From St. Galen Switzerland to AAC

Last Thursday the Nursing Department of Ashkelon Academic College hosted two nurses from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland: Ms. Eleanor Arrer, Specialist in Oncology and Palliative Nursing and Prof. Brigitte Wessler, Dean of the Faculty of Health Professions and Vice President of the university, in order to promote collaborations between the two nursing departments. The meeting was attended by the head of the department of nursing at the college, Prof. Tova Hendel and the senior faculty members of the department.

Prof. Handel presented the general structure of the curriculum, emphasizing at the guest’s request the nursing program in the community.

Dr. Rasmia Abu Rabia gave a review of the Bedouin population in the Negev, the status of Bedouin women and the variety of steps taken to reduce genetic diseases in the Bedouin sector as a result of family intermarriages.

Dr. Bella Savitsky described the fourth year’s research seminars and presented a number of examples, as well as reviewed the research work currently taking place in the department.

Later, a tour and training was conducted at the simulation center of the department by Ms. Racheli Silberman.Our guests expressed their admiration for the high level of technology in the center and the high level of studies in the department.

At the end of the visit and just before continuing on their journey in Israel, our guests were taken to see an operating community clinic here in Ashkelon and to a tour the Gaza perimeter and nearby Kibbutzim and Moshavim in order to present the challenging but beautiful way of life and the daily coping of residents of the south and surrounding areas.

This was a successful first visit to create further cooperation with the department at the University of St. Gallen.