The Power of Healing the World Together

Hadassah International’s Mission:

1. Hadassah International has supporters on 5 continents and 13 active Units who work to raise the visibility of Hadassah worldwide while raising money for the Hospitals. They are engaging in innovative business partnerships, direct solicitation, as well as elegant galas and events to fulfill this goal.
2. Hadassah International raises funds for HMO exclusively.
3. In the past 5 years Hadassah International has raised over $37 million.
4. Since the beginning of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower campaign, Hadassah International donors have contributed over $45 million.
5. There are 5 men and 4 women serving as Presidents in our most active units.
6. Hadassah International is governed by a 9 member international Board of Directors drawn from Hong Kong, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, Israel, as well as the US.
7. Hadassah International currently has 14 members on its professional staff.
8. You can follow our events and successes on our Hadassah International website under News From Our Units.

Supporting and Communications:

Content is provided by the Hadassah International Communications team.

Hadassah International Websites:

Our central Hadassah International English website, www.hadassahinternational.org serves as a detailed resource for news from the Hadassah Medical Center (HMO). Here you can find indexed articles available on every major story that has come out from the Hadassah Hospitals since 2012. It serves as a database on disease treatment and research that Hadassah has excelled in over the years as well as heart-warming patient stories, bridges to peace, and international outreach. We strive to show the world why Hadassah is “More than a Hospital”.

From the dropdown on the top bar, you can access all 11 Hadassah International Unit websites in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew. These include Hadassah Australia, Hadassah Belgium, Hadassah Brazil, Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, Hadassah France, Hadassah Germany, Hadassah New Zealand, Hadassah International Israel, Hadassah Latinoamerica, Hadassah Switzerland, Hadassah Panama, and Hadassah United Kingdom.

Hadassah International also sends out a monthly Newsletter in English and Spanish.

Hadassah International Facebook pages:

Many of the Hadassah International Units also run Facebook pages to engage their local populations. We have Facebook pages in 5 languages. The two Facebook pages intended for a wide international audience are in English (Hadassah International) and Spanish (Hadassah Latinoamerica), and each one features a daily posting.

Hadassah International Youtube Channel:

Hadassah International has its own Youtube Channel featuring videos of interest to our international audience. Most videos are in English, some with subtitles in other languages, and some directly in French or German.

Hadassah International is moving forward with innovation and worldwide outreach to promote and support the Hadassah Medical Center.

Hadassah International Board of Directors

DR. MANNO “MICKY” SAKS

President of Hadassah International

Dr. Micky Saks is from Zurich, Switzerland. He graduated as a medical doctor in 1982 at the “Technische Universitä” in Munich, Germany. Amidst his residency program, he was granted a scholarship by the German Cancer Society and subsequently spent two years ( 1984 – 1986) as a Research Fellow at the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami ( Florida). During his stay in Miami he passed the U. S. medical state examinations and was subsequently licensed as a medical doctor ( M. D.).

After finishing his thesis on the subject of “ Breast Reductive Surgery” he continued his residency in Munich, passed the Board Exam in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology and worked as a senior physician at the University Hospital in Munich.

In 1993 he co-founded the DE°SA Clinic in Munich, a center for laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, where he performed around 50, 000 operative procedures until 2009, when he sold his share in the private hospital.

Since moving to Zurich in 2010, Manno Saks has dedicated himself to private asset and wealth management. Among other things, he is an active investor in a New York real estate company with a commercial portfolio.

In 2013 Manno joined one of Europe’ s leading networks for private investors where he is involved in the due diligence of Med Tech and Bio Tech Startups.

CAROL ANN SCHWARTZ 

Hadassah International Chairwoman

28th National President of HWZOA 

Carol Ann Schwartz is Hadassah’s 28th national president. Her four-year term began on January 1, 2024. Carol Ann has more than 30 years of service to Hadassah at the local, regional, and national levels. Her previous roles have included: member of the Board of Directors of the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), Speakers Bureau chair, national secretary, a national vice president, the 2016 national convention chair, national social media chair, national presidential development co-chair, and National Young Leaders Advisory Council representative, among many others. She also served as the Cincinnati Chapter president and has chaired or been a member of numerous national committees.

Carol Ann is an advocacy training specialist through the former Washington Action Office. She was selected as a participant for the 2nd Young Leaders Mission to Israel in 1997 and was a recipient of the Presidents’ Award in 1994. Additionally, she serves on the AZM (American Zionist Movement) Board, Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations Board, and JNF-USA Board of Governors.

Carol Ann, of Cincinnati, has been extremely active in her local community, serving as president of Yavneh Day School (Rockwern Academy) and on several boards and committees, including the boards of Adath Israel Synagogue, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Hillel, and others.

Carol Ann earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and management from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Xavier University. Following seven-plus years in banking, Carol Ann left to work with her family in commercial real estate. The company was started in 1946 by her grandfather and is now run by her and her sister.

Carol Ann and her husband, Michael, have been married for 38 years. They are proud Guardian donors to Hadassah, and she is a Keeper of the Gate. Her family consists of four generations of Hadassah life members, and Michael is an Associate. Their children Matthew, Elan, and Alli are involved with Hadassah as Associates and a member respectively. They have all traveled to Israel many times, and their oldest son lives in Israel and has served in the IDF.

DR. KAREN M. EZRINE

Hadassah International Vice-President

HWZOA National Chair for Hadassah International

Karen is originally from Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her MD from the Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine and was a resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. She was a fellow in medical oncology at the Baltimore Cancer Research Program of the National Cancer Institute. She is boarded in Internal Medicine and Oncology. After leaving private practice, Karen worked for the Office of Disability of the Social Security Administration, developing medical policy.

After becoming a member of Hadassah of Greater Baltimore, Karen worked closely with the health coordinator to develop several medical education programs (breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and genetic diseases) and also chaired Major Gifts events. In Baltimore, she graduated from the Florence Melton Adult Institute and was on the board of her synagogue. She became a Bat Mitzvah in 1990 after a 2-year program.

She has served on the National Board of HWZOA and has held several portfolios. As co-chair of the Hadassah National Physicians Council, she planned and led three Continuing Medical Education Programs in Israel and was the Hadassah representative for the Victor Center for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases. She also worked with the Women’s Health division of HWZOA to develop educational programs. Most recently, she was Vice-Chair of HMO, and in 2020 she was Chair of HMO.

She moved to Naples, Florida (Collier County) part-time in 2002 and is now a full-time resident. In the Collier/Lee County chapter of Hadassah, she has co-chaired or served on the committee of several Major Gifts and Keepers events and has presented programs on Jewish Genetic Diseases.

Her other interests include travel, reading, golf, theater, and Jewish studies. In Naples, she was part of the oral and visual history project of the Holocaust Museum, chronicling the stories of Holocaust survivors, liberators, and “righteous gentiles.” She served three terms as a Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, where she was active in programming and chaired the People of the Book event. Dr. Ezrine also volunteers at a community theater and takes acting classes. She has appeared in productions in Naples and Marco Island.

VIVIANE KOVACS

Hadassah International Treasurer

HWZOA National Treasurer, Finance Division

Viviane Kovacs of Searingtown, New York, is an elected officer of Hadassah and serves as the National Treasurer. Previously she has held the position of Hadassah’s National Coordinator of Philanthropy, Vice-Coordinator of Philanthropy, Engagement Annual Plan Product Manager, and is a Past President of Hadassah Nassau. She is a four-generation life member.

For over 30 years, Viviane has been an active member of the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore and is a Past President of the synagogue. She has been honored by the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation of NY/NJ for her role in bringing the community together and by United Jewish Appeal – Federation Long Island Women’s Division for her commitment to the well-being of the Jewish people in Israel and New York.

Viviane graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a B.A. in Economics. She worked professionally on Wall Street as a branch analyst for a brokerage firm, then in a family-run real estate development company before devoting her full attention to Hadassah.

She and her husband, Alan, are members of Hadassah’s Society of Major Donors and Chai Keepers of the Gate.

CAROL ROSENTHAL

Director

Hadassah International Communications Co-Chair

Carol Rosenthal of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, currently serves as the Communications Co-Chair for Hadassah International and on HI’ s Board of Directors.

HWZOA ( Hadassah, The Women’ s Zionist Organization of America) history:

Carol is an elected member of the HWZOA National Board and recognized as a member of the National Honorary Council. She is a Past National Vice President and served for three years as the Israel Travel Co-Chair, leading many trips over the years.

In October 2015 , October 2020 and April 2023 , Carol represented Hadassah as a delegate to the World Zionist Congress. She currently represents Hadassah on the American Zionist Movement (AZM) National Board and is a representative on the World Zionist Council (Vaad Ha Poel).

Carol is very involved in her local Temple and Chabad, as well as many volunteer organizations in her city, state and region. She and her husband own a local printing business, The Printers, Inc., and she does their graphic design and marketing.

ROBERT DORFMAN

International Director

Is a current Director and the past President of Hadassah International Board of Directors from 2018-2023 . He is a lifelong resident of Hong Kong and serves as the United Israel Appeal Hong Kong Campaign Chairman.

Robert’s great grandparents travelled trans-Siberian Railroad from Russia to Harbin, Manchuria where three of his grandparents were born. Robert’ s parents were both born in China and attended the Tientsin Jewish School. They remained in China throughout World War II, l iving under Japanese occupation. After the Communist takeover in 1949, the family left China for Tokyo, Japan, which was quickly becoming the business center of Asia following the US occupation.

Robert was born in Tokyo in October 1954 ; the family moved to Hong Kong in early 1956.

Robert attended primary and secondary school in Hong Kong. He then attended the University of Washington in Seattle, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations in 1976.

Robert returned to Hong Kong to join the family business, Herald Holdings Ltd, today a publicly listed company quoted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company has four business units engaged in the manufacture and global distribution of toys, timepieces, houseware and computer components. Robert’ s family and a Hong Kong Chinese family, who have been their partners for almost 60 years, remain the controlling shareholders.

NATHALIE DWEK

International Director

Is from London, UK. Nathalie has consulted for Hadassah International since 2005 . She holds an MSc. In Consulting for Change from Oxford University’ s Said Business School and HEC, Paris, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological and psychiatric anthropology from Brunel University, London.

Her work as a change leader centers around creating innovative and sustainable platforms to grow new market segments and partnerships which will strengthen the hospital into the future. Nathalie works collaboratively with teams at HMO and HI across a range of projects. These have added measurable value to the fundraising units around the world.

CLAUDIO BOBROW

International Director

Director, is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is married and the father of 5 children, majored in Production Engineering at University de São Paulo, back in 1987 . For two years, he worked at Bank of Boston’ s treasury and, in 1988, together with his brother Adolfo, created IMB Têxtil.

In 2015 , he won the “ Businessman of the year” prize, granted by Al shop in New York, highly due to his contribution to the community. He was part of the team behind the development of the licensing model for The Coca-Cola Company in Brazil, which became the largest Coca-Cola Licensing program in the world, with turnover greater than BRL 500 MM. Since 2004 , Claudio provides Marketing services to the Coca-Cola Licensing program. In 2019, Claudio joined the investment fund Trigger LTDA both as an investor as well as the CEO of the enterprise KION in the dentistry market.

Claudio was the president of Keren Hayesod campaign in Brazil, between 2015 and 2017.

DR. SHAI MISAN

International Director

Is a medical doctor who graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Trieste and specializes emergency and Telemedicine in the United States. Misan earned his Ph D in psychiatry at the psychiatric clinic in Trieste with focus on tele-mental health, about which he has published several articles. Shai Misan has also completed executive management in HBS and LBS.

Dr. Misan is an entrepreneur and consultant in the health space internationally Part of YPO leadership since 10 years.

PROF. EMMANUEL MESSAS

International Director

President of Hadassah France

Prof. Emmanuel Messas, MD, Ph D, is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology and serves as Head of the Cardiovascular Prevention and Vascular Medicine Department, as well as Head of the Cardiovascular Ultrasound Ecolab at Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Université de Paris, and Inserm UMR 970, Paris, France. His primary research focus is on innovation in cardiovascular ultrasound imaging and therapy.

From 1999 to 2001 , he was a research fellow in the Cardiac Ultrasound Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, under the supervision of Dr. Robert Levine, a world-renowned cardiologist specializing in ultrasound and valve research. Since his fellowship, Prof. Messas has focused on using innovative ultrasound imaging techniques to better understand heart valve diseases, aiming to treat them with noninvasive ultrasound therapy. He has developed and funded multiple start-ups and is the author or co-author of numerous patents.

In addition to his medical career, Prof. Messas has held political responsibilities. He was elected to the Paris City Parliament for six years, where he oversaw health and solidarity initiatives. He is also deeply involved in Jewish life in Paris, serving as Vice President of Maguen David Ahavat Shalom, one of the city’ s largest synagogues, named in honor of his father, Rabbi David Messas, former Chief Rabbi of Paris, and his grandfather, Rabbi Chalom Messas, former Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem (zatsal).

Since 2012 , he has been the President of Hadassah France, where he has significantly enhanced scientific and medical collaboration between Hadassah and several leading medical centers in France.

OLGA SASSON

International Director

President of Hadassah Mexico

YHWB Member

Olga Sasson is a dedicated community leader and president of the board of Hadassah Mexico.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Olga has a strong background in communal involvement and a deep commitment to Jewish tradition. As a wife and mother of four sons, she values family above all else and enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones.

Olga’ s involvement with Hadassah began three years ago when she joined the Genetics Program in Mexico. Through this program, she helps Jewish couples make informed decisions about their reproductive health and prevent the passing of diseases to their children. In addition to her work with the Genetics Program, Olga is involved with Young Hadassah and co-chairs the HI event in 2023 .

As an active member of the local Jewish community, Olga also serves on the Maguen Malajim committee. She is fluent in multiple languages, including Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish, which has allowed her to connect with people from all over the world and broaden her perspective.

With her strong commitment to family, health, community, and Jewish tradition, Olga is excited to take on her new role as president of the board of Hadassah Mexico. She looks forward to making a positive impact and leaving a lasting legacy through her work with the organization.

DR. ALEKSANDAR MITOV

International Director

YHWB Member

Aleksandar Mitov is an author, medical doctor, and entrepreneur with a main focus on public health issues. He is one of the most influential public health specialists in his home country of Macedonia, with over 150, 000 followers across several social media platforms. He has designed several public health campaigns for the Government of Macedonia mainly focused on l i festyle modification.

Dr. Mitov holds a master’ s degree in Environmental Health from the Cyprus International Institute in association with Harvard School of Public Health, and an MPhil in Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge. He was working for the Macedonian Government for 5 years and served as Special Advisor on Healthcare to the Prime minister of Macedonia.

He is married and father of three children.