Dear Friends,
I believe I speak for all of us in expressing profound gratitude that our prayers of the past two years have finally been answered. All living hostages have been returned to their families, and for the first time in a long while, there is a real sense of hope that we may be on the path toward lasting peace.
Throughout this period of volatility and uncertainty, APF’s response has unconditionally reflected the vision set forth 75 years ago, and the unwavering commitment of the North American healthcare community to Israel demonstrated over decades remains unrivaled.
For more than seven decades, APF has united North American and Israeli healthcare professionals in advancing medical excellence, strengthening emergency preparedness and promoting the exchange of knowledge that sustains Israel’s healthcare system in times of peace and crisis alike.
When Israel was attacked by its neighbors in 1967 and again in 1973, APF mobilized American and Canadian physicians and medical professionals to volunteer in Israeli hospitals to stand in for the doctors who had been called to military service at the front.
In recognition of this vital contribution, the State of Israel formally designated APF as the exclusive North American organization to maintain a registry of healthcare professionals willing to serve in Israel during times of emergency. That is a mission that APF continues to fulfill with unwavering dedication.
In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks, APF launched a series of humanitarian and volunteer missions to support Israel’s medical system and ensure its long-term recovery. In those ensuing two years, APF has trained and prepared more than 250 healthcare volunteers who have gone on to provide critical medical and psychological support in hospitals and communities across Israel.
We have also doubled our investment in Israeli medical Fellowships, subsidizing postdoctoral training for more than 40 physicians. In addition, we have provided funding for officers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Medical Corps to participate in international scientific conferences focused on the unique medical needs of combat soldiers. Further, through the generosity of former Board of Trustees member Dr. Richard N. Hirsh, we sponsored delegations of Israeli nurses to come to the United States to collaborate on developing advanced pediatric care protocols to benefit children in Israel.
Whether in times of peace, during natural disasters or in the aftermath of terrorist events, we at APF remain dedicated to continuing and expanding our role and ensuring that our work remains relevant and meaningful in advancing medical education, research and patient care in Israel.
Together we stand in solidarity, and together we make a difference in Israel.
Thank you for your sustained generous contributions!
Richard G. Schmidt, MD
President