Our latest Rabin Medical Visiting Exchange Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for six months, Dr. Dana Yelin, took a moment to chat with us. Dr. Dana Yelin would like to thank the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center and Phyllis & Malcolm Trobman and family for their full support to make this visiting Rabin Fellowship a reality.

Here is what our Rabin Fellow, Dr. Yelin had to say:

1. Please provide an overview of your fellowship at your hospital and the role you played during your stay.



I spent six months at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in the lab of Dr. Ross Levine. I joined as a full member of the lab, studying a model for adult leukemia in mice for the purpose of finding new targeted therapies for leukemia. During this period I was also fortunate to join the leukemia clinics at MSKCC and hematology consults rounds at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.



2. Describe how your fellowship opportunity has expanded your knowledge in your specific field.



MSKCC is a wonderful and innovative center for research and treatment of all kinds of cancer, and even more so for the hematological malignancies, such as leukemia. I was exposed to many new research methods and to the scientific method behind the novel therapeutic drugs we see at the clinic every day.



3. What did you enjoy most about your fellowship opportunity?



I enjoyed participating in groundbreaking research alongside some of the most renowned scientists in the field of leukemia and hematology in general. The lab staff was very warm and welcoming, and allowed me to join the research as a full member of the team.



4. Do you feel international medical relationships and fellowship programs are vital to the future of medicine and research?



Absolutely. Being exposed to new ways of doing things, whether research or clinical treatment of patients, is enlightening and a learning experience that should be encouraged in every field of medicine. The exchange of ideas is very important in the advancement of medicine and research.



5. What do you feel are the key issues and challenges in your field – not only in the Unites States and Israel, but worldwide?



In recent years the field is changing from general therapeutics to individualized treatment by analyzing each patient’s disease as a unique process that needs its own unique treatment. The evolution of each patient’s cancer is different and understanding that might lead us to better treatment options and better survival and cure rates.



6. What are your future plans at Rabin Medical Center when you return to Israel?



When I return to Rabin Medical Center, I will first have to complete my internal medicine residency. Following that I will go on to a fellowship, most probably in hematology.



7. Would you recommend this fellowship to your peers? Why or why not?



As I said earlier – absolutely! This is a unique opportunity to learn from and work with the best in the field. I believe the understanding of the scientific research behind the advances in medicine that we often “take for granted,” is very important to think of new ideas for further advances needed.