At a graduation ceremony held at Magen David Adom headquarters in Ramla, 80 newly certified paramedics were welcomed into MDA’s ranks this week, marking the completion of intensive training courses.
The moving ceremony, presented by Yifat Glazman, head of MDA’s National Service Paramedics Course, brought together graduates, their families, and senior MDA officials to mark the milestone.
Two outstanding graduates were recognized at the graduation, Eliyahu Shlomi from Jerusalem and Boaz Elbaz from Mevaseret Zion. Assaf Lipovsky from Herzliya was named exemplary trainee.
Chen Varmus, acting director of MDA’s paramedics school, told graduates that the achievement belongs as much to their families as to themselves, and that the certificate comes with weight: “Today you receive not only a paramedic’s certificate, but a great responsibility to be there for people in the most difficult moments of their lives. In Israel’s complex reality, paramedics are an important part of the national resilience system and the lifesaving front.”
MDA’s Chief Paramedic, Dr. Shafir Botner, echoed the theme, reminding the room that completing the course is a beginning, not an end. “The course gave you a foundation,” he said, “and from now on, every shift and every patient will be part of your learning and development process. This profession requires humility, continuous learning, and a sense of mission.”
Director-General of MDA, Eli Bin, closed the ceremony by framing the orange stripe as a symbol of something larger than a uniform detail. “This is a moment that symbolizes responsibility, mission, and entry into MDA’s family of paramedics,” he said. “You are the future generation of the organization, the ones who will lead MDA in the coming years and will continue to save lives anywhere and at any time.”
