Medical Fellows Program Builds Capacity

By bringing groups of Israeli medical fellows for state-of-the-art training at leading Canadian hospitals, the Azrieli Israel Medical Fellows Program is strengthening the healthcare and research systems in Israel and Canada. 

While healthcare in Israel is advanced compared to most countries, in some areas (like emergency medicine, psychiatry and oncology), specialized training abroad can help build needed capacity.  

This is why, in 2019, the Azrieli Foundation helped Sinai Health in Toronto launch the Azrieli Israel Medical Fellows Program, supporting two years of training for Israeli medical fellows at Mount Sinai and affiliated hospitals. The Israeli Ministry of Health is a partner of this initiative, providing financial support and selecting eligible medical specialties to ensure gaps in Israel’s healthcare system are addressed.  

The Foundation’s 2023 commitment will bring 28 more fellows to both Mount Sinai in Toronto and Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital over the next three years. 

“This transformative experience has empowered me to augment my knowledge, expertise, leadership abilities and future aspirations,” says Dr. Halima Dabaja-Yunis of her fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital, which began in July 2022. 

While training in the Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Dr. Dabaja-Yunis developed a comprehensive skill set to effectively manage outbreaks in acute and long-term care facilities, implement infection prevention measures and policies, and address the environmental sources of infections. The fellowship also gave her “unparalleled opportunities” to pursue her research on pathogens and antibiotic resistance. 

Dr. Dabaja-Yunis says her time training in Toronto has broadened her “perspective to encompass the importance of public and global health.”