MSIH faculty and staff are committed to helping provide a positive and successful educational and academic experience for our students. The MSIH advising team approaches each student as an individual to address personal learning needs in order to ensure future physicians master the scholastic content, as well as critical reasoning and humanistic skills needed for success in their chosen field of medicine.

During the first year of medical school, MSIH advisors focus on helping students adjust to medical school, increase self-efficacy, explore career options, and hone study skills. In the second year, advisors encourage academic accountability, career development, research participation and leadership development. Advisors also help students stay on track with preparation for the board exams during the second year of medical school. Third- and fourth-year advising focuses on career exploration, clinical electives and residency placement.

Meet some of our advising team:

Dr. Lone Avnon is the 1st year Academic Advisor. Dr. Avnon earned her M.D. degree at Copenhagen University and completed her Pulmonary Residency at Soroka University Medical Center, the primary teaching hospital for MSIH. Her research interests include dessert storms and pulmonary health, and lung cancer. Dr. Avnon enjoys treating the diverse patient population that exists in Beer Sheva. “Everyone is different here. You have Bedouin women, American-born immigrants and everything in between. This diverse population forces you to readjust all the time.”

Dr. Michael Star is the 2nd year Academic Advisor. Dr. Star earned his B.S. degree at MIT and his M.D. degree from Technion. He completed his Internship and Neurology Residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, and his Vascular Neurology Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. He is currently a Neurologist specializing in stroke care.

Prof. Daniel Kaplan is the 3rd year Academic Advisor. Dr. Kaplan is Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery at Soroka University Medical Center. Dr. Kaplan is also Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at Soroka. He is the President of the Israeli Society of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Kaplan’s clinical practice is dedicated to Otology and Neurotology. This includes surgical restoration of hearing loss by middle ear reconstruction and cochlear implantation for the deaf. He also manages dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders.

Prof. Noah Liel is the 4th year Academic Advisor. Dr. Liel earner her B.A. in Social Work from Hebrew University, her M.A. in Health Systems Management from BGU, and her M.D. degree from BGU. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and her Cardiology Fellowship at Soroka University Medical Center. She also completed a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Echocardiography at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Liel spent several extended periods teaching the use of echocardiography in challenging health systems, including in Nepal, India and Ethiopia. She is an Assistant Professor of Cardiology.

In addition, students receive advising from the MSIH Associate Director for Student Affairs Prof. Ben Taragin. Dr. Taragin earned his B.A. from Yeshiva University and his M.D. degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He completed his Internal Medicine Internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, his Radiology Residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and his Pediatric Radiology Fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Taragin is a Pediatric Radiologist at Soroka University Medical Center and the MSIH Assistant Director.

Prof. Shimon Glick provides electives advising to students. Dr. Glick was a founding member of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FOHS) at Ben Gurion University and Dean of the FOHS. Professor Glick has served as ombudsman for Israel’s Ministry of Health. He is widely recognized as an expert in medical ethics, with a particular focus on Jewish medical ethics.

MSIH students not only receive advising from faculty in Israel, but they also receive advising from the U.S. Dr. Lynne Quittell is Director of the NY Office for MSIH. Dr. Quittell is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Special Lecturer at Columbia University Medical Center. She is a Special Lecturer in the Pediatric Pulmonary Division at MSIH. Dr. Quittell is the former Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center and is currently a Medical Consultant with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Dr. Quittell gives lectures to the 3rd year class on how to prepare for 4th year electives in the U.S., and she leads residency orientation meetings with the 4th year students. Dr. Quittell reviews common interview questions with students and helps to prepare them for the Match process.

MSIH alumni also serve as mentors and advisors to current students throughout their four years at MSIH. They are available to advise students during the first two years of studies via email and lectures. Beginning in third year, students are connected with an alumni mentor who can advise them on a variety of topics including USMLE preparation, elective and residency selection, specialty-specific questions and making the transition between practicing in Israel to the U.S.