Medical Student's Project Honors Deceased Cousin, Fosters Empathy
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Roni Hershkovitz, a military medical student, founded "Project Hadar" to support hospitalized patients' families, named after her late cousin. The project, a collaboration with Ezrat Achim, has mobilized over a hundred student volunteers, contributing thousands of hours at Jerusalem hospitals. Hershkovitz believes the experience cultivates empathy and improves future doctors' skills. She aims to become a top physician and serve as a combat medic in the IDF.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Student Roni Hershkovitz initiated "Project Hadar" to support families of hospitalized patients.
- The project is named in memory of Hershkovitz's second cousin.
- Over one hundred students have volunteered, contributing more than 1,500 hours at Jerusalem hospitals.
- Hershkovitz believes the volunteer work makes students better, more empathetic doctors.
- The project partners with the Ezrat Achim organization and the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.
- Hershkovitz plans to serve as a combat medic in the IDF after completing her studies.
Roni Hershkovitz, a 22-year-old student in the IDF's "Tzameret" military medical track, has initiated "Project Hadar" in collaboration with the Ezrat Achim organization. The project aims to provide support to families of hospitalized patients. Hershkovitz, who resides in Havat Yair, is currently in her fifth year of medical studies, which involves clinical work in hospitals. She emphasizes the importance of this phase for understanding patients' needs through direct interaction and listening to their stories.
The "Project Hadar" is named in memory of Hershkovitz's second cousin who passed away following a severe car accident. Hershkovitz initially volunteered with a cancer charity before joining the military medical program. Recognizing the proximity of nearly 500 medical students to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, she saw a significant opportunity to assist families. After initial difficulties securing hospital approval, Ezrat Achim embraced the project, facilitating the collaboration.
Hershkovitz initially recruited ten friends, and the initiative has since grown to include over 340 volunteers, with more than a hundred actively participating over the years. The students have accumulated over 1,500 volunteer hours at Hadassah Ein Kerem and the Alin Rehabilitation Hospital, primarily assisting children and the elderly. Ezrat Achim acts as a liaison, connecting patient requests with the student volunteers.
Hershkovitz believes that this volunteer work, particularly during the initial years of study, significantly shapes future physicians. Experiencing the patient's perspective, including the anxieties and sometimes difficult interactions with medical staff, fosters a deeper understanding and empathy. She feels this exposure makes the volunteers better doctors, a quality she hopes will endure throughout their careers despite the potential for burnout.
Families have expressed profound gratitude for the support, with one mother stating that the volunteers provided crucial assistance during a challenging time. The project has facilitated essential support for families with multiple children, those living far from the hospital, or those needing to manage other responsibilities. Hershkovitz aspires to be the best possible doctor for her patients, focusing on both professional skill and compassionate communication, and plans to serve as a combat medic in an IDF maneuvering battalion after her studies.
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