Our spirit and collective hard work kindle the miracles of Hadassah. In part due to the tireless efforts of Hadassah clinicians and researchers, we now have a glimpse of the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. As we light the Hanukkah candles, we contemplate miracles, both in history and in our time.

B'shalom,
Laura Brandspiegel and Stacey Keen
Co-chairs, Hadassah National Physicians Council

My name is Ann Karty. I am a family physician living in the Kansas City metropolitan area, having spent almost thirty years in the field of medicine. I graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, got married the next day, moved to South Carolina for residency and had our first baby. A few years later, I joined a private family practice in Illinois, had two more children and then moved back to Kansas City.

After several years in private practice, I accepted an academic appointment while serving as Associate Program Director of a residency program. I was recruited to a newly crafted position that allowed integration of clinical content and continuing professional development at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) as the Medical Director in the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Division. While also representing the AAFP at national organizations including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Institutes of Medicine (IOM), the Brookings Institute, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), among others, and completing a multi-year term as Co-Chair of the Inter-Society Coordinating Committee (ISCC) of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a team highlighting integration of practitioner education and genomics around the world, I served as Associate Professor at two different medical schools and maintained some clinical practice.

Over the last few years, I moved into administrative roles and obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Graduate Certificate in Management and Leadership. I currently work full time as a Senior Medical Director in the health plan industry, having recently completed a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) awarded by the Certifying Commission in Medical Management (CCMM).

I have served as Hadassah representative on a Gender Equity in Medical Testing Consensus Group at Georgetown University working to craft legislative policy. I also worked as Co-chair for the National Hadassah Physicians’ Council and helped create four CME meetings in Israel. I also served with the Greater Kansas City (GKC) Hadassah Chapter as Vice President of Membership, and I am a member of the recently established GKC Physicians’ Council Chapter, the only active local Physicians Council in the country. For two years, I have served as Vice Chair for the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), presenting to Hadassah’s National Board, Assembly and during many chapter meetings. I am currently the Executive Vice President of Congregation Beth Shalom, having previously served on the Board of Directors and Vice President of Programming.

Lisa Hostein conducted a very insightful interview with Dr. Koven. Explaining that she has always liked literature and writing, she recounted how she started writing down her medical and life experiences. She began publishing her stories and then decided to put them together into a book. Dr. Koven shared her stories and insights into being a daughter, a resident, a wife, a mother and a practicing physician, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Koven also discussed the concept of imposter syndrome, as well as sexism in medicine. She explained the benefits of writing as an outlet and how she began a writing program for health professionals at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The webinar What's In Your Genes? What You Need to Know About Jewish Genetics was presented on October 12, 2021 by the Hadassah Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Council. (Watch the program here.) Moderated by Ellen Audet, Co-chair of the Council, it featured Deborah Wasserman, MS, Genetics Counselor and Shari Dubrosky, Marketing Outreach, both from The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases in Miami. Tamar Adar, MS, Genetics Counselor at Memorial Cancer Institute in Miami, and Ashley Kennon, cystic fibrosis survivor, completed the panel.

Wasserman discussed the importance of preconception screening in Ashkenazi Jews, a population disproportionately affected by disease-associated hereditary genetic mutations. She illustrated this point by describing the successful community outreach in the 1970s which resulted in a 90% decrease in Tay-Sachs disease. Dubrosky emphasized the importance of genetic testing before pregnancy, citing her own personal experience. And Adar delved into several of the genetic causes of hereditary breast cancer and the ongoing research into population screening for hereditary cancer syndromes.

Ashley Kennon was the final speaker. A cystic fibrosis survivor, she described how genetic testing has guided decisions by her and her husband. She summed it up pointedly: “Genetic testing saves lives and creates new potential.”

The new episode of the Hadassah On Call podcast is titled "It's All in Your Head: Why Headaches Matter." How serious is my headache? Why is it lingering and what really triggered this? Listen as host Benyamin Cohen talks with Dr. Maxim Bauer, Hadassah senior neurologist and Pain Medicine and Movement Disorders Fellow at the Hadassah Medical Organization.

In memory of Dr. Nancy Dintenfass, the Physicians Council is fundraising to dedicate a double patient room on the Oncology floor of Hadassah Hospital’s new Round Building. Dr. Dintenfass was a radiologist specializing in breast imaging. Unfortunately, Nancy passed away in 2018. A devoted member of Hadassah, she posthumously received the Woman of Valor Award from her local chapter on Long Island. It is with appreciation and to honor and create a legacy of Dr. Nancy Dintenfass that the Physicians Council, along with her family, has launched its first philanthropic initiative.

We encourage you to join us with a donation supporting Hadassah Hospitals. To contribute, click here. You may also send a check to Hadassah, 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 (include code 'TNCDC1B' in the memo line). Read Hadassah's Charitable Solicitation Disclosure Statement here.

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S. 610 and H.R. 1667), a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), unanimously passed the US Senate on August 6, 2021. The bill requires the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve mental and behavioral health by awarding grants to health profession schools, state or local governments, nonprofits and health care workers for training on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues and strategies to improve well-being. Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-07) is leading a bipartisan effort to get the bill passed in the US House of Representatives. Watch this excellent short video on drlornabreen.org to learn more about the bill.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755 and S. 1975), which would protect women’s reproductive rights, passed the US House of Representatives in September with strong support from Hadassah. In fact, many Hadassah members met with their representatives to advocate for its passage. The bill will now go through the process in the Senate.

Our Infertility Resolution (H.Res. 338), was introduced earlier this year by Congresswoman Debbie Wassermann Schultz (D-FL). The resolution states that infertility is a widespread problem that affects populations of all ages, races, ethnicities and genders, and emphasizes the need for education, research and medical interventions to address disparities associated with the disease. The resolution is still awaiting action in the House.

Finally, the US-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act (H.R. 5605), was included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Congressmembers Mike Waltz (R-FL) Elaine Luria (D-VA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY), would develop best practices in the research, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD if enacted.

Make your voice heard! To send a letter to your representatives and stay up to date on the latest legislative action, visit the National Action Center today.

The Physicians Council trip to Israel is planned for the week preceding the 100th Hadassah National Convention. Convention dates are November 14 - 17, 2022, and details of the Physicians Council trip are in the works. Come for the trip, stay for Convention, and prepare to be inspired. Details to come. Next year in Jerusalem!

Sheryl Hoffman from the Marketing and Communications division gave us a presentation on Hadassah’s new membership campaign featuring three HMO female physicians. The goal of the campaign is to make a powerful statement by showcasing what these physicians have accomplished in Israel, especially in the face of the pandemic. The campaign includes a very strong social media component to engage younger members. Posted here is an example of one of the new Facebook ads, which is posted with this supporting copy: "At Hadassah hospitals in Israel, Dr. Sigal Sviri, the first woman to direct the Medical ICU, is sharing her expertise globally – helping to stop ongoing outbreaks of COVID." Look for more ads like this in the weeks ahead.

Other announcements and updates included: the Council’s fundraiser is more than halfway to the goal of $36,000; updates on recent council webinars; and a reminder that the Hadassah Speakers Bureau is always looking for medical professionals to speak at Hadassah events. Rachel Schonberger asked if anyone had a connection to get CME’s. Amy Byer volunteered to do some research for the council. Gwen Cooper suggested presenting a webinar about COVID-19 vaccines and young women’s health.

We invite you to join us for future steering committee meetings. Look for information in your email.

Find Your Power and Your Purpose at Hadassah's First Virtual Conference
Sunday, January 9, 2022, 11 am-5:30 pm ET

2021 has taken its toll on all of us, but it hasn't stopped us from helping women break barriers, raise our voices and make an impact. It's time to look forward — and get ready for 2022! Join us for a day dedicated to women's empowerment, designed to help you build your power. That's the Power of Purpose — a one-day, virtual Hadassah conference you won't want to miss.

Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show and best-selling author, will be our keynote speaker. We all remember Jenna as one of the First Daughters, but since then she's earned a national spotlight in her own right, including as a charitable ambassador. Hear from her and other top-tier speakers on advocacy, women's health, Israel and women's empowerment. Other speakers include Joy Bauer, NBC's TODAY Show and #1 New York Times best-selling author; Marcy Syms, chair of the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality, president of the Sy Syms Foundation; Dr. Rachel Fish, academic in Israeli history, Zionist thought and Middle Eastern Studies; Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK); and many more. Hear about their personal challenges, their motivation and success, and how each of us can take action.