About Us
A Note from Mark Lester - AFGMC President
Galilee Medical Center (GMC) stands as the largest hospital in the Galilee region and the
largest employer in Western Galilee, serving an unusually diverse community.
I am honored to serve as the President of American Friends of Galilee Medical Center (AFGMC).
I have known the Galilee Medical Center for many years and have watched its continued
growth. Under the leadership of Professor Barhoum, GMC has consistently expanded its
clinical capabilities. The hospital now serves as a major trauma center and contains
sophisticated clinical expertise in tertiary specialties such as neurosurgery and critical care
medicine.
GMC prioritizes innovation through its Innovation Center and continues to expand its physical plant, already with standout facilities. In wartime GMC has served the IDF wounded and the citizens of Northern Israel. Its physicians, nurses, and staff provide quality care compassionately and respectfully—always seeking to enhance the experience for all patients and their families.
The AFGMC supports the mission of Galilee Medical Center together with our Israeli Friends. We invite you to join us and a growing community of supporters, as we help GMC continue its voyage of clinical excellence and service to the Northern Israel community.
Mark Lester, MD, MBA, FACS
Our Mission
The mission of American Friends of Galilee Medical Center is to promote and support the Hospital by broadening its capability to provide the highest quality of medical care and other services to over 650,000 residents living along Israel’s northern border.
American Friends of Galilee Medical Center engages individuals and organizations through fundraising, advocacy and volunteer opportunities.
The American Friends of Galilee Medical Center is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(C)3 of the Internal Service Revenue Code; our Federal Tax ID Number is 26-0572473.
Our Vision
Galilee Medical Center: The Next Ten Years
For over 50 years, Galilee Medical Center has provided high-level health services to a diverse community of more than 600,000 people made up of Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze – and all this while operating in a zone close to hostile borders. GMC has developed secure infrastructure which has allowed it to operate even under direct missile attack (as in 2006) and has grown significantly in its capacity to provide care to an underserved population suffering from high rates of disease, from diabetes to heart disease, despite having fewer doctors and beds than facilities in other parts of the country.
GMC is doing well…and it is constantly striving to do even better. The long-term vision developed along with the Friends of the Galilee Medical Center, is to raise funds for a $100,000,000 master development plan (with funds matched by the Ministry of Health) in order to serve its community better, including in times of heightened conflict.
Learn more about the Galilee Medical Center >>>
Board of Directors
Mark Lester, MD
President
Irving, TX
Alan Engel, Treasurer
Louisville, KY
Zoë Riekes, Immediate Past President
Omaha, NE
Barry Badner
Englewood, NJ
Prof. Masad Barhoum
Nahariya, Israel
Bonnie Bloch, MD
Omaha, NE
Edward Goodman, MD
Dallas, TX
Michael Illouz
Nahariya, Israel
Michelle Korin
Indianapolis, IN
A.J. Rosmarin
Dallas, TX
Peter Wells
Bradenton, FL