Dr. Orna Blondheim, medical director of the Emek Medical Center was hosted by our community yesterday. Accompanied by Larry Rich, the hospital's development director and VP for international relations,Dr. Blondheim met with top UMassMemorial administrators at a special lunch meeting at the hospital. Umass staff led our guests on a tour of the emergency, trauma, and obstetrics departments of the hospital and shared notes with one another.We hope this will become the first of many exchanges between UMassMemorial and the Emek Medical Center. It would be great if we were able to arrange medical exchanges between the 2 hospitals.The Emek Medical Center is located in Afula which is our community's Partnership 2000 community in Israel...to read more about P2K, check it our here at www.snecp2k.org

Last evening, Dr. Blondheim and Mr Rich were hosted by Dr. Howard Fixler and his wife Jody at a reception for health care professionals at their home. Dr Blondheim described some of the challenges the hospital faces and some of the unique characteristics of the hospital which serves a large percentage of Israeli Arabs. The Hospital is located in the Gilboa region, an area which is approximately 60% Jewish and 40% Israeli Arab.

Dr. Blondheim also spoke about the health care system in Israel. All citizens in Israel-Arab and Jew-have health care insurance. The Israeli philosophy is that health care is a right, not a privelege.

Over 30 health care professionals attended the event. More events will be planned in the future.

If anyone is planning a trip to Israel, the hospital would be pleased to welcome you. I would be pleased to help facilitate that or any visit to our P2K community of Afula/Gilboa.