Just What the Doctor Ordered
Thursday, January 20, 2011

American medical students receive New York State accredited training at TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine

As admissions to medical schools become increasingly competitive, future American doctors are turning overseas to get a top-notch education — and they're finding it at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, The Jewish Week reports in its January 19 issue.

Chartered by the State of New York and accredited by Israel, Sackler's New York State/American Program is attracting an impressive crop of American med students. Launched in 1976, the program is taught entirely in English, with 300 students attending the program at any given time. Although they're required to maintain Hebrew proficiency so they can work in Israeli hospitals during their studies, most of the students do not stay in Israel and return stateside to launch their careers.

"We look at our students as our future ambassadors of good will," says Dr. Arnon Afek, the new director of the Sackler program and former deputy director of Israel's Sheba Medical Center. "They represent Israel and Israel's health system to America."

For more on the program, read the full story in the January 19, 2011, issue of The Jewish Week here.