Dr. Eliana Aaron cared for diplomats, but the vulnerable were her calling
It’s not easy for a frum wife and mother to train in healthcare, considering the 36-hour resident shifts needed to become a physician. So I chose to become a nurse practitioner instead, which meant I could provide the same level of healthcare as a physician, minus those endless shifts. At some point I applied for a position as a foreign service nurse practitioner (FSNP), which is a nurse practitioner hired by the Department of State to take care of US diplomats around the world — but before receiving a request for an interview, we decided to make aliyah.
Twenty years ago, if you told Israelis that you were a nurse practitioner, they didn’t know what you were talking about. It was a nonexistent profession there, albeit well-known and established in the US. Which meant that when I saw an ad for a nurse position at the US Consulate General in Jerusalem and realized it was similar to the FSNP position I’d applied for, I jumped on it — and got the job.
It was a multifaceted role, with some dizzying responsibilities, like overseeing the health and well-being of diplomats and their families who were stationed in and around Jerusalem. I was also responsible for developing the State Department’s health-planning policies, including pandemic protocols for the Middle East region, as well as the healthcare and well-being of all visiting dignitaries of the US government — namely, the president, cabinet, and military members.
I interfaced with healthcare providers back in the US and had to advocate for the highest quality of care for the patients under my charge, which meant that I was often visiting hospitals, meeting with contacts, and inspecting facilities and judging the quality of service. Often, I or a team member had to assess patients, as we were answerable to the higher-ups in the State Department and had to accurately report on the status of patients.
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