an exodus of excellence

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An Exodus of Excellence

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In a moving ceremony held last month, the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption marked the outstanding contribution of three Rambam scientists, all immigrants. In recent months Rambam absorbed two more researchers, both leaders in their fields, who immigrated to Israel

Prof Jacob Rowe, director of RHCC's Institute of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplants was recently awarded the prestigious Ministry of Immigrant Absorption's prize for outstanding olim (immigrant) scientists of over the last 20 years. The prize is given to ten immigrant scientists who have demonstrated excellence while working in Israel. It is awarded for significant contributions to the advancement of Israel's science and research, as well as its economic/social growth.

The award ceremony: Prof Jacob Rowe is third on the left
Photo credit: Itshak Elharar- "Scoop 80'

The prize was awarded during a conference marking the scientific contributions of immigrants during the last 20 years. Held by the National Israel Academy of Scientists, under the auspices of Tel Aviv University, the conference was attended by one thousand scientists from throughout Israel. The chief scientist of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Dr. Zeev Hanin, and deputy chairman of the Immigrant Scientists Association, Dr. Leonid Dinitz, delivered opening remarks at the event. The awards ceremony took place in the presence of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu , Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver, Minister of Science Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz and others.

Prof Rowe, together with colleagues Prof Karl Skorecki , director of Medicine and Research Development at RHCC and head of the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences of the Technion's Faculty of Medicine and Dr Yafim Brodov, senior cardiologist at Rambam's Institute of Nuclear (isotopic ) Medicine appear in the book of outstanding scientists of the National Israel Academy of Scientists, an honor shared by 100 Israeli scientists.

Just last month at Rambam, the Center of Excellence for Diabetes Research was dedicated. This is the first of four centers to be opened through the Legacy Heritage Institute for Medical Research at Rambam, which is headed by Prof Michael Aviram. The new center will be directed by Prof Derek LaRoith, who decided to immigrate to Israel together with his Israeli wife and chose Rambam as the focus of his new activities. Prof LaRoith directed the Center of Excellence for Diabetes at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland, and the Mt Sinai Medical Center in New York. He is regarded as a leading researcher in the USA in the area of diabetes. RHCC was also joined last month by Prof Beth Brianna Murinson from the USA. There, Prof Murinson managed the Pain Unit of the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University.