SHINE Program
Jeffrey W. Berger, M.D., Ph.D. (1963-2001) was an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology (Retina Service) at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Computer Vision Laboratory at Penn’s Scheie Eye Institute. Dr. Berger was internationally recognized for his work on computer based retinal imaging and first editor of a major textbook on age-related macular degeneration. He was an outstanding teacher and advocate for medical students. Because of his strong commitment to mentoring students in medical research, and his love of Israel, the Jeffrey W. Berger Research Scholarship Fund will support the living and travel expenses for a student to do up to a year of clinical or basic research at the Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Here is some information about Hadassah Hospital:
The foundations of Hadassah Medical Center in Israel were laid in 1913, several decades before the establishment of the state, when Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America dispatched two nurses to address the overwhelming problem of trachoma. Today, with two university-affiliated hospital campuses and five schools of medical professions, Hadassah Medical Center has grown into a leading medical science and innovative treatment center. In spite of the region’s complex history, Hadassah has achieved professional excellence while remaining true to its declared mission: to extend a hand to all, without regard for race, religion or ethnic origin.
As a true cornerstone of Hadassah Medical Center, the Ophthalmology Department takes pride in providing the highest standard of care to its patients and remaining at the forefront of research in the field. The department includes thirteen sub-specialties and nine active research groups, which employ both clinical and basic science techniques in fields such as gene therapy, epidemiology, genetics and artificial intelligence. The department also places great emphasis on education and outreach, both local and international, with the aim of raising awareness and supporting disadvantaged populations. To date, the Ophthalmology Department has formed educational collaborations with over thirty-five countries around the world, with options for international residencies, clinical/research fellowships, MSc/PhD studies, internships, and optometry/orthoptic courses and rotations.
There are a number of fascinating research opportunities at Hadassah. Click here for a list of researchers, along with a description of their work, who have agreed to mentor deserving students through our new program.
Hadassah website: https://www.hadassah.org.il/en/
Ophthalmology Department: https://www.hadassah.org.il/en/ophthalmology_division/
For further information regarding this program, you may reach out to us at the Contact Us link.