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Amichay Meirovitz, M.D. and
Merav Akiva Ben-David, M.D. |
The significance of radiation oncology to the
treatment of cancer patients cannot be overstated. By some
estimates, for each cancer patient cured by drugs (chemotherapy,
immunotherapy, or hormonotherapy), four are cured by radiation.
Yet we take for granted the extensive training required of
these specialists practicing in the United States.
While on a six-month sabbatical in Israel in
1992, current dean of the U-M Medical School and former professor
and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology Allen
Lichter, M.D., saw firsthand both the disparity in training
and the overall lack of specialists in the profession practicing
in Israel, and decided to leverage Michigan's strengths in
the discipline to do something about it. He was instrumental
in establishing the Israeli Fellowship in Radiation Oncology
at the U-M Medical School in 1993, a program which has been
enthusiastically continued by his successor, current chair
Theodore
Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D.
"Here in the U.S., radiation oncologists
complete an intensive, four-year residency program in radiation
therapy," explains Lawrence. "In Israel, training
in radiation therapy is but a small part of a medical oncology
program." In addition, the small number of practicing
radiation oncologists -- only 14 in the whole country -- impacts
the quality of care as well. "While an American radiation
oncologist might treat 150 to 300 patients per year, their
Israeli counterpart treats about 650 patients per year; a
clearly unmanageable patient load."
The U-M program is intended to expose Israel's
most promising young oncologists to the most current clinical
and research techniques. "It is a two-year sequence that
places participants in the lab for one year and the clinic
for another," Lawrence explains. "The fellows make
a significant contribution to our research while they are
here. The work of past fellows has already helped improve
treatments for cancers of the liver and pancreas."
Three doctors have already completed the fellowship
and returned to Israel. Currently, two fellows are receiving
training. Amichay Meirovitz, M.D. arrived in July 2002, and
Merav Akiva Ben-David, M.D. arrived this July to begin her
fellowship. Meirovitz is quick to reflect on how supportive
the staff has been. "Everyone has been great, welcoming
me and helping me acclimate to the U.S., Ann Arbor and the
University." Upon returning to Israel next year, Meirovitz
plans to practice oncology with an emphasis on radiation oncology.
"The superb training I have received here is the best
preparation possible for that goal," he says.
Ben-David plans to take the knowledge she gains
home to Israel's Shiba Medical Center. While here,she is collaborating
on breast cancer and genetics research. She says the best
thing about the fellowship is impacting patient care and research.
"We put our shoulder to the effort along with the other
residents. We're not just observers; we make a difference."
To learn more about the Israeli Fellowship in
Radiation Oncology, contact Marc Halman at (734) 936-4302.
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