The IMA has long enjoyed a close and fruitful relationship with the German Medical Association. To that end, the IMA was delighted to host two visitors from Saxony in June of this year:  Mr. Erik Bodendieck, President of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony and founding member of the Saxon branch of the German doctor's association “Hartmannbund” and Dr. Michael Schulte Westenberg, Secretary General of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony.

The doctors began their tour with a visit to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is one of Israel's leading non-profit NGOs, which develops and implements unique and cutting-edge programs in innovation, sport, health, business, and the environment.  The programs offered serve hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries from all walks of life and are implemented with a network of local, regional, and international partners.

This was followed by a visit to Start-Up Nation Central. Start-Up Nation Central is a non-profit organization that connects Israeli innovation to the world. Inspired by the book Start-Up Nation and immersed in the Israeli technology ecosystem, Start-Up Nation Central provides a platform that nurtures business growth and generates partnerships to help strengthen Israel’s economy and society, focusing on Health Tech, Climate Tech, and Agrifood Tech.

After enjoying a light lunch, the doctors then visited the head offices of the Israeli Medical Association in Ramat Gan, where they enjoyed presentations given by young physicians who were participating in the IMA’s Basic Science in Medical Innovation course.

Mr. Bodendieck and Dr. Michael Schulte Westenberg then met with Dr. Natalie Bloch of the Israeli Innovation Authority. The Israel Innovation Authority is an independent publicly funded agency that was created to provide a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at effectively addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems.

Leah Wapner, CEO of the Israeli Medical Association then joined the doctors for an informative discussion on ‘medicine in the changing world’.

The evening concluded with a dinner in central Tel Aviv with key members of the Israeli Medical Association’s leadership.

The following day, the doctors met with Prof. Solomon Stemmer and a number of graduates, where they were given an introduction and tour of the Beilinson Hospital/Rabin Medical Center, with the focus on innovation. 

The doctors then went on to visit the Davidoff Cancer Center. The Davidoff Center for the Treatment and Research of Cancer at Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center (RMC), combines Oncology, Hemato-oncology, and Supportive Care for cancer patients and is world-renowned for its prevention, treatment, and research of malignant diseases. 

The doctors then enjoyed a light, traditional Israeli lunch in Jerusalem followed by a tour of the historical and religious sites and later in the evening were joined by Prof. Zion Hagay, President of the Israeli Medical Association and Leah Wapner, CEO of the Israeli Medical Association for dinner at Jerusalem’s Rooftop restaurant while enjoying the magnificent views of the ancient city.