Dr. Curtis, an Australian family doctor, made the decision to relocate to Israel and participate in the medical team at the “Klelit” clinic in the Dead Sea. Coming all the way from Australia, her motive was to make a difference and contribute her expertise in a new setting. Four months after her arrival, however, she is about to bid farewell to her Israeli team and return to her home country. The news of her departure has sent shockwaves through the clinic, with many expressing a sense of loss and disbelief. Looking back at her decision to leave Australia, she recalls the moment she realized she wouldn’t be able to stay in Australia for the period she initially intended. The next best thing, she decided, was to purchase a one-way ticket to Israel, a country she believed she could significantly contribute to.
Dr. Curtis was open to contribute to any field that needed help, be it agriculture or any other sector. But she knew that her capabilities as a family doctor would allow her to make a significant contribution. She recounts how efficiently the system worked at the Ministry of Health, where her licensing forms were waiting for her even before she landed in Israel. Her colleagues had already matched her with the “Klelit” team, which at the time was laying the foundation for a medical system in the Dead Sea area.
The medical system was designed to serve the 17,000 citizens of the Otaf who were displaced from various parts of the Negev Western and resettled in the hotel complex. Among her colleagues is Dr. Assi Sikoral, a specialist in family medicine and the medical director at Klalit Dead Sea Clinics. He lauds Dr. Curtis, describing her as a seasoned, compassionate, and diligent doctor. He also points out how quickly she adapted to the Israeli way of life and its unique rhythm.
While serving at the Dead Sea clinics, Dr. Curtis lived in a hotel during the week and used a car given to her by friends to commute and visit family during the weekends. She humorously refers to the car as “Yel’s house,” as it also served as a mobile storage for her suitcase. When she had the opportunity, she would travel to northern Israel to meet her youngest son who was serving in the reserves.
Dr. Yael Curtis shares her feelings of pride and optimism when she looks at the young generation in Israel. Despite the challenges and difficulties the country faces, she sees hope in these young individuals. She recounts her experiences with patients, which were unlike anything she had encountered in her professional career. She observed a high level of psychiatric cases and psychosomatic patients, and she felt the trauma of the people she treated.
Before leaving Israel, Dr. Curtis wanted to visit the city of Sderot, a place she had heard about extensively from her patients. She found herself navigating through the city with relative ease, thanks to the detailed stories her patients had shared with her.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Curtis admits that while she didn’t leave Israel in search of a home, life took her on unexpected paths. She studied medicine in Germany, spent some time in New Zealand, started a family, and eventually settled in Australia. Despite the geographical distance, her heart remained connected to Israel. Even as she prepares to return to her family in Australia, she acknowledges that a part of her will always remain in Israel.
