MDA israel

In a ceremony that took place on 22.5.2022, the road surrounding the MNBSC was named in memory of Dr. Shulamit Bar Shany, who was the director of the MDA Blood Bank from 1969 until 1991. 

Dr. Bar Shany brought knowledge and expertise with her from the United States, and began advancing the Blood Services while it was still based in its old location in Jaffa. She took on the responsibility of providing blood supplies to the IDF and to hospitals under extremely difficult circumstances during the Yom Kippur War. During her years of service, Dr. Bar Shany advanced the use of blood components in Israel, introduced testing to detect HIV and liver diseases in the blood donations, played a major role in moving the blood bank from Jaffa to its new home in the campus of Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, and brought in many technological innovations. She was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), as well as the Health Ministry advisory committee on Transfusion Medicine. 

On a personal level, Dr. Bar Shany had strong and warm relationships with the Blood Service's employees and their families, and made great strides to encouraging immigration to Israel by welcoming laboratory staff, alongside her diligence and vast experience. 

The emotional ceremony was attended by her daughter Alma and son Alon, along with her grandchildren and great grandchild Oren. Many of the extended family also attended, along with employees and retirees from the Blood Services who worked with Dr. Bar Shany and knew her well. 

Among the speakers were Dr. Jerry Orlean, Rina Bar Or, Prof. Eilat Shinar, Shabtai Meshulam and Dr. Bar Shany's son Alon.