Medical device engineer and master’s degree

Hi, I’m Esther Taphara and today, I am prouder than ever.

Today, we inaugurated the new cardiac bypass unit at Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, where I am the head bypass technician. I, Esther, who immigrated to Israel from Gondar, Ethiopia when I was 9 years old.

Esther, who did it all alone, without Mom, Dad and my six siblings who the Ethiopian government refused to grant exit. A girl paired in a matter of moments with a family she didn’t know, who would accompany her to Israel. A girl who didn’t know a word in English or Hebrew, who was afraid to fall asleep on the flights to Israel for even one second, for fear that she might be forgotten somewhere on the way…

I, Esther, who arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and was sent in a taxi with a driver, holding a note in his hand bearing the names of my relatives in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. Who, together with him, drove around the streets of the neighborhood searching for “an Ethiopian family who lives right around here,” when the family didn’t even know that I was coming…

Today, I am prouder than ever. Proud of the long journey that that 9-year-old girl traveled, learning Hebrew and English in Jerusalem, pairing one word with another and beginning to dream. Dreaming to be someone, to progress, to study. Who chose to be a medical device engineer and pursue a master’s degree. Who was so happy at all of the opportunities provided to me here, proud to become part of Hadassah Hospital – first as an intern and then as a regular employee, a real member of the medical team.

I worked as a respiratory treatment technician at Ein Karem for 14 years, and then I was offered the chance to be the head technician of the new cardiac bypass unit at Hadassah Mount Scopus. Dr. Roni Alkalai, manager of the unit, accepted me for the position and I, skipping from stage to stage in life, progressing from position to position, couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe my personal success, which surprises me every time anew. I couldn’t believe that was taking so much upon myself. I have often asked myself, “What are you doing?! Establishing an entire new bypass unit from scratch? Starting to learn a new field? What type of mess are you getting yourself into?” But this is who I am, always striving and searching for challenges, just like that 9-year-old girl who immigrated to Israel alone. That girl who never dreamed that one day she would be the one working with suppliers and professionals, establishing an entire system together, and being part of a team saving lives here at Hadassah.

I look back and I don’t believe it. I look forward, and I know that there is so much more ahead of me…