תפריט ראשי עליון

תפריט עמוד

Medipost Autumn 2018

תוכן עניינים

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A personal note from Ronit Blum
Ronit Blum
My Dear Friends,
In March 2019, I will be completing my 24-year tenure as the Director of the Association of Friends. It has been an honor to dedicate my post-army career to this esteemed medical center, which became my second home and like a beloved family to me. (My first career, as you probably know, was with the IDF.) I feel tremendous pride and fulfillment from my role in developing the Medical Center into what it is today.

Thanks to you, our devoted friends, we have succeeded in cultivating this hospital in the heart of Tel Aviv to become a premier center of excellence that serves as a best practice in its human fabric and focus on patient health and well-being, as well as in prolific research, campus infrastructure, frontline technologies and so many other domains.

You have been a vital partner in this success. For me personally, your commitment, enthusiasm and generosity have been an ongoing source of inspiration. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done to help make the Medical Center a world-class institution.

Ms. Vered Roth, a talented development executive, will be taking my place, arriving toward the end of 2018. After a transition period, I will retire around my birthday, in March of 2019.  

I am concluding my role; however, I will continue to help the Medical Center achieve its crucial mission, and I will be in touch and available to you, my dear friends, for anything you may need. We still have much more to accomplish together!
I wish you and your family a happy New Year, health and personal fulfillment.

With love,
Ronit Blum
Director, Association of Friends

 

 


Ronit Blum Dear Friends,

As we embark on the next five-year chapter of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, I am struck by our intense responsibility for the people we serve. As leaders, we determine whether patients get average care or optimal care, and to us, there is no choice, but to deliver the best. To do this, we need to reach beyond – way beyond our current capabilities, beyond our immediate resources and beyond our existing facilities.

Our vision moving forward introduces new medical services and enhances our trusted diagnostics and therapeutics by constructing new facilities, implementing progressive technologies and expanding our infrastructure. One look at our campus (made possible by you, our friends and donors) and you know that we go to great lengths to make our vision a reality.

Our roadmap has produced two essential plans, which are to be published shortly: a multi-disciplinary suite of progressive medical technologies and a portfolio of capital programs. The capital portfolio includes our current flagship projects: the Sylvan Adams Center for Emergency Medicine (save Nov. 18, 2018 for the cornerstone laying ceremony) and the planned, yet unnamed Health Science and Rehabilitation Tower. We are seeking a major donor to embrace this initiative.

The common thread among these investments is that each brings us closer to our goals of medical excellence, research leadership and compassionate, patient-centered care. These programs and technologies give us hope and resources to discover, understand, treat, heal, cure and prevent.

This plan is quite intensive, but the most challenging plan is often also the most rewarding. I hope that you will join me in looking back with satisfaction at what we have accomplished together. After three years at the helm of this institution, I am humbled by the outpouring of support we have received – both as an institution and as individual healthcare leaders. I cannot begin to place a value on the generous donations that we have received since I wrote to you during the spring holidays. You, as a friend and donor, have opened your heart and enabled us to obtain the resources to do good in this world. On behalf of the countless patients who have benefited and will benefit, thank you for your compassionate gift. I hope that we can continue to count on you to help us reach our true potential.

As you may know, over the past two months, I had a personal health “adventure,” experiencing for myself what it is like to be a patient and what it feels like to be treated on the cutting edge of medicine, in an uncertain situation that leaves you filled with doubt, fear and confusion. Thank G-d, everything is fine; I am healthy and not at risk. 

This life-changing journey and your ongoing support have renewed my focus that I am here – and the entire staff of this great hospital is here for only one purpose: to prevent disease, alleviate pain, give hope to those who are ill, cure, save lives and rehabilitate the weak. I will always remember that the public health care we provide is for everyone, equally; everyone deserves the best care with a human touch and the most advanced treatments and technologies.

I would like to thank our chairman, Jonathan Kolber, for being there for the Medical Center, and for me, as a wise and noble leader. Thank you to all the members of our hardworking and committed board. Finally, but importantly, I am quite saddened by Ronit Blum’s upcoming retirement and thank her for innumerous contributions to our institution. Please join me in wishing her well. I am sure that Ronit’s successor, Vered Roth, will find a way to fill Ronit’s shoes and lead us to our next great achievements.

This New Year, I wish you meaningful moments with those you love, health and prosperity.

Prof. Ronni Gamzu
CEO, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center




Donations at work





Helping each new life get off to a healthy start

Alexander Grass Newborn Center launches to welcome thousands of new arrivals each year

In June, the Medical Center held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Alexander Grass Newborn Center, generously donated by the Alexander Grass Foundation, headed by Roger Grass and his wife Marina and Elizabeth Grass Weese, in memory of their father, Alexander. 
The Alexander Grass Newborn Center welcomes newborns with open arms and includes convenient, spacious accommodations and access for visitors eager to meet the new addition to their family or friends’ circle.
The Medical Center is honored to have the Grass family as long-time friends and to carry on Alexander Grass’s philanthropic legacy with a center of excellence in his name.






Easing into parenthood in comfort

Tami Steinmetz Maternity Care Center is dedicated; includes 51 private post-partum suites

The Tami Steinmetz Maternity Care Center, which upgrades the standard of care to deluxe private room accommodations for mothers and their partners, recently celebrated its dedication. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, Prof. Ronni Gamzu, Prof. Yariv Yogev and the Lis Maternity and the Women’s Hospital team attended the event and thanked the Steinmetz family for their generous donations to the Medical Center. 
Emcee Ronit Blum, Director of the Association of Friends, spoke of her warm friendship with Steinmetz family members Daniela, Daniel and Raz, and their dedicated collaboration for the benefit of patients over many years, saying: “Modesty and generosity are the virtues that characterize this beloved family.”
The Tami Steinmetz Maternity Care Center features 51 rooms replete with the comforts of home for women who have just given birth, their partners and their newborns. Prof. Gamzu said, “This is a dramatic transformation in public health, which I am proud to provide for the first time in Israel. Parents can have this pampering birth experience, which was designed for the important needs of parents and their newborns, free of charge.”



Silver Jubilee for drug treatment center 

Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research marks its 25-year anniversary

The Medical Center held a ceremony to commemorate 25 years since the establishment of the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research. Honored guests in attendance included donors Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Medical Center Prof. Ronni Gamzu.
Dr. Adelson said: "The clinic has treated nearly 1,000 patients with discretion in a peaceful setting. Our treatment prevents suffering not only from the patient who deals with addiction, but also prevents family anguish and impact as well. We also prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis." About one-quarter of the center’s patients are women. The clinic has made a huge difference in the short and long term for people with addictions, their families and their friends.
Future plans will see the clinic relocated in order to make room for an expansion to broaden patient treatment.

 




Saving children's lives with utmost care 

Erika and Zoli Herskovits Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is dedicated in Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital thanks to the Herskovits and Dwek families

The Erika and Zoli Herskovits Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was officially opened recently in a touching and festive program, thanks to generous donations by the Dwek and Herskovits families.  
The ultra-modern unit, which houses 13 private ICU rooms for the hospital’s sickest children, is equipped with the most sophisticated equipment and comfortable accommodations. Each room is remotely monitored 24/7 from the nurse station should immediate patient intervention be needed.
Members of Erika's family, friends, the Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital intensive care team and Prof. Gamzu attended the opening ceremony. Ronit Blum honored Erika, speaking about their special relationship over the years, and Erika’s kindness and humility.
Erika and her husband Zoli have given generously to the hospital in the past. Erika was very passionate about this specific donation toward saving countless lives and giving seriously ill children optimal hospital conditions. 
Prof. Gamzu expressed his appreciation to Erika, emphasizing the importance of providing the best treatment and the best conditions for hospitalized children.

Advancing the medicine of tomorrow

Alrov Foundation's scholarship program funds seven medical researchers

The Alrov Foundation is sponsoring the Advancing the Medicine of Tomorrow scholarship program, the Medical Center’s initiative to promote groundbreaking medicine in:
•Genomics and bioinformatics
•Immunotherapy
•Medical simulation 
•Artificial intelligence
•3D printing
Seven researchers, from an applicant pool of 36, will receive this prestigious scholarship funding. The winning researchers presented their proposals to Alrov Foundation founder Alfred Akirov, Akirov’s family, other researchers and their mentors at a scholarship ceremony held in April 2018.
Alfred Akirov, the Alrov Foundation’s founder, noted that he was very impressed by the researchers and their proposals. He said that he would continue to contribute to advancing research in the future of medicine.
The Alrov Foundation has donated about $225,000 each year for five years for this program, which gives researchers a jump-start toward discovery. 


Pursuing the vision

Learn about Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's planned initiatives and how you can support our success. 



Institute for Personalized Imaging

The plan to enhance the patient experience in a state-of-the-art center of diagnostic intelligence 

For many patients, the Institute for Personalized Imaging is the first stop in their journey toward understanding and treating their illness. 
From the most basic conventional X-ray to the most sophisticated functional imaging of the brain (fMRI), the Institute for Personalized Imaging performs tests to diagnose conditions as simple as a basic fracture and as complex as a neurological disease. The institute is the center of diagnostic intelligence, working hand in hand with specialists to help them choose the best course of treatment and guide successful procedures in real time. 
Upgrading a 35-year-old facility 
The plan is to enhance the patient experience and support care providers while promoting research and medical education. Featuring state-of-the-art technologies and patient-friendly design, the new institute will help ensure that every patient encounter is comfortable, efficient and supportive.


 
      

Treating children with serious blood diseases  

Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Division gives kids a chance at life

When a child is diagnosed with a blood disease or cancer, he or she needs progressive treatment and a supportive, child-friendly environment that is conducive to full recovery. The Division of Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation treats children with world-class care and empathy to make the heartbreaking situation bearable. 

The facility of choice for a broad spectrum of treatments 
Patients receive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, blood-product administration and biological treatments. Unfortunately, there has been a sharp rise in demand for treatment. The division will be building a new, spacious facility that aligns with the Medical Center’s vision for child- and family-centered care, including special rooms for children recovering from bone marrow transplantations. These child-friendly accommodations will go a long way in helping nurse children back to health to give them a bright future to which to look forward. 



What’s new?


Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS)

Gives parents-to-be peace of mind with improved accuracy to detect common chromosomal anomalies 

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is now offering g.CHECK, a non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPS) that can identify with very high certainty (over 99%) the common chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome. It also screens for 60 other rare chromosomal abnormalities. 
This prenatal screening test is more efficient and accurate than routine biochemistry-based prenatal screening tests.
Until recently, this screening test was offered in Israel through private companies only, but it is now available at the Medical Center for a subsidized fee. And the g.CHECK’s test gives results in just 2 weeks.





Repairing bones with trailblazing technology

Youngest Israeli patient gets 3D printed foot bone to replace cancerous one 

Orthopedic Oncology Department physicians, Dr. Solomon Dadia and Dr. Yair Gortzak, designed and implanted a three-dimensional printed bone into the leg of a 10-year-old cancer patient, the youngest Israeli patient to date. 
The child, suffering from Ewing Sarcoma, had a tumor in the cuboid bone in his foot. The Medical Center’s doctors removed the infected bone and replaced it with a personalized metal implant, which was designed by Synergy3DMed and manufactured by STI Laser Industries. Dr. Dadia said the groundbreaking implant – combining Israeli technologies and medical expertise -- was a great success and that the child could go back to walking on his own two feet.



New medical services



Treating epilepsy with lasers 

Introducing innovative minimally invasive laser and MRI technology 

Doctors at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center have brought a minimally invasive laser brain ablation treatment for epilepsy from the U.S. to Israel. The innovative procedure leverages advanced laser and MRI technologies for ablation of the part of the brain that causes epileptic attacks and allows for real-time monitoring of the brain-ablated area. 
Prof. Itzhak Fried, head of Sourasky’s Functional Neurosurgery Unit, specialized in the American method and brought the technology to Israel, its first implementation outside the US. Because this procedure is minimally invasive, it does not require the opening of the skull, and thus results in shorter hospital stays. The technology, known as Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), offers promise for patients seeking treatment from throughout the country. 



                          

Preventing Cerebral Emboli 

Catching blood clots or fatty particles before they cause strokes  

A cerebral embolism occurs when a blood clot or fatty plaque travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a blood vessel, blocking essential blood flow to the brain. The best way to treat this serious stroke-causing condition is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
The Medical Center recently opened the country’s only Center for Cerebral Embolism Prevention to do just that. The center, headed by Dr. Hen Hallevi, offers personalized care, diagnosis and treatment and close monitoring of each patient from diagnosis through to recovery. 

Because clots blocking blood to the brain can stem from artery-to-artery embolism, cardioembolic strokes or other ailments, the Center for Cerebral Embolism Prevention has made it its mission to integrate expert care in a variety of fields – vascular neurology, interventional cardiology, vascular and cardiac surgery and hematology – all under one roof.



Surgery to straighten neck hump 

The procedure, performed for the first time in Israel eliminated painful symptoms

For the first time in Israel, doctors at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center operated to straighten a teenager's neck hump. The 17-year-old patient had suffered from severe headaches from his condition, which also skewed his head towards his chest. Immediately following the surgery, the teenager said his headaches were gone and noted that he felt little pain and would return to school.

Some 69% of the population suffers from curvatures of the spine, according to the Medical Center. Dr. Morsi Khashan said that until now Israeli patients were sent abroad for the surgery. "I am pleased and proud that Israeli patients now have a professional local solution to this widespread problem," Dr. Khashan said.





Research excellence


Excessive skin peeling cause discovered 

Medical Center researchers decipher the genetic defect underlying a rare condition 

An international team of researchers led by Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center physicians has discovered the cause of a rare skin disease that makes the skin peel excessively. Prof. Eli Sprecher, Chairman of the Dermatology Department, together with colleagues in Israel and abroad, say the rare condition known as "peeling skin syndrome" results from abnormal function of a large protein called filaggrin-2.

Summer is the worst time of year for people with this genetic condition, according to the researchers. Prof. Sprecher explains: "Filaggrin-2 plays a critical role in the maintenance of cell-to-cell adhesion in the skin. The importance of proper adhesion between cells in the skin for the prevention of common disorders such as atopic dermatitis has just recently been recognized. Thus, our observations may also be relevant to understanding and treating much more common conditions as well."





 




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