My name is Dr. Dania Halperin, and I was honored to be a recipient of the Rubenstein Scholarship in 2016. I attended Touro College from 2016 to 2019, where I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology. During my undergraduate years, the support I received through the Rubenstein Scholarship was truly meaningful and helped make my education possible. After graduation, I took a gap year during which I studied for the MCAT and worked as a medical scribe, gaining invaluable clinical exposure and further solidifying my desire to pursue medicine.

I then had the privilege of moving to Israel to attend medical school at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. Growing up in a Jewish household, I have always had a strong connection to Israel, and the opportunity to live and study medicine in Tel Aviv was a dream come true. I loved living in the city and found the experience both personally and professionally transformative.

Medical school in Israel was not without its challenges. There were periods of significant tension and multiple wars, particularly following October 7, 2023. Learning and practicing medicine during such a time was intense and emotionally demanding, but it was also profoundly meaningful. I had the opportunity to spend time training in rehabilitation hospitals during the war, caring for injured soldiers and civilians. Witnessing patients rebuild their lives after devastating injuries left a lasting impression on me and ultimately shaped my career path.

I graduated from medical school, got married this past May, and am now completing my residency training in Pennsylvania in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). PM&R is a medical specialty focused on helping patients recover function and quality of life after injury or illness, including stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputations, and complex musculoskeletal conditions. My experiences in rehabilitation hospitals in Israel, especially during the war, inspired me to pursue this field so that I can continue helping patients regain independence and dignity during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

I am incredibly grateful for the financial support and encouragement provided by the Rubenstein Scholarship during my undergraduate years. That support played an important role in allowing me to pursue my education with focus and confidence, and it helped lay the foundation for the path I am on today.

Thank you again for your generosity and for taking the time to learn about my journey. It truly means a great deal to me.