Macabi Bnai Brak

I’m finally starting my three month work observation period at Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, just outside Tel Aviv.  Once I complete that, I’ll have my official recognition by the Israeli Medical Association as a Cardiologist.  (They recognized all my US board exams, etc, they only want to have me “signed off” by one of their academic cardiologists that I know what I’m doing.)  

Anyway, this week I’ve been doing all the new employee orientation modules that you’re required to do before starting work there.  Hospital safety, good communication, chemical and biohazard safety, etc.  There are more than 20 different modules I have to complete, each one with some kind of slide show or short movie and each one with an short exam.  All in Hebrew.  It’s maddeningly frustrating.  But I got through most of it.  My kids say, now I know what they feel like every single day at school 😂😂.  

As part of the orientation I need to have a TB test.  (The one I had in the US, which is still current, isn’t good enough, apparently.)  This is done at the nurses clinic.  And the next available appt at the nurses clinic in Ra’anana, where I live, wasn’t until next month.  But because I need to get this done ASAP, I opted for an appt yesterday in Bnai Brak.  That’s a Haredi (ultra orthodox) suburb of Tel Aviv. I took the bus there and then walked a few blocks to the Macabi building.

Walking in Bnai Brak, I saw lots of “black hats” but almost no hasidim (like with the long curly peyot, sidelocks, like in the show shtisel) Being here in Israel you start to realize that the “Haredi” or “ultra orthodox” label really encompasses a wide variety of people, each with totally different looks and customs. From modern looking black suits and hats, to full length “frock coats,” to long curly side locks, etc.  

You make your appointment either by phone or on the app on your smartphone.  Then when you arrive, you swipe your Macabi card (Macabi is the health network we joined when we arrived.  There are 4-5 different ones, everyone chooses one – that’s like the HMO that you belong to for the national healthcare system) – it identifies you and knows you have an appointment, and gives you numbered ticket.  Then you look up at the big monitor in the room that says what number is up next – in this case mine was listed right after the current number – “on deck” so to speak.  Then they call your number and tell you what room to go to.  Inside, the nurse had my chart open on the computer, entered all my details, visible to everyone in Macabi at whatever location you’re at.  They have the same modern equipment we have in the US.  The whole thing lasted 10 minutes, no waiting. Very efficient.