Trauma procedures training.
Dr Nir Samuel, Head of the Paediatric Trauma Service at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel (SCMCI), returned home in May 2023 after completing a year of advanced major-trauma training with The Alfred Trauma Service (ATS) in Melbourne, supported by an AUSiMED Lowy Fellowship. On his return, he began building a dedicated paediatric trauma service at SCMCI.
Dr Nir Samuel, Head of the Paediatric Trauma Service at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel (SCMCI), returned home in May 2023 after a year of advanced major trauma training with The Alfred Trauma Service (ATS), supported by AUSiMED Lowy Fellowship. On his return, he began building a dedicated paediatric trauma service at SCMCI.
However, everything changed in October 2023. Nir and his colleagues suddenly found themselves treating large numbers of severely injured children and adults — both civilian and military.
Since October 7, severe injury has become one of Israel’s major medical challenges, demanding a widening circle of critical care doctors trained to manage life-threatening injuries. However, in response to the surge in casualties, the Israeli medical system has also rapidly developed advanced trauma management systems and life-saving innovations.
Nir’s strong professional ties with his Australian team evolved into an exciting partnership between the ATS and AUSiMED and the creation of the ‘Seconds Save Lives’ initiative, a two-way exchange program designed to strengthen trauma care expertise in both countries, ultimately saving lives.
Filling a critical gap, the world-leading ATS will deploy its premier faculty to Israel to deliver hands-on trauma procedures training to frontline doctors equipping them with additional skills needed in emergency situations where every second counts.
The SSL initiative is also an unparalleled learning opportunity for a delegation of Australia’s Senior Trauma Care leaders to participate in a delegation that will enable them to:
- Observe Israeli innovations in trauma management; and
- Study strengths, challenges, and lessons from dealing with mass casualty events since October 7, 2023.
Originally planned to take place in September 2025 but postponed due to the security situation Israel and SSL is now set to go ahead in early 2026.