“You have a lot to be proud of,” said Gov. Larry Rhoden of the US state of South Dakota, during a visit to the Gandel Rehabilitation Center. at Hadassah-Mt. Scopus. Gov. Rhoden is leading a business-focused trade mission, standing with Hadassah and Israel at this critical time. The last-minute visit to the Center was facilitated by Carol Rosenthal, Hadassah International Vice President and its HWZOA Chair, who hails from the Midwestern state.

“Thank you, Gov. Larry Rhoden, for taking the time in your schedule to visit, meet and see firsthand the resilience of Israel’s soldiers and the incredible work Hadassah does in rehabilitating her wounded soldiers,” Carol posted. “As a South Dakotan and a very active Hadassah member, I am honored that you made time in your very busy trip to Israel to see what Hadassah is doing to make this work a better place.”

Among the patients Gov. Rhoden met during his visit were senior police officer Amos Damari, wounded by a grenade in Sderot, and Idan Zakai, 25, injured while rescuing a fellow soldier. Both have undergone intensive rehabilitation at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center and continue to recover their strength. HMO Director General Professor Yoram Weiss and Hadassah CEO, Ellen Finkelstein led the tour, which highlighted HMO’s patient care, medical innovation and wartime readiness.

The tour included the underground emergency hospital, constructed in just 14 days after October 7th in the Center’s parking garage. The underground facilty ensures that patients can receive secure care even if above-ground facilities are under threat, such as missile attack.