In Memoriam on Assa Reichert (1943 - 2015)

Unfortunately on May 14th, 2015 our colleague and friend Assa Reichert lost his battle against his difficult disease. Assa, Reichert, our very long time member of Board and Council of European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI), was our a true friend. He devoted to his family, his country, his friends, his profession and EFMI, IMIA and Medical informatics, generally. As Medical informatics expert and scientist he was “elder statesman” (how one of our colleagues defined him) and has been a person with great treasure of warmth and experiences and man carrying a peaceful vision of the world. He would be right person from whom always you can ask some advice for solving some difficult problems or situations. During all EFMI events Assa has showed his true commitment to the Medical Informatics field. Especially he inspiring the young scientists with his always charming, witty and thoughtful remarks. He always supported people who invested their time and efforts to produce himself as a little interface for the ultimate human EFMI network like “Key success-factor” as Jacob Hofdijk mentioned in his memory letter. MIE 2009 Conference in Sarajevo organized by myself Assa promoted and supported by great influence on important decision makers in our country and abroad. Assa Reichert directed the first computer department in the Israel Ministry of Health. He was assistant director of Sheba Medical Centre, the largest in Israel, and VP of COMET, an Israeli-American software house specializing in medical institution management and Electronic Medical Record’s software. He served as consultant to the Ministry of Health. Assa achieved a BA in Life sciences and a MA in Life sciences and Computer sciences from Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Assa served as President of the European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI) during a period 20022003, and served as Vice-President of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) during a period 2004-2005. During STC EFMI Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, Assa received the medal as Honorary Fellow of EFMI. We will remember him for all his contributions and commitment in the different roles he has held during his time in EFMI. All of us in EFMI and IMIA lost one of prominent personality. His voice and his deep thoughts for best and most reasonable solutions in critical situations during our Council meetings will persist in our minds. His way of discussing about important problems was typical. He was straight, but always in a fair way. The best way to keep his memory is to continue his plans and to follow his example. His “presence” in our minds will not be felt and will touch every EFMI and IMIA friend’s soul and heart. Assa was living on the edge with his dedication to his motorbike and his endless (business) travels around the world, and survived many near miss accidents, always returning with a smile, never complaining, but fight against lung cancer he couldn’t won, unfortunately. Everybody of us will miss his friendship, honesty and his ethos. We will remember Assa with deepest admiration, compassion and desolation.