Healing in Nature Leaders Explain how Programs Help IDF COmbat Veterans Heal
President Bruce Rogers and Rotarians John Kemp & Keith Cromwell with Omri Barkin, Dr. Roi Sar-el and Dylan Koren
This week, Rotarian John Kemp, Lakeshore Foundation President & CEO, moderated a panel of leaders from Healing in Nature (HiN), an Israeli nonprofit founded to support IDF combat veterans coping with trauma. Co-founder and CEO Omri Barkin shared his personal journey from the battlefields of Israel to the serene wilderness of Montana, where he found healing through nature, community, and purpose. Dr. Roi Sar-el, a Harvard research fellow and psychiatrist, and Dylan Koren, a reservist and veteran of the Gaza conflict, each offered powerful insights into the mental health crisis facing Israeli soldiers.
The HiN team detailed their science-backed approach to trauma recovery—rooted in outdoor retreats, clinical research, and lifelong peer support. Dr. Sar-el emphasized the severity of PTSD among veterans and the urgent need for early intervention, while Koren recounted how his experience in the program gave him a sense of safety and connection during a time of deep personal loss. With over 400 veterans on a waiting list, the organization is poised to expand and continue its mission to bring hope and healing to those who have sacrificed so much.
About Healing in Nature
Healing in Nature (HiN) is an Israeli nonprofit committed to helping Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) combat veterans heal, reconnect, and rebuild their lives through nature, technology, and community.
HiN created a structured, research-backed healing environment where veterans come together to process their experiences, support one another, and embark on a lifelong journey of well-being.
At HiN, we believe that healing is not a solitary path—it’s a shared mission. By integrating nature-based therapy, holistic healing practices, advanced research, and essential coping tools, we provide veterans with the resources they need to move forward with strength and resilience. Our work doesn’t stop after a single experience—HiN fosters a lifelong support network, ensuring that no veteran has to face their challenges alone.
Through a comprehensive, long-term approach—before, during, and after their time with us—HiN empowers veterans to reclaim their well-being, rebuild their sense of purpose, and thrive beyond their service.
To learn more about our mission and impact, visit hin-group.org.
Panelist Bios
Bio for Omri Barkin
Omri Barkin, originally from Modi’in, Israel, spent formative years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1999–2003) before settling in Tel Aviv. A former soldier and commander in the IDF special forces (Maglan, 2013–2016), Omri’s military service deeply shaped his perspective on resilience and the challenges veterans face post-service.
After completing his service, Omri spent time in Montana, where he experienced firsthand the transformative and healing power of nature. This experience inspired his journey to help others process their military experiences and rebuild their lives.
With a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from Afeka Academic College of Engineering, Omri gained valuable professional experience working as an Account Executive for EMEA and APAC regions at an Israeli startup.
Today, Omri is the CEO and Co-Founder of Healing in Nature (HiN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting IDF veterans. HiN’s innovative, nature-based therapeutic programs empower veterans to overcome the psychological challenges of combat, fostering resilience and lifelong well-being within a supportive community.
Omri’s leadership is driven by a vision of creating sustainable healing pathways for those who have given so much in service.
Bio for Dr. Roi Sar-el
Dr. Roi Sar-el (MD, PhD) is an Israeli psychiatrist and neuroscientist based in Boston, MA. He is a research fellow at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, specializing in brain stimulation methods for psychiatric illnesses. Previously, he served as an attending psychiatrist and head of the Psychiatric ER at Tel Aviv Medical Center (Ichilov), where he treated various psychiatric disorders, including numerous PTSD patients, both combat and non-combat related.
Dr. Sar-el completed a dual MD-PhD program at Tel Aviv University, followed by an adult psychiatry residency at Tel Aviv Medical Center. He is a recipient of the prestigious Rothschild Fellowship for physician-researchers (Yad Hanadiv Foundation) and an APF Fellow (American Healthcare Professionals and Friends for Medicine in Israel).
He previously accompanied the Healing in Nature journey to Montana and currently serves as Head of R&D for the foundation.
Bio for Dylan Coren
Dylan Coren, 34, is originally from Los Angeles and moved to Israel at 18 to serve as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces. After his service, Dylan worked in a variety of roles, including as a foreman, wrestling coach, and personal helper for an individual with autism. He pursued a BA in Communications at Reichman University and later worked with special needs adults before joining a real estate investment firm in Tel Aviv. In October 2023, Dylan was called up for reserve duty after the October 7th attacks, participating in the Gaza conflict and later missions in Southern Lebanon. Currently in Arizona, Dylan is taking time off before rejoining his unit, the 8105 Battalion, in Gaza in May 2025.