JFRI aids Afula/Gilboa its partnership region in Israel

The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island through its Partnership 2000 Program has donated $10,000 to the Emek Medical Center, a hospital in Afula, Israel, for its Dream Doctors/Medical Clown Program.

From Ha'Emek Medical Center...
"Laughter heals.  It is known that a medical clown appearing at the side of a sick patient, child or adult, at the opportune moment often transforms the treatment/experience into a pleasant and memorable one - for the patient, the family and the attending medical staff.  These wonderful clowns have the ability to bring smiles & laughter to children when they are worried, in pain or vulnerable in what is to them an uncertain hospital environment.  The therapeutic magic of these clowns is a radiant asset and this heart-warming service should be more lovingly available to our Pediatric Emergency Services, Pediatric Surgical and Internal Medicine Wards and Oncology Department."  

History of Hospital
Emek Hospital was founded in 1924 as the first hospital of Kupat Holim Clalit to serve pioneers in the Jezre'el Valley and has since grown into Northeastern Israel's most prominent medical establishment.  Today it serves a diverse population of 500,000 citizens from varied ethnic groups and acts as a referral center for specialized treatments for citizens from all over Israel.  In recent years, many new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia have settled in the area.  "Emek" has been a full partner in the absorption of this wave of immigration, and has successfully dealt with severe medical problems that prevailed in these populations due to neglect in their countries of origin.  Emek's 24 departments, 454 beds, intensive care units, outpatient clinics and modern laboratories form the infrastructure of the hospital, enabling the center to provide a full spectrum of medical services.

For more information visit http://www.clalit.org.il/haemek/defaulteng.asp