By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Social Media Reunites Injured Soldier, Doctor Who Restored Sight
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Social Media Reunites Injured Soldier, Doctor Who Restored Sight
Social Media

Social Media Reunites Injured Soldier, Doctor Who Restored Sight

Thomas Pane
Thomas Pane
Share
2 Min Read
English: Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger...
SHARE
English: Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger...

You didn’t know I helped restore sight to a blinded soldier?  Read on… (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger...

You didn’t know I helped restore sight to a blinded soldier?  Read on… (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In January, former Beth Israel Deaconess CEO Paul Levy posted a story on his blog regarding Boaz Weinstein, a then 20-yr old Israeli soldier blinded by shrapnel in 1973.  He was taken to a hospital and operated upon by an English-speaking female surgeon who restored his sight.  He slipped out of the hospital and rejoined the battle, but did not recall the identity of the doctor who had treated him.

The original post is here.

Many readers of Mr. Levy’s blog put forth efforts to aid in the search, sending out tweets and blog posts.  I tried to help as well, passing the story to a senior trauma surgeon and getting input from other specialists.  One theory was the surgeon had been an ophthalmology resident at a northeastern U.S. training program.

In fact, the mystery surgeon was English-speaking Russian doctor Luba Vainshel, who embarked upon a new life in Israel in 1972, as Mr. Levy revealed today.

The story is fascinating and has a happy ending.  Both surgeon and former patient live within 40 miles of one another, and recently met after the story made its way to an Israeli newspaper.

I recommend reading both posts above as the story is engaging.  The doctor in question was allowed to exit Russia in partial exchange for Henry Kissinger arranging to supply the Soviets with food following a bad wheat harvest in 1972.  (Command economies have difficulty feeding their own populations, a topic all its own).

 

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

What to Look for in IT Compliance Solutions for Health Care Providers
What to Look for in IT Compliance Solutions for Health Care Providers
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
September 24, 2025
male doctor massaging shoulders of patient
A 6-Step Guide to Physiotherapy for Sports Injuries
Therapy
September 24, 2025
Breaking Mental Health Stigma
The Importance of Breaking Mental Health Stigma in 2025
Mental Health
September 23, 2025
scientist using microscope
Considerations for Sourcing PCR Primers for your Healthcare Project
Health
September 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Case Study: Developing a National Audience for a Urologist

December 3, 2011
pharmaphorum
Global HealthcareSocial Media

What Healthcare Can Learn from the G20 Summit

November 18, 2014

Doctor Wes Speaks on on Doctor Privacy

April 26, 2011

Physician Social Media Networking Expands

May 19, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?