In affiliation with Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center operates university hospitals in the country of Jerusalem. The established hospitals of Hadassah Medical Center are prominent for most scholars and famous people in the medical field.
What is the Hadassah Medical Center?
Hadassah Medical Organization is an esteemed Israeli institution that has been around since 1934. It runs two university hospitals in Jerusalem, and is known for its pioneering technologies and outstanding medical expertise.
One of its hospitals is in Ein Karem, while the other is in Mount Scopus. Hadassah Medical Center, in addition to providing medical care and rehabilitation, also operates schools of medicine, pharmacology, dentistry and nursing associated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America is the one behind the establishment of the hospital. They have funded the institution from the very start and continue to finance it until this day. The hospital is known for its highly advanced medical equipment and treatments, as well as its superb physical therapy department.
The Hadassah Medical Center is a major center of healthcare with 1,000 beds in its two facilities. Moreover, the hospital has 31 notable operating theaters and five prestigious schools for medical professions, this hospital is well equipped for a variety of surgical procedures. Additionally, there are nine special ICU that the hospital provides.
History of Hadassah Organization
The Hadassah Organization has providing health care services since 1912 when it was established in New York. And ever since, the group holds the title for the largest women’s Zionist organization. They branched out across North America and Israel, dedicating medical services and education.
In 1913, Hadassah sent several nurses to Palestine to construct a simple public health facility in Jerusalem to provide maternity care and other services to the sick. One of the reasons they were able to address some of the region’s most pressing needs was the secure place they created for women and children to learn about nutrition.
In 1915, the Hadassah nurses station was closed down due to heavy pressure from the country’s leadership after it was suspected that Jewish citizens were sympathized with the enemy during the First World War.
Mount Scopus and the Hadassah Hospital were left as an exclave of Israeli after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This presented various challenges for the medical facility, all activities were forced to cease when both places were tightly guarded by Palestinian forces, who gained control of Jerusalem six months later in 1948.
Following the evacuation of West Jerusalem during the Six Day War, a group of medical staff members chose a different set of places in West Jerusalem to continue their work. In 1961, a new medical complex was erected on the borders of Jerusalem in the Ein Karem neighborhood.
20th Century Milestones of Hadassah Medical Center
Hadassah was recognized and awarded with a Peace Prize in 2005 for its efforts to build bridges to peace and for its commitment to provide equal treatment to all patients regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation
In 2011 up to 2013, the French baritone and the President of the Organization, David Serero delivered multiple concerts at the hospital. These performances have brought together the children of Israel and Palestine to enjoy the music, which has helped to create better relations between them. He is also the organization’s president.
In 2018, the Hadassah Medical Center launched an unit in Skolkovo in collaboration with the Mayor of Moscow. The new hospital will offer family medicine in a broad range of medical procedures, as well as advanced diagnostics and therapy.
Ze’ev Rotstein, the CEO of Hadassah Medical Center since 2015, has resigned on July 11, 2021, before facing probable disciplinary measures by the executive board. Professor Yoram G. Weiss took his place.
Aside from the interesting history and great services offered by Hadassah Hospital, its architectural design alongside with the Hebrew University is a must-see view in Jerusalem.
