Dr. Yiftach Barash Awarded 2025 rCORI Innovations and Outcomes Grant
September 2025
Our Simon Center for Outcomes Research and Improvement (rCORI) has awarded its 2025 Innovation and Outcomes Grant to Dr. Yiftach Barash to study “Large Language Models for Comprehensive Liver MDC Decision-Making.” This innovative project aligns with Dr. Simon's work advancing the use of computers and data analytics to enhance safety, improve outcomes, and foster learning.
Dr. Barash is an Independent Interventional Radiology Resident with a medical degree from Tel Aviv University, and an AI healthcare researcher with an MSc in Biotechnology Engineering and a background in industry. He has prior experience leading research on machine learning and advanced imaging to improve clinical decision-making. He combines technical expertise, clinical training, and cross-disciplinary experience to drive innovation in healthcare.
Celebrating Innovation and Exploration at the Annual Morris Simon Research Day
June 2025
Recent and Historical Award Recipients | Simon Day Presentations and Posters
On June 3, 2025, the Department of Radiology hosted the 9th Annual Morris Simon Research Day in the Klarman Conference Center at BIDMC Boston. This year’s Simon Day attracted a large audience of trainees, faculty, research faculty, and fellows, who marveled at the breadth and depth of science, discovery, innovation, and exploration. The celebratory symposium included:
- 52 total submissions
- 35 presenters
- 23 Faculty mentors
- 26 Cum Laude winners
- 5 "Best in Category" winners
- 3 "Best Poster" winners
About Dr. Morris Simon
Dr. Simon pioneered health services research, outcomes improvement, safety, technology development, and computer applications in healthcare.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1926, he received his MB, BCH, from his home country's Witwatersrand University and Medical School in 1948, and then completed his fellowship with the Faculty of Radiology at London Hospital in 1956. Dr. Simon became a faculty member at Beth Israel Hospital (BIH) in 1958, where he worked for nearly 50 years. He served as Acting Chief of Radiology at BIH from 1960 to 1962 and Chief of Radiology from 1963 to 1970. He was also named Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School.
Since his passing in 2005 at age 79, Dr. Simon has remained a cherished pioneer of the Department of Radiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Some people are uniquely skilled and blessed to live their life to the fullest, constantly seeking to improve the lot of their fellow human beings, and doing so in an utterly unassuming, humble, and gentle yet productive manner. Morris was such a man. I don’t think many are aware of the enormous reputation he had amongst fellow South Africans, of his role as an emotional and supportive community leader and mentor, as a patron of both the sciences and arts, and, believe me, as our beacon on the North American shore.
—Jonathan Kruskal, MD, PhD, Chair of BIDMC Radiology, and fellow South African
Learn More About Dr. Simon's Life and Legacy
- Dr. Kruskal delivered an overview of Dr. Simon at the 2023 Morris Simon Research Day.
- The New York Times published an obituary about Dr. Simon in 2005.
- You can also view Dr. Simon's Wikipedia page to learn more.
Radiology Alumni
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