HONORING DR. CECIL TAITZ

DR. CECIL TAITZ, ACADEMIC CHAIR

IN THE FIELD OF ANATOMY

Israel faces a physician shortage, with many doctors trained abroad under varying standards. Addressing this challenge, Reichman University established the Dina Recanati School of Medicine to train Israeli doctors to the highest local standards. Partnering with top medical institutions, the school integrates cutting-edge methodologies, early clinical exposure, and a strong humanistic approach.

A Revolutionary Medical Program

The Dina Recanati School of Medicine is redefining medical education with an innovative, four-year program. The curriculum features early clinical exposure, community-based studies, and advanced teaching technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and simulation centers. The state-of-the-art simulation center includes ECHO simulators and 3-D Printing to teach cardiac anatomy, providing students with hands-on experience in understanding the heart’s structure and function. VR-based tools, such as HoloAnatomy, further enhance anatomical learning, allowing students to explore the human body in unprecedented detail.

Additionally, the program incorporates cadaver dissection, including frozen body dissection—introduced for the first time in medical school ever—to provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to study human anatomy in its most authentic form.

Emphasizing case-based learning and small group interactions, the program prioritizes professionalism, ethics, and the vital relationship between physicians, patients, and communities. With a balance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and intellectual intelligence (IQ), students are trained in self-directed learning and practical skills, rather than rote memorization.

The school emphasizes:

• Small Group Learning: Interactive, collaborative study to deepen anatomical understanding.

• Self-Directed Anatomy Learning : Encouraging independent study of human anatomy.

• State-of-the-Art Simulation Center: Utilizing VR imaging to bridge anatomical structure and function.

• Early Clinical Exposure: From the first week, students observe live surgeries, recorded and guided by expert physicians.

The Vital Role of the Academic Chair

The Academic Chair plays a key role in advancing medical education, particularly in the foundational study of anatomy.

Leading the Way: Prof. Arnon Afek

Appointed in 2022, Prof. Arnon Afek serves as the Founding Dean of the Dina Recanati School of Medicine at Reichman University. His leadership is instrumental in shaping the medical school’s innovative curriculum, with a particular emphasis on anatomy.

A specialist in pathological anatomy and chairman of the national council of pathology and forensic medicine, Prof. Afek has extensive experience teaching pathology at Tel Aviv University, always stressing the importance of understanding normal anatomy as the foundation of medical knowledge. Anatomy remains a central pillar throughout the program, reflecting its historical significance in medicine. Rembrandt’s famous painting Dr. Tulp’s Anatomy Lesson—which Afek has analyzed in academic papers—illustrates how anatomy has long been a cornerstone of medical education.

Honoring Dr. Cecil Taitz

The establishment of the Academic Chair honors the late Dr. Cecil Taitz, a pioneer in innovative medical education. With modern technology advancing anatomical studies in ways that would have thrilled Dr. Taitz, the chair is a fitting tribute to his lifelong passion.

It is particularly meaningful that Prof. Afek shares the same specialization and teaching background as Dr. Taitz, both having taught at Tel Aviv University. His appointment as the Dr. Cecil Taitz Academic Chair at the Dina Recanati School of Medicine carries profound significance, reflecting Reichman University’s commitment to academic excellence, humanism, and Zionist values. The chair stands as a testament to the Taitz family’s enduring legacy and dedication to shaping Israel’s future in medicine.

Dr. Cecil Taitz, Tel Aviv University