Prof Ari Zimran and Dr Debby Elstein were jointly presented with the Alan Gordon Memorial Award at the Manchester Conference of the Gauchers Association on 30 November 2003. Dr Elstein received the Award on behalf of the two doctors who run one of the largest Gaucher Clinics worldwide at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. The Certificates with the Award of £1,000 was presented by Robert Gordon, the only son of the the late Alan Gordon who was the Gauchers Association's first treasurer.
Prof Ari Zimran and Dr Debby Elstein received the Alan Gordon Memorial Award because of their extensive experience of Gauchers disease gained over the past 15 years at their clinic in Jerusalem and because of their many contributions to the management and understanding of the complications of the condition.
In particular Prof Zimran and Dr Elstein won the Award because of the importance of their management of pregnancy in women with Gauchers disease. Prof Zimran's group collected the obstetric history and outcome of many women with Gauchers disease and have provided useful guidelines for treatment during pregnancy which provides great value for practising physicians and future mothers.
They are also known internationally because of the trials they have undertaken with a large number of patients using enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy, both separately and together.
In addition the Jerusalem team has provided high quality care for disadvantaged patients outside their own culture, collaborating with other nations in an attempt to secure enzyme replacement therapy for desperately ill people with the disease. Patients are referred to Prof Zimran from many countries because he is widely respected for his clinical ability, imaginative approach and humanity.
Special Contribution
The Alan Gordon Memorial Award judges also nominated David Lewis to receive a Certificate for his special contribution in helping patients with Gauchers disease through the web sites of the Gauchers Association and European Gaucher Alliance which he created and manages.
Source: Gauchers News March 2004.
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Gauchers Association 2004.