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Looking back at 5778 at Shaare Zedek, and ahead to 5779

Looking back at 5778 at Shaare Zedek, and ahead to 5779

On the cusp of Rosh Hashanah 5779 we look back on a year of unprecedented expansion and development across Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

To the casual visitor’s eye, the most noticeable new developments are a new shopping pavilion in and around the hospital’s main lobby that opened this year for the benefit of patients and their visitors, as well as the foundation-laying of the Radiotherapy Institute atop a large parking tower. More on those in a moment but, at this writing, there is on our campus a 13-story hole in the ground! Less immediately noticeable but also of prime importance was the opening of several new Outpatient Care services.

Over the course of the past 12 months Shaare Zedek Medical Center has recorded the following statistics:

163,000 Emergency Department cases including 34,756 Pediatric ER cases
More than 36,000 surgical procedures
576,797 Outpatient Clinic patient visits
88,388 Inpatient hospitalizations
22,350 babies born
The Helmsley Neurological Institute recorded:

338 Neurosurgical procedures
216 Interventional Neuroradiology cases
More than 1,000 cases of patients experiencing stroke symptoms or TIA (temporary ischemic attack)
Of the stroke cases, 130 required tPA (an intracranial drug used to break up blood clots in the brain.)

As noted, construction has begun in earnest on the Radiotherapy Institute which will play a major role in our future Cancer Care Center. Already completed is the vast majority of the excavation of the 800-space parking facility which will significantly address the current shortage of parking spaces.

A large and modern shopping area was completed for the benefit of patients, families, and staff. It includes eateries, a mini market, a bookstore, and a pharmacy to open soon.

Several specialized clinics opened including a “Dry-Eye Condition Clinic,” an Artificial Heart Clinic, a Multi-Disciplinary Clinic for Brain Tumors, more >

By Mayer Fertig|September 6th, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ|0 Comments|

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Stroke Research at Shaare Zedek Points to New Ways of Limiting Impairment

Stroke Research at Shaare Zedek Points to New Ways of Limiting Impairment

A major finding at Shaare Zedek: Cerebral catheterization can help some patients who have experienced a mild stroke. The procedure can prevent their condition from worsening, according to a study at the Helmsley Neurological Center at Shaare Zedek, led by Doctors Roni Eichel and Horrany Nizar of the Stroke Unit.

Each year in Israel, 18-thousand people in Israel experience a stroke. They are Israel’s third-biggest cause of death after cancer and heart disease. Roughly 60-percent of those strokes are categorized as ‘mild.’ For 30-percent of those mild stroke patients, categorized in the emergency room as cases with mild neurological impairment, symptoms actually worsen during hospitalization and cause functional disability. This study found that for some of these patients, whose imaging showed a clot causing a large blood vessel blockage in the brain, cerebral catheterization could prevent further deterioration.

Dr. Nizar, a senior physician, and stroke specialist explains, “If a person returns to full or almost full daily activity within a short period of time (a couple of days to several weeks) the event is considered mild…The treatment approach depends on the patient’s level of basic functioning prior to the event, the risk involved in performing the procedure and the anticipated success rate. It is important to note that some patients present mild signs of a stroke, however, the brain imaging shows a blockage of a large artery in the brain. Then, the question is always, what are the benefits and risks of performing a catheterization procedure to remove the clot from the brain of these patients?”

Dr. Eichel, director of the Stroke Unit, and of the Neurological ICU, said, “In our study, we showed that catheterizations of patients with mild signs of stroke who have had a large artery more >

By Mayer Fertig|August 8th, 2018|Helmsley Neurological Center, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

To Donate in Memory of Lee Weinbach a”h

By Mayer Fertig|July 23rd, 2018|Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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In Memoriam: Lee Weinbach a”h

In Memoriam: Lee Weinbach a”h

With deep sorrow, the world-wide Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Family mourns the loss of Lee Weinbach a”h, a driven leader and an extraordinarily dedicated, talented and hard-working individual who was so deeply cherished by her friends and loving family.
As President of Shaare Zedek’s National Women’s Division for many decades, Lee worked side by side, first with Erica Jesselson a”h, and then with countless other outstanding lay leaders employing her flair and elegance to build and develop our Women’s Division into a vital and thriving component of the American Committee. After her family, Lee’s true love was Shaare Zedek and that came across very clearly in every event and relationship she established.

She was generous and kind, bold and visionary and through her passion, inspired countless women to become loyal supporters and Founders of the “Hospital with a Heart.” Her energy was captivating and as her granddaughter so aptly described, she was “fun, fancy and fierce!” She and her husband “Dave” shaped the lives of countless Jewish children who benefited from the exceptional camping experience that the Weinbachs provided.

Heartfelt condolences to her children Aron (and Jacqueline), Tzionah, and Rabbi Elchanan (and Yocheved), the grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire family. May they all be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
To donate to Shaare Zedek in Lee’s memory, please click here

By Mayer Fertig|July 23rd, 2018|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ, Women's Division|Comments Off|

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Send In The Clowns!

Send In The Clowns!

Involving medical clowns in medical treatment significantly improves patients’ experience, according to a study conducted at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The study found that Shaare Zedek’s “Dream Doctors” helped children with cerebral palsy who were undergoing recurrent botulinum toxin injections. The researchers discovered that the involvement of the medical clowns reduced the pain the young patients felt, not only during the initial injection but also during subsequent injections, even if the clowns were not present for the later treatment.

The Shaare Zedek study was supported by the Magi Foundation.

Participating in the study “was a very special and enlightening experience,” shared “Dr. Sababa” (aka Avraham Cohen). “The challenge was to create tools that can be used when a child is undergoing a specific treatment and to ensure that those tools can be used by clowns in any country and under an array of situations. The study showed what we really already knew — a medical clown that is skilled and professional really makes a difference in the patient’s experience.”

The Dream Doctors Project integrates therapeutic medical clowns into Shaare Zedek and more than 20 other Israeli hospitals. It trains them to work as part of various medical units carrying out procedures to improve patient well-being and advance care. Each Dream Doctor has a rich background in the dramatic arts in addition to the hospital training. Like Shaare Zedek’s other professionals and paraprofessionals, members of our Dream Doctors team work according to a set schedule determined according to the Hospital’s needs.

“Our work focuses on developing trust with the young patients. They call the shots. We follow their lead and together we can conquer anything,” explained “Jacko” (aka Jacob) after the Shaare Zedek Dream Doctors completed a daylong training session with more >

By Mayer Fertig|August 11th, 2017|News, Photos, Support ACSZ, Wilf Children's Hospital|Comments Off|

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Shaare Zedek Awarded International Accreditation, Credited With “Outstanding Performance” by Reviewers of Joint Commission International

Shaare Zedek Awarded International Accreditation, Credited With “Outstanding Performance” by Reviewers of Joint Commission International

Shaare Zedek is Now the First and Only Jerusalem Academic Hospital to Achieve JCI Accredited Status

(JERUSALEM- June 27, 2017) Following an extensive and intensive review process, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center has become the city’s first and only academic hospital to receive international accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Independent surveyors from the JCI described Shaare Zedek’s medical activities in extremely complimentary terms, stating that the hospital’s medical performance was “outstanding” and far beyond what the reviewers have observed in many hospitals around the world.
Specific praise was offered to the hospital’s attention to the emotional needs of the patient, and areas pertaining to patient rights. The surveyors also spoke extremely highly of the cleaning standards of the facilities and singled out the performance of the maintenance, cleaning, and food preparation crews. Reviews of the surgical complex produced reports describing the operating theaters as among the finest in the world. Similar comments were afforded to the NICU, laboratory, research and many treatment areas.
In an emotional ceremony regularly interrupted by applause, a final report was presented to the hospital staff. It followed a five-day review process in which the hospital was tested on over 1,200 different parameters included within the JCI survey. Using words such as “Amazing,” “Phenomenal” and “Incredible,” the surveyors said that Shaare Zedek should take a great deal of pride from their accomplishments.
Shaare Zedek Director General Professor Jonathan Halevy welcomed the announcement saying it provided Shaare Zedek independent recognition as a hospital operating at the height of international standards.
“This accreditation and the extremely high marks and praise we received through this process provide independent validation for what we and the people of Jerusalem have long known; that Shaare Zedek represents a gold more >

By Mayer Fertig|June 27th, 2017|Announcements, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Yom HaZikaron 2017: Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day at Shaare Zedek

Yom HaZikaron 2017: Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day at Shaare Zedek

At the Yom Hazikaron Ceremony at Shaare Zedek Medical Center on May 1, 2017, our staff, patients, and visitors marked Israel’s Memorial Day by remembering the 23,544 Israeli soldiers who have fallen in defense of the State of Israel, and 3,117 victims of terrorism. Speakers included Yaron Shor, who shared memories of his son, Sergeant Barkai Yishai Shor z”l, from Jerusalem, who fell near Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Operation Protective Edge. He had been protecting the people of Israel from terrorists who penetrated the border by tunneling underground from Gaza.
From the age of 15, Barkai Shor z”l volunteered with Magen David Adom, Israel’s national ambulance service. His life was tragically cut short before he had the opportunity to fulfill his dream of medical school and a life of helping others as a physician.
“Barkai had a strong connection with Shaare Zedek,” Yaron shared. “He dreamed of becoming a doctor. He visited Shaare Zedek many times as part of his volunteer efforts with MADA and at various times he would come to the medical center to visit with patients.”
Shaare Zedek Medical Center today proudly offers treatment in the Barkai Shor Gynecology Outpatient Clinics on the 9th Floor of our Next Generation Building. May his memory be blessed.

By Mayer Fertig|May 1st, 2017|Events, News, Photos, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

Israel Needs You, Shaare Zedek Needs You!

By Mayer Fertig|February 6th, 2017|Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

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Helmsley Neurological Center Opening at Shaare Zedek

Helmsley Neurological Center Opening at Shaare Zedek

‘The fate of many stroke, neurological and neurosurgical patients in Jerusalem is being changed today’
The creation of the new Helmsley Neurological Center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center was marked with great excitement at a ceremony at the Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. With its opening, Shaare Zedek will be considered a Level-One Trauma Center, with neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neurological care including Jerusalem’s new Stroke Unit.

New York’s The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust gave the largest donation of $5 million to the new center. One of the three trustees of the organization, attorney Sandy Frankel, and his wife, Ruth, attended yesterday’s ceremony. He shared that billionaire businessman Harry Helmsley was not Jewish and that neither he nor his wife Leona was ever in Israel. Yet, he said, “[It is a] privilege and high honor to participate in a project like this and all of our projects in Israel. It makes you feel really good inside…[Israel and its people] mean so much to us. We think about you all the time. You face a tsunami of hatred…You are a true democracy in a sea of turmoil. You should know that you are not alone. Millions of Americans think of you all the time.”
Strokes are the third-biggest cause of death in Israel after cancer and heart disease. Prof. Jonathan Halevy, Shaare Zedek’s Director General, explained, “There are tens of billions of neurons in the brain, and after an ischemic stroke [caused by a clot in a vessel], one loses two million nerve cells every minute. If you can get patients to a computerized tomography [CT scan] unit to diagnose the stroke and give medication to melt the stroke, you can prevent or at least minimize the more >

By Mayer Fertig|December 1st, 2016|Announcements, Events, Helmsley Neurological Center, News, Support ACSZ|Comments Off|

Get Involved! Help Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Jerusalem

Shaare Zedek Medical Center needs you and the people of Jerusalem need you. Watch and enjoy learning about Israel’s most important and influential medical facility. Then, we hope you’ll consider getting involved.