Over 30 top U.S. physicians arrived in Israel on Sunday for an intensive five-day course in the latest Israeli developments in emergency and trauma medicine. The group will return to Israel on immediate notice in case of war or other national emergency, so that they can fill in for Israeli doctors who might be called to the front lines.
This Medical Emergency and Disaster Preparedness course is organized by the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the IDF Medical Corps and the American Physicians Fellowship (APF). This is the 10th bi-annual mission brought to Israel for this unique training.
"Israel has earned global respect for its incomparable emergency medical care," says delegation leader and APF Vice President Dr. Mike Frogel. "This has come at a dear price, which APF physicians deeply honor. If we can help alleviate the strains of war-time health needs through this remarkable partnership with our Israeli colleagues, then we stand to both help the people of Israel in a critically important way and also draw immense satisfaction from our personal commitment."
"The invaluable experience and lessons learned will also be applicable to Emergency Preparedness planning back home in the US and Canada," Frogel adds.
The 30 participating doctors include Jews and non-Jews from ten states across the United States, as well as Canada. Highlights of the course include:
* Simulated hands-on trauma situation at Tel Hashomer Hospital near Tel Aviv
* Working visit to the front-line Negev town of Sderot
* Toxicological event drill at Assaf HaRofeh Hospital near Ben Gurion International Airport
* Concluding ceremony at Latrun, northwest of Jerusalem