NEWSLETTER Summer 2021

Welcome Message from the Council Co-Chairs

hmo-dg-033021-nurse.jpgWelcome Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the world. There have been many lessons learned, and as nurses and healthcare practitioners we are using all of our skills, acting as advocates for improved healthcare and more. Our council continues to draw on Hadassah’s empowered community to help heal the world. Because of Hadassah's strength, we all have the “Power of Women Who DO."

A key goal has been to expand the council to welcome all members of the health care team who are essential for our health care system to function. That mission continues to be accomplished!

Our council was able to work with the Education & Advocacy Division in January 2021 to publish a Policy Statement in support of women's health and health care workers during COVID-19. It stated: "Hadassah honors the memory of lives lost and celebrates health workers and other front-line personnel who tirelessly provide care and essential services to their communities." Read the statement here. We also wanted to call your attention to Hadassah's reConceiving Infertility initiative, which is bringing women, men and the greater community together to raise awareness and confront taboos while driving policy change and empowering patients to advocate for their health. Activities include education and local advocacy. Read about it here.

Save the date! We hope you've been able to see the incredible webinars our council has presented in past months. Our next one will be on the topic of “What's in Your Genes?” The program will take place via Zoom on October 12, 2021 at 8 pm ET. Registration information will be available soon. Hope to "see" you there!

SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU’RE A HERO. SAVE MANY LIVES, YOU’RE A NURSE.
GATHERED TOGETHER, WE ARE A FORCE FOR HEALING THAT IMPACTS THE WORLD
.

Susan Lafer, Robin Shuman and Ellen Audet
Co-chairs, Hadassah Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Council




Hadassah nursesCelebrating 100 Years of Nursing Graduates

Four hundred women signed up for the 40 places in pre-state Israel's first post-high school college for women. They came from families of well-do-to landowners and threadbare immigrants. There was no internet, but word of mouth spread through the country that Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, was opening a school of nursing. The year? 1918. The same year as the last global pandemic! As Hadassah opened hospitals around the country, these nurses took leadership positions everywhere and pushed back the illnesses that were engulfing the country. Happy 100th!
⁠—Barbara Sofer



Robin ShumanCouncil Member Spotlight: Robin Shuman
 
Over 30 years ago, my cousin Sara invited me to join Hadassah. She said, “As a nurse and someone who is connected to Israel, this is the place for you.” As a teen, I had spent a summer in Israel with the Lappin Youth to Israel program and had fallen in love with the country.

My career began with practicing surgical and burn nursing at Beth Israel Hospital. I went on to work at McLean psychiatric hospital on an adult inpatient unit. This incredible experience led to my getting a graduate degree in Psychiatric Nursing. Marriage to Mel and the arrival of children shifted my focus to family and community. I joined the Hadassah Nurses’ Council, met fabulous women, and got involved. Since then I have taken various positions from selling Hadassah cards, working on programming and fundraising, being president of the Boston Nurses’ Council and being president of the Boston Chapter. My circle of close friends includes many women I have met through volunteer work with Hadassah.

It has been a great journey for me. I’ve gone on a number of missions to Israel with nurses, including one where we toured health care facilities from the north to the south of the country, including visiting Druze clinics, and the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. Seeing young Arab children playing while attached to dialysis machines due to the intermarriage within families was emblazoned in my mind. We learned of the relationships Hadassah has with medical colleagues in various institutions from East Jerusalem to Africa. I was privileged to meet many of our outstanding medical professionals and visit many of our projects.

I learned how Hadassah was instrumental in creating the health care infrastructure in the country. Meeting colleagues at the hospitals and listening to their stories of the challenges and blessings of living in Israel touched my heart. I was with Hadassah while bombs were exploding during the intifada. During our 100th anniversary celebration, I was with Hadassah celebrating. I loved visiting our Youth Villages and seeing what a life changing impact our support and education of children at risk have on enabling them to grow into future leaders and contributors to Israeli society.

Visits to our Young Judaea projects impacted my own children’s choices. My daughter Rachel enrolled in Hadassah’s WUJS program, a five-month post college program. She had finished her degree at The Art Institute of Chicago, and went off to Tel Aviv, pursuing an art track offered at the time. My daughter Lauren spent a post graduate year in a MASA program, volunteering in three parts of the country, and all three of our children, including my son Matt, went on Birthright Programs. One long-term impact for our family was when Lauren volunteered to represent Hadassah at an annual Federation event. There she connected with a young Israeli man working at our local Israeli consulate. The rest is history: Ofer and Lauren are married and the parents of our grandchildren Mia and Emma. Our family has grown to include our Israeli machatunim.

My career took an unexpected turn when I began to work as a school nurse at the Maimonides School, a local Jewish, Orthodox Day school. A hidden bonus was that over the years, I met a number of our Hadassah doctors who were in Boston doing fellowships, or research, whose children attended our school.

This year, I was asked to co-chair our National Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Council. It has been exciting so far and I am enjoying connecting with colleagues in the US and Israel to showcase and support Hadassah’s achievements.



Janice BakerMeet a Member:
Janice Baker, MBA, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, BC-ADM
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Certified Nutrition Support Clinician
Board Certified -- Advanced Diabetes Management

Growing up in LA during the 1960s and 1970s, I observed — through my parents' challenges and my own need for strength during turbulent family times — the importance of maintaining Jewish ethics and values.

My mother struggled with mental illness, and my father’s health deteriorated due to diabetes through my teen years and beyond, requiring my need to work at age 16 and excel in school. After a year at junior college, I transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I met my husband of 37 years, Mark, now an architect.

After college, I began an internship in Cincinnati. Working with a diverse population and culture was a priceless learning experience. I then found a hospital job in Poway, California as a clinical dietitian. Working in critical care, cardiac, pulmonary, and diabetes programs, menu development and community education gave me a breadth of experience.

After the arrival of our second son, I marketed myself to a new physician group to convince them of their need for a registered dietitian. Persistence paid off and I have been working with this group ever since. Other opportunities helped to broaden my skills and provide education and care with deeper insights, as nutrition issues involve many health care aspects including bio-psycho-social influences. A memorable experience was training and working in Stockholm, Sweden at an eating disorder clinic to utilize a unique therapeutic model to treat these illnesses. With ongoing education and training, I have been working in this area ever since.

Besides my practice in diabetes, eating disorders, nutrition support, and other medical diagnoses, I have developed skills through speaking presentations, television appearances and radio work. Recently, I have had my usual live consults and classes transition to virtual. This has helped make my counseling and education services more accessible and reduce risk of COVID-19 infection.

Mark and I have been devoted to raising our three children. Our oldest, Allen, is a software engineer; David, is a mechanical engineer; and our daughter Leah has her degree in kinesiology and is a vet technician in Maui. We are proud of them for their accomplishments, ethics and their kindness and compassion towards people and animals. I am also devoted to animal rescue work, including adopting our rescue tortoises, cockatiels and kitties.

In 2014, I was accepted into the Hadassah Leadership Fellow group — another life changing experience. Having never been to Israel or part of a Jewish woman’s group, being accepted to this program of passionate, brilliant women, and learning the incredible history behind Hadassah and the spirit of caring and social justice, was a perfect fit. I am so glad we have maintained our connections and friendships through the years. It is inspiring to read and keep up with the way the Hadassah members support important causes close to my heart, especially in the medical field.

With almost 40 years into my career, I still feel like I am just getting started, as there is always more to learn in the nutrition science and medical field. I feel fortunate to have colleagues who share their research, insights, and support to help counter a significant rise in confusion and misinformation that I find patients struggling with. The awareness of the impact of mental health as one of several determinants of health has further influenced my views in nutrition therapy and medical care.


Nursing Above and BeyondNurses ... Above and Beyond Webinar
 
In celebration of National Nurses’ Week, we were honored to host a webinar featuring Rely Alon, Director of the Division of Nursing at Hadassah Medical Organization, and Barbara Sofer, Israel Director of Public Relations. In the midst of the violent situation in Israel, Rely and Barbara took the time to speak to us from the hospital. Their words were informative and deeply moving. It was a privilege to hear from them.

Barbara Sofer shared a candid update about the current situation in Israel. She was able to put events that led up to the war into perspective – convergence of Jewish and Muslim holidays, delayed Fatah elections, Sheikh Jarrah, the response by police at the Temple Mount. Hamas was able to incite Israeli Arabs throughout the country to riot. Rockets had fallen and were expected again shortly, the airport was closed, and runways had been bombed; there were concerns about Hezbollah and the West Bank.

She went on to interview Dr. Rely Alon whom she described as a heroine and leader during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hadassah Hospital treated 4,549 COVID patients, more than twice as many as any other hospital in the country. Israel’s head nurse visited two days before to learn more about Hadassah’s preparedness, innovation and standard of excellence in caring for COVID patients. Rely shared stories of how the NICU nurses took pictures and wrote daily letters from babies who weren’t able to be with their hospitalized mothers for months. Nurses were creative, hosting a courtyard wedding for a COVID patient’s daughter, as he watched from his hospital window. Hadassah was the first to take in volunteers and the second to bring in families to visit the COVID patients. A nurse was sent with a team to Buenos Aires to teach nurses how to treat COVID. As Rely spoke, her pride showed through. She described the need to care for both the patient’s body and soul. She works with all staff to be patient-centered, and to “be more human” in their treatment.

Rely, a mother of three, was born in Israel. She spoke of the personal challenges the year has brought. She does not know where her son, who is a doctor in the army, is serving. She became a grandmother 10 months ago and has only met the baby on Zoom. Three months ago, her mother, a Holocaust survivor, passed away.

It was heart-warming to hear from Rely of her efforts to support staff morale and to create a positive culture at our hospitals. Money from Hadassah members was used to provide gifts for staff. Singers were brought in. Rely visited COVID units and set up daily Zoom calls. She spent much time talking with her nurses, and kept politics out of the hospital. She opened a school of leadership for nursing and health professionals. Rely loves her job and believes in what she is doing. She feels the support of our Hadassah volunteers and “sisters,” saying, “We are not alone.” Nurses want to work at Hadassah.

There is a critical nursing shortage in Israel (6.3 nurses per 1000 patients). Rely has been involved in planning the New Learning Center which must be ready October 10th for the incoming class of nursing students. She said, “I am counting on you!” We are so proud of our nurses and urge you to support this fundraising campaign.
 
AchotenuCongratulations to Our Newest Nurses
 
The first 12 graduates of the Achotenu program at the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing were honored at a ceremony on June 23 — a wonderful way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our first nursing graduates. Achotenu, which means both “my sister” and “my nurse”, is a pioneering affirmative-action initiative to facilitate the entry of Ethiopian Jewish women and men into the revered academic nursing program.

“You are our modern pioneers,” said Professor Dina Ben Yehudah, Hadassah hematologist and Dean of the Hebrew University School of Medicine. The Achotenu program is indeed a breakthrough, providing opportunities for nurses from Ethiopian Jewish backgrounds who couldn’t vault over the barriers of psychometric scores to enter their dream profession of nursing. The pilot project was made possible by Hadassah, making use of the generous bequest for nursing scholarships from Patricia Lapan, a nurse and businesswoman from Arizona and California.

In a first, Hadassah’s partner in medical education, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, agreed students could bypass the psychometric exams if they passed two pre-academic preparatory programs before enrolling in the School of Nursing. HWZOA provided the scholarships for tuition, living expenses and tutoring. “This is my dream come true,” said Yehudit Yirmias, 26 of Lod, Israel. “Like many of us from Ethiopian backgrounds, I didn’t score high enough on the psychometric tests to pass the entrance bar, even though I was a good student and held an important job in the IDF.” She was working with bereaved families for the Defense Ministry and had almost given up on her dream of becoming a nurse when she saw a Facebook post about the program. She was one of the 18 students chosen from among 80 applicants. Two thirds graduated.

Among them is Aviv Emharan from Rehovot, who wants to become a nurse specialist in diabetes: “I was diagnosed with diabetes serving in the IDF. Those five years weren’t easy. I’m the first in my family to go to college, our first glance into the world of higher education. My older sister was inspired and started studying psychology. Being part of Hadassah means that I’m attached to something giant and amazing. I’m happy and proud to be a Hadassah nurse.”

“You have overcome a very large gap,” said Dr. Rely Alon, Hadassah’s Director of Hadassah Medical Organization's Division of Nursing and Health Professions. “You now must become mentors to the next cohorts of nursing students walking in your footsteps.”
Barbara Sofer


virtual cocktailsVirtual Cocktails and Israel Update with Diane Gottlieb

The Lillian Wald Nurses Council of New York organized an amazing evening with Dianne Gottlieb, the new Chair of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO). Dianne was an incredible speaker who not only walked us through the Hadassah Hospital COVID-19 response but also told us how our nurses went beyond the expected ⁠— campaigning to the Ministry of Health to allow for the COVID patients to have visitors; arranging for recovered COVID patients to visit those patients without visitors. The nurses formed support groups to deal with the stressors and their own emotional well being during those extraordinary times.

Dianne described the very special Achotenu program, which provides an alternative pathway for Ethiopian-Israelis to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Our council leadership was crucial in connecting the key players: Hadassah, with funds from a bequest to Hadassah by nurse-entrepreneur Patricia Lapin, our Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing and the non-governmental organization Jobkatif. The first Achotenu graduation just took place on June 23 with much fanfare.

Aside from showing two captivating videos that the nurses created during COVID, Dianne brought us up to date on Resolve, the infertility initiative and other legislative matters. She encouraged participants, if they are able, to watch the July 27 online national meetings when she is giving the HMO update including details of our fundraising campaign for a much-needed expansion and renovation at the School of Nursing


Nikki FeldmanIn Memory of Nikki Feldman

It was with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of our beloved mentor, Nikki Feldman. During the ten years she was the mentor for our Wycliffe Chapter of Hadassah, I grew to admire, respect and, yes, love her for the guidance, advice, and counseling she gave to me as well as our Board members.

On a more personal note, Nikki became a friend whose wisdom and courage in the face of adversity truly amazed me. Despite experiencing recent family tragedies, Nikki somehow did not dwell on them and remained optimistic and upbeat, caring and worrying about others instead of herself. Her great impact and our chapter's love for her were shown when our Board presented Nikki the first annual "Nikki Feldman, Woman of Valor Award for Service to Wycliffe Hadassah." I was able to present this award to her shortly before her passing, at her beside, surrounded by her family. I know this was very meaningful to both Nikki and her family.

In the beautiful eulogies delivered by her daughter and grandson, Nikki's love and deep devotion to Hadassah, our Wycliffe Hadassah Chapter in particular, her family, her nursing profession, and Israel were mentioned several times. Our chapter's "Nikki Feldman Woman of Valor Award" flanked her casket. The family mentioned in their eulogies how honored Nikki and her family were that Nikki received this award and know that through this annual award Nikki's legacy and memory will live on.

"What a Precious find is an Eishet Chayil — a Woman of Valor!"....
"She is clothed with strength and splendor,
She looks to the future cheerfully.
She opens her mouth with wisdom;
Her tongue is guided by kindness."

Goodbye my dear friend Nikki, devoted friend of Hadassah, her family, and colleagues. I know your memory will always be a blessing.

Please consider making a donation to Hadassah in Nikki's memory here.

—Karen Metzger, Presidium, Wycliffe Hadassah

nurses classHadassah In the News

The News pages of hadassah.org and hadassahinternational.org continually feature current stories about Hadassah in Israel, the US and around the world. Check regularly to see what's going on and be proud and inspired. Recent stories include:

Twenty Nurses Begin Careers at Hadassah
 
Hadassah Nurses Recognized as Nurses of the Year




Goldwurm auditoriumUrgent Support Needed for Our Nurses In Israel
 
The Government of Israel has identified the critical shortage of nurses as a national priority, and has challenged our Hadassah School of Nursing to increase registration by 25% from 160 to 200 students. In order to accomplish this, Hadassah is renovating and upgrading the beautiful, but technologically outdated, Goldwurm auditorium and surrounding space to provide a large well-equipped lecture hall, a classroom and additional space. The New Learning Center will be dedicated to the education and professional development of our nurses in Israel.

The modern lecture auditorium will seat 185 students. It will be completely accessible with spaces for both students and lecturers using wheelchairs, as well as ramps to the podium. Upgraded multimedia and integrated technology needs, as well as seats that provide electrical outlets and internet access for students' laptops will be installed. The classroom will serve as an additional on-site learning facility for hands-on training, simulation, small-group workshops and seminars.

From the time Hadassah sent American nurses Rose Kaplan and Rachel Landy to open Jerusalem’s first health clinic until today, we continue to contribute to Israel’s healthcare system. The Hadassah School of Nursing, which was designed to replicate the high level of nursing education in the United States, served as the foundation for the development of the nursing profession in Israel. It established Israel’s first Bachelor of Science in nursing program in 1975, and its first generic Master’s Degree of Nursing program in 2001. In the 1990s, our School assisted in the absorption of new immigrants, developing educational programs for nurses from the former Soviet Union and from Eastern Europe. We have just celebrated the first graduation of our Ethiopian-Israeli students in the Achoteinu (“Our Sisters”) program. This five-year program provided pre-academic studies to students, support in preparing for college entrance exams and subsequent nursing studies.

We can be proud of our Hadassah School of Nursing, and look to the future contributions of our graduates to Israel and the world. Our incoming class will be starting classes this October. We are actively fundraising to build the New Learning Center. We invite you to make a personally meaningful gift to this urgent campaign by clicking on this link. Naming opportunities begin at $1800. If you have questions or would like information, please email nursesandalliedhealthprofessionals@hadassah.org. Thank you for helping to make the New Learning Center a reality.
 
 
advocacy update with helene kornsteinAdvocacy Update with Helene Kornstein
 
Hadassah is the largest women’s Zionist organizations in the US with members and supporters found in every Congressional district. We advocate for legislative agendas that put our values into action and tie our health advocacy into Hadassah Hospitals in Israel.

As your council advocacy liaison, I recently participated in a day of advocacy on the Hill concerning infertility. I am proud to say that Hadassah has led the effort to secure bipartisan support in Congress for Infertility Resolution (HR 338) which will recognize infertility as a disease and affirms Congressional commitment to address infertility including its causes, diagnosis, treatment and costs.

Another topic that we are involved in is the US Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act (S1220/ HR 2568). This would give limited honorary veteran status to those Cadet Nurses who served in WWII and provide a gravesite plaque and American flag. This bill passage would bestow the long-awaited recognition these Cadet Nurses deserve.

We also support the United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act (S 221/HR 852), which helps build bilateral ties and better diagnose and treat patients with PTSD and speed the path to recovery.

We need your help to make sure that these bills and other ones advance in Congress and become law. In fact, many of these Bills relate to health topics. As health care professionals, I feel it is our responsibility to take action by going on the Hadassah’s National Action site and let your voice be heard. You simply find the policies that matter to you and click on various buttons. I have listed the steps below.

Please go on the internet and type in hadassah.org then click get involved, next click ADVOCATE and TAKE ACTION, then click the red box saying TAKE ACTION. You then click on the highlighted blue topics. Then simply provide your name address, email, and phone number and a letter that was developed by Hadassah, will be sent to your Representative and Senator pertaining to an advocacy topic.

You truly can make a difference in a short period of time. Once you register your information it is saved for the future topics. In addition, there is a section where you can sign up to receive the most recent advocacy issues.

When we empower women, we can heal the world!
 

genesUpcoming Webinar: October 12, 8-9:30 pm ET
"What's In Your Genes: What We Need to Know About Jewish Genetic Diseases"
 
Join us for this informative webinar on an important topic. The presenters are leaders in the field of genetic education, providing information on the newest advances in genetics, pre-conception testing, cancer screening and research. You will learn about Jewish genetic diseases and the mode of inheritance, as well as which diseases can be screened for preconception. Hear how genetic screening allows people to get the resources they needed to overcome passing a Jewish genetic disease to the next generation. Ashkenazi Jewish men and women are disproportionately more likely to carry hereditary genetic mutations that can increase their risk for disease. Knowledge is power!

Speakers include: Tammy Adar, MS in Genetic Counseling, practicing in South Florida for 15 years with a focus on prenatal and cancer counseling; and Deborah Wasserman, MS, National Outreach Coordinator/Genetic Counselor, Victor Center, Miami, with over 35 years’ experience in prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics, and a genetic counseling provider for Ashkenazi Jewish genetic diseases to students, newlywed couples and other patients.

Eligible participants can earn one CE for this event. Registration details will be available soon. Contact nursesandalliedhealthprofessionals@hadassah.org for more information.
 
 
israel flagsSave the Date: Council Trip to Israel in November 2022
 
In November 2022, the Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Council is planning a trip to Israel in conjunction with the 100th Hadassah National Convention. Convention dates are November 14-17, 2022, and details of the council's trip are in the works. Join us on this trip, stay for Convention, and prepare to be inspired. Next year in Jerusalem!

We welcome your input in planning this exciting trip! Please complete this survey by July 30 to share your thoughts. Thank you!
 
 

Listen and Learn: Hadassah On Call Podcast
 
sleep graphicThe Hadassah On Call: New Frontiers in Medicine podcast gives a behind-the-headlines look into Hadassah Medical Organization doctors and specialists, patients and nurses. The latest episode, "Can't Sleep? Here's What's Keeping Us Awake," features Dr. Joel Reiter, head of Hadassah Medical Organization's sleep clinic, discussing how sleep, lack of it and its related disorders, especially after COVID-19, may just need to be at the top of your health priorities.
 
Another recent episode, "Strokes: Risk Factors, Treatments and COVID-19 Long-haulers," has Dr. Ronen Leker, the director of the Stroke Unit and the Peritz and Chantel Scheinberg Cerebrovascular Disease Research Laboratory at HMO, talking about the connection between COVID-19 and strokes.


Email us at nursesandalliedhealthprofessionals@hadassah.org
Like us on Facebook
Visit our webpage
 
 
 

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