Milu-EM to the rescue: Volunteer network aids Israel's overburdened emergency rooms

A global volunteer network of over 250 emergency physicians is providing crucial support to Israel's overburdened emergency medical system, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attacks and ongoing conflict.

Milu-EM, a name combining the Hebrew word for reserve duty ('miluim') and 'emergency medicine' (EM), was co-founded by Dr. Ari Greenwald, an emergency medicine specialist from Toronto. Inspired by the Hamas attacks, Greenwald and four fellow physicians established the network to address the critical shortage of medical personnel, many of whom were called to IDF reserve duty or left their posts.

Dr. Greenwald, a respected physician at Mackenzie Health, brought his expertise and leadership to Shamir Medical Center, volunteering extensively. His efforts, alongside colleagues like Adam Kotler and Tamar Keinan from the Health Ministry, helped streamline the process for foreign doctors to obtain temporary licenses, often within a day or two. This initiative has been vital in reinforcing over 20 public hospitals across the country.

The network has not only expanded clinical capacity but also boosted morale among medical staff during a time of national crisis. By facilitating the recruitment of volunteer doctors with specific skills needed by various hospitals, Milu-EM has laid the groundwork for sustained international partnerships and strengthened Israel's medical resilience.

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Unfortunately, the recent conflict has been marked by numerous injuries among both civilians and