The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What Hospital are you working at? What are you specializing in?

Ziv:
I work at McMaster’s affiliated Hamilton General Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. The home to a number of Hamilton Health Sciences key regional referral programs (Cardiac, Vascular, Stroke, Trauma and Neuroscience programs).

I am an Internal Medicine Specialist and a Cardiologist (trained back in Israel), and currently doing my Fellowship in Electrophysiology. This is a two-year program that includes expertise in the diagnosis and management of a wide array of Arrhythmia Disorders, including Conservative Medical Management, and surgical skills in Device (Pacemakers and Defibrillators) Implantation, and Arrhythmia Catheter Ablation.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you enjoy most about Toronto?

Ziv:
Being in Canada now for a year, we’re feeling part of the amazing Jewish community in Hamilton, and the kids are enjoying their learning at the Hamilton Hebrew Academy, and Ulpanat Orot in Toronto. We travel to Toronto frequently for shopping, kosher restaurants, and other attractions.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
Where in Israel do you live?

Ziv:
I’m privileged to live in Jerusalem, in the Kiryat Ha’Yovel neighbourhood, next to Yad Vashem. Fortunately, my apartment is a 10-minute walk from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you miss most about Israel?

Ziv:
We miss our dear parents, siblings, beautiful family friends, and colleagues. I also miss my mother’s delicious cooking, and the Israeli traditional food, especially couscous (the original hand-made of course), and the insane Tunisian banatage and fricassé.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
Why did you want to become a doctor?

Ziv:
When I was 15 years old, I first became interested in medicine. My first real exposure to the profession was training to be an Ambulance First Responder in Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli Emergency Medical Service. I volunteered as a First Responder for years, and treated inter alia patients who suffered from heart problems, which motivated me to become a doctor. I graduated from The Hebrew University School of Medicine in Jerusalem, and completed my specialties graduating from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. My involvement as a Clinician to Cardiology sealed Electrophysiology as my practice destiny.

To me, being a doctor is an immense privilege, providing innumerable opportunities to helping others. Being a doctor should involve intellectual humility, alongside excellence, strong work ethic, and relentless ambition to advance and research, all applied to patients’ well-being and health. I was privileged to engage in a very intriguing field that involves acute care, and saving lives.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What is your favourite part of your job?

Ziv:
Managing patients’ procedures in the Operating Room brings me great pleasure. Different aspects of the procedures we do involve wide anatomical and Electrophysiological knowledge, complex real-time analysis, multitasking, creativity, and fine surgical skills, resulting in a fulfilling experience. It gives me immense honour to discover at the end of a long day at work, that I was part of the practicing team that saved a patient’s life, and that I contributed to getting someone back on their feet.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you think are the main differences between healthcare in Israel and Canadian healthcare?

Ziv:
Both healthcare systems have very experienced and knowledgeable providers, with public healthcare and top level modern medicine. One of the major limitations of the Canadian healthcare system includes the very long waiting times for follow-ups, diagnostic testing, and procedures.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What do you like to do in your personal time? 

Ziv:
The transition from my Cardiology Residency into my Electrophysiology Fellowship has enabled me to be able to spend more time at home with my beloved wife and children. We have recently started a family ninja training, achieving both high quality shared time together, and physical activity.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation:
What are your top three tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle? 

Ziv:
As a Cardiologist, I’m encountering the end results of many unhealthy lifestyles, and long-term bad habits. My top three tips for a healthy lifestyle are the following:

1. Exercise is medicine. Sedentary lifestyle may be associated with comorbidities and should be avoided. Many of my patients would potentially benefit from a physical activity as much as they would from certain medications.  The current recommendations include engaging in Aerobic Physical Activity (walking, biking, swimming, running, etc.) half an hour (net) a day, five days a week, or 1.5 hours a day, three days a week.
2. Eat 3-5 fresh fruits and vegetables every day (frozen/cooked/fried/dried not included). Stay hydrated, and avoid excessive food consumption, especially carbohydrates. The amount of food is more important than the type of food, with the exception of trans and saturated fats.
3. Keep a positive attitude, stay social, and try to avoid any unnecessary stress.