Association (JOWMA) Hosts Inaugural Baltimore Event

JOWMA (Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association) held its first event in Baltimore at the home of Teri Kahn, MD, MPH, a board-certified Pediatric Dermatologist. The program, titled “Pioneers in Medicine,” featured speaker Lisa Amir, MD, MPH, a board-certified Emergency Medicine Pediatrician, and the Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Schneider’s Children’s Medical Center in Israel. Dr. Amir shared her experience serving in a hospital in Eilat during October 7th and its aftermath, as well as her perspective on the Israeli healthcare system.

Dr. Kahn noted, “JOWMA is a wonderful connector for Jewish orthodox women as doctors of many medical specialties and backgrounds. The successful turnout of Baltimore’s inaugural JOWMA event to hear Dr. Amir’s moving and inspiring stories is an exciting beginning for JOWMA’s presence in the Baltimore area!”. Event attendees were from across the medical professions, including physicians, nurses, and physician assistants, all of whom appreciated the invaluable insights shared. JOWMA COO/CFO, Dr. Sheindel Goldfeiz, shared: “The event served as a great opportunity to engage with local professionals who can support our critical mission of creating accessible health education and supporting frum women physicians and trainees.”

Dr. Amir shared insights with the event attendees, highlighting her experiences and strategies in managing pediatric care during times of crisis. During her talk, she elaborated on the hospital’s efforts to enhance its capabilities in handling cases involving child evacuees and, subsequently, children who had been hostages and were brought back to Israel. She recounted a particularly striking anecdote from her early days at Eilat’s hospital: upon her arrival, the facility had only a single cabinet of children’s medical supplies. Through diligent collaboration with the exceptional team there, Dr. Amir successfully secured the necessary resources to provide comprehensive care to numerous young patients. The event underscored the critical importance of preparedness and teamwork in pediatric healthcare, especially under challenging circumstances. Participants were excited to hear about the ways that JOWMA can be utilized in both their professional lives and as a community resource. JOWMA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2019 to create accessible and culturally sensitive health information for the Orthodox Jewish community, as well as support a network of Jewish women physicians and trainees. The organization hosts educational events and programs on a variety of health topics including: pediatrics, wellness, women’s health, teen health, mental health, and more. JOWMA is excited to continue bringing programs to the Baltimore community. To learn more, please visit www.JOWMA.org , or email us at info@jowma.org

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