For Dr. Aaron Friemerman it represents paying back a debt, an emotional event that was not expected. 30 years earlier, Dr. Friemerman decided to study medicine as a result of the IDF physician who saved his life when he was wounded as a young soldier in southern Lebanon. Now, decades later, he was able to return the favor, treating the shaliach who saved him as a young man.

Dr. Friemerman, 56, is head of the cardiac catheterization lab in Hillel Yafeh Hospital in Chadera. Prof. Ehud Sternberg, 63, is the head of the surgical ward A in the same medical facility.

Their story became public a short time ago, during the hospital’s golden anniversary event. Until that time, the details were hidden, even from their closest colleagues.

In February 1972, Aaron was a medic in his unit in the Paratroops Corp. Ehud was the battalion physician. They were part of a unit that went deep into enemy territory. After sometime, they encountered terrorists and in the gunfire, Aaron was wounded in his chest. He managed to take cover behind a large boulder. Dr. Aaron and an officer arrived and they began assisting him, treating him for his serious wounds.

He received morphine and was stabilized as much as conditions permitted, placed on a stretcher and flown by chopper to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center’s trauma unit. Following surgery there was rehabilitation. Dr. Friemerman credits Dr. Sternberg with saving his life.

The two went on with their lives, having no connection with one another. Aaron decided to study medicine as a result of the ordeal and in 2002; he entered the world of Hillel Yafeh Hospital.

“One day, in a hallway, I saw him, the professor with the ID tag ‘Prof. Sternberg’” he explained.

The two began speaking, catching up, each not having an idea what became of the other. “It was truly outstanding” stated Dr. Friemerman. For a time, they met in the dinning hall and enjoyed lunch with one another.

Five years ago, Prof. Sternberg suffered a heart attack and then, he met his friend, Dr. Friemerman in the ICU.

“He saved my life and now I understood it was my opportunity to do the same for him,” stated Dr. Friemerman. “It was truly amazing but 30 years later I found myself now saving the life of the man who saved mine.”

The two kept the details to themselves until recently, sharing it with colleagues at the 50th anniversary event, eliciting powerful responses from their fellow physicians. They remain good friends to this day.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)