President Peres praises Israeli medicine at opening of Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School graduates’ conference
Right to left: President of the Hebrew University Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson ,Prof. Rafi Walden, Israeli President Simon Peres, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Eran Leitersdorf
Jerusalem, Dec. 6, 2012 – Some 1,000 graduates of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School gathered yesterday at the opening of an alumni conference marking 60 years since the graduation of the school’s first class. An interactive exhibition greeted the attendees, featuring works of drawing, sculpture and photography by alumni members.
Greeting the conference participants at the opening were Israeli President Simon Peres, President of the Hebrew University Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Eran Leitersdorf and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
President Peres praised Israeli medicine, stating: “Israeli physicians are extremely dedicated, caring and talented, and I salute them for their work.”
Prof. Ben-Sasson noted that from the very beginning, the Hebrew University founders had envisioned the establishment of a medical school, adding that “I am happy that it was established, and I am sure it will continue to be in the forefront of medicine and medical research in the fulfillment of its obligation to science, to patient care and to the future of the community. “
Prof. Leitersdorf said he viewed the conference of graduates of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School as “a first and special opportunity.…The purpose of the conference is to develop a foundation for the involvement of our graduates in new and creative thinking that will encourage discussion of issues that are of current vital importance and will establish a new agenda to determine priorities for furtherance of the health care system in the country.”
Mayor Barkat said that “we in Jerusalem are creating a strategic future in the area of medicine, with some 32,000 people in the city employed in the medical field.” He also noted that the health care system was a key factor in bringing together the various sectors of the population in Jerusalem. He said he had no doubt that the Medical School would continue to make progress in the coming years.