Naomi Amir

Naomi Amir (; January 23, 1931 – January 4, 1995) was an American-Israeli pediatric neurologist. After earning her M.D. at New York University School of Medicine in 1952, she undertook her residency at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem the following year. Choosing to specialize in the field of pediatric neurology, which at the time was new to Israel, she established the first pediatric neurology clinic in Israel in 1968 at Bikur Holim Hospital. She later expanded this clinic into a full-service diagnostic, evaluation, and intervention center. In 1990 she and her team moved to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. She is credited as "the founder of modern child neurology in Israel".

Early life and education Naomi Kassan was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Shalom Kassan, a Jewish Palestinian émigré, and Eva Dushkin, a first-generation American child of Eastern European immigrants.

Career When Amir chose to specialize in pediatric neurology, this field was not yet recognized in Israel, and women represented a small minority of physicians in the country. Amir was mentored by Dr. Helena Kagan, founder and head of the department of pediatrics at Bikur Holim Hospital in Jerusalem. Kagan offered her a small room separate from the pediatrics ward to use as a neurological clinic. A sleep clinic for children was installed in 1984.

Amir also practiced at the Spafford Clinic in the Old City of Jerusalem, treating Muslim children, and the Mukassed Hospital on the Mount of Olives. She set up a number of satellite neurology clinics in Arab villages.

Research interests Amir co-edited two books and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles. Her research interests included cognitive development, epilepsy, neurometabolic disorders, aphasia, and developmental disorders.

Amir joined the staff of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1974 as a lecturer. She became a clinical senior lecturer in 1983 and a clinical associate professor in 1993.

Honors She received the Israeli Women of Achievement Award in 1989.

Personal life Naomi married Shlomo Amir in March 1955. They had two sons and one daughter. Naomi died of cancer on January 4, 1995.

Selected bibliography Books (co-edited with S. Shinnar) (co-edited with Isabelle Rapin)

Articles