Hadassah Medical Center

19/11/2025

Israel’s First National Resuscitation Competition Held in Jerusalem, in Collaboration with Hadassah’s Emergency Medicine Teams.

As part of JEMAC Jerusalem 2025- the Jerusalem Emergency Medicine and Advanced Care Conference, Israel’s inaugural national resuscitation competition for Magen David Adom teams was held this week in Jerusalem.

Emergency medicine experts from Hadassah and Shaare Zedek accompanied paramedic teams from across the country as they competed in advanced, high-fidelity simulations of critical medical scenarios, positioned throughout Jerusalem’s most prominent landmark sites. Hadassah physicians provided professional guidance, evaluation, and on-site support to the participating teams throughout the competition, culminating in the announcement of the winning team.

Dr. Ahmad Naama, Director of the Emergency Department at Hadassah Ein Kerem:
“We are honored to take part in Israel’s first national resuscitation competition and to serve as a professional partner throughout the event. Sharing the extensive expertise of our teams is a privilege. Excellence in resuscitation is fundamental to saving lives, and the more we cultivate and strengthen these capabilities, the broader and more proficient the circle of emergency-care providers becomes.”

Magen David Adom

18/11/2025

For the first time in Israel, A groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy was performed at Hadassah Ein Kerem!

C., a 35-year-old mother of four from central Israel, has suffered for many years from severe epileptic seizures. She tried every standard medical protocol, but her recurring seizures continued, and her condition kept deteriorating.

The Epilepsy Center team at Hadassah Ein Kerem enabled her to undergo a unique surgery that, until now, had only been performed in the United States and Canada.

The procedure was led by Dr. Sami Hayman, epilepsy surgery specialist from the Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Zvi Israel, Head of the Neurosurgery Department, and anesthesiologist Dr. Zaid Abu Armila.

After the precise location of her epileptic focus was identified, a neurostimulator was implanted in her brain. The device detects abnormal electrical activity and neutralizes it before it turns into a seizure.
“Without the implantation of this device, we would have had to remove the relevant area of the brain, with all the serious medical consequences such a procedure can cause,” says Prof. Dana Ekstein, Head of the Neurology Department at Hadassah, who has been treating C. for more than 15 years.
“This is truly personalized medicine - the RNS device is programmed specifically and precisely for C.’s brain.”

Following the implantation and healing period, the Epilepsy Unit at Hadassah will activate and program the neurostimulator to achieve the best possible results.

Hadassah is the only center in Israel that operates RNS device programming and runs an RNS programming clinic for patients who underwent the surgery abroad (primarily in the U.S.) and returned to Israel.

The clinic’s medical team includes Hadassah neurologists as well as Prof. Dawn Eliashiv, a world-renowned epilepsy specialist from UCLA.
“She is a married woman with four children. I accompanied her through difficult pregnancies, during which we had to care not only for her but also for the fetuses due to frequent falls. Over time, she had to rely more and more on a wheelchair, living with constant fear,” the team shared.
“But we didn’t give up. We embarked on a complex journey to find the exact brain region triggering her seizures. We understood that removing this area, as is often done, would almost certainly damage her vision. That is why we chose the RNS implant surgery. The procedure went smoothly and successfully. We knew this was the right solution for her- she had been waiting for it eagerly for months. We are now looking forward to activating the device and seeing the expected improvement in her condition.”

In the photo: Prof. Dana Ekstein, Head of the Neurology Department at Hadassah, along with the neurosurgical team during the operation.

04/11/2025

The Daily Mail features Hadassah’s groundbreaking study- gastric bypass surgery performed entirely through hypnosis!

No anesthesia. No scalpels. No recovery time- just the power of the mind!

At Hadassah Har Ha Tzofim, researchers are simulating gastric bypass surgery through guided hypnosis, and the results are remarkable:
Most participants lost around 10% of their body weight in just 3 months, without any invasive procedures.

Dr. Maya Mizrahi, the psychologist and hypnotherapist leading the study, explains:
“Hypnosis isn’t magic- it’s a way to help people reconnect with their bodies, strengthen self-control, and reshape their decision-making patterns.”

Read the full story in the Daily Mail:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15209355/amp/patients-lose-weight-new-therapy-hypnosis-surgery.html

29/10/2025

Last Monday marked a truly moving moment at Hadassah Har Hatzofim, as the Gandel Rehabilitation Center was officially inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and President Isaac Herzog.

The event celebrated the opening of the most advanced rehabilitation facility in the Middle East- a place built to help Israel heal, and to restore hope and strength to those recovering from injury and trauma.

The ceremony also honored the Gandel Foundation for its visionary leadership and extraordinary philanthropic partnership that made this center possible, alongside Hadassah International, Hadassah’s National President Carol Ann Schwartz, HMO Board Chair Dalia Itzik, and HMO Director General Prof. Yoram Weiss.

Established about a year and a half ago to receive and treat casualties from Swords of Iron, the center has since provided care to more than 2,050 injured individuals, including over 350 wounded from the war.

Behind every number stands a story of courage, recovery, and hope.

The new center features a therapeutic swimming pool with a modular floor, advanced mobility systems, computerized motion analysis technologies, and a modern gait laboratory- all designed to help patients rebuild strength and independence.

In his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu said:
“The rehabilitation center inaugurated here is not merely a building- it is a structure of hope and a vision of the world of tomorrow.”

This inauguration was more than a ceremony, it was a celebration of compassion, innovation, and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.

Photo by Avi Hayon

19/10/2025

A real operating room. A surgeon in scrubs. An IV line, monitors, but no scalpel.

In an innovative study at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital, gastric bypass surgery is being simulated entirely through hypnosis.

In a groundbreaking study at Hadassah Mount Scopus, doctors are simulating gastric bypass surgery - using hypnosis!

Although, unlike actual bariatric surgeries and weight-loss medications, the use of hypnosis does not yet have sufficient scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in treating obesity, the initial findings are surprisingly promising.

Most participants lost an average of 10% of their body weight in just three months.

Yuval Wohlandler, who struggled with obesity, lost 25 kg in about five months says:
“It didn’t feel like effort. Even now, eight months later, I still keep some of the habits that were formed during hypnosis- like preparing my food for the whole day in advance.”
He adds: “The hypnotic surgery feels completely real - as if I actually went through an operation.”

The research initiator, Maya Mizrahi, a medical psychologist and certified hypnotist, explains:

“Hypnosis isn’t magic. It’s a tool that helps people truly listen to their body. During eating, there’s often a disconnect between emotion and logic - and our method helps restore that balance, improving self-control and decision-making.”

The study is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including Dr. Tamar Elram, Director of Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital; Prof. Hagai Mazeh, Director of the Department of Surgery; Dr. Ronit Greenbaum, Senior Bariatric Surgeon at the hospital; and Dr. Yurai Tal-Ron, Psychiatrist at Hadassah Ein Kerem. They are joined by Prof. Danny Ben-Zvi, Director of the Metabolism and Diabetes Research Laboratory at the Hebrew University, and Dr. Eitan Abramowitz, Psychiatrist and Medical Hypnosis Specialist at the Hypno-Campus Institute.

08/10/2025

15/09/2025

Continuing to lead for the eighth year in a row!
In 2026 Hadassah is once again among the world’s best smart hospitals.

For the eighth consecutive year, the prestigious NEWSWEEK magazine has ranked Hadassah among the world’s Best Smart Hospitals.

Special recognition was given to our Oncology and Cardiology departments, both counted among the strongest worldwide.

Special recognition was given to our Oncology and Cardiology departments, both of which are among the strongest worldwide.

The ranking is based on a comprehensive global survey of tens of thousands of medical professionals, with strong emphasis on innovation, breakthrough technologies, and international accreditation standards.

As our Chair of the Board, Ms. Dalia Itzik, and Director General, Prof. Yoram Weiss, said:
“Hadassah continues to earn recognition thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our doctors, researchers and world class scientists. Excellence is our way of life, and our pride is in leading Israel to the forefront of global medicine.”

10/09/2025

A New Era for Breast Health at Hadassah Ein Kerem.

We are proud to announce the opening of the new Breast Health Center of Excellence at Hadassah Ein Kerem- a place where cutting-edge medicine, compassion, and collaboration come together for the benefit of every woman.
The launch event was honored by the presence of Ms. Dalia Itzik, Chair of the Hadassah Board of Directors, and Carol Ann Schwartz, President of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

At the Center, patients receive the entire continuum of breast cancer care in one location- from advanced imaging to surgical and oncological consultations. Every stage of diagnosis and treatment is guided by Hadassah’s leading specialists, working side by side across disciplines.

By bringing all services under one roof and fostering daily collaboration between experts, the Center creates a truly holistic approach – one that greatly improves recovery prospects while honoring the dignity and strength of every patient.
Our leadership team includes some of the foremost experts in Israel and worldwide:

Prof. Teneer Alweis- Head of the Center, Chair of the Breast Surgery Association

Prof. Shani Paluch-Shimon- Chair of the Israeli Society of Breast Oncology

Dr. Tal Hadar- Director of the Breast Surgery Unit at Hadassah

Prof. Tamar Sela- Former Chair of the Israeli Society of Breast Imaging and Board Member of the European Society of Breast Imaging

This milestone reflects Hadassah’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s health through excellence, innovation, and compassion.

For appointments and more information:
https://he.hadassah.org.il/oncology/womens-health-einkarem

28/08/2025

An extraordinary birth took place this week at Hadassah Mount Scopus.
Ruhama, 24, gave birth to a healthy baby boy at the same hospital where she herself was born prematurely, weighing only 495 grams.

Twenty-four years ago, Ruhama’s mother developed severe pregnancy complications, and senior obstetrician Prof. Simcha Yagel delivered Ruhama by c-section at 24 weeks. She spent six months in the NICU and was discharged weighing 2.4 kg.

This week, the family came full circle as Ruhama gave birth to her first child, with Prof. Yagel, who had stayed in touch over the years, present at the delivery. The family described it as an emotional moment and “a true healing” of the difficult birth decades ago.

Prof. Yagel shared: “I followed her through life’s milestones and was honored to support her during this pregnancy. The delivery was smooth, and seeing her healthy baby—six times her birth weight, was deeply moving.”

Ruhama’s father added: “This birth felt like a real closure to the birth from 24 years ago. Ruhama is recovering, and we are overjoyed to welcome our first grandchild.”

27/08/2025

A medical breakthrough from Hadassah Medical Center and Israeli startup PlasFree is reshaping how we treat bleeding.

Led by Prof. Abd Al-Roof Higazi, Director of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Division at Hadassah, the team has developed ClearPlasma - the first solution of its kind to stop life-threatening bleeding by enhancing human plasma to create stable clots without side effects.

ClearPlasma has already received initial marketing approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health. Clinical trials conducted in Israel and Europe on 200 patients have shown exceptional results, and the product is now on its way toward CE approval, with FDA clinical trials already being planned.
Born in Jerusalem, ClearPlasma is on its way to becoming a life-saving innovation for operating rooms, trauma centers, and emergency care worldwide.

21/07/2025

Wonder Woman on screen and in real life 💪🏼