On Sunday 01/04/2009 New York Mayor Mr. Michael Bloomberg came to Barzilai Medical Center in order to express solidarity with staff and patients. During the visit the mayor discussed with Dr. Scharf CEO and Medical Director of the medical center the difficulties of the medical center and the ways the staff is coping at state of emergency while caring for their families that are exposed to rocket attacks. Mr. Bloomberg, as a mayor of a city that was attacked by terrorists expressed his understanding to the need of people in the area to have peaceful and quiet life. The delegation toured the shelter that was endorsed to operate as a shielded Pediatric Department and met Israeli and Palestinian children from Gaza, talked to the staff and presented the children with Sesame Street puppets.
At the end of the visit the mayor encouraged and strengthened the management of the medical center, the medical staff and the hospitalized children hoping for better times in the future.
New York Mayor touring the shielded Pediatric Department
Dr. Scharf CEO and Medical Director , spokesperson Mrs. Lea Maloul, New York Mayor and Ashkelon Mayor during the tour
Ashkelon Mayor, Dr. Shimon Scharf and New York Mayor Mr. Michael Bloomberg