Kirkwood state representative attends mission to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem to learn about Israel’s leadership in life sciences

JERUSALEM – Kirkwood state Rep. Rick Stream and his wife, Ellen, participated in a mission organized by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and MoBIO, the Missouri Biotechnology Association, of Missouri state legislators and Jewish and Missouri business leaders last month to visit Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem.  With the trip the first to Israel for each of the legislators, the December 6 mission provided attendees an opportunity to learn more about Israel’s leadership in life sciences.  MoBIO is a nonprofit trade association based in Jefferson City and serving and advancing the life sciences across Missouri.

Ron Krumer, Director of External Relations at HMO, spoke about the 100th anniversary celebration of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, commemorated in October in Jerusalem.  He talked about Hadassah’s century of accomplishments and its essential sponsorship of the Hadassah Medical Organization.  He introduced Dr. Einat Zisman, CEO of Hadasit, Hadassah’s technology transfer company, who gave a detailed presentation on Hadasit’s many areas of research and the current status of a variety of clinical trials.  She emphasized the symbiotic relationship between HMO’s physicians and scientists and Hadasit’s ability to create companies from their concepts.

Mission participants included Majority Floor Leader Sen. Tom Dempsey and Molly Dempsey of St. Charles; Majority Caucus Whip Sen. Mike Parson and Teresa Parson of Bolivar; Majority Caucus Secretary Sen. Eric Schmitt of Glendale; Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls of Kansas City; Rep. Rick Stream and Ellen Stream of Kirkwood; Rep. Lincoln Hough and Sarah Hough in Springfield; Rep. Gail McCann Beatty and Bruce Beatty of Kansas City; Mr. Kelly Gillespie, Executive Director of the Missouri Biotechnology Association; Jason Hall, Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development; Daniel Hall of the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services; David Winton, who heads the Government Relations Office of Missouri Jewish Federations; Robert Millstone, Chairman of the Board of Missouri Jewish Federations; and Joseph Strauss.