Schneider Children’s Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel marked its 25th Anniversary as the leading and only pediatric hospital of its kind at the end of October 2016. The impressive event took place at the Tel Aviv Cultural Hall in the presence of the Minister of Health, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, members of the Schneider Family, Clalit Health Services CEO, Eli Depes, senior health officials in Israel, donors, volunteers and hundreds of Schneider employees and their spouses.

Three movies were shown on huge screens describing the special stories of three children who were treated at Schneider Children’s and whose lives were saved sometimes against all the odds. When the children themselves stepped onto the stage, the audience was moved to tears. Among the stories was that of the Gross family brothers, Michael and Yitzhak, whose hearts were severely affected due to pesticide poisoning. The team of doctors and heart-lung technicians in Schneider Children’s were summoned to Shaarei Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem and ambulances equipped with two ECMO machines that mechanically replace the function of the heart and lungs brought the children back to Schneider for continued care. They were discharged a month later in full health.

Dr. Orli Michaeli, a former broadcaster at the IDF’s radio station and a physician in the Hemato-Oncology Department, served as MC at the gala event. Guests enjoyed a special and nostalgic performance by the popular artist, Yehoram Gaon.

Prof. Joseph Press, Director of Schneider Children’s, said in his remarks to hospital employees, that “in order to ensure that children always receive the finest treatment, a perpetual effort, and a prolonged, dedicated and unconditional investment must be made by many people. We are duty-bound to heal because Schneider Children’s is a life endeavor. Schneider Children’s great success is due mainly to the professionalism, human quality and dedication of its staff, together with the unparalleled support of friends and volunteers who help us to be the very best.”