotion of the TASMC’s new Neuroscience Institute, dedicated to building the world’s most innovative institute for clinical care, research and education on the human brain. The Institute will research a wide range of neurological disorders including cerebrovascular and neuro-muscular diseases, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, brain tumors, epilepsy, depression, multiple sclerosis, the effect of aging on the brain and neurologic function.
We’d like to thank everyone who volunteered for this event and helped ensure its success: Yael Wilnai, Dana Huber, Ronit Citrit and Ayelet and Lior O. Nuchi for their excellent hospitality.
The next big event for the TASMC is planned for the 4th of December, 2011, with the participation of Professor Gabi Barbash and Professor Talma Hendler, Head of the Functional Brain Center at the TASMC.
For further details, contact karinwe@tlvmc.gov.il
International Publication
Professor Yitzchak Fried, Director of the Functional Neurosurgery Unit of the TASMC splits his time between UCLA and the TASMC. He is one of the three doctor scientists who are researching the concept of free will. Their study was published in Science and then cited in Scientific American’s March 22, 2011 edition.
These scientists used a powerful tool – intracranial single neuron recording – to find neurons in the human brain whose activity predicts decisions to make a movement, challenging conventional notions of free will.
Do we control our neurons or do they control us?
If everything we do starts in the brain, what kind of neural activity would reflect free choice? And how would you feel about your free will if we were to tell you that neuroscientists can look at your brain activity, and tell that you are about to make a decision to move – and that they could do this a whole second and a half before you yourself became aware of your own choice?
Prof. Fried is one of a handful of neurosurgeons in the world who perform the delicate procedure of inserting electrodes into a living human brain, and using them to record activity from individual neurons. He does this to pin down the source of debilitating seizures in the brains of epileptic patients. Once he locates the part of the patients’ brains that sparks off the seizures, he can remove it, pulling the plug on their neuronal electrical storms. The full story can be read here.
Donors
To The Children With Love
Ester Amir née Sharabi, of blessed memory, loved children, although she was unable to have her own. The members of the Amir/Sharabi families loved Ester very much and decided to make a donation in her name to the Dana Children’s Hospital. They honor her memory by making a dedication to the department of pediatric hemato-oncology.
Mr. Yehiel Amir, brother of Ester, Z”L, wished to honor his sister by adding his own generous, personal donation to the family’s, all for ‘Dana’s Children’. When she was alive, she had already determined that her money would go to help children in need. Her brother Yechiel decided to realize her dream after she passed. His donation is also dedicated to the memory of his beloved wife, Natalie Amir Lipkin, as well as other family members.
"THROUGH DANA'S EYES"
During this past summer, sixty digital cameras were distributed to as many children hospitalized and treated at the Dana Dwek Children's Hospital.
During the time they spent in hospital, the children took more than 3000 emotional and exciting pictures documenting the brief moment they experienced by finding their way to the camera lens – thereby bringing healing not only to their bodies but also to their souls.
These exciting photographs were shown in a photographic exhibit and have also been compiled in an album. The money received from the sales of the stills and the albums will be donated for the purchase of audio and video equipment – MRI Video Goggles for children's MRI tests – costing $150,000. This equipment will help small children into the MRI and reduce their fears of the "threatening" machine and their feelings of isolation in it. For donations please access our website.
New Services
A New Treatment: Pinpoint Irradiation of the Retina - A Clean Hit
A novel treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was recently approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health. The procedure is currently being performed at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Tel Aviv Medical Center (TASMC) which is directed by Prof. Anat Loewenstein. The procedure is called epimacular brachytherapy and it directly and locally targets the diseased retina.
AMD is a major cause of reduced visual acuity and may lead even to blindness in people over the age of 50.
"Not so long ago, thousands of people lost their vision because there were only a few options for treatment and these were not quite effective. In the last decennia, most of the patients have been treated with intra-ocular injections drugs, such as 'Lucentis' or 'Avastin', which can stop the progression of the disease", explained Dr. Adiel Barak, Director of the Retina Service.
"The results of an international clinical trial, which the Tel Aviv Medical Center participated in as well, showed that local irradiation to the retina-- a new technology introduced in Israel by Lavie comp-- is effective in stopping the progression of the disease. For most participants, their vision remained stable or even improved, while the other patients needed, on average, two injections annually, compared to at least eight before the irradiation procedure", said Prof. Anat Loewenstein, the chair of the Department of Ophthalmology.
The treatment is performed in the operation theatre with local anesthesia to the eye. The vitreous, which is the gel filling the eye, is drawn out and replaced by fluids to preserve the volume of the eye during the operation. The irradiation device - a tiny needle - is inserted into the eye and the diseased area of the retina is locally irradiated for 4 minutes. Afterwards, the needle is removed and the insertion site is sutured. The patient recovers and is sent home one day later.
The Clinic For Cutaneous Drug Reactions As A Side Effect Of Oncological Medications Has Recently Opened At The TASMC
As is well known, the side effects of chemotherapy often involve the skin, hair and nails.
In recent years, many new medications treating different types of cancer have been developed. Unfortunately, these medications give rise to a wide range of various cutaneous side effects.
The TASMC’s new clinic for cutaneous drug reactions due to oncological medications is directed by Dr. Ilan Goldberg, a senior dermatologist. The clinic’s medical team diagnoses and treats these side effects of chemotherapy.
The diagnosis is extremely important for differentiating between cutaneous manifestations related to the cancer itself, cutaneous drug reactions and other cutaneous phenomena. The correct diagnosis in these patients is highly important for the decision of whether to continue or halt oncological treatment.
In order to reach the most accurate diagnosis, the medical team uses different laboratory assays.
The treatment of cutaneous drug reactions is tailored to each patient by the type of cancer, type of chemotherapy received and the specific cutaneous reaction.
The treatments are local or systemic, and the goal of the treatment is to alleviate the symptoms and enable continuation of the oncological treatment as needed.
The Lis Maternity Hospital recently inaugurated a Natural Birthing Center.
Prof. Joseph B. Lessing, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says childbirth is a complex process and may often be fraught with maternal or neonatal complications. As such, there is a clear advantage for labor and delivery to occur in a setting that allows medical supervision. For women who wish to have a natural, home-like birth experience without medical intervention but with the option of medical supervision if the need arises, the TASMC’s new Natural Birthing Center is the perfect solution. It is a room designed like a bedroom with none of the features of a medical facility, yet it is located in proximity to the labor & delivery complex to allow rapid access to medical assistance if needed.
The team of midwives at the Center have been uniquely trained to support the laboring woman through the birth process. They have been hand-picked in particular for their commitment to the natural birth experience. They offer support and empowerment, faith in each patient's abilities and they are sensitive to her unique needs and belief system. The perinatal team is also there to help support the mother and her family during the initial adjustment period to their new roles and life commitment, including help with breastfeeding and establishing the first bonds with the newborn.
A center for Aesthetic Medicine opens at the Executives’ Medical Services of the TASMC
The Aesthetic Medicine Center at the Executives’ Medical Services of the TASMC is now open in the Sammy Ofer Heart Building. The service is directed by Dr. Batsheva Marcus, a dermatologist and one of the leading doctors in the field of Aesthetic Medicine.
The center was created to serve those patients who would like to undergo cosmetic procedures, but only with the highest level of medical care, therapeutic standards and professionalism.
The center offers non-invasive procedures performed by the TASMC' s leading
dermatologists. Procedures offered include: Cosmetic evaluations, Botox injections for wrinkle treatment in the facial area, wrinkle fillings, acne scar treatment, peeling for the face, back and hands, laser treatments and more.
A Notable Accomplishment for the TASMC
The TASMC wins a national competition which awards NIS 30 million in government support, earmarked for the establishment of a center of excellence for the study of cognition.
The center will be structured as a partnership between Weizmann Institute, Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University and Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov). It will enable the return of scientists to Israel, reversing the ‘brain drain’ trend seen in recent years; it will upgrade the research facilities available at those academic institutes as well as in the hospital; it will generate a critical mass of studies in the field and will encourage academic innovation.
Prof. Gabi Barbash:
“This grant is an indication of academic excellence and scientific leadership in the field of cognition and brain research, and is the result of long lasting academic cooperative efforts".
This win honors the TASMC for the extraordinary acheivements in its research studies. The support of NIS 30 million for a period of 5 years was granted by the Council for Higher Education, the National Science Foundation and the Steering Committee of the centers of excellence program, I-CORE.
This support is earmarked for the establishment of an advanced research center of cognitive processes, that will focus on the topic of intellectual reconstruction: From the perceived to the remembered and back. This study will apply advanced brain mapping methods such as anatomical and functional MRI and single cell recording. These methods are applicable in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry.
Centers of Excellence is an initiative by the government of Israel to strengthen scientific research in Israel and to establish it as a world leader. These centers are expected to enable the return of outstanding researchers to Israel from similar centers around the world and to strengthen the research capabilities of its academic institutions. In addition, they are expected to create a critical mass in different fields of research, improve and upgrade the research facilities in the universities and medical institutions related to them, encourage academic innovation and academic research collaboration between universities and colleges as well as promote advanced training and teaching programs.
According to Prof. Gabi Barbash, Director- General of the TASMC:
"We owe a debt of gratitude to a very special group of scientists from four institutions who, through great effort over many years, have achieved excellence in their fields, the results of which we are all blessed today. These researchers are scientists and doctors who have succeeded in having friendly, ego-free relationships that are based on fairness and accurate assessment of research excellence! I expect that the scientific recognition and the resources resulting from it will help us promote scientific research and improve research facilities and academic activities in the field of brain and cognition at the Tel Aviv Medical Center".
This knowledge will deepen our understanding of brain function in healthy people as well as in illness, thereby improve patients' diagnosis and treatment.
A cooperative partnership agreement has been signed between the TASMC and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the third largest hospital in the U.S.
The wide-ranging partnership between the TASMC and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital was announced by the Director General of the TASMC, Prof. Gabi Barbash, and his American Counterpart, Michael Fisher, President and CEO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The cooperation will include a variety of fields: Sharing of medical knowledge, the advancement and support for joint scientific studies, exchange programs for medical training, internships, specializations, nursing and scientists in the fields of pediatric hemato-oncology, bone marrow transplants, allergies and immunology as well as continuing education programs at each other’s facilities for doctors and paramedical professionals.
Clinical Trials
Partnership and International Recognition: Professor Shprecher discusses a groundbreaking study on understanding the genetic basis for dermatological diseases
Fingerprints are characteristic features of the human skin, widely used in the modern era as an almost unsurpassed tool of identification. However, clearly these structures did not emerge during the evolutionary process in order to assist police investigators and detective story writers in their work!
So, why do we have fingerprints at all? Recent data have refuted the theory that fingerprints may serve to improve the human grip by ramping up friction. Instead, epidermal ridges are today thought to serve amplifying vibratory signals to deeply embedded nerves involved in fine texture perception.
Another no less enigmatic question concerns the nature of the mechanisms regulating the formation of these skin marks. An international team of researchers led by Prof. Eli Sprecher, the head of the Department of Dermatology at the TASMC, recently identified the cause of a rare disease featuring congenital absence of fingerprints and known as the "Immigration delay disease" since affected individuals experience significant difficulties when traveling to foreign countries requiring biometric identification. Prof. Sprecher comments:
"Rare diseases resulting from single genetic defects represent a unique source of information to understand complex biological phenomena as they allow us to directly look at the consequences of the lack of a single protein in humans. In the present case, through the study of a rare disease, we have unveiled the existence of a unique mechanism regulating the formation of human fingerprints".
Dr. Janna Nousbeck, who elucidated the cause of the disease, adds:
"Our DNA is organized as discrete functional units known as genes. Genetic diseases result from defective function of genes. We initially identified the defective gene in a large family whose members presented a lack of fingerprints. Generally, one gene encodes one protein. In the case of the Immigration Delay Disease gene, we discovered that the very same gene generates two distinct products, one of which is exclusively expressed in the skin. It appeared that the defect causing the Immigration Delay Disease affects the skin-specific gene product, which explains why the disease manifests in the skin only."
Prof. Sprecher continues:
"Now that we have identified a critical element involved in the formation of fingerprints, we will now have to better understand how this molecule regulates the formation of these exquisitely complex three-dimensional structures. As abnormal fingerprints are known to sometimes herald severe disorders, our finding may also have an impact on the understanding of additional diseases affecting not only the skin".
This discovery was published in the prestigious American Journal of Human Genetics on the 12th of August, 2011.
Apart from Dr. Nousbeck and Prof. Sprecher, the following contributed to the study as well: Dana Fuchs-Telem, Mor Pavlovsky, Dr. Shlomit Fenig and Dr. Ofer Sarig from the department of Dermatology at the TASMC, and Dr. Bettina Burger and Prof. Peter Itin from the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland.
Research in the Laboratory for Gait Analysis & Neurodynamics in the Department of Neurology of the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is directed by Prof. Jeffrey M. Hausdorff. He and his multi-disciplinary team carry out investigations on patient related clinical studies and basic research of balance, walking and movement disorders. They use a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates tools from biomedical engineering, neuroscience, motor control, statistical physics, imaging and genetics.
Their research efforts include the evaluation of gait dynamics and fall risk in the elderly; the analysis of normal and patho-physiological control mechanisms; investigations of nonlinear dynamics in physiology; the identification of bio-markers of neurological disease; and the development of new methods for monitoring in the clinic and at-home settings. In parallel, they apply the lessons from their research to develop innovative therapeutic approaches to enhance mobility, to maximize functional independence, and to reduce the risk of falls among older adults, patients with Parkinson's disease or cognitive deficits, and other at-risk populations. For example, they recently completed a study in which they demonstrated the potential of a unique virtual-reality based training program; it improved thinking, walking, and the ability to think while walking, a therapeutic combination that may be optimal for lowering fall risk.
Research on falls among the elderly was recently listed in the top priority group in the Institute of Medicine's report to Congress on national priorities for the United States. Indeed, with the aging of the population, falls may soon have epidemic-like consequences. Much effort has been devoted to the development of methods for evaluating fall risk, but the most common means of quantifying falls remain self-report. Despite its widespread use, this method has a number of key limitations, restricting the research and clinical community’s ability to tackle this formidable problem. To address these limitations, Prof. Hausdorff and his colleagues have been working on alternatives to the self-report approach. They have begun to develop and evaluate an ambulatory, wearable system that can be used for automatic identification and quantification of gait and balance disturbances in the home-setting, as subjects carry out their routine activities. They anticipate that this “Holter”-like device will be capable of detecting and monitoring near falls and other transient losses of balance while also providing quantitative documentation of any changes in the walking pattern. Initial studies sponsored in part by the US National Institutes of Health and the Israel Science Foundation suggest that this approach has the potential to provide objective quantification of fall risk and gait impairment, based on real-world performance over relatively short observation periods. In the long-term, they hope that this line of research will lead to a new set of tools that can be applied in research and clinical settings by geriatricians, neurologists, physical therapists, orthopedics, and internists to document and objectively assess and track gait and balance disturbances in the home-setting. In addition to its use by clinicians, patients and perhaps insurance providers, the system could be an invaluable tool in the hands of researchers who are investigating the effects of novel therapies (e.g., drug effects) on gait, balance and fall risk.
Exciting preliminary results lead Prof. Hausdorff and his team to believe that they are on the way to developing new diagnostic tools for fall risk, while they also develop unique approaches to reducing the risk of falls. Ultimately, they anticipate that this will help to reduce the tremendous burden that falls place on our fragile healthcare system and on health-related quality of life among the growing population of older adults.
A clinical trial explore the impact of playing computer games on cognitive powers and memory
A study that was recently conducted at the TASMC sought to explore the impact of playing computer games on cognitive powers and memory. The results of the study show that computer games do actually improve one’s memory. In fact, training on computer games that are geared specifically for neurological improvement actually yielded even more successful results.
One hundred and fifty patients who suffer from neurological memory impairment took part in the study. They were divided in to two groups: One group played classic, regular computer games, and the other played computer games which were expressly geared to improve cognitive abilities. During the study, the participants were unaware of which group they were in. The computer game playing exercises went on for about three months, three times a week, each time for about 20 minutes.
According to Professor Nir Giladi, Director of the Neurology Department:
Our research has shown us that computer games improves patients’ cognitive abilities, apparently because the game playing requires patients to constantly face problems and solve them, to make decisions and react quickly and appropriately to each situation, to deal with an ever-changing environment as well as the ability to orient oneself spatially. These skills were sharpened due to the intensive game playing exercises that the patients were required to do for the study.
The results of the study were published in the Neuroepidemiology Journal at February 2011.
Mind over matter
The amazing success story of a healthy baby born to a cancer survivor, with the help of our Service for Fertility Preservation.
A decade ago, then 28-year old Hillah Lapid was diagnosed with cancer. Her medical team, headed by Prof. Joseph B. Lessing, chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Prof. Fuad Aazem, head of the TASMC’s Fertility Preservation Service, offered her a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove bits of her ovaries and cryopreserve them in order to retain the option of a future pregnancy. After a difficult course of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, Hillah lost the function of both her ovaries and with it - her ability to conceive a child "naturally". Five years later, Hillah decided to realize her dream of becoming a mother. The cryopreserved ovarian tissue extracted from her own gonads were retransplanted in her body. With treatment at the fertility unit, she was able to conceive and deliver a healthy baby.
Prof. Lessing believes that "realizing Hillah's dream of parenthood is a strong and encouraging message for women and cancer patients worldwide. Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is a viable treatment option for girls and young women required to begin cancer treatment and who are concerned about losing their fertility".
Milestone
Marking the first 100 Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation performed at the TASMC
A moving ceremony was recently held to mark the first 100 Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation performed at our own TASMC. Patients who underwent the procedure celebrated the successful method that enabled their newfound health, alongside their families and the coronary medical team that supported them throughout the process.
Prof. Gad Keren, Head of the Department of Cardiology said: “Today is a special day of celebration in our department. This event stands as a milestone of scientific advances, by the grace of which we stand here today, embracing you and celebrating with you. To take such an advanced, formidable technology and apply it successfully for our patients welfare-- this is a moving and proud moment for us.”
Dr. Arik Finkelstein, Director the Catheterization Unit and who was an early proponent of the important procedure and who understood how it could save lives said: “This new procedure is truly a revolutionary one that has saved your lives. I was only the vehicle, you are the true heroes.”
Trans Catheter intervention and aortic valve implantation are performed upon the elderly (80 years and older) who suffer from previous medical conditions and for whom a surgical procedure is too high risk. An analysis of the data on the first 100 procedures performed shows that a dramatic improvement is expected, both clinically and eco-cardiographically in the functioning of the aortal valves and the heart. Furthermore, the data shows that the rate of complications from the procedure is among the lowest in the world: The mortality rate for the period within 30 days from the procedure stands at just 2% vs. a rate of 4.5% in the rest of the world. As a result of this dramatic success rate, Dr. Finkelstein has been invited to teach the procedure in hospitals all over the world.
It should be noted that the number of Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantations performed at our Medical Center is one of the highest in the world for a single medical center. The wealth of experience gained as a result will benefit patients requiring such a procedure in the future.
In memory of
Sammy Ofer Z”L
On June 3rd, 2011, the great philantropist and businessman Sammy Ofer passed away at the age of 89 after a prolonged battle with a grave illness. Ofer left behind a wife, Aviva, and two sons, Idan and Eyal, as well as eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Sammy Ofer was born in Romania in February 2nd 1922 and made aliyah with his family in 1924. He worked as a messenger boy for a shipping company in Haifa and was also a member of the ‘Haganah’ forces in pre-state Israel.
Eventually, Ofer became one of the wealthiest men in Israel, a shipping magnate with assets worth more than $10 billion. Upon his death, the Ofer family issued this statement:
Sammy loved life, he had a wonderfully developed sense of humor, and laughter was a big part of that- even though he always approached his business dealings with the utmost seriousness. He was an interesting and impressive man, it was always a pleasure to be around him. He was an extraordinary man. Through his children and grandchildren, the Ofer Group will continue on the same path, while maintaining the ideals and the spirit of its founder and upholding his work ethic of total dedication. This is the great legacy that Sammy Ofer left behind.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized him, noting that Ofer created strong, global businesses through talent, initiative and daring:
“ Sammy was a tremendously generous benefactor to the public and his numerous philanthropic efforts can be seen in the fields of health, culture and art. Sammy Ofer was a Zionist with every bone in his body, and even when he rose to the pinnacle of wealth, he never forgot his committment and responsibility to his fellow man.”
For our hospital, Sammy Ofer was an extraordinarily benevolent benefactor, contributing to our scientific library, scholarships for excellent students and of course, through his generosity in building the Sammy Ofer Heart Building. We are proud and grateful that he was able to see the fruits of his labor when the building was dedicated last year.
Prof. Barbash said: “I saw in him something very special. It was obvious that he had built this incredible financial empire, but at the same time, I saw the other side of a man who was easily moved to tears and who committed extraordinary acts of good deeds and kindness.”
Naomi Pridan Z”L
Naomi Pridan, a long time donor and benefactor of the TASMC, recently passed away. Naomi, a dear friend who lived both in Israel and Brussels, donated the Molecular Biology Laboratory for Infectious Diseases at the TASMC back in 1993, in memory of her husband Bernard.
The laboratory was dedicated in 1995 and was headed at the time by Prof. Miki Giladi. Today the lab is directed by Boaz Avidor.
Naomi was a very special woman. She personally followed the project from the beginning, through the years and saw it through its development, all the while maintaining a personal interest in the completion and fruition of the project. May her memory be a blessing to us all.
George Szalmuk Z”L
Friend of the TASMC George Szalmuk of Australia, died recently at the age of 82 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. George has been a generousl donor to the hospital since 2003, in particular to the Oncology Department. May his memory be a blessing to us all!
