Pictured from left to right: Professor Virinder Moudgil (Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Oakland Univ. and Prof. of Biological Sciences), Larry Rich (Emek’s Director of Development), Professor Gary Russi (President, Oakland Univ.), Professor Robert Folberg (Founding Dean, Oakland Univ. William Beaumont School of Medicine, Prof. of Biomedical Sciences, Pathology and Ophthalmology, Chief Academic Officer, Beaumont Hospitals), Dr. Orna Blondheim (Emek’s CEO), Professor Ido Perlman (Dean of the Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology), Dr. Daniel Briscoe (Chairman of Emek’s Dept. of Ophthalmology) and Professor Jacob Pe’er (Head, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Univ. Hospital, Ein Karem, Jerusalem).

Ophthalmology specialists and residents from all over Israel attended this unique event and the Tel Aviv University even cancelled lectures so as to free medical students and lecturers to be present. Prof. Folberg gave a lively interactive lecture using virtual microscopy to present various clinical cases in a graphic and detailed manner. The large audience was not disappointed and was treated to a unique event that utilized a highly advanced lecturing method seldom seen in Israel. Prof. Folberg’s highly personal and polished lecturing style was well received and appreciated by all those present.

The visit of Prof. Folberg and his Oakland University colleagues was also to lay the foundations for future professional collaborations and exchanges between our two institutions. Dr. Daniel Briscoe together with Emek’s academic team will be investigating every possibility and everyone on both sides is excited to explore this new vista of opportunities.

We are grateful to Ron Perry and Robyn Lederman, of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge (www.michiganisrael.com), who arranged the visit of the Oakland University delegation to Emek as part of their week-long trip to Israel to explore academic, research, and commercial partnerships for Oakland University and the new Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Emek Medical Center looks forward to further cooperation with the Michigan Israel Business Bridge to strengthen the relationship between the Central Galilee and the State of Michigan.

We salute Prof. Folberg, his colleagues, Ron Perry and the Michigan Israel Business Bridge delegation for making the journey to Emek and we look forward to this new era that their visit has ushered in.