“Cognigames” project team- The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society

 Janine Vosburgh
Executive Director & Director of Services – 26 years

MBA + certified Chaplain. Born in Jerusalem, immigrated to the USA, (after more than 20 years returned to Israel). Executive of large retail organizations, on the board of several non-profit organizations, active in human rights, women issues & minorities. 26 years with the Israel MS society. 22 years Volunteer as the Chaplain of the Biggest Cancer Hospice in Israel- Shiba- Tel Hasomer, hospital. Published several books on Bereavement & spiritual care. Author of  “spiritual guidelines” in palliative care  for cancer patients & neumerous publications for persons with MS

The IMSS

The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society has been active for 45 years (since 1976) – and currently has 5,400 patients and 30,000 family members registered.

Data about the persons with MS patients registered with the Society:

• 35% patients were born in the former Soviet republics
• 12% Arabic speakers
• 8% belong to the ultra-Orthodox sector
• 4% young people aged 14-18
• 1.5% children aged 6-14
• 2% minorities
• Of three persons with MS – two are women

The Society aims to provide the necessary support and care for patients and their families, in addition to increasing public awareness of the disease.

Our goal is to enable patients to lead a healthy and full life, as far as possible, and to encourage them to continue to function within their family and community and to contribute to society despite the many difficulties that MS patients face.

The patients receive the finest medical treatment from the medical centers, but the Society is there at the patients’ side, cares for them and escorts them step by step in their daily challenges and struggles with government ministries, municipalities, uncertainty, fears, unemployment, boredom, frustration, the difficult financial situation that only adds to the already difficult health situation.

The Israel MS Society is always there, alongside the patients conducting numerous activities for them: support groups throughout the country, seminars, rehabilitation resorts, rehabilitation camps, interest-free loans, legal and rehabilitative counseling, information and counseling in 4 languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English and much more.

We thank the people who helped during the project:

• Dr. Keren Regev, Head of MS Center, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv
• Dr. Hadar Kolev, Neurology specialist, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv
• Sharon Talor, MSW, social worker, support groups facilitator, Director of the psychosocial services of the IMSS
• Dr. Avraham Levi, social worker, support group facilitator.
• IMSS Board of Directors:
  
  • Uri Nissan
  • Eli Dagan   
• IMSS members:
  
  • Mordechai Barak,
  • Karin Barzilai,
  • Esti Merian,
  • Udi Shpigel
• Volunteers:
  
  • Tzahi Shiff,
  • Ifat Shamir Ben- Arie,
  • Yonatan Weinstein.

We cherish with gratitude Bristol- Myers Squibb (Israel) who initiated, mobilized, and sponsored this important project.

There are thousands faces to Multiple Sclerosis – because we are many!

All united to beat Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

We are strong and even when we fall, we get right back up!

United we stand and fight the disease with a thousand faces!

“Cognigames” project team – Atvisor

Moran Ran
Founder, CEO

Moran holds an MA in rehabilitation neuropsychology. Since 2016, she serves as the CEO of Atvisor – an AI-based digital platform for assistive technology consultations and provision, enabling collaboration between AT users, professionals, and suppliers. Since 2018, she serves as a co-chair of the rehabilitation psychology division of the Israeli Psychology Association. From 2007 to 2017, Moran worked at the Israeli National Institute for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured, where she headed the assessment unit and helped lead reform in neuropsychological assessment in the Israeli healthcare system. She is involved in assistive technology research in the fields of policy making, assistive technology use and impact outcomes and digital transformation.

Ronit Ran
Founder, CTO

Ronit holds BA in Computer Science and MA in Conflict Resolution. Since 2016, she served as the CTO of Atvisor. Ronit gained vast experience in algorithmic development, product development and projects management. From 2000 to 2010 she worked in “Music Genome” and from 2011-2016 as a freelancer. Ronit initiated and managed a social project “art of the project” for the empowerment of artists with Asperger Syndrome.

Yaniv Mirel 
Full stack developer

Yaniv is working in Atvisor since its establishment in 2016, as a full stack developer. Yaniv has vast experience in websites development and in the development of complex internet-based systems that require vast knowledge, both on the server and the client side, including software architecture planning and development, data security, automation, design implementation, servers and data-bases building and maintenance. Team member and project consultant, Full Stack trainer to various NGOs.

Tamar Preminger 
Senior Occupational Therapist, assistive technology consultant

Tamar has a BA and MA in Occupational Therapy (M.Sc.OT). During her master’s degree she initiated a project that promotes the use of applications as a tool to support cognitive functioning. She has worked as a professional consultant in organizations working with children with Autism and in the mental heath system. Currently working in Merchavim – Beer Yaacov center for mental health as a senior occupational therapist and in Atvisor as an expert in assistive technology with an emphasis on application and software for cognitive functioning.

Tsedef ben yakar Golan
Occupational Therapist, Assitive Technology expert.

Tsedef has a BA in Occupational Therapy (B.OT). Her training included work in rehabilitation, developmental and psychiatry departments. Currently working at atvisor as an assistive technology consultant and analyst.

About  Atvisor

Atvisor.ai is an AI-based digital health platform that supports assistive technology assessments and the decision-making process. Used by assistive technology professionals and end-users – people with disabilities, the elderly, and their family members, it helps in structuring the decision-making process, providing relevant ideas for assistive technology solutions and enables purchasing of the selected products online.

How it works? usage begins with a simple search in the assistive technology catalogue and may proceed to a personalized functional profile-based search. The end-user, independently, or supported by an assessor, defines his/her unique profile. Following the creation of a personal profile, the user can then choose the personal goals that are central to him/her and for which activities assistive technology is required. For each goal, the platform creates a personal report, containing products recommendations across different assistive technology categories, that are relevant to the profile and the activity mentioned. The end-user can review the report, together with an assessor and independently, consult with family and friends and select the product he/she would like to buy. Online purchasing can be integrated within the platform, alongside information about local shops, suppliers, and lending programs. Relevant products can be shared, reviewed, or marked as favorite’s for continuous use, while information from searches, recommendations and purchases is stored both in the personal archive of the end-user and that of the assessor. This enables follow up and long-term support, as well as re-initiation of further personalized assistive technology searches according to changes in user condition and goals. To create a personal profile and register for the Atvisor platform, click here.