Magen David Adom unites Israeli Society and saves lives

By Stanley Mayer and Perry Swenson

Note: Canadian Friends of Magen David Adom is hosting its annual Thank you Gala Event on May 31 at the Carriage House Hotel and Conference Centre to show appreciation to its many donors and to raise awareness of the exceptional work that Magen David Adom does to save live in Israel. The theme is Stampede with Purpose: From Desert Roots to Prairie Boots and it is going to be an amazing evening featuring great food, excellent entertainment and engaging guest speakers. Sponsorships and tickets are now available – for information contact sfraiman@cmdai.org. 

(AJNews) – In December 2025 Magen David Adom (MDA) hosted the 10^th International Medical Response Seminar in Tel Aviv. We joined twenty-eight physicians, paramedics, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from eight countries for 5 days of intense learning. Lectures from experts in prehospital medicine, population resilience, blood and human milk banking and disaster response were complemented by mass casualty exercises. Tours of the MDA Ramle dispatch center and meeting with trauma team physicians at Shaare Tzedek Hospital facilitated understanding of the Israel emergency medical system. Spending a day in an ambulance gave a taste of the day-to-day efforts of MDA serving the public.

We visited with MDA staff and residents of Sderot, Kibbutzim Ofakim and Be’eri who graciously shared their experiences and showed us firsthand the carnage and horrors committed on October 7th. We paid respect at the Nova Festival site and learned of countless acts of bravery. The recounting of personal stories and the response from that day under unimaginable stress was humbling. We met with heroes.

Attending the MDA seminar as healthcare practitioners with interests in emergency medicine and prehospital systems as well as long-time supporters and previous volunteers, was an opportunity not to miss. The unfortunate reality is that MDA has extensive experience in dealing with trauma and mass casualty incidents. The ability to adapt and learn from events and then share their learnings allows us to examine and potentially improve our local systems.

The adoption of protocols and technology by MDA is second to none. Yet what is more impressive is the engagement of community and the population to enhance response to all emergencies and lead to a more prepared and resilient nation. Invariably in any conversation with a member of MDA staff or volunteer, the love of vocation was evident.

As part of Klal Yisrael we take pride in such a dynamic organization that unites Israeli society but also shares expertise responding to disasters globally. Training individuals and communities with programs such as the First 7 Minutes builds stronger societies. MDA can bring people together regardless of faith or nationality. There is something that tugs at your heart when you wear the white shirt and hoodie with the Red Star of David on the back and sing Hatikvah at the site of the Nova Music festival or at the Kotel with your new friends and colleagues. We are in this together.  Am Yisrael Chai!

Stan Mayer is an Emergency and Family Physician practicing in Alberta and Nunavut. Perry Swenson is a Paramedic with Maskwacis Ambulance Authority and STARS flight Medic in Alberta.