This week at the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), a medical institution renowned for its excellence, 35 very special individuals—physicians, physicists, nurses, volunteers, technicians, secretaries, and custodians—were celebrated for achieving excellence in their respective positions. The award ceremony had been postponed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbara Sofer, Israel director of public relations for Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), reports that she “was proud to add the blessings of the 300,000 members of HWZOA and the men and women of Hadassah International to the many words of praise these deserving members of the Hadassah family received.”

Sofer reminded everyone that 1918, the year of the influenza pandemic, was also the year that HWZOA brought HMO into existence, along with the first post-secondary school for women in the history of Israel: the school of nursing. “Like the pioneers of 1918, the honorees proved their merit in a time of great challenge,” she said. “Mazal tov times 35”!