prof. Asaf Durakovic, MD, PhD, DVM, MSc, FACP
Radiation Emergency Management (REM)
Dr. Durakovic established the Radiation Emergency Management (REM) program in 1989. REM was his response to the globally catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The scope of devastation at Chernobyl highlighted the public and professional need for improved understanding and training for the far-reaching health, safety and environmental impacts of ionizing radiation.
Hadassah University invited Dr. Durakovic to Jerusalem as clinical advisor to the Children of Chernobyl Project.
REM seminars initiated a new era in medical training. At the forefront were concrete demonstrations of the impact of ionizing radiation not published in textbooks. REM provided the most publicly accessible and extensive guide to understanding the medical effects of ionizing radiation as well as the environmental consequences of nuclear disasters. REM topics provided practical knowledge for medical emergency preparedness and mass casualty management of a radiation emergency. With the sponsorship of the State University of New York at Brockport, the U.S. Veterans Administration and accreditation by multiple medical organizations, REM seminars offered multi-disciplinary training seminars for medical and public health professionals, emergency managers and first responders.
In 2004 he was awarded the Nuclear-Free Future Award in Jaipur, India for his work on the medical and environmental consequences of nuclear warfare.
Dr. Durakovic is the author of over 225 scientific publications in recognized international journals.
