Dr. Shimon Glick

Harvard Club in NYC, honoring two extraordinary individuals profoundly devoted to Soroka, Israel’s busiest hospital and the only major medical center in the southern half of the country. Over 250 attendees enjoyed a concert by the Gerard Edery Ensemble, an exciting silent auction, and moving presentations.

Dr. Shimon Glick, who has enjoyed a remarkable 40 year tenure, inspiring and nurturing generations of medical professionals at Soroka, received the Visionary Leadership Award. One of Soroka’s most luminous leaders, Glick’s career includes world-class accomplishments in medical science and patient care, and international stature in modern Jewish Medical Ethics. Professor Glick enjoys a strong global professional network, emanating from his cutting-edge research and advocacy. Colleagues from Coney Island Hospital, Ben Gurion University Faculty of Health Sciences Medical School for International Health in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center, Mount Sinai and the Arthur P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine were among those who joined in this tribute.

Brad & Robin Klatt, Ruthe Stone

Laurie & Yitz Glick, Josh Minkove and Shachar Minkove

Alexandra & Daniel Roubeni, Daniel & Sepi Koren

Caroline Freidfertig

Gidon Freidfertig, Pazit Levitan, Alon Mor, Alexandra Mor

Vivian Zeitlin, Lady Nina Franklin, Sir Roland Franklin, David Zeitlin

Katja Goldman, speaking on behalf of herself and husband Michael Sonnenfeldt, her sister Dorian Goldman and her husband Marvin Israelow, and her brother Lloyd Goldman and his wife Victoria, presented Dr. Glick with his award, a bronze mezuzah hand-crafted by Negev artist Vidik Noiman. “My family has had a long and deep association with the Ben Gurion University Faculty of Health Sciences Medical School for International Health in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center, which is named for my parents, of blessed memory, Joyce and Irving Goldman.

Soroka Medical Center, together with the Ben Gurion University Medical School and the Ben Gurion University Faculty of Health Sciences Medical School for International Health in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center, has earned an international reputation for excellence that is unique and distinguished. It is known for its holistic approach to the patient, as well a focus of bringing Israeli medical expertise to underserved global communities, which is closely linked to Dr. Glick’s leadership in Humanism in Medicine. It is therefore exceptionally meaningful for me to share the stage with Dr. Glick on this very special night of tribute and recognition for a world leader in medicine.”

Mandy Patinkin (click to view the video online)

Mandy Patinkin, actor, singer, and star of Homeland, recognizes in Soroka cutting-edge medical expertise, coupled with a singular humanitarian focus. He is greatly inspired by the vital role Soroka plays in the health of the underserved and diverse populations of the Negev. Mr. Patinkin received the Statesman for Health Award. Please view his video greeting on our website at www.soroka.org.

Rabbi Marc Schneier presented the award to Mandy Patinkin and offered greetings and reflections on Soroka as a beacon of global peace through delivery of excellent healthcare. Ambassador Ido Aharoni inspired the audience with insight into Israel’s triumphs and leadership in technology, and Soroka’s starring role.

The Honorary Co-Chairs for the event were Professor Deborah Lipstadt, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Cheryl and Philip Milstein and Rabbi Marc Schneier. The Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation served as event Co-Chairs.

Efrat Elgarisi with Dr. Michael Sherf

An emotional highlight of the event was the presence of surprise guest Efrat Elgarisi. Efrat appeared in Soroka’s promotional video 10 years ago as an adorable 8-year-old newly cured of a severe leukemia. She is now a vibrant and healthy 19 year old, who is quietly discovering her voice as an advocate and counsellor for children with cancer. In her own words: “I fought cancer for four years and beat it. The disease forced me to grow up fast, to understand the meaning of life, something many who were older didn’t understand. I came to terms with death, calmed my parents, and thanks to the power of recovery, I have been privileged to visit places around the world and empower sick children through many programs. Today, I feel that God wanted me to give strength to those around me, wanted me to support others. If I can make one child with cancer at Soroka or any other place in the world smile each day, then everything I went through was worth it, and I’m not sorry I had cancer. I deeply thank the wonderful, warm, skillful and dedicated staff at Soroka for hugging me, for curing me, and for helping to make all of this possible.”

Proceeds from the dinner were dedicated to the building of Soroka’s new Comprehensive Cancer Center, which will transform cancer care in the Negev

Haim and Cheryl Saban

We salute Haim and Cheryl Saban for their life-saving contributions to the children of Beer Sheva, and for all of their exquisite philanthropy for Soroka, on the 20th anniversary of the iconic Power Rangers. Saban Pediatric Center, inaugurated in September, 2008, was erected thanks to the generous donation of Cheryl and Haim Saban, along with additional funding from public institutions and other donors.

The Saban Pediatric Center represents a very significant event in the history of the Pediatric Division and Soroka Medical Center. The old, crowded pediatric department constructed in the 1960s was replaced by spacious, attractively designed facilities tailored to the needs of the child patients, facilitating top-notch patient and out-patient medical services for the 400,000 children of the Negev.

The Saban Pediatric Center includes a Pediatric Emergency Room, Pediatric Intensive Care Units with isolation facilities, four children’s hospital departments, a Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department with large modern rooms that are setting new standards for medical care of children in the Negev.

Another milestone in the Saban Family involvement in Soroka Medical Center was the official opening of the new Saban Maternity and Gynecology Center in 2011 that replaced the old jam-

Saban Pediatric

packed delivery rooms that also had been built in the 1960s. Employing unique architectural features and highly improved conditions, the residents of the Negev are the fortunate recipients of excellent birthing surroundings and the best hospital and medical services available. The new structure includes two modern Emergency Rooms (Maternity and Gynecology), state-of-the-art operating rooms and a wing of 25 spacious, bombproof, individual delivery rooms. Coming full-circle, the Saban Pediatric Clinics were officially inaugurated on August 27th. The Saban Pediatric Clinic Complex contains 22 clinics specializing in every field of pediatric medicine. These clinics provide professional compassionate care to over 30,000 children annually. The new clinics cover an area ten times larger than the old clinics, affording a much needed sense of privacy. The new playground and spacious waiting rooms translate into a much more pleasant experience for the children and their families.

Saban Birth and Maternity Center

The new Pediatric Complex and the Maternity and Gynecology Center are among the most advanced in Israel and serve as a role model. Other institutions planning to refurbish or construct such centers make it a point to visit Soroka for inspiration. Our new Saban Pediatric Hospital features state-of-the-art patient care, as well as some unique features inspired by Haim Saban: we have a movie theater that allows hospitalized children to “go to the movies”, and the corridors and public spaces are replete with film ephemera that brings smiles to the face of the sickest patients. The building also features unique classrooms and a science lab that allows all pediatric patients, whether hospitalized overnight or long-term, not to miss a day of school.

Speaking of inspiration, it is that personal touch of Haim and Cheryl Saban that has made the contact between them and Soroka Medical Center so meaningful over the years. For example, Cheryl Saban is the driving force behind the wonderful academic cooperation with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, enabling professional interaction for the benefit of all concerned. We know we have true friends in Haim and Cheryl Saban. They are always ready to proffer a helping hand, offering wise advice, guidance and support.