Israel’s first Military Medical School will open in Jerusalem in October, Hadassah National President Nancy Falchuk announced recently in New York.
This fall, Israel’s newest medical program will open with 50 students and function as a division of the Hadassah — Hebrew University School of Medicine.
“Sixty years ago, Hadassah opened the first Israeli medical school in partnership with Hebrew University and we are now thrilled to begin this new endeavor,” said Falchuk, a nurse. “The Israeli military will greatly benefit from well-trained physicians joining their ranks.”
The students admitted as the program’s inaugural class will share many classes with the 100 other first-year Hadassah–Hebrew University students, but will take additional courses emphasizing subjects necessary for military service, such as sports medicine, treating trauma and victims of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks, and management training.
Students will be able to earn additional masters degrees in public health and science within their six-year study period. In addition, Hebrew University experts will provide courses in Zionism and Jewish studies that will enhance aleadership qualities in future Israel Defense Forces officers. Tuition and housing will be paid by the IDF, in return for a five-year commitment of military service in either a military base or with a fighting unit.
Professor Shmuel Shapira has been named director of the new school. Shapira is specialist in conventional trauma, terror medicine and nonconventional weapon threats who advises the IDF about prevention and response to potential biological, chemical and nuclear weapon attacks. He said the Military Medical School will address a shortage of full-time physicians in the IDF, new challenges of unconventional warfare, and the need for sophisticated management of modern military clinics.
“We expect to attract top candidates who want to combine medicine with the special contribution to Israel society that can be made in the IDF,” Shapira said. “The majority will probably be recent graduates, but we know there are soldiers and officers who realize during their IDF service that they want to become military doctors and who are welcome to join the program.”