Hadassah Australia

Hadassah Australia Hadassah Australia creates sustainable social impact through healthcare and collaborative medical re

Inspired by the vision and values of Hadassah Founder, Henrietta Szold, Hadassah Australia is committed to creating a thriving, diverse, equal and inclusive Israel by supporting healthcare programs that:
- Provide undergraduate scholarships in health for young Ethiopian-Israelis
- Reinforce the excellence of treatment at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem.
- Advance innovative medical research
- I

mprove the lives of young people facing trauma
- Support acute rehabilitation services
- Enhance early childhood development

At a special ceremony celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel conferred its highest civilian honour on Prof. Avraham “Avi” Ri...
28/04/2026

At a special ceremony celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel conferred its highest civilian honour on Prof. Avraham “Avi” Rivkind, MD, an internationally known pioneer in the field of trauma medicine and director of the trauma unit and the department of general surgery at the Hadassah Medical Organization.

The Prize Committee described Prof. Rivkind as “a pioneer in developing new medical approaches and tools for saving lives that have become an integral part of the State of Israel’s reality.” The Committee noted the comprehensive life-saving system Prof. Rivkind created for treating trauma victims both in the field and in hospitals and which has served as a model in Israel and abroad, and the generations of doctors, medics and students whom he has trained.

Reflecting on his work in a speech at the prize ceremony, Prof. Rivkind said: “Over the years, trauma centers in Israel have become strongholds of hope. The wounded arrive at their most difficult moments and leave with a chance and renewed hope for life.”

Tomorrow, on ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of those who have served, and t...
24/04/2026

Tomorrow, on ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of those who have served, and those who continue to serve.

We honour the men and women who gave so much in the pursuit of peace, and reflect on the values of resilience, compassion, and community that continue to guide us today.

Lest we forget.

As Israel marked its 78th Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Hadassah community had a powerful moment of pride.Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, H...
22/04/2026

As Israel marked its 78th Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Hadassah community had a powerful moment of pride.

Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, Head of Hadassah’s Haematology Division, was selected to light a ceremonial torch at the official Independence Day ceremony on Mount Herzl, one of Israel’s highest national honours.

Recognised for her outstanding contribution to Israel’s healthcare system and patient care, Prof. Ben-Yehuda has combined clinical excellence with national leadership. She also made history as the first woman to serve as Dean of the Hadassah–Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine.

In an emotional moment, she dedicated the honour to her colleagues:
“I am lighting this torch in honour of the doctors and all medical staff who have bravely faced years of immense hardship — from the battle against COVID-19 to today’s long and painful war — continuing to save lives and support those wounded in body and soul.”

Hadassah Australia warmly congratulates Prof. Ben-Yehuda on this recognition.

Mazel Tov and Kol Hakavod!

Photo: Oz Schechter

22/04/2026

Today, we celebrate the 78th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

We stand proud and united, committed to a future of peace, innovation, and healing.

Chag Sameach!

On Yom HaZikaron, we pause to remember and honour the fallen soldiers and victims of terror who have made the ultimate s...
20/04/2026

On Yom HaZikaron, we pause to remember and honour the fallen soldiers and victims of terror who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Israel and its people.

For decades, Hadassah Medical Organization has treated wounded soldiers and civilians, providing emergency trauma care, complex surgeries, and comprehensive rehabilitation for those injured in defence of Israel.

Many of the Hadassah doctors, nurses, and staff have lost family members in this war. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, loved ones. Even as they carry this profound grief, they continue to show up every day to care for the wounded and save lives.

As we stand together in remembrance, let us also express our deepest gratitude to the families who bear the weight of their loss, and recommit to supporting those who continue to serve and protect.

Yizkor.

The complex process involved carefully lifting the system into place by crane, requiring close collaboration between cli...
17/04/2026

The complex process involved carefully lifting the system into place by crane, requiring close collaboration between clinical teams, medical physicists, engineers, and technology specialists.

The EVO system enables highly precise, personalised radiotherapy, integrating advanced imaging and treatment planning technologies to better target tumours while protecting surrounding healthy tissues.

Photos courtesy of Medtechnica.

The Physician Who Transformed Cancer Treatment.The newspaper Haaretz recently profiled Prof. Polina Stepensky of Hadassa...
16/04/2026

The Physician Who Transformed Cancer Treatment.

The newspaper Haaretz recently profiled Prof. Polina Stepensky of Hadassah Medical Organization, whose CAR-T therapy is revolutionising multiple myeloma treatment globally.

Prof Stepensky immigrated from the Soviet Union in 1990, worked cleaning offices and delivering mail while completing her medical studies.

Today, she leads Hadassah's Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immunotherapy department.

Her CAR-T therapy genetically engineers patients' immune cells to fight cancer. Over 200 patients treated with 93% response rate.

Her patent was acquired by American company Immix Biopharma and is now in FDA clinical trials.

Kol Hakavod!

The transfer of all patients from the underground complexes to the permanent wards in Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus has bee...
14/04/2026

The transfer of all patients from the underground complexes to the permanent wards in Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus has been completed.

According to the outline decided upon by Hadassah management, the complex process was carried out gradually, according to a systematic plan prepared by Hadassah in advance and based primarily on patient safety and the issue of infection prevention.

During the day, a unique and complex multi-participant operation was conducted at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, to transfer a patient in critical condition connected to an ACME device who had been ventilated and anesthetized for several weeks.

This is a man in his 20s who, due to a complex medical condition, underwent several surgeries and required the support of his ACME (artificial heart-lung machine) ventilator.

A large professional team participated in the patient's transfer, including doctors and nurses from the intensive care unit and anaesthesia, the ACME team at Hadassah, technical assistants and security personnel.

"Patients connected to ACME are, regardless of the security situation, seriously ill and complex patients, and therefore transfers between departments are uncommon and must be carried out according to prior preparation and accompanied by many professionals," concludes Meirav Luria, head of the ACME team at Hadassah hospitals. "After being treated for several weeks in a protected underground complex, his transfer to the original department above ground was carried out in the best possible way and carefully managed, and the patient is already being treated in the intensive care unit by the dedicated and caring team."

Today, on Yom Hashoah, we pause to remember the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, and to honour the s...
14/04/2026

Today, on Yom Hashoah, we pause to remember the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, and to honour the survivors whose courage continues to inspire generations.

Hadassah Australia stands in solidarity with our global community in bearing witness, ensuring that the stories of those lost are never forgotten, and that the voices of survivors continue to be heard.

As we reflect, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the values of dignity, resilience and hope.

May their memory be a blessing.
Zikaronam livracha.

Hadassah Australia warmly congratulates Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda on being selected to light a torch at the state ceremony o...
10/04/2026

Hadassah Australia warmly congratulates Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda on being selected to light a torch at the state ceremony on Mount Herzl, marking Israel’s 78th Independence Day.

Alongside her leadership as the Head of the Hematology Division at Hadassah, Prof. Ben-Yehuda has held a series of significant roles within the Israeli healthcare system. These include serving as the Chairperson of the National Health Basket Committee, Dean of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Medicine, and Head of the Department for Medical Research Education at the Weizmann Institute. Her lifelong commitment to the nation was also recognised with the IDF Chief of Staff's Citation for her heroic actions during the Yom Kippur War.

Mrs. Dalia Itzik, Chair of the Hadassah Medical Organization Board of Directors: "Prof. Ben-Yehuda is a symbol and a beacon of the resilient Israeli spirit. Through her immense contribution to patients and the advancement of the healthcare system, she embodies the values of Zionism and the love of humanity, leading Israel toward global medical excellence. We take immense pride in her”.

Prof. Yoram Weiss, Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization: "Prof. Ben-Yehuda is an inspiration to everyone engaged in the sacred work of healing, science, and the training of Israel’s next generation of physicians. Her decades of service have led to scientific breakthroughs and saved countless lives. We are proud of Prof. Ben-Yehuda, stand firmly behind her, and join Minister Miri Regev and the selection committee in recognising her as the most fitting choice to represent Israel’s healthcare system on the national ceremony stage on Independence Day”.

Kol Hakavod!

“This is a patient who had been in severe pain and bedridden for an entire month after falling and fracturing her sacrum...
07/04/2026

“This is a patient who had been in severe pain and bedridden for an entire month after falling and fracturing her sacrum,” said Prof. Josh Schroeder, head of Hadassah Spine Surgery Unit.

“Any movement or bending was impossible... She also developed a serious case of pneumonia, which worsened due to prolonged immobility... a major risk factor.”

The patient’s family asked Prof. Schroeder to perform the surgery before Passover. “I understood the concern of her son, who simply wanted his mother to be able to get out of bed after a month of complete immobility and deteriorating health, and to experience the holiday,” said Prof. Schroeder.

“When we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, just before the holiday, and consulted with our anaesthesiologist, Dr. Hashem Ruhi, it became clear that she could not undergo general anesthesia, as it would have put her life at risk due to her severe pneumonia.”

After careful deliberation, the team decided to perform sacral fixation surgery under local (spinal) anaesthesia.

“This is a highly unusual decision for this type of procedure,” said Prof. Schroeder. “Spinal anesthesia... temporarily numbs the lower half of the body while allowing the patient to remain fully awake. It is rarely used in major pelvic surgeries, but any other form of anesthesia would have endangered her life.”

The multidisciplinary surgical team — including anesthesiologist Dr. Hashem Ruhi, Dr. Ahmed Shawan, and OR nurses Mohammad Karain and Lili Osipov — used the Mazor robotic system, an Israeli-developed technology.

“The entire procedure was completed in just 20 minutes, whereas a standard non-robotic surgery would typically take several hours,” said Prof. Schroeder.

“That very evening, the patient was already showing improvement in her pneumonia, was able to sit up in bed for the first time in the intensive care unit, and experienced the Passover seder in a way she never believed possible,” he said. “Her family thanked us for what they called a true miracle, arriving just in time for Passover.”

From all of us at Hadassah Australia, we wish you and your loved ones Chag Pesach Sameach.חג פסח שמח
01/04/2026

From all of us at Hadassah Australia, we wish you and your loved ones Chag Pesach Sameach.

חג פסח שמח

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Hadassah Australia raises funds for Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. It supports programs which connect the Australian community with Israel, and which make a difference at home and abroad. Hadassah Australia was established in 2003 by Ron Finkel AM, the current National President. For us, Hadassah is more than a hospital - it is an inspirational beacon of healing, friendship and peace among all people.

Hadassah Australia provides substantial and meaningful support for Hadassah Hospital, both financially and through a range of collaborative programs and activities.

Vision

Hadassah Australia supports Hadassah Hospital (Hadassah Medical Organisation) Jerusalem by creating partnerships between Hadassah Hospital and communities in Australia and Israel.