(Courtesy of Sheba Medical Center) Wiping tears away from her eyes after showing young burn victims how to prepare a tasty culinary dish at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, “Top Chef” TV celebrity judge Gail Simmons remarked, “As a parent you cannot help but feel for these youngsters, who have endured so much but remain optimistic, which made my visit with them so inspiring. It’s something that I will always remember. What they are doing at Sheba is remarkable.”

Ms. Simmons and her “Top Chef” colleague, Jonathan Waxman, came to Sheba Medical Center late last week to partake in the ground-breaking ceremony of

Israel Pediatric Aesthetic & Reconstructive Laser Surgery Center of Excellence (I-PEARLS), a cutting-edge facility that will use medical lasers to treat pediatric burn scars, within the hospital’s MATAM-Advanced Technology Division.

Samuel Davis, Esq. a philanthropist from New Jersey, is the founder of I-PEARLS, the Burn Advocates Network and Camp Sababa, Israel’s camp for pediatric burn survivors. He has worked closely with Professor Josef Haik, the director of Israel’s National Burn Center Intensive Care Unit at Sheba Medical Center to develop the first center in the Middle East focused on non-invasive methods to heal scars.

Thousands of children in Israel suffer from a wide array of burns, leaving them with disfiguring scars and disabilities. Laser treatment can blast away thickened scars and relieve contractures. These powerful lasers, largely developed by Israeli companies, will now be changing the standard of care for children with burns in Israel and at satellite centers around the globe.

As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, Simmons and Waxman participated in a fun-filled culinary activity with the young burn victims, who were treated at Sheba Medical Center.