In early 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, 18 year-old Anna was evacuated from the war zone, suffering from intense seizures resulting from a severe brain infection. The mission to get her safely to Israel was a combined effort of Hatzolah Air and Zaka, with medical support being provided all along the way by the Trauma Medicine Team at Shaare Zedek Medical Center In Jerusalem.

Upon admission at Shaare Zedek’s Helmsley Neurology Institute, her condition was listed as extremely critical, and the doctors feared she had limited chances of survival. Over the coming weeks and months, Anna was treated with an innovative approach under the care of Dr. Stefan Mausbach, Director of Neurological Intensive Care Unit, and Dr. Roni Eichel, Director of the Department of Neurology, and her condition slowly stabilized.

According to the physicians, Anna’s case is extremely rare, where fever quickly spread in her body, resulting in the onset of severe epilepsy in ways that typically end in irreversible neurological damage, and death.

Upon admission to Shaare Zedek, all the imaging scans indicated they were treating a young woman who was nearing the end of her life. Despite those initial deep concerns, the medical teams never gave up, and did what Shaare Zedek professionals do best—save, deliver, and change lives. The medical team used intensive care approaches, the likes of which had never before been used in Israel. That dedication led to what many would have said is an unthinkable result.

Three months later, Anna regained full consciousness and a high level of overall functioning and was able to be released from the hospital in good condition.

The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation wishes Anna only good health, and thank all those at Shaare Zedek who made this remarkable recovery possible.