The Future of
Patient Care
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Doctors perform surgery at a hospital in Holon.
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A Cure On The Horizon
Israeli researchers come closer to
winning the battle over breast cancer.
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SYSTEM
Intelligent
Rebecca McKinsey
Times of Israel
"One of the main attractions for
doctors and researchers — good
doctors, young doctors and also
uring cancer is a lofty goal
experienced doctors — is an institu-
- and has proven a very
tion that presents them with oppor-
difficult one to attain. But
tunities," he continued. "One of the
when it comes to breast cancer, at
main ones is to be able to practice
least, some physicians and research-
advanced, groundbreaking research!'
ers in Israel's Negev don't think
That's where the recent cancer
developing a cure is impossible.
studies come in. By looking at the
"Certainly, it is an attainable goal
entire human body as it relates to
to cure every case of breast cancer!'
cancer — blood cells, bone marrow,
said David Geffen, M.D., chief of
and not just the concentrated cancer
Breast Oncology Services at the
cells — researchers can learn more
Soroka Medical Center. "Right now,
about cancer's habits. And by study-
it's not a fantasy in the sky."
ing the genetic makeup, bone health,
Researchers from the medical
obesity, hormone use and other
center, along with those from the
factors in people who have cancer,
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
researchers can draw conclusions
Center and its Evelyn H. Lauder
about the ties among those influ-
Breast Center in New York City, met
ences and the disease.
at Soroka in Beersheva, Israel, in
"What most people don't under-
April to review some of the world's
stand is that the cancer cells
latest cancer research findings. The
themselves are harmless!' Norton
conference explored ideas that are
explained. "Nobody ever died of
changing researchers' definitions and
cancer cells. You die of tumors. And
understanding of the disease, and
tumors are intimately tied to many
analyzed ties among cancer and bone parts of the body — making a holis-
health, obesity and other factors.
tic approach necessary."
Soroka's location and status were
As researchers study the relation-
key in hosting this conference —
ship between cancer and other fac-
and in conducting this research, said tors, breast cancer has become a key
Dr. Ehud Davidson, the medical cen- aspect of their studies. And because
ter's director general.
it is one of the more common types
"The residents of 60 percent of
of cancer in women, many subjects
Israel's land mass all depend on one
are available in Israel.
hospital — ours, which is, of course,
Soroka's role in the Negev and the
a big one and a good one, but still
people it serves — including Bedouin
populations, which are more likely
just one," he said. "We call ourselves
the 'medical Iron Dome' in the
than many others to have uniform
Negev — in times of war and times
genetic makeups — combined with
Israel's knack for innovation makes
of peace:'
The Soroka Medical Center serves
Soroka a perfect place to conduct
1 million people — 400,000 of whom cancer research, Norton said.
"This is literally made in heaven
are children — in the Negev region.
Its trauma center is the busiest in the for an extraordinary clinical research
country: More than 3,000 patients
project," he added. "The whole envi-
- both civilian and military — are
ronment is a setup that can make
admitted each year.
it a world center for this type of
C
A Smarter Approach to Care -
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is the hospital of the future...today!
Our new South Patient Tower is a contemporary-styled, eight-story
patient facility featuring:
204 all private rooms outfitted with the advanced
Intelligent Care System technology
Hotel-style amenities, including a spacious lobby with fireplace
and inviting seating areas
Climate-controlled pedestrian walkways
Healing arts program supported exclusively by Michigan artists
The newly constructed South Patient Tower represents a new day
for St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. The new environment combines
our commitment to medical excellence, improved patient safety
and clinical quality with a dedication to caring for the whole
patient—body, mind and spirit. For St. Joe's, it's all about creating
a healing environment to achieve the very best outcomes for our
patients and their families.
Please Join Us
Open House April 26, 2014 11 to 4 p.m.
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To learn more about the new South Patient Tower,
visit stjoesoakland.org/newsouthtower
You
A Cure on page 54
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April 24 • 2014
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