Last updated on: 3/12/2013 | Author: ProCon.org

Timna Naftali, MD Biography

Title:
Specialist in Gastroenterology at Meir Hospital and Kupat Holim Clinic (Israel)
Position:
Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?"
Reasoning:

“Tetrahydrocannabinol is safe and has beneficial effects, including steroid sparing, in moderately active Crohn’s disease.”

Presentation, “Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Induces Clinical and Biochemical Improvement with a Steroid Sparing Effect in Active Crohn’s Disease,” 2012 American Gastroenterology Association conference
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
     Key Experts
Physicians [Physicians are the "key experts" in the medical marijuana debate because the issue is thought by many to be ultimately based on the medical value and risks of marijuana, and Physicians, with their training and clinical work, should (at least in theory) have the best knowledge of marijuana's medical value and risks.] [Note: Key Experts definition varies by sites that have this designation.]
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Specialist in Gastroenterology, Meir Hospital and Kupat Holim Clinic, Jan. 1998-present
  • Member, American Gastroenterology Association, 2001-present
  • Member, Israeli Forum of Neurogastroenterology, 1999-present
  • Treasurer, Israeli Gastroenterology Association, member since 1995
  • Resident, Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Meir Hospital, Kefar Saba, May 1995-1997
  • Manager, Department of Internal Medicine “D”, Meir Hospital, Kefar Saba, 1993-1995
  • Senior Doctor, Community Clinic, Tel Aviv (Israel), 1993
  • Resident, Department of Internal Medicine “C,” Meir Hospital, Kefar Saba, 1988-1992
  • Intern, Meir Hospital, Kefar Saba, 1986-1987
  • Nurse, Department of Medicine, Ichilov Hospital (Israel), 1982-1983
  • Exchange Student, Neurological ICU, Sloan Kettering (New York), summer 1982
  • Nurse, ICCU, Beilinson Hospital (Israel), 1981-1982
  • Service in Israeli Military, 1976-1978
Education:
  • Certification in Gastroenterology, Israel Scientific Council, 1998
  • Certification in Internal Medicine, Israel Scientific Council, 1992
  • Studied medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University (Israel), 1980-1986
  • Studied chemistry, Hebrew University, Jerusalem (Israel), 1979
Other:
  • Active participant in numerous scientific meetings including the Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation in Vienna in 2013 and the Digestive Disease Week in San Diego, CA in 2012
  • Married with four children
Quoted in:
  1. Is Marijuana an Effective Treatment for Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Other Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?