The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What Hospital are you working at?
Ariel:
During my two fellowships I have worked in a total of four hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. I am currently working at Toronto Western Hospital (TWH) and Women’s College Hospitals (WCH), and previously at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (SHSC), and the Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre (HOAC). These have provided me with a very broad exposure to complex Perioperative Pain Management, Trauma, Neurosurgery, Bariatric Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and specialized Ambulatory Sports Medicine, including complex Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Foot, and Ankle Surgery.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What are you specializing in?
Ariel:
I am finishing my second fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management (RAPM). This is the subspecialty dealing with optimal pain management during and after surgery, including advanced new techniques called Peripheral Nerve Blocks.
This means interventional techniques that numb the nerves by a local anesthetic injection, blocking the conduction of pain from the injury site to the brain. I have learned many new techniques that will allow me to be able to help our patients have a better experience in the surgical, and also the trauma context. With all I am still planning to learn, I am excited to say that in a few months, I am going to uniquely be a double RAPM fellow. I have also had an important research exposure. I have been learning while working in exciting research projects with high profile researchers, along with my mentors—Dr. Vincent Chan, Dr. Ki Jinn Chin, Dr. Stephen Choi, and Dr. Paul McHardy—I am expecting interesting publications to come out of these multiple efforts.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you enjoy most about Toronto?
Ariel:
The Toronto Islands are amazing during the summer, but as you know, winter is Toronto’s strength. It’s been a fun opportunity to make snowballs with the kids, and tobogganing (snow-sliding). I had to learn how to shovel the snow in order to allow my family be able to walk each morning, this is very good exercise! But honestly, what I like the most about Toronto is the amazing chessed of this community. They have been very welcoming, warm, and polite. When we arrived, not exaggerating, at least 20 toys were waiting for our kids in our backyard, all gifts from the Toronto community.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
Where in Israel do you live?
Ariel:
We live in Bayit Vagan, Jerusalem.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you miss most about Israel?
Ariel:
The Golden Stone, Erev Shabbat, and chag air, and the Israeli warmth! Not just climate-wise, but the Israeli people. Spontaneous communication happens usually while commuting, making you feel like close family.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
Why did you want to be a doctor?
Ariel:
This happened in 9th grade, during Biology class. I said to myself: “I love biology! And I love helping people!” The idea of being part of taking someone’s pain away BS”D, is very comforting.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What is your favourite aspect of your job?
Ariel:
As for the process of what I do as an Anesthetist, I love the combination of thinking, reasoning, and doing practical things with my hands, such as procedures. As for the end result, I love when I see my patient comfortable after surgery, happy, satisfied, and thankful.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you think are the main differences between healthcare in Israel and Canada?
Ariel:
The quality of patient care is actually quite similar! I think Israel is internationally in a very good position, especially in Anesthesiology and Trauma. I have to note, there is a lot to learn from the Canadian system in terms of Safety, which you feel is embedded in the fabric of their culture. There are many safety mechanisms practiced in Canada, not just relating to medicine, but also in everyday aspects like driving rules.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you like to do in your personal time?
Ariel:
I love it when I manage to generate some time spend time with my kids while doing homework together, and see them smile and motivated. I enjoy chatting with my wife during a nice walk, and going together as a family for a trip to the park. I of course also love learning Torah weekly, and to keep on growing.
The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What are your top three tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
Ariel:
1) Eat vegetables and exercise.
2) Set fixed times for personal growth and learning.
3) And now one as an Anesthetist: Avoid unnecessary discussions. An Anesthesiologist’s essence is to learn to balance what they think is best, while also considering other’s opinions. We are all a team, and combined, we are better than one alone, as long as the discussions being had are reasonable and lead to results.
