Ono Sports Therapists Heal Sheba Hospital Medical Teams Treating IDF Casualties

How did this collaboration between Ono Academic College and Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital start? Hadas Handler and Asaf Sandiuk, two graduates of Ono Academic College’s Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Therapy spoke with Judith, a senior nurse at Sheba/ Tel Hashomer Hospital. Judith is the nurse in charge of day surgeries, operating room and recovery at Sheba/ Tel Hashomer.

About a week after October 7th, they met and Judith described tremendous load that she and her team were experiencing physically and mentally. Her team numbers about 100 people.

Asaf noted:  

“In my eyes, their work became the frontline when the war broke out. They [the nurses] fought for the lives of civilians and soldiers and unfortunately, they kept were constantly busy.

I shared with the members of the sports therapy association my conversation with Judith and two days later it was decided that every Monday and Thursday a small team of therapists would arrive to provide quick treatments to the medical team and support them.

The treatments lasted about ten minutes and their purpose was to give the nurses a moment to breathe and release their bodies.

I couldn’t believe what ten minutes can do to a person. They laid down on the bed one person and after ten minutes another person got up and returned to work.

The knowledge that we were able to support a medical team and as a result they said they could operate / treat more efficiently and save more lives was amazing.

They were very grateful, but in my eyes, we are the ones who need to be grateful. The nursing staff deserved it.”

Asaf Sandiuk, Sports Therapy, Ono Academic College.

As a result of their efforts, Israel’s Sports Therapy Association was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Sheba Hospital.