“My name is Chava Blivaiss. I am a general surgeon specializing in Trauma/Critical Care Immediately on October 7, I got a phone call from my brother about what was going on in Israel. That day I signed up to volunteer. Three weeks later I received my medical license and a plane ticket with huge thanks to JOWMA and EVP. What was supposed to be a two week deployment became a two month long experience.  Every day varied between simulation education and dealing with actual trauma. The incredible unity and strength I was able to witness with my colleagues of all backgrounds is truly a testament to the incredible people of Israel. I am so thankful to JOWMA for sending me.

In January when they were looking for surgeons for another deployment, this time up north, I volunteered without hesitation. The experience, while very different, was equally as exceptional. Instead of trauma care, it was filling in in the general surgery capacity for those surgeons that got called away to reserves and once again to do simulation and education with the incredible team there, using my previous experience during the war to help prepare them for what they might see when the war started up north was an incredible opportunity. Thank you again JOWMA for making this possible.”