The Israeli Medical Association (IMA) has, since its establishment in 1912, been a leader in health policy, an advocate for physicians and patients, and the body responsible for the professional and ethical standards of the medical profession in Israel  and is proud that the majority of Israel’s physicians have elected to be members of our organization.

One of the most significant activities of the IMA is our World Fellowship (WF), instituted with the aim of involving doctors, residents, fellows and medical students, around the world with the medical profession in Israel and with their Israeli counterparts.  The WF embodies the solidarity of physicians who share common values of support for the State of Israel and the Israeli medical profession. The organization promotes fellowship, ethical behavior, exchange of knowledge and networking between our members and likeminded colleagues in Israel and abroad.

• The WF hosts visitors and arrange professional and social meetings with other organizations, individuals and medical institutions, as well as with IMA representatives.
• The WF raises grants that allow Israeli physicians to go abroad for fellowship programs and encourages and assists physicians and medical students coming to Israel for exchange programs.
• Members abroad receive a quarterly newsletter in English entitled “IMA around the Globe”, which updates them on what’s happening at the IMA and the IMA WF branches around the world, and illustrates the positive aspects of medicine in Israel.
• Members are also entitled to discounts at any conferences of which the IMA is part of the organizing committee.The establishment of a system to bring physicians to Israel during emergency times, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Labor Ministry and the Jewish Agency, is in progress.

The WF has enhanced ties with the Israeli Medical Student Organization, organizing guest lecturers and holding an international student session, most of whom were financially supported by the IMA, during its international conference in April 2007. At the 19^th International IMA WF Conference, once again there will be a international student session organized by the IMA World Fellowship Student Network, which is part of Israeli Medical Student Association.

Organized by the IMA, in collaboration with other organizations, the WF has been active in humanitarian missions around the world, sending physicians and resources to many areas of need, including Sri Lanka, Uganda, the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Turkey in recent years. Furthermore, the WF intends to serve as a source of solidarity and a clearinghouse of support for Jewish communities in need, including humanitarian missions, in collaboration with other organizations.

Today the WF functions in a climate of change of attitude towards Israel, with the recent attempt of some British physicians to expel the IMA from the World Medical Association and the proposal of enforcing academic boycotts against Israel. Members abroad have been alerted to attacks on Israel and Israeli medicine in the medical press, and the IMA WF members have provided assistance in combating anti-Israel sentiment and advocating for Israel and Israeli medicine. It has been heartwarming to witness the overwhelming support from around the world, which has assisted the IMA greatly in combating prejudice against Israel.

The IMA is extremely proud that Dr. Yoram Blachar, the president of the IMA, was elected president of the World Medical Association in spite of prejudice.

 The IMA WF is therefore determined, more than ever, to encourage the creation of ties and cultivate cooperation between physicians in Israel and their colleagues abroad

 since its main goal is to enhance the mutual exchange of physicians so that long-term bonds will form  In addition, the IMA WF hopes to bring medical professionals and medical institutions worldwide in closer contact with Israel, its medical organizations and the IMA and Israeli physicians in closer contact with their colleagues abroad.

For further details please enter www.ima.org.il/en.

To become a member,  please fill out the IMA membership form below.