a hospital with a heart
FA L L
2012
Heart
HIGHLIGHTS:
Bridging Children’s Health
Campaign a success...
Full story inside
Improving patient experience with new
cardiac technique
Shaare Zedek’s Young Hearts division
gears up for “The Gene Spot” date auction
Fuld Department of Medical Genetics
Celebrates Birth of 200th “PGD Baby”
1
a hospital with a heart
The Canadian
Shaare Zedek
Hospital Foundation
Board of Directors
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Jonathan Solursh
PRESIDENT
John Fisher
Bernard Abrams
Jordan Schwartz
Dr. Chaim Bell
Richard Pettit
Philip Black
Jack Pollak
Jeff Carhart
Jeffrey Rosenthal
Noam Goodman
Kurt Rothschild
Matt Leibowitz
Brad Fox
David Smith
Cynthia Gasner-Warshafsky
Karen Smith
Jeff Gollob
Harvey Solursh
Mendel Green
Mark Spiro
Renee Solursh
Nathan Treitel
Tamara Stieber
Elliot Kohn
Bryan Tannenbaum
Bev Lyons
Paul Weinberg
Robert Grant
Peter Weinstein
Heather Brodie
Jonathan Zepp
LIFE MEMBERS
Rabbi Dr. David Monson Z”L
Wolf Szydlow Z”L
William R Winston
A message from
Professor Jonathan Halevy
Dear Friends,
As anyone visiting our hospital campus these days can attest to, we are
involved in a very exciting period of construction and forward development.
Even from afar, one can see the new hospital building which will house
the Wilf Children’s Hospital rising storey by storey. At this stage, the
external structure is nearing completion and in the coming months work
will commence on the building’s interior components. We are currently
projecting that within a period of a year, the first two floors of the building
will open, housing Israel’s largest and most advanced Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit as well as the new Mother and Infant D Department. These
developments are indeed a necessity, given that Shaare Zedek is now
Israel’s most active maternity hospital- projected to exceed 15,000 births
this year. From all indications, this establishes Shaare Zedek as the busiest
maternity hospital in the Western world. Within the walls of the medical center
there is also a great deal of building activity ongoing and new departments
opening. In March of this year, we celebrated the inauguration of the Institute
for Digestive Diseases and the IBD Center. These new centers of excellence,
defined by state of the art equipment and staffed by some of Israel’s leading
gastroenterology specialists, will ensure that Shaare Zedek acts on the
forefront in the treatment of these prevalent medical conditions. We are
also involved in the development of a new home for our IVF clinic, which
will serve as a sophisticated center in which Shaare Zedek will continue to
provide care in this special field of medicine. Alongside these and numerous
other physical enhancements to our hospital complex, we are witnessing
significant increases in the number of patients we see and the scope of our
clinical activities is always on the rise. Over the past year, we have added
the services of many leading medical professionals in key disciplines such
as in the areas of orthopedics, oncology and hematology. Our research
laboratories are constantly involved in pursuing groundbreaking scientific
discoveries and we take great pride in the fact that the Shaare Zedek name
is increasingly cited in leading academic journals and symposia all over the
globe. Making all these remarkable strides forward is of course only possible
due to the continued kinship of our friends, who recognize and embrace our
vision for the best and most compassionate care possible for the community
we are proud to serve. We very much view you as our partners in caring and
I personally welcome this chance to offer you my sincere thanks for your
continued support and to wish you and your families the very best of only
health and happiness.
Sincerely yours,
Professor Jonathan Halevy, MD
Director General
A message from our National
Executive Director, Lisa Colt-Kotler
Dear Friends,
What a busy year it has been since taking on the position of National Executive
Director. I am proud to do my part to ensure that our Canadian Foundation is
stronger than ever to help meet the growing needs of Shaare Zedek Medical
Center in Jerusalem.
Medical research and patient treatment protocols are changing rapidly.
As well, a partnership between research and treatment provides a greater
understanding of health and disease that translates science into improved frontline care for patients.
This issue of Heartbeat reflects some of the newest and most exciting
advancements and several Israel firsts that are happening at Shaare Zedek –
particularly in the field of health research and patient treatment protocols.
Shaare Zedek recently became Israel’s first hospital to perform a cuttingedge application of laser technology to remove affected tissue in the prostate.
This is a significant milestone in urological care in Israel. Dr. Ehud Gnessin,
a senior urologist at Shaare Zedek, has indicated that the procedure now
enables complex operations to be performed with laser which is inserted via the
urethra thus reducing risks associated with surgery and ensuring better patient
outcomes. For more information visit, http://www.szmc.org.il/NewsHighlights/
NewsHighlights2012/HOLEOP/tabid/2358/Default.aspx
Bridging Children’s Health, a collaborative campaign between North York
General Hospital and The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation
successfully raised over $1 million in support of improved paediatric facilities in
Toronto and Jerusalem. A major gift campaign culminating in a donor reception
on September 10 was held recently at the beautiful home of the Honourable
Jerry and Carole Grafstein. Our very generous and supportive donors were
treated to a wonderful al fresco evening while enjoying an inspirational
presentation from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
We know that you will find this edition of Heartbeat both relevant and
informative – research is the key to unlocking the mysteries of human disease
while advancements in treatment protocols are the key to improved patient
outcomes. Shaare Zedek is at the forefront of research and treatment in Israel.
For more information about our initiatives, opportunities to support our
work, or to join our family of generous donors and volunteers, please visit
www.hospitalwithaheart.ca or call 416-781-3584.
Warmest regards,
Campaign
YOU MAKE OUR HEART
STRONGER
JOIN THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR
HIGHEST PRIORITY NEEDS
A strong Foundation in Canada
supporting Shaare Zedek in Israel,
relies on the big hearts of our donors
to ensure that the hospital’s highest
priority needs are met. Through the
exceptional generosity of our donors,
we are halfway to reaching our HEART
TO HEART campaign goals this year.
With only a few months to go before the
end of the year, we look to every Shaare
Zedek supporter to open their hearts
and give generously as we continue to
secure funds for the hospital’s highest
priority needs.
EVERY donor who contributes at any
level to the campaign in 2012 will be
recognized as an inaugural member of
the HEART to HEART campaign and
will have their name listed in our Annual
Report and inscribed in the Golden
Book at Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem.
Those who make a special contribution
of $1,000 or higher will have their
name proudly displayed on a new
virtual Wall of Hearts dedicated this fall
and located on our website at www.
hospitalwithaheart.ca.
If you are able to contribute at ANY
level of support, we would be honoured
to include your name amongst our very
biggest hearts. Even if you are already
supporting The Canadian Shaare Zedek
Hospital Foundation in other ways this
year, please consider making a gift
to our annual campaign for research,
education and technology, at whatever
level you are comfortable. The most
difficult dollars to raise are for highest
priority needs. Your leadership will set
an example for others to follow, which is
why you have the biggest heart.
Lisa Colt-Kotler
National Executive Director
For more information about the
campaign please visit our website
at www.hospitalwithaheart.ca.
To make a gift, please use the
enclosed postage paid envelope.
Thank you for making our heart
stronger.
3
Bridging Children’s Health Raises $1.1 million: Proceeds to Benefit
Paediatric Facilities in Toronto and Israel
By: Holly Fraser
On Monday, September 10, 250
guests from the Greater Toronto Area
gathered for an intimate evening at
the home of the Honourable Jerry
and Carole Grafstein for a sunset
soirée featuring keynote speaker
Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of
New York City.
This exclusive evening was the
culmination of a joint fundraising
campaign entitled Bridging Children’s
Health, a partnership between the
Foundations for North York General
Hospital and Shaare Zedek Medical
Center. Presented by First Capital
Realty, proceeds from Bridging
Children’s Health will support the
funding for transformational new
paediatric facilities in Toronto and
Jerusalem – a new Children and Teen
Unit and Ambulatory Care Centre at
North York General Hospital, as well
as contributing to the completion of
the New Generation building that will
house the two-storey Wilf Children’s
Hospital at the Shaare Zedek Medical
Center. As the largest undertaking in
recent Shaare Zedek history, and a
first in Israel with facilities dedicated
solely to women’s and children’s
health-care needs, funds from the
campaign will undoubtedly help
advance women’s and children’s
health care in Jerusalem.
Mayor Giuliani was insightful as
he offered his perspectives on the
events of 911, the 2012 US fall
election and current events in the
Middle East as they relate to the
US and Israel. The often outspoken
6
1
3
2
5
4
From L to R 1. Arthur Dalfen & Guests 2. Dr. Barry and Honey Sherman 3. Jonathan &Tracy Zepp, Marcie &
John Fisher 4. Tanz family 5. Jonathan Solursh, Karen & David Smith 6. Bonny & Jeffrey Silver
4
former mayor of New York mingled
with VIP guests while taking photos
and commended the important work
of the philanthropists who made this
campaign a true success.
Senator Pamela Wallin was the Master of Ceremonies and she helped showcase the bond between
Jerry Grafstein, Mayor Giuliani, the
events of 911, and two exceptional
physicians with a background in
emergency preparedness in their
medical careers. The exemplary
leadership provided by North York
General Hospital’s Dr. Noah Forman
and Shaare Zedek Medical Center’s
Dr. Ofer Merin was recognized that
evening.
“We are immensely grateful to all
our sponsors and donors, and we
thank everyone for being part of
such an extraordinary initiative,”
said David Smith, Event Co-chair
and member of The Canadian
Shaare Zedek Foundation Board of
Directors. Smith continued, “Bridging
Children’s Health is a testament to
how greatly philanthropy can create
change and impact the health of our
communities.”
Bridging Children’s Health is a shared
legacy that will have a profound
impact both in Toronto and in the
heart of Jerusalem. To find out how
you can support the future legacy of
Shaare Zedek, please contact Lisa
Colt at 416-781-3584 x 102.
8
9
7
10
13
11
12
14
7. Paul & Gina Godfrey 8. Linda & Fred Waks, Senator Linda Frum & Howard Sokolowski 9. Kitty & George Grossman
10. Senator Pamela Wallin, Honourable Jerry Grafstein & Carole Grafstein, Rudy Giuliani 11. Joseph Kerzner & Lisa
Koeper 12. Dr. Ofer Merin & Professor Jonathan Halevy 13. Michael & Barbi Levitt 14. Esther & Lenny Rothschild
5
Fuld Department of Medical Genetics Celebrates
Legacies Last
for a Lifetime
Birth of 200th “PGD Baby”
On Thursday, May 10th Jerusalem’s
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
held a special ceremony to
commemorate the milestone of
200 healthy babies born through a
remarkable technology known as
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
(PGD). While the procedure is now
being practiced at many leading
medical facilities worldwide, Shaare
Zedek’s Fuld Family Department
of Medical Genetics is a widely
recognized authority in the research
and implementation of the procedure.
First performed at Shaare Zedek
in 2005, PGD enables embryos
produced
through IVF
to be expertly
analyzed
for signs
of genetic
disease
before they
are implanted
in the womb.
This offers
families
known to be
carriers of a
genetic disease the chance to have
children with almost 100 percent
certainty that the child will not be
afflicted with that disease.
The PGD program at Shaare Zedek
was developed, and is completely
supported by Rabbi David Fuld and
his wife, Anita. Rabbi Fuld, a mohel
who has performed over 13,000
circumcisions, was motivated to
create the program after seeing many
children born with genetic diseases –
a situation which can now be largely
prevented.
“With PGD, we are able to give hope
to families in truly desperate medical
situations, and I feel deeply blessed
that I have been able to play a part in
bringing 200 disease-free babies into
the world who, if born (without PGD)
would likely have manifested the
devastating diseases of which their
6
parents are carriers,” Rabbi Fuld said.
“Beyond the illness, these diseases
wreak emotional havoc on families,
so this procedure is truly able to
change lives for the better.”
Shaare Zedek’s Director General,
Professor Jonathan Halevy, saluted
the Fulds as supporters of the
hospital whose contribution has
directly made a significant difference.
“Shaare Zedek takes great pride in
the accomplishments of this program
because it clearly brings together
our core traditions of ultra-modern
medicine with compassionate
attention to the patients’ every need.”
The emotional
highlight of the
event came
when a father
of three “PGD
babies” related
to the audience
the painful story
of how his wife
had experienced
numerous
miscarriages and
other medical
complications.
Then they came to Shaare Zedek and
found out that via PGD they would
be given the hope for a successful
pregnancy. He thanked the staff
members at the hospital and looking
at his three sons, said “I had heard
so much about Rabbi and Mrs. Fuld
but never had the chance to thank
them for giving us this ultimate gift.
Today’s celebration gave us that
special opportunity.”
“When we first thought of helping
develop this program, Anita and
I never realized how much of a
difference we could make in people’s
lives,” Rabbi Fuld said. “Today, we
are able to see all these special
children and take great pride in what
has been accomplished through
this program and the dedication and
vision of Shaare Zedek.”
Why Leave a Legacy Gift to The
Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital
Foundation?
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital
Foundation allows supporters to
connect to a meaningful cause in
Israel and the exceptional work that is
being done at the Hospital. Everyone
who commits a Legacy Gift to Shaare
Zedek in Jerusalem is invited to join
Legacy Zedek, a new recognition
group designed for our legacy
donors. Legacy Zedek donors will
be recognized for their philanthropy
now and in the future to ensure
that Shaare Zedek will continue to
advance patient care, research and
treatment for generations to come.
The variety of options available for
donors to give to Shaare Zedek is as
unique as each individual donor. For
more information on Legacy Zedek
please contact Lisa Colt at 416-7813584 x 102.
Israeli First at Shaare Zedek: Cardiac Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation via Balloon
Upcoming Events
GENE SPOT
means is included in the basket of
health services.
AF becomes more common in people
as they age – after age 80, some eight
percent of people suffer from it – and
it has affected some 70,000 Israelis.
As such, cardiac ablation by any
Ablation success rates are around
70% and having two methods for
performing the procedure provides
a better chance that if one does not
work, the other likely will.
SLICE THE ICE for a Cause
inter traditi
ow
on
w
s
T
On the
Saturday, February 9, 2013
www.genespot.ca goes live in
November and individual tickets
and private VIP lounges with bottle
service will be available.
Sl pes
for
Candy
Slice
ICE
for a
the
pp
su
Where the chemistry will be strong
and jeans will be the dress code.
Eighteen eligible Bachelors and
Bachelorettes will take to the stage
to be auctioned off live along with
fabulous date experiences. In a
chemically charged atmosphere,
enjoy cocktails, great food,
entertainment and lots of fun.
Invited are singles and couples
between the ages of 22-42.
Couples will have the opportunity to
bid on unique date experiences that
will be auctioned off live.
“Although the cold technique is faster
than heating ablation,” said Medina,
“it still takes a few hours. It is very
delicate. We believe that as we get
more experience, it will be faster.”
The initial three patients were given
general anesthesia. However, for the
future, the doctors hope to perform
ablations using deep sedation, as
unlike with heat, employing cold
is painful. After the procedure,
the patients, in their 50s and 60s,
remained in the hospital overnight
and were discharged without
fibrillation the next day.
cause
or
HOCKEY
NIGHT
IN
e
The procedure, which thus far has
been performed in only 200 medical
centers around the world on some
20,000 AF patients, is believed to be
faster and more effective than
using heat. Inserted through a vein
in the groin, the deflated balloon is
inserted via a catheter at the junction
between the pulmonary vein and the
left atrium. This is the spot that is
known to cause irregular electrical
activity and make the heart contract
much too quickly. Dr. Aharon Medina,
head of the electrophysiology unit at
Shaare Zedek, learned to conduct
the procedure in Boston, after having
used the heating technique for years.
AF can cause the heart to beat as
much as 400 times a minute. Patients
with the condition suffer from chronic
tiredness, respiratory problems and
coronary insufficiency, and it can also
lead to stroke and death.
us
As part of Shaare Zedek Medical
Center’s ongoing effort to promote
advancements in medicine for the
benefit of patients and the general
medical community, the hospital
recently introduced a groundbreaking
new program – the first of its kind
in Israel. For the first time in Israel,
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
cardiologists have used a tiny
balloon filled with helium to destroy
cardiac tissue that caused three
patients’ heartbeats to go haywire
and endanger their lives. Until now,
cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation
(AF) has been performed here only
via hot radio frequency.
tin
g one
Sunday, January 27, 2013
HOCKEY NIGHT IN TORONTO –
Sunday, January 27th, 2013 at The
Hockey Hall of Fame. Cocktails,
food, interactive games, exhibits tickets go on sale soon!
Bonus: Top 20 online fundraisers
will be eligible to play with NHL
alumni in a special exhibition game
followed by a VIP dinner at the
Hockey Hall of Fame.
an
im p or t
tc
a
Thursday, January 31, 2013
ON THE SLOPES FOR CANDY
Thursday, January 31st , 2013 at
Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood.
Tickets on sale soon!
Visit www.slicetheice.ca for updates, tickets and registration.
7
8
3089 Bathurst Street, Suite 205
Toronto - Ontario - M6A 2A4
a hospital with a heart
41689512
Publications Mail
Poste-publications
To order your cards or e-cards visit
www.hospitalwithaheart.ca
or call 416-781-3584
to a
ect
t
conn tal bu
rs to Hospi e, no
e
orte
lif
supp ne in th human
ws
allo ing do for all
ical
tion
be
ion
Med
unda that is mpass
dek
tal Fo ork
co
:
w
re Ze
ts
ospi
Shaa
k H e good presen
re
t the
Zede d th
it
ppor
s.
aare
el an gies
to su
n Sh in Isra ideolo ical view
e
tion
adia
e
lit
Can l caus e, to th or po
dona
The ngfu
al
ed a
ion
ni
sc
lig
clud
mea larger ce, re
tion
rd in
2A4
ra
is ca
on a r the
unda M6A 7-3595
te
io
of th .
l Fo
38
mat
pita Ontar 1-800lem
hase
o,
Hos
rusa
purc
dek Toront | TF
The ter in Je
e Ze 205, 1-6439
Cen
ite
ca
haar
n S et, Su 416-78 eart. R0001
ah
re
x:
adia
18-R
lwith
Can rst St | Fa
The Bathu 3584 hospita 686-67
110
3089416-78 dation@ tion #
Tel: l: foun egistra eart.ca
R
ai
Em ritable lwithah
ta
Cha .hospi
www
s
a ho
pita
th
l wi
a
a he
rt
Order your holiday, tribute and memorial
cards in support of The Shaare Zedek
Medical Center
Celebrate and Commemorate!