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7/21/2010
Life Saving, Life Changing
Our doctors and nurses are heroes not only to the patients they see daily at the hospital but to those they help outside of the hospital under unusual circumstances

9/15/2009
Schneider Children’s Do’s and Don’ts on Yom Kippur
In anticipation of Yom Kippur – Judaism’s most holiest day marked by prayer and a traditional 25-hour fast – Schneider Children’s specialists issued advice on how best to pass the fast safely and carefully. The list of do’s and don’ts includes the dangers of accidents, as well as eating tips prior to and after the fast for children and adults.

9/10/2009
New Deputy Director at Schneider Children’s
The Management of Schneider Children’s announced the appointment of a new Deputy Director for the hospital, Dr. Asaf Toker, as of September 1, 2009. Dr. Toker will take over from Dr. Eliahu Wielunsky, who has retired following 18 years as Deputy Director of the hospital.

8/20/2009
Attention Deficit Disorders “In the Circle of Life”
Meetings for parents of ADHD children (attention deficit hyperactivity disorders) with multidisciplinary teams from Schneider Children’s will take place once a month at the hospital from September 2009. The intention of the series entitled “Attention Deficit Disorders in the Circle of Life” is to convey information to parents about ADHD in children as well as to provide an opportunity for them to raise different issues that are troubling them, while hearing about various ways the family can cope with an ADHD child.

8/15/2009
New Round of Appointments
The new round of appointments at Schneider Children’s included Dr. Avraham Zeharia as Chairman of the Division of Pediatrics and Dr. Rama Schwartz as Chair of the Committee for the Protection of the Child. Prof. Hannah Blau, Director of the Institute of Pulmonology, was also conferred the title of “Professor” by the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University.

8/10/2009
Dangerous Game: 13-Year-Old Hyperventilates and Loses Consciousness at the Pool
A 13-year-old boy was admitted to the intensive care unit at Schneider Children’s after he had purposely hyperventilated (deep and rapid breathing, or overbreathing) and lost consciousness while diving at the pool with his friends. The child was resuscitated by the lifeguard and MDA paramedics, and arrived at the hospital’s ER in severe respiratory distress, requiring highly-concentrated oxygen and continued monitoring.

7/25/2009
Thumbtack Successfully Removed
Specialists at Schneider Children’s succeeded in removing a thumbtack from the lungs of a 6-year-old boy who had inhaled the object about a month before. The thumbtack had become deeply imbedded within his lung causing high fever, lethargy and symptoms similar to pneumonia. Since the sharp object could have punctured and damaged his lung at any time and caused heavy hemorrhaging and other complications, it posed an imminent danger to his health.

7/20/2009
Day Care Hospitalization Unit Moves into New and Larger Quarters
The Day Care Hospitalization Unit at Schneider Children’s moved to its new location as part of the overall expansion of the Day Care and Emergency Medicine (ER) Department. The new quarters, on the second floor next to the MRI Institute, includes a waiting room outside the Unit at its entrance, which provides a more comfortable and expansive area for children and their families. The relocation of the Unit will enable the long-waited expansion of the hospital’s ER.

7/15/2009
First in the World: 4-Month-Old Undergoes Defibrillator Implant
A rare operation to implant a defibrillator (an internal resuscitation device) in a 4-month-old infant who suffered from severe cardiac arrhythmia resulting from cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) was conducted at Schneider Children’s. There are only a few recorded cases in the world of defibrillator implants performed in infants and children weighing under 20kgs, but none of a baby weighing just 4 kgs.

7/12/2009
Reduced radiation imaging
Children are especially prone to the cumulative effects of x-rays and other x-ray based imaging technologies; Schneider Children’s recently introduced use of the newest digital device that reduces up to 90% of the radiation absorbed by the body; the hope is that this new technology will soon reach other hospitals in the country

6/7/2009
Dreamnight at the Zoo
A group of chronically ill and disabled children from Schneider Children’s participated in the traditional Dreamnight at the Zoo under the aegis of the Cal Company and the Ramat Gan Safari. This is the second year that children have visited the zoo within the framework of the special endeavor, which allows them an exciting close up encounter with animals.

5/15/2009
New Neuropsychology Unit
Schneider Children’s Medical Center recently opened a Neuropsychology Unit within the Department of Psychological Medicine, headed by Prof. Alan Apter. The new Unit, headed by psychologist Tali Schimmel with professional consultation by Dr. Raya Ariel, is part of the Learning Disabilities Center for evaluation and research headed by Dr. Dafna Koppelman-Rubin.

5/12/2009
Research Grant Awarded for Food Allergies Research
Dr. Yael Levy, deputy director of the Institute of Immunology and Allergy at Schneider Children’s and a specialist in food allergies, has been awarded a research grant by the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University on behalf of the Bernard Fund and the Hirsh and Genia Wasserman Memorial Foundation. The research study will investigate the link between allergy, food and the immune system of newborns and children.

5/9/2009
“Don’t Let Depression Grow in your Child” - Schneider Children’s Latest Campaign
Under the slogan “Don’t Let Depression Grow in your Child”, Schneider Children’s initiated a widespread campaign to reach out to parents in an effort to help stem the increase in the incidence of depression in children and adolescents in Israel. Activities include service broadcasts on television, advertisements in the printed media and an online site via Sachi Interactive. In addition, Clalit Health Services telephone membership service (*2700) will respond to enquiries from the public, distribute information leaflets and coordinate consultations with psychologists at the hospital.

4/24/2009
Newly-Named Professors
Two senior physicians at Schneider Children’s Medical Center have been awarded professorships by the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University: Prof. Liora Harel, Deputy Director of General Pediatrics Department “C” and rheumatology specialist, and Prof. Doron Gothelf, Director of Psychological Medicine Outpatient Clinics.

3/23/2009
Prof. Zvi Laron, 2009 Israel Prize Laureate for Medical Research
Prof. Zvi Laron has been awarded The Israel Prize (the country’s highest honor) for Medical Research 2009. Zvi Laron, Professor Emeritus of Pediatric Endocrinology, Tel Aviv University and Director of the Endocrinology & Diabetes Research Unit at Schneider Children's, was recognized for his groundbreaking studies on growth hormone activity, which influenced the treatment of children of short-stature. His findings were and are considered medical milestones to this day.

1/10/2009
Organ Donation: Four Children Receive the Gift of Life
Following receipt of an organ donation, Schneider Children’s conducted marathon transplant surgeries that awarded a new lease of life to 4 critically ill children. An 8-year-old received a heart and lungs; an 11-year-old received a liver; and two 4- and 5-year-olds each received a kidney. All recipients recovered well.

11/25/2008
Two Children undergo Organ Transplantation
Two simultaneous organ transplantations at Schneider Children’s gave two children a new lease on life.

11/16/2008
Schneider Psychology Clinic opens at Beit Issie Shapiro
A Psychology Clinic, staffed by specialists from Schneider Children’s, opened recently at Beit Issie Shapiro in Raanana for the improved care of children with developmental disorders.

10/20/2008
New for Kids: Arabic-speaking hospital clown
A hospital clown from the Arab community recently joined the team of hospital clowns at Schneider Children’s. Sarhan Mahamid, known among children as “Dr. Sarhio” is the first Arabic-speaking hospital clown in Israel. Sarhan has been assigned to the team in the Emergency Room at Schneider Children’s and accompanies children from the moment of their arrival at the hospital. His easy approach and delightful tricks promotes confidence and calm among children and their families from the Arab community.

9/20/2008
New at Schneider Children’s: HHT Treatment Center
A new center, the first of its kind in Israel, for the treatment of HHT (Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telanglectasia) recently opened at Schneider Children’s under the directorship of Dr. Meir Mei-Zahav. The Center is part of the Pulmonology Institute headed by Dr. Hannah Blau and is one of only 29 centers in the world treating HHT - a genetic disorder which causes arterial blood to flow directly into the veins, creating weakened ballooned vessels that can rupture.

9/19/2008
Cycle Challenge Across The Divides
The association of Friends of Schneider Children’s, together with two cyclists from Liverpool, England, jointly organized a three-day benefit cycling event where the British participants were joined by physicians and former patients from Schneider Children's Medical Center, as well as a Swiss woman from Geneva who underwent a liver transplantation ten years ago.

8/11/2008
Rare Operation to transplant a liver and pancreas in a 12-year-old girl was performed at schneider children's
A rare operation to transplant a liver and pancreas in a girl of 12 years, a resident in the north of Israel, was performed at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. The girl suffers from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) affecting multiple organ systems and manifested by chronic pulmonary disease and pancreatic failure resulting in unstable diabetes, and requiring a complex transplant to save her life.

8/4/2008
Israeli Arab newborn's sight saved by cornea transplant
A month-old baby girl from Jaljulya suffering from a rare inherited eye disease has been saved from blindness by a cornea transplant at the Schneider Children's Medical Center for Israel in Petah Tikva just 10 kilometres away from her home.

7/22/2008
Delegation of Doctors travel to Odessa
In cooperation with the “Tikva Ohr Sameach” charitable organization, Schneider Children’s sent a delegation of doctors recently to Odessa in the Ukraine for the purpose of conducting training in asthma care to medical teams treating Jewish orphans attending the association’s kindergartens, schools and boarding schools.

7/20/2008
Innovative Distraction
Doctors in the Nuclear Medicine Unit have found a novel way to deal with children’s anxiety during lengthy scans: a video screen attached to the ceiling provides a familiar and calm setting aimed at minimizing movement and reducing the need for sedation.

7/18/2008
Eyesight Saved in Two Children
Pediatric Ophthalmologists at Schneider Children’s managed to save the vision of two children aged 9 and 10, who were threatened with blindness following use of night contact lenses. Both children arrived at the Emergency Room within days of one another suffering from acute bacterial infections which had penetrated the inner eye. The children were treated by intravenous antibiotics, unusual for eye infections. Both were discharged a few days later and suffer from permanent scarring to the cornea.

7/15/2008
Donation of Children’s Harps
Five colorful harps especially made for children were donated recently to the Education Center at Schneider Children’s Medical Center by the “Hugs for Israel” association. Heretofore, a harpist played for hospitalized children; now, children will be able to participate more actively in the hospital’s Music Therapy program by playing the instrument themselves.

7/10/2008
Another First: 6-month-old becomes smallest liver recipient
Another first took place at Schneider Children’s when a section of an adult liver was transplanted into the smallest recipient in Israel thus far, a 6-month-old infant. The baby, one of a twin born at 27 weeks gestation weighing just one kg., suffered from acute liver failure. He is recovering well.

6/18/2008
Organ Transplantations: New Lease on Life for Three Children
Three children received a new lease on life following organ donations –two 3-and-a-half-year-olds were recipients of a heart and a liver, and an 8-year-old boy received two kidneys. Scores of medical staff at Schneider Children’s were summoned to perform the transplants that were conducted simultaneously in three operating theaters.

6/16/2008
Maestro Riccardo Muti Returns
On his recent visit to Israel to conduct a special concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to mark the State’s 60th anniversary elebrations, Italian conductor, Riccardo Muti, decided to contribute his honorarium to Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. On a previous visit last year, Maestro Muti also donated his conductor’s fee to the medical center following a tour of the facility.

6/16/2008
New Branch of Schneider in the Community Opens in Ashdod
A new branch of Schneider Children’s opened in the city of Ashdod recently and is the second such clinic opened by Clalit Health Services within the framework of “Schneider in the Community” – the first opened in the town of Holon about two years ago - which aims to bring hospital experts into residential communities.

6/13/2008
A Get Well Soon Video from our friends at Chabad Youth Center in Cincinnati, OH
A Get Well Soon Video from our friends at Chabad Youth Center in Cincinnati, OH - click to view

5/10/2008
16-year-old girl receives Colon, Intestine, Liver, Stomach and Pancreas
A new branch of Schneider Children’s opened in the city of Ashdod recently and is the second such clinic opened by Clalit Health Services within the framework of “Schneider in the Community” – the first opened in the town of Holon about two years ago - which aims to bring hospital experts into residential communities.

4/20/2008
“Hamsa” Safely Removed from 4-Month-Old Infant
A 4-month-old infant from the center of the country was brought to Schneider Children’s after he had swallowed a ‘hamsa’ trinket and an open safety pin. The x-rays clearly revealed two foreign objects in the child’s body, and he was transferred immediately to the operating theater. Following the surgery, the child was hospitalized for observation and later discharged in good health.

4/18/2008
A rabbi in training meets his (marrow) match
Yosef Eliezrie stares at the yellow tag dangling from the plastic bag that feeds bone marrow cells into his ravaged body. Nurses sing "Happy Birthday" to symbolize what all hope will mark a new start for the young leukemia patient. His family prays and recites Psalms. Eliezrie, in a fog from chemotherapy, wonders what stranger has donated this precious gift. He asks to see the tag. It reads: Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. "That must be where the donor is from," Eliezrie tells his father. Eliezrie tucks the tag underneath his pillow and falls asleep.

4/6/2008
When no hope is left in sight
Teen suicide results not only from mental illness. Physical illness, difficulty communicating and even genes can play a major role. It was the subject of a recent conference at the Kibbutz Ma'aleh Hahamisha guest house. Judy Siegel-Itzkovich reports.

3/24/2008
Transplants of Toddler's organs save lives of four children

3/20/2008
Smallest Recipient of Heart Transplant
In yet another marathon organ transplantation that has become “the norm” at Schneider Children’s, four small children won a new lease on life following transplantation surgeries that ensued consecutively over two days. The tragic death of a two-year-old toddler enabled her heart to be given to an infant of 13 months, who suffered from cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease. The infant, who lives in the center of the country, is the smallest heart recipient in Israel.

2/25/2008
Schneider Children’s Volunteers Surgeries in India in Children with Cleft Palate
Under the auspices of the American charitable association, Smile Train, a party of two plastic surgeons from Schneider Children’s conducted plastic surgeries over a period of two weeks in poor children born with cleft lip and palate and gave them a chance of a new life. The medical delegation included Dr. Dean Ad-El, Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Beilinson and Schneider Children’s Hospitals, and Dr. Eyal Kalish, specialist in Plastic Surgery at Schneider Children’s.

2/22/2008
Attias Family Dedicates Nurses Station
The newly refurbished Nurses Station in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Schneider Children’s was dedicated in a moving ceremony recently in the presence of the Attias Family from Mexico, Prof. Joseph Press, Director of Schneider Children’s, and Dr. Ovdi Dagan, Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Deputy Director of the hospital. The donors contributed the funds through the association of Friends of Schneider Children’s.

2/20/2008
Technological Breakthrough!
For the first time in Israel, an artificial pulmonary artery valve was successfully implanted in children suffering from a congenital heart defect (CHD). The procedure was conducted via catheterization in the Cardiology Institute at Schneider Children’s and represents a technological breakthrough in the treatment of children and adolescents with structural heart disease requiring pulmonary heart valve replacement. Until today, valve replacement required open-heart surgery. Schneider Children’s is one of 40 centers in the world – and the only one in Israel – to be selected by the manufacturers to utilize the advanced system.

2/1/2008
Yisrael Makov Elected President of Friends of Schneider Children’s
Yisrael Makov was elected President of the Association of Friends of Schneider Children’s at the Board of Directors meeting of the organization that took place this week.

1/21/2008
Medical Collaboration between Schneider Children’s and “Caritas” Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem
The “Heart Full of Stars” project was introduced recently to promote collaboration between Schneider Children’s Medical Center and Caritas Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem, which is run by the Swiss organization “Children’s Bethlehem Relief” and provides basic medical services. The special project enables doctors, nurses and social workers from Caritas to participate in training in various fields of pediatric medicine by specialists from Schneider Children’s.

1/15/2008
New Service at “Schneider in the Community” in Holon: Enuresis Clinic
New Service at “Schneider in the Community” in Holon: Enuresis Clinic
“Schneider in the Community” – which brings the hospital’s specialists to residential areas - recently opened a special clinic in its Holon branch for the prevention of night bedwetting in children.

1/11/2008
Organ Recipients Attend Swiss Ski Camp
A delegation of five children and adolescents who underwent organ transplantations at Schneider Children’s recently flew to the Tackers Ski Camp in the Swiss Alps. The children mingled with their peers from all over the world, and attended art and dancing classes, as well as buggy rides in sleds pulled by teams of dogs.

1/7/2008
Children Aged 2-10 Invited to Participate in Atopic Dermatitis Research
Registration continues for children with Atopic Dermatitis (“skin asthma”) to participate in a new research study by the Dermatology Unit at Schneider Children’s to investigate the effectiveness of a new cream for treatment.

1/5/2008
Rare Dual Donation - Sister Saves Brother’s Life for the Second Time
Another first occurred at Schneider Children’s this week when a sister donated a liver lobe to her critically ill younger brother. Nine years ago when he was just a few months old, she donated bone marrow to him to counteract congenital immunodeficiency. Since the child carries in effect her immune system, he does not need to take anti-rejection drugs.

1/3/2008
Sister Saves Brother's Life by Donating Liver Lobe

12/5/2007
World Premiere Concert at Carnegie Hall, April 29, 2008
On Tuesday evening, April 29, 2008, Medical Development for Israel Inc., will host a festive concert at Carnegie Hall to benefit Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. This stellar evening will feature the World Premiere of "The Runaway Bunny", composed and conducted by Emmy-award winner, Glenn Roven, and performed by the vibrant American Symphony Orchestra with world-renowned Israeli violin soloist, Ittai Shapira, and celebrity guest narrator, Brooke Shields. For more information please call (212) 759-3370 or email: mdolin@mdinyc.org

11/20/2007
First Lady of Ukraine visits SCMCI

10/30/2007
SCHNEIDER CHILDREN'S TRANSPLANTATION UNIT HOSTS SICILIAN DELEGATION
ISMET, a major hospital in the Sicilian capital, Palermo, are experts in pediatric organ transplantation, and maintain a close working relationship with Schneider Children?,,,ss

2/19/2007
Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel's Founding Director Honored
Schneider Family creates 10 Fulbright-Schneider Yehuda Danon Post Doctoral Fellowships in honor of Founding Director Professor Yehuda Danon.

1/10/2007
Bridge to Peace at Schneider Children's

1/5/2007
Unique Model Formulated at Schneider Children's: Radiotherapy Preparation for Children with Cancer

12/20/2006
Esther and Einat - Linked for Life
Bone Marrow Donor and Recipient meet.

12/10/2006
Rare liver transplantation in infant conducted at Schneider Children's
The operation was documented by a team from the Health Channel and was aired during January 2007.

5/8/2006
CAMPAIGN AGAINST OBESITY
The problem of childhood obesity has gained tremendous momentum in recent years and has been declared "an acute health crisis" by the WHO.

5/5/2006
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY IS LIKELY HEREDITARY
Schneider Children's researchers have found that Precocious Puberty (early onset of physical signs of sexual maturity), previously thought to occur at random, is likely an inherited condition.

4/13/2006
SCHIZOPHRENIA - NOW WE KNOW ITS GENETIC
A new, recently-published study has thrown light on the genetic processes that cause schizophrenia in adolescents.

4/6/2006
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL RICHARD JONES AND MRS. JONES TOUR SCHNEIDER CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, APRIL 6, 2006
U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones and Mrs. Jones are seen with Dr. Einat Birk, Director of Cardiology at Schneider Children's Medical Center, examining an AMPLATZER®AA device, an umbrella-like device used to repair the congenital defect known as Atrial Septal Defect.

4/4/2006
DRAMATIC FINDING BY SCHNEIDER CHILDREN'S RESEARCHERS
Use of antidepressants during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns

3/20/2006
"AMOUDIDO" (PRONOUNCED AH-MOO-DI-DOH)
The word "Amoudido" literally means "friendly infusion stand", deriving from two Hebrew words for "friend" and "pole".

2/20/2006
"FIRST IN ISRAEL: OPEN HEART SURGERY IN PREMATURE BABY WEIGHING 1.76 LBS."
A rare open-heart operation conducted at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, saved the life of a premature baby weighing 1.76 lbs. (800 grams).

1/24/2006
SCHNEIDER CHILDREN'S SPECIALISTS LAUDED AS "OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTORS"
Specialists at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel have been accorded the title of "Outstanding Instructors" by the Pediatric Society at Tel Aviv University.

1/5/2006
"CHANNUKAH MIRACLE: INFANT'S HEARTBEAT REVIVED"
Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel: The life of an infant with cardiac disease was saved thanks to an internal resuscitation device that was implanted in a rare operation for the first time in Israel in such a small child.

12/13/2005
"FIRST IN ISRAEL: CRYOTHERAPY PERFORMED AT SCHNEIDER CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER OF ISRAEL"
This week, Schneider Children's, a member of Clalit Health Services, conducted treatment at very low temperatures via catheterization on children suffering from complex cardiac arrhythmias for the first time in Israel.

12/5/2005
NEW GENE FOR MENTAL RETARDATION DISCOVERED
The Israel Genetics Society awarded a prize in September 2005 to experts at Schneider Children's Medical Center for their discovery of a new gene causing mental retardation.

11/15/2005
A RAY OF LOVE IN THE DARKNESS OF HATE
There are some acts of humanitarianism and bravery that simply surpass description and defy belief.

11/10/2005
TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL DIABETES DAY, THE JUVENILE DIABETES ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR ACCELERATED RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE FOR THIS DARK DISEASE!
The Juvenile Diabetes Association has organized a conference within the framework of International Diabetes Day that takes place once a year at every branch of the organization worldwide, with the participation of the Minister of Health, Danny Naveh.

8/12/2005
A NEW ERA OPENS IN SURGERY Opening Ceremony of Sixth Operating Theater
Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, August 1, 2005: Laughter and chatter emanated from the overflow crowd of doctors, nurses, support staff and children gathered on the 4th floor of the hospital; joy, anticipation and excitement were definitely in the air.

7/18/2005
Cochlear Implant Center Celebrates Five Years of Giving the Gift of Hearing
An exciting and landmark celebration took place on Friday, July 15, 2005 at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel - a reunion of children, who had undergone cochlear implant surgery at the hospital since the service was introduced five years ago. They were joined by their families, the medical teams who had treated them, and the therapists who continue their rehabilitation.

6/7/2005
Four Children Given New Life Following Donation of 3 Year Old's Organs
The organs of a 3 year-old toddler, who died yesterday in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Schneider Children's following eye surgery at another hospital, were donated to 4 children and transplanted throughout the day at the medical center.

4/14/2005
Former Director of Hematology-Oncology Receives Israel Prize for Medical Research
Prof. Rina Zaizov Marx, a brilliant scientist, and an outstanding physician endowed with the highest standards of skill, compassion and virtue, laid the foundations for Pediatric Oncology in Israel and was the first director of the Hematology-Oncology Department at Schneider Children? P ss.

3/31/2005
Schneider Children's International
The light of excitement on the face of 26 year-old Majed Mahmood was clearly visible. Smiling from ear to ear, he vigorously shook hands and nodded his head even though he did not understand one word of the Hebrew conversation.

3/28/2005
Schneider Children's Establishes a Pediatric Task Force
In keeping with its mandate to serve as a bridge to peace, Schneider Children's recently established a crisis/relief multidisciplinary Pediatric Task Force to aid countries in times of emergency, as well as developing countries in times of routine.

6/8/2001
Naor (16) was killed in an accident ?( his organs were donated and saved 5 lives
Owing to the threat of katyusha rockets, the Regev Family left their kibbutz in the western Galilee, but tragedy found them nonetheless at the other end of the country at Kibbutz Yahel in the Arava Valley. Their eldest son, Naor, 16, was killed in an accident on an ATV. His organs were donated day before yesterday and helped save the lives of 5 people who were waiting for transplants

7/10/1930
SCHNEIDER CHILDREN?ISS TRANSPLANTATION UNIT HOSTS SICILIAN DELEGATION



NEW SCMCI BRACELETS! ORDER HERE!
Schneider Children's Establishes a Pediatric Task Force Natural disasters, terrorism, civil strife, epidemics, and now, tsunamis. A short while ago, few people in the West had heard of the word “tsunami”, let alone been aware of the magnitude and horrifying devastation that can result from this catastrophic earthquake. These phenomena all have the same result: death and destruction, injury and loss. Children have twice the death rate of adults in emergency situations, but while survival for adults has improved over the past two decades, children's outcomes have not kept pace. Similarly, specialized pediatric care is slow to develop in underdeveloped countries where the cost is restrictive and which lack necessary health care system infrastructures. Hospital-based care cannot advance when medical records are inadequate, ancillary services are unavailable, or essential medical equipment is scarce. The result is that 12.4 million children under the age of five die each year worldwide (the under-five mortality rate in the least developed countries - 170 per 1,000 live births - is nearly 20 times that of the industrialized countries) and 33,000 children die every day in developing countries - mainly from preventable diseases. In keeping with its mandate to serve as a bridge to peace, Schneider Children's views multilevel interchange and advanced education as a top outreach priority. By providing short-term training to foreign professionals both in Israel and abroad, Schneider Children's can contribute towards improved care for kids worldwide. Schneider Children's Response The State of Israel has long been in the forefront of nations volunteering assistance and know-how in times of international distress, regardless of national or cultural differences. Despite its size, Israel has acted with exemplary responsibility and speed in sending teams of specialists and medical supplies to far-flung areas of the globe. As a result, a growing number of Israeli practitioners have gained increased experience and skill in providing emergency care in disaster situations. Since children constitute society's most vulnerable sector, key pediatric specialists from Schneider Children's in Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, Surgery and others have been called upon to join national emergency teams on frequent occasions in the past, heading for disaster zones in Turkey, India, Russia and South America to name a few. In responding to international health catastrophes, experts have forged ties with local health institutions and personnel, from which has evolved a chain of worldwide collaborations extending from China in the east to North America in the west. Prompted by the recent cataclysmic tsunami in Southeast Asia, Schneider Children's decided to establish a multidisciplinary Pediatric Task Force to aid countries in times of emergency, as well as developing countries in times of routine. Initially, a select team of 3-5 specialists has been assigned, and depending on need, is followed by an expanded team of professionals. Major goals and objectives of the task force include: Assessment of emergency care needs of the local pediatric population. Establishment of long-term liaison with local medical and paramedical personnel. Formulation of a training program for the foreign institution. Delivery of care to hospitalized and ambulatory children. Creation of fellowship programs for training at Schneider Children's. Although the same specialists will be designated members of Schneider Children's Pediatric Task Force, the composition of teams may vary, depending upon the objective of the mission: disaster/epidemic or routine training in developing countries. They will include specialties such as orthopedics, neonatology, trauma, infectious diseases, community medicine and so on. Schneider Children's will serve both as an active participant through its pediatric task force in international medical relief operations, as well as a base for treating complex cases. By extension, the task force will represent a cohesive and effective teaching unit, providing expert training in every corner of the globe. The first mission of Schneider Children's Task Force took place in February 2005 when 6 specialists in Immunology, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, Surgery, Cardiology and Nursing, spent two weeks at the Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre in a small village near Vellore in southern India. The team worked alongside their hosts delivering care, conducting training and assisting in future strategy planning. Lynn C. Schneider, daughter of Irving and the late Helen Schneider, and President of Medical Development for Israel, Inc., accompanied the delegation.