Hadassah Nurse Heads the IDF Operating Theater in Philippines As they have done so often in times of disaster throughout the world, the Israelis are on the ground in the Philippines, treating a population brutalized by Typhoon Haiyan. Ruven Gelfond, head operating room nurse at Hadassah Medical Organization in Mount Scopus, is in charge of the operating theater set up by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the city of Bogo. We are a light in the darkness of this poor, badly damaged region, said Gelfond. Ruven Gelfond From the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, Gelfond described a man who asked if the Israeli medical team could get rid of a large eye obstruction—even though it wasnt a direct result of the typhoon. He couldnt see, and he heard that the Israelis might help him. For that, the doctor would need a speculum—not one of the tools that was brought along from Israel. So Gelfond built one. We were able to turn on the light for this patient who couldnt see before the surgery, he said. Gelfond has a history of mobilizing when disaster strikes. He is a part of the IDF medical rescue unit, and when the devastating earthquake rocked Haiti in 2010, Gelfond was there. Now, seeing the destruction in the Philippines, he was one of the first Israeli soldiers to arrive—helping to build the tent city hospital where over 1,300 patients have already been seen. Your continued support of Hadassah enables us to provide medical relief for disaster situations around the globe. DONATE NOW Much of [the surgery] is urgent—everything from C-sections, perforated intestines, fractured hips. But we also bring western medicine to this needy part of the world. Gelfond was born in Soviet Georgia and trained as a nurse under Hadassahs program for professionals from the former Soviet Union. We arrived with very high motivation, Israel-style, built the field hospital and started to work. Were also the hospital for the U.S. military if they need us. How long will he be staying? Until the end, says Gelfond. Until we have finished what we came here to do. Hadassah is a member of the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief. To learn more about the Coalition and donate to relief efforts in the Philippines, visit jcdr.org. Watch video coverage of Israels medical relief efforts in Bogo City, Philippines Hadassah, The Womens Zionist Organization of America, Inc. 50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019 hadassah.org
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:49:52 +0000