Spring is here! As the passover holiday approaches, we are looking forward to better days ahead. Around the world, nature takes an unrelenting toll upon the earth. We stand in awe of its power, helpless to prevent disaster when nature strikes. Yet with our experience in the rescue and treatment of survivors of natural catastrophes, wars and terrorist attacks, we stand ready to help. Once again, in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last month, Israel offered a helping hand. An Israeli medical team, made up of IDF soldiers and doctors also from our medical center traveled to Japan to the epicenter of the crisis, to aid the more than 10,000 survivors who lost everything.
In our neighboring countries- Egypt, Syria and the more distant Lybia, Yemen and Bahrain- REVOLUTION! These middle eastern peoples are demanding a change of regime, a democratic state. An awakening? Good or bad? Time will tell!
And here at home, there is no peace! Kassams, Grad rockets, a multiple casualty terrorist attack in Jerusalem; over and over again our struggle to maintain semblance of a normal life is hampered.
The TASMC inaugurated the Sammy Ofer Emergency Hospital on March 9, 2011. Four floors are now ready in the event of an emergency- with over 700 patient beds available. The Ofer Emergency Hospital was inaugurated in a ceremony presided over by the President of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, who honored us with his presence both at the dedication ceremony of the Emergency Hospital and the Sammy Ofer Heart Building (more on that ceremony later).
The the Sammy Ofer Heart building will be populated in stages: First, the Cardiology department will be moved over, and then the two internal medicine wards. And when we successfully raise funds for it, the brain wards will move in as well.
We are pleased to report that we have managed to raise more funds for the construction of the new Pediatric wards. The project moves in to stage II thanks to the generosity of Mr. Ephraim of England. Mr. Ephraim has been a benefactor of the TASMC in the past: He has donated funds for the outpatient oncology clinic; known as the Ephraim Day Care Center, as well as the Heskel & Menashi Ephraim Prostate Cancer Centre. The Pediatric clinics will be dedicated in honor of Mr. Ephraim and to the loving memory of his brother, Heskel z”l.
This generous contribution joins that of the brothers Maurice and Solo Dwek, who enabled the project to move forward and complete the first stage. We also gratefully acknowledge the generous contribution of the IDB Foundation and the Leonard and Madlyn Abrarmson Family Foundation to this important project.
Construction of the new Pediatric Hemato-Oncology unit and the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation unit are scheduled to be finished within one month. The new ward will house 30 beds for children suffering from difficult diseases. Hospitalization conditions for these young patients have been upgraded considerably, with comfortable and pleasant new surroundings as well as with brand new, state of the art equipment.
Karin Weiner Lachmi, PhD. is a brain researcher who is completing her post-doctorate at Stanford University. Mrs. Lachmi has agreed to help us try and raise funds on the West Coast of the U.S. for the construction of a Neuroscience Center at the TASMC. Anyone who is interested in helping us realize our dream of such an important project should get in touch with Karin at karinewe@tasmc.health.gov.il, or by phone at 650-283-0391.
We wish Karin much success in her endeavors!!
All of us here at the TASMC join in wishing you and your families a happy and healthy Passover,
Sincerely yours,
Ronit Blum – Director
Association of Friends
Ceremonies
The dedication of the Sammy Ofer Heart Building and the Sammy Ofer Underground Emergency Hospital
“There are both negative and positive aspects to the building of the Sammy Ofer Heart Building and Underground Emergency Hospital: The negative? Well, it is underground. And the positive? It is above!”
With these words, our own Professor Gabi Barbash kicked off the inauguration of the Sammy Ofer Heart Building and the Sammy Ofer Underground Emergency Hospital.
Under the tower, an entire hospital has been completed underground - the first of its kind in Israel. It was built based upon the lessons learned from the second Lebanon War. At the time, when missiles threatened Tel Aviv, there was no alternative to housing patients in the event that it would be necessary to evacuate from the hospital.
In the event of a war- be it conventional or chemical in nature, the underground hospital will provide protection for over 700 patients. The underground hospital cost NIS140 million to build, and the fact that the government provided NIS32 million from its budget is both remarkable and a testament to its strategic importance.
“I do not stand here alone on this dais today!” Professor Barbash said. “I represent the thousands of patients who are currently being treated at our hospital. Many of them are not even from the city of Tel Aviv; 60% of our surgical patients are not even from the Tel Aviv referral area. Furthermore, there are hundreds of medical tourists who come to be treated at the TASMC, every month!
The completion of this project will finally enable us to cease all patient hospitalizations in the old Ichilov hospital building. Those rooms were used to house 4-5 patients per room, and these were in rooms that by Ministry of Health standard are suitable for just two beds!
Now all patients will enjoy the fruits of this revolutionary upgrade of our facilities. And all of this began with the enormous generosity of Mrs. Shari Arison, who helped construct the Ted Arison medical tower, and then Sammy Ofer and many other gracious donors such as Nochi Dankner, Eliezer Fishman, Rami Unger, David Goldfarb and the Claims Conference."
Professor Barbash thanked everyone for placing their trust in the professionalism and excellence of the TASMC.
The Amy Lugassy Children’s Rehabilitation Center opens, made possible by the generosity of the Lugassy family
Professor Gabi Barbash, Director General of the TASMC joined the Lugassy family in dedicating the new pediatric rehabilitation center at the Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, in honor of Amy Lugassy, z”l.
Amy Lugassy was hospitalized at the TASMC for a long period before succumbing to his illness. In appreciation for the devoted and gentle care he received at the hands of Professor Dudi Zeltzer and his team in the Internal Medicine Ward “D”, Amy Lugassy’s family decided to honor his memory by donating funds for the new pediatric rehabilitation center of the Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital. The Amy Lugassy Children’s Rehabilitation Center is located on the first floor of the new Pediatric Outpatient Clinic building.
Professor Dudi Zeltzer, head of the Internal Medicine Ward “D”, spoke movingly about Amy at the ceremony:
“Amy was a remarkable young man who became part of our hospital family during his stay with us. His family’s devotion and carie were a source of inspiration to us and is something we can all learn from."
Dr. Yael Leitner, head of the Institute for Pediatric Development, thanked the Lugassy family warmly for its generous contribution, saying it was thanks to them that the chilren’s rehab center can now move in to a new building with state-of-the-art equipment. She said:
“I promise that I will do everything to bring the center to a level of excellence and to prove ourselves worthy of your generous contribution.”
Amy Lugassy’s son, Oded spoke about his father while thanking the TASMC:
“We are so grateful to the hospital, for without its devoted care, we would not have been able to survive a minute of this ordeal. The decision to dedicate a center in the pediatric hospital in my father’s name came from a desire to commemorate his unique personality, which often was much like a child’s. My father was an irrepressible optimist and never lost his ‘joie de vivre’."
The new Research Floor is dedicated in honor of Shlomo and Zipora Ben Dov
Our new Research Floor was completed recently, thanks to a generous contribution by Ilan Ben Dov, who even helped purchase the medical equipment and new technologies for this department. The Research Floor features cancer research labs, genetic research labs, cardiac and dermatology labs. These are among the most advanced labs in Israel for clinical and medical stem cell research.
Mr. Ben Dov and his family inaugurated the new Research Floor. In his speech, he said that in the opening of this center, he was coming full circle; this being one of the many varied and important projects he does for the advancement of medicine.
“ I feel a great kinship with this new research center, and I am very happy that it provides a place and equipment for young scientists to work. I am grateful that it is in my power to contribute to the research developments that are coming out of the TASMC.”
Donations
Recently, Mr. Eliezer Fishman and several other benefactors came together to donate funds for the construction of a new Dermatology Department, under the directorship of Professor Shprecher. The new department will be located on the fifth floor of the new Heart Building.
For the Internal Medicine "C" Department:
The Claims Conference has approved another grant for the construction of the new Internal Medicine “C” Department. This department is the only department left in the old building. We plan to complete construction of the new ward by the end of the year.
The TASMC website gets a fresh new look: We’ve updated the content on our new internet site
The TASMC’s new website is now up in Hebrew and English, and will soon be available in Russian and other languages. The site is based upon MOSS technology (Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server) and its content is geared to four different target groups: Patients, medical staff, researchers and donors.
From the home page, users can click on the sector icon they are interested in and so avoid wasting time sifting through irrelevant information before finding what they are looking for. Each section contains updated and organized information for the target user.
Patient information section: This section contains detailed information about the different units and departments of the TASMC, as well as information about operations and test results.
Research and development section: Here users can find detailed information about the Helsinki protocols, clinical studies as well as myriad information for researchers and students.
Medical staff information section: This section contains general information about different medical professions; users can also conduct staff searches (nurses, doctors), and find out about nursing care, human resources and volunteering at the TASMC.
Donors section: Using visually impressive graphics, this section details the remarkable achievements of the TASMC thanks to the donations that have made it possible. Select projects at the TASMC that are looking for funding are offered here. A host of new possibilities for direct giving or specific sponsorship are depicted. For example, to sponsor a specific field or unit, or to donate for an event or a celebration. Contact information for the Friends of the TASMC is provided for all potential givers- large and small. The goal here is to enable all citizens to donate and have an influence on the lives of countless others in need of medical help- even with the help of just a few shekels.
Social Networking: With the realization that social networks and the internet are now a part of everyone’s lives, our new website also allows the user to friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Articles and information provided on the TASMC website can be rated with “like” (or not!), and they can be shared with friends as well as printed or emailed.
We have also opened a YouTube portal for the hospital, to which we have uploaded all of the short films and articles about the TASMC and our work here. This includes talk show interviews with our experts, original short films that were shot in various units of the hospital, films of operating procedures, PR films and more. You can visit the portal at http://www.youtube.com/tasmc1.
We hope and believe that, from an internet standpoint, the new website will move the TASMC to the forefront of hospital services in Israel and around the world. It will help our patients get better service as well as offer a concentrated, one-stop source of information to those searching for reliable, high quality medical information on the net.
New Services
The Israeli Center for Pediatric Movement Disorders has opened at the TASMC
The Pediatric Movement Disorders Center, under the direction of Dr. Michael Rotstein, has opened at the TASMC. The Center is part of the Pediatric Neurology Unit and the Child Development Center and it handles inpatient and outpatient care as well as diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities in execution or planning of voluntary movements. These abnormalities include tics, dystonia, chorea, ataxia, parkinsonism, myoclonus, stereotypic movements and various other abnormalities in movement execution that are prevalent in children and adolescents. Treatment options in these diseases include rehabilitative measures, medical treatment, botulinum toxin injections and neurosurgery with deep brain stimulation. Diagnosis of these conditions is often assisted by videotaping movements in order to identify abnormal patterns.
The Pediatric Movement Disorders Center is intended to function as a national referral center for these diseases.
A new service: The Cervix Well-Being Clinic has recently been instituted, featuring a new lab test for the identification of 21 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types
The main objective of this clinic is the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions, in response to accumulating scientific data and a growing public awareness of the role HPV plays in cervical cancer development.
This is a unique service in Israel: It includes consultation with a specialist, assessment of risk factors and tests for HPV exposure as well as a Pap smear test.
Dr. Limor Helpman and Dr. Dan Grisaru of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology explain:
“Cancerous and precancerous lesions of the cervix are caused by HPV, a virus that infects the cervix and is transmitted through sexual intercourse. The Pap smear, which is the most commonly used screening test for early detection, picks up changes in cervical cells caused by the virus, ranging from early to severe.”
However, the sensitivity of this test is limited. Adding a test that detects the actual virus increases the pick-up rate significantly - from 60% to over 90%. At the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's molecular biology lab, a new test for the detection of up to 21 HPV types (including 14 "high-risk" types) is being offered as part of an effort to improve early detection of these changes. This, in turn, will allow early treatment requiring relatively simple procedures, and prevent the development of full-blown cancer.
A Novel Technique for the Treatment of Cervical Spine Disc
The spine surgery unit, headed by Dr. Lidar, has developed a novel surgical technique for the treatment of herniated discs, compressing nerve roots in the cervical spine . The technique is based on partial, rather than complete, removal of the disc, which obviated the need for spinal fusion for stability. Over 50 such operations were performed thus far in the spine unit.
Herniated, or prolapsed, spinal disc refers to the extrusion of the gelatinous material, which then composes the disc between two adjacent spinal vertebrae, with ensuing pressure on the neural components of the spine. Loss of the shock absorbing properties of the gelatinous disc leads to local inflammation. In addition, pressure on adjacent nerve roots may result in severe pain, loss of motor function in the limbs and even incontinence.
The common technique for the surgical treatment of prolapsed discs includes complete disc removal followed by fusion of the adjacent vertebrae in order to stabilize the spine. In order to reach the prolapsed disc, the surgeon has to move aside major organs including the esophagus, trachea, vocal cords and as well as the blood vessels which supply the brain. Only then, under direct visualization, does the surgeon carefully cut out the disc and removes it from the spinal column, cautious not to distract the nerve components, which may lead to neurological damage. Removal of the disc leaves a vacant space between the vertebrae above and below its original location, into which a cage is inserted, and secured by plate and screws to the spine. With time, new bone is formed, which further stabilizes the construction. The complexity of this procedure and patient recovery is evident.
The new surgical technique, developed by Dr. Lidar, is unique in its minimally invasive posterior approach, that is, reaching the spine from the side, obviating the need for retract major organs and blood vessels. Also, only a small, 1 centimeter incision, is needed in order to insert the micro-sized surgical tools and perform a partial, rather than a whole, disc resection.
"The technique, as it incurs less tissue damage and involves only partial disc resection, obviates the need for spinal fusion allowing for shorter hospital stay and faster resumption of regular activities" explains Dr. Lidar.
The experinece summarized and was published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques on March 21, 2011.
A new Israeli technology offers a solution on a global scale for torn ligaments in the shoulder carrying out by The TASMC Shoulder Unit
A new Israeli technology offers a solution on a global scale for torn ligaments in the shoulder. A small balloon catheter is inserted in the area above the tear in the ligaments, which reduces the amount of friction between the bones and ligaments and thereby reduces pain for the patient.
The Tel Aviv Sourasky Shoulder Unit directed by Dr. Eran Maman is one of the largest units in Israel and conducts the largest amount of shoulder surgeries. All types of surgeries are performed, including shoulder arthroplasties (shoulder replacement using prosthesis), arthroscopies ("key hall") for stabilization in case of instability and dislocation, fracture fixation and rotator cuff repairs.
Rotator cuff tears (i.e. torn tendons) are a very common problem, especially among the elderly population, and may be found in up to 80% of the elderly population. The symptoms vary from mild pain to severe and excruciating pain. Until several years ago, patients having irreparable rotator cuff tears were either candidates for a very complicated total shoulder replacement, or using high dosages of pain killers. Recently an Israeli invention came up with a relatively simple procedure for easy recovery and rehabilitation of this very painful and debilitating problem. The InSpace biodegradable balloon is designed to replace torn tendons and allows smooth and frictionless gliding. It also acts as a spacer between the bones.
The InSpace device is implanted using an arthroscopic procedure: Two small incisions are made, one of 5 mm for the camera and another of 7-10 mm for the balloon. The patient can go home on the same day and start using the arm immediately. At the moment, our physicians are among the pioneers in this type of operation and have been traveling all over Europe to train local surgeons.
Elastrography - New Test Aids Diagnosis Of Benign/Malign Breast Tumor, Obviates Need For Biopsy
Elastrography: a non-invasive medical imaging technique which detects tumors based on their stiffness (elasticity) when compared with normal tissue.
The most common type of elastography uses ultrasonic imaging to compare the shape of the tissue under examination. Elastography is a technique which views the mechanical properties of tissues (relative stiffness) as opposed to the conventional ultrasound technique, which looks at the backscatter of transmitted ultrasound waves through tissues
Cancerous tumors tend to be many times stiffer than normal tissue. This technique enables the physician to view images on the ultrasound monitor, where varying degrees of stiffness appear as different shades of light and dark colors. Numerous tumors, including breast tumors, show up better and larger in an elastogram than in conventional ultrasonic images.
This technique is now used at the Breast Imaging Center at TASMC, managed by Dr. Sperber, in adjunction to the ultrasound examination.
Our contribution to the community
On the last world glaucoma day Physicians from the Glaucoma service of Tel Aviv sourasky Medical center examined people free at our medical center
Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness in the world.
Without appropriate treatment the disease causes progressive optic nerve damage and visual field damage and usually caused by increased intraocular pressure.
Glaucoma is also called "the silent thief of sight" because the loss of vision normally occurs gradually over a long period of time and is often only recognized when the disease is quite advanced. Once lost, this damaged optic nerve and visual field cannot be recovered. The prevalence of glaucoma is 1-2% of the total population and increases over age.
The major risk factors for Glaucoma are :increased intraocular pressure, family history of glaucoma, advanced age, myopia , diabetes and other vascular diseases.
The modern goals of glaucoma management are to avoid glaucomatous damage, nerve damage, preserve visual field and maintain quality of life with minimal side effects. Treatments include eye drops lasers and surgery in order to reduce intraocular pressure and to halt or reduce progression.
For the last 4 years the world glaucoma association had organized a special day around the world for screening the population for glaucoma and to increase awareness of the disease.
On the last world glaucoma day on the 10th of March the Physicians from the Glaucoma service from Tel Aviv Medical center examined 300 incidental people during the day and found 8 patients with glaucoma and 50 patients with one of the risk factors for glaucoma.
Of note
Tasmc Contiunes To Lead In Incomes From Clinical Trials
The tasmc is continuing to lead in incomes for clinical trials also at 2010 before the Rabin and Tel Hashomer medical centers. One of the leading doctor is Prof. David Zeltser, acting head of the Internal Medicine Department “D”. Prof. Zeltser is the chief of the clinical trials unit, he ivestiagtes metabolic diseases, eclecro arrhythmia disorders, thrombosis, homeostasis and etc.
Obtaining JCI Accreditation
The TASMC has begun the process of obtaining JCI accreditation, joining hundreds of leading hospitals worldwide.
The TASMC is among the first group of government hospitals in Israel undergoing this process.
The Joint Commission accredits hospitals for patient treatment, based on patient safety and the quality of treatment.
This important process, which takes about 2-3 years, involves all aspects of the medical center including: Patient safety, access to care and continuity of care, patient and family rights, assessment of patients, care of patients, anesthesia and surgical care, medication management and use, facility management, prevention and control of infection, patient and family education, quality improvement, staff qualification and education, management of information and communication.
As a leading medical center, TASMC is committed to these standards and we plan to obtain this prestigious accreditation by the Joint Commission.
Senior Nominations
- Dr. Silviu Brill , Director of the Pain Clinic at the TASMC was nominated as President of the Israel Pain Society.
- Prof. Avital Fast was nominated to the chief of rehabilitation in TASMC
Prof. Fast graduated Haddasah medical school and finished a rotating internship in 1973. He completed a residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) in NYC from 1973-1976.
After five years in the Israeli Army (1976-1981) Prof. Fast became chairman of the Rehabilitation Medicine department at the TASMC from 1982-1984.
He then moved to the U.S. and became a Chairman at St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC from 1989-1994 and a chairman of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, between1994-2010. He became the chief of Rehabilitation Medicine at the TASMC in January of 2011.
As for his present academic title, he is a Professor Emeritus at AECOM. He was a professor there from 1994-2010.
Nominations
- Dr. Michael Rotstein, a senior pediatric neurologist at the TASMC was nominated to the head of the new Pediatric Movement Disorders Center.
Dr. Rotstein received his MD degree from Hadassah University in Jerusalem. He performed an internship in pediatrics and subsequently a fellowship in pediatric neurology at the TASMC. He has been granted awards for clinical and research work including Young Investigator awards from the Israel Association for Clinical Pediatrics and from the European Neuropeptide Club 010.
Dr. Rotstein made his postdoctoral clinical and research fellowship at the Division of Movement Disorders and the Colleen Giblin Laboratories for Pediatric Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. This unique fellowship has been undertaken by only a handful of pediatric neurologists worldwide.
Dr. Rotstein's research interests and publications include psychogenic movement disorders, paroxysmal movement disorders due to Glucose Transporter diseases, and movement disorders as side effects of medical treatment.
- Prof. Zamir Halpern, the Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at the TASMC was nominated to the Head of the Gastroenterology Center.
- Dr. Erwin Santo, the Head of the Invasive Endoscopy Unit in the Gastroenterology Institute was nominated to the Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases.
- Dr. Eran Maman was nominated as acting head of the Shoulder Unit in the Orthopedic Department.
- Dr. Ilya Kirgner was nominated to head the Thrombosis and Hemostasis service in the Hematology Institute.
- Dr. Yanai Ben-Gal was nominated to Director of Service for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery.
PLEASE NOTE !!!
We have installed a new Website to enable direct donations!
You are invited to browse, form your impression, and contact us directly.
We look forward to receiving your e-mails at friends@tasmc.health.gov.il
Our new bank account details in U.S.A.:
FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV SOURASKY MEDICAL CENTER
JPMorgan CHASE
account #877141994
Address: 500 Stanton Christiana Road, Newak, DE 19713, USA
ABA: 021-000-021
