Bateman Horne Center Bridges Borders to ME/CFS Care:
A Conversation with Dr. Hacohen and Jennifer Bell, CNP

Bridging Borders to Advance ME/CFS Care: A Conversation with Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen and Nurse Practitioner, Jennifer Bell

At the Bateman Horne Center (BHC), our mission to educate and empower providers around the world recently took a meaningful step forward through a unique international connection. Dr. Hacohen, an allergy and immunology physician from Israel, joined us for a two-week observership to gain firsthand experience with our patient-centered care model for ME/CFS and Long COVID. We sat down with Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen and BHC Clinic Manager Jennifer Bell, FNP-C, to reflect on the experience and the importance of global knowledge-sharing in ME/CFS care.

BHC: Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen, what brought you to the Bateman Horne Center?

Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen: My interest in ME/CFS began through a close relative’s experience and deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I saw how this condition can suddenly disrupt lives. There’s currently no dedicated ME/CFS clinic in Israel, and I wanted to see what comprehensive, compassionate care could look like. BHC is known internationally for its expertise, so I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from the team.

BHC: What stood out to you during your time here?

Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen: I was struck by how deeply patient-centered everything is. The clinicians take time with each individual—really listening, collecting detailed histories, and crafting personalized treatment strategies. Even though ME/CFS is chronic and incurable, I saw how much support and symptom management is possible when care is thoughtful and informed.

BHC: Jennifer, how was it mentoring Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen?

Jennifer Bell: It was such a rewarding experience. Mentoring always pushes me to reflect more deeply on my own practice. Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen brought a fresh perspective, especially with her background in allergy and immunology. Our time together was both intellectually stimulating and personally enriching—I feel like I’ve gained a new colleague and friend.

BHC: What does this kind of international exchange mean for the future of ME/CFS care?

Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen: It’s incredibly valuable. My plan is to stay in touch with the BHC team, connect with other ME/CFS-savvy providers, and keep learning as new research emerges. I hope to help bring some of this knowledge and approach back to Israel, where we still have a long way to go in supporting these patients.

Jennifer Bell: Exactly—when clinicians connect across borders, we grow stronger as a global community. The more we share and collaborate, the more we can expand access to quality ME/CFS care, even in areas that don’t yet have formal systems in place.

This exchange is just one example of how curiosity, empathy, and shared purpose can drive meaningful progress. At BHC, we’re proud to support the next generation of providers and researchers working to improve care for people with ME/CFS, Long COVID, and other infection-associated chronic conditions (IACCs).

“Dr. Gourgy-Hacohen brought fresh insight and a valuable allergy/immunology lens to our work.
Our time together was not only intellectually rewarding but also personally enriching—
I now have another friend and colleague in the world.”  Jennifer Bell, Bateman Horne Center

As part of our mission, BHC hires and trains upcoming researchers and medical professionals to contribute to change in the scientific and medical fields surrounding these ME/CFS, Long COVID and other Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions (IACCs).