Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center officially commemorated the opening of the new MRI Suite, directed by Dr. Yaakov Applbaum, on January 1st. With the first patient undergoing a trial scan, the Suite has opened with two MRI scanners available for operation. The two machines will allow for Shaare Zedek to be involved with both clinical and research applications of the MRI technology. 

Jerusalem’s fastest growing major medical center, Shaare Zedek was approved for licensure by Israel’s Ministry of Health in 2010 to receive the tender to install an MRI. MRI technology is viewed as an all-important diagnostic service in treating a wide variety of diseases and injuries. Relying on the use of extremely high-powered magnets to create images within the human body, MRI is able to provide physicians with a highly accurate picture of the body without subjecting the patient to high degrees of radiation, which is associated with other imaging technologies like x-ray and CT.

The development of the new MRI required the investment of over 5 million dollars for the purchase of two state of the art scanners and the renovation of an area on the hospital’s Third Floor that will house the MRI Suite. Because of the high strength emitted by the magnets, the scanners are placed in specially constructed cages that ensure the magnetic force, which could be extremely dangerous, is contained within the room. Upon entry into the cage, patients are required to remove any possible metal items. The MRI area is outfitted with a special security system utilizing fingerprint recognition to ensure that no unauthorized personnel are able to access the area.

Because performing MRI scans and reading the images returned requires a high-level of familiarity with the technology, Shaare Zedek has recently expanded the staff of its Department of Medical Imaging to include some of Israel’s leading experts in the field. This will allow the activities of the MRI Unit to begin immediately with the assurance of a highly experienced staff already in place. In addition, Shaare Zedek doctors are involved with ongoing training to familiarize themselves with the machines and appreciate the various applications for patient care.

The two scanners purchased were both obtained from Siemens who worked closely with Shaare Zedek to ensure that the hospital receives the best possible machines for the most competitive prices. Shaare Zedek Director General Professor Jonathan Halevy was in attendance for the official opening of the Suite and said that it represented a historic development for the hospital. “In adding MRI to our always increasing array of medical services, we are even further positioning ourselves to offer our patients the most comprehensive possible care,” he said. “MRI is a technology that will significantly enhance our abilities in the area of diagnoses and overall care so we take great pride in the fact that Shaare Zedek has joined those leading Israeli medical centers offering this service.”

The project has been made possible by several leading displays of generosity including from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews – Keren L’Yedidut under the direction of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and several anonymous donors.

The Unit will begin accepting patients on January 15th and appointments can be made by calling 02-6555313.

Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center officially commemorated the opening of the new MRI Suite, directed by Dr. Yaakov Applbaum, on January 1st. With the first patient undergoing a trial scan, the Suite has opened with two MRI scanners available for operation. The two machines will allow for Shaare Zedek to be involved with both clinical and research applications of the MRI technology. 

Jerusalem’s fastest growing major medical center, Shaare Zedek was approved for licensure by Israel’s Ministry of Health in 2010 to receive the tender to install an MRI. MRI technology is viewed as an all-important diagnostic service in treating a wide variety of diseases and injuries. Relying on the use of extremely high-powered magnets to create images within the human body, MRI is able to provide physicians with a highly accurate picture of the body without subjecting the patient to high degrees of radiation, which is associated with other imaging technologies like x-ray and CT.

The development of the new MRI required the investment of over 5 million dollars for the purchase of two state of the art scanners and the renovation of an area on the hospital’s Third Floor that will house the MRI Suite. Because of the high strength emitted by the magnets, the scanners are placed in specially constructed cages that ensure the magnetic force, which could be extremely dangerous, is contained within the room. Upon entry into the cage, patients are required to remove any possible metal items. The MRI area is outfitted with a special security system utilizing fingerprint recognition to ensure that no unauthorized personnel are able to access the area.

Because performing MRI scans and reading the images returned requires a high-level of familiarity with the technology, Shaare Zedek has recently expanded the staff of its Department of Medical Imaging to include some of Israel’s leading experts in the field. This will allow the activities of the MRI Unit to begin immediately with the assurance of a highly experienced staff already in place. In addition, Shaare Zedek doctors are involved with ongoing training to familiarize themselves with the machines and appreciate the various applications for patient care.

The two scanners purchased were both obtained from Siemens who worked closely with Shaare Zedek to ensure that the hospital receives the best possible machines for the most competitive prices. Shaare Zedek Director General Professor Jonathan Halevy was in attendance for the official opening of the Suite and said that it represented a historic development for the hospital. “In adding MRI to our always increasing array of medical services, we are even further positioning ourselves to offer our patients the most comprehensive possible care,” he said. “MRI is a technology that will significantly enhance our abilities in the area of diagnoses and overall care so we take great pride in the fact that Shaare Zedek has joined those leading Israeli medical centers offering this service.”

The project has been made possible by several leading displays of generosity including from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews – Keren L’Yedidut under the direction of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and several anonymous donors.

The Unit will begin accepting patients on January 15th and appointments can be made by calling 02-6555313.