Continuing with its support of the new Trauma Unit at Panama’s Hospital Santo Tomas, the Hadassah Medical Center sent a team to Panama to provide hands-on training for the doctors and nurses in the emergency, surgery, and trauma units.

This marks the second phase of the “Trauma Project,” a collaborative venture between the Hadassah Medical Center, Hadassah Panama, and Santo Tomas.  It follows on the success of the October 2007 Trauma Seminar, during which the Trauma Unit—the first one in Panama—was dedicated.

The objectives of this training were to improve the treatment level given to trauma patients, help strengthen medical protocols for trauma patients, and improve the internal organizational structure of the emergency and trauma units.  To that end, Dr. Gidon Almogy, Senior Surgeon, and Pnina Sharon, Senior Nurse, from Hadassah’s Trauma Unit spent two weeks in September with Santo Tomas’ health professionals.  Aside from providing training, they assisted with complicated surgeries and participated in a major medical seminar organized by Hospital Santo Tomas.  They offered recommendations to improve the organization of the trauma unit, many of which have already been put into practice.

Hadassah Panama volunteers worked diligently to facilitate the logistics of Dr. Almogy and Mrs. Sharon’s visit and were most enthusiastic about providing support as needed.  The Hadassah Panama team notes: “Dr. Almogy and Mrs. Sharon demonstrated a high regard for human life, a sincere interest in the patients, and a desire and willingness to help the staff do a better job.  They put in full work schedules, and taught by example.”  The help that the Hadassah Medical Organization provided, with the support of Hadassah Panama and Hadassah International, Hadassah Panama President Margie Mizrachi adds, “has definitely served to strengthen the relations and good will between Israel and Panama.”