The friends of the TEL AVIV sourasky medical center helps to raise support for projects that are chosen based UPON the priorities SET by the TEL AVIV sourasky medical center. Dedicated to the medical center's development and success, friends of the TEL AVIV sourasky medical center has been instrumentall in raising support for major projects, including the establishment of new wards, the purchase of life-saving equipment and the support of groundbreaking research. The TEL AVIV sourasky medical center (tasmc), also known as ichilov, was established in 1912 as the municipal hospital of TEL AVIV. In 1980, tasmc became a municipal/governmental institution, and is now the largest acute care facility in the country. The medical center has 1,500 patient BEDS, 8,000 employees and serves a population of close to one million residents, tourists and commuters in the greater TEL AVIV AREA.