BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

replenished as needed, maintaining the state of the art at the center. The Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center is a prime example of how donor support, together with BGU’s expertise, infrastructure, and resources, directly translate into improved quality of life in the Negev. The development of the Marcus Family Campus began in the 1970s, with the construction of the Zalman Aranne Central Library, and re investment in this building continues to this day with the support of our donors. Renovation of the Zalman Aranne Central Library became more urgent after the Iranian missile strike on Soroka University Medical Center. The missile’s shockwaves wreaked havoc, particularly on older buildings on campus, and the library, which is located closest to the impact site, was hard hit. The main goals of the renovation project are to optimize space usage, enhance the student learning experience, and modernize library services. The updated spaces will promote both academic success and community interaction, while reinforcing the library’s role as a central hub for learning, innovation, and community engagement. Recent years also saw the renewal of two gates on the Marcus Family Campus: (1) the Gabriel and Angel Tamman Gate, the main pedestrian gate, which is located next to the Zalman Aranne Central Library and directly across the street from Soroka; and (2) the Saul Unter Gate, located near the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Software and Information Systems Engineering and Cyber Security Building, which connects the University to the Ringelblum neighborhood, where many students live. The new edifices are fully accessible to those in wheelchairs, ensuring that all who enter are welcomed with dignity. The Sylvan Adams Sports Center at BGU was inaugurated at the Board of Governors Meeting in 2023 after undergoing an extensive renovation that transformed the sports complex, which was built in 1977 when there were only 3,500 students, into a state-of-the art facility now serving 20,000 students! In addition to serving as a sports venue, fitness center, and health club for students, faculty,

classrooms, auditoriums, and state-of-the-art Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center (which includes the Toronto Critical Care Ambulance Simulator, a fully outfitted ambulance enabling emergency medicine education and simulation) is a student magnet. Its inviting outdoor seating area has become a popular gathering place, its classrooms and auditoriums are constantly in use, as is the simulation center, where students and first responders alike practice their techniques in realistic settings. Construction of the Rachel and Max Javit Medical Simulation and Classroom Building and its Field Family Foundation Medical Simulation Center were completed in 2022. This milestone led to a pedagogical transformation at BGU, enabling the FOHS to shift from a protocol of “see one, do one” to a supervised, risk-free training environment and provide students with the state-of-the-art tools needed to enhance their skills and better prepare them for their work in the field. The center also serves as a critical resource for the Negev, providing advanced courses and specialized training for Soroka University Medical Center staff, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) medical units, and Magen David Adom (MDA) first responders, strengthening the healthcare infrastructure of Beer-Sheva and beyond. Ongoing support from donors around the world has ensured that equipment is

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