Galilee Medical Center

31/12/2025

Saying goodbye to 2025 and wishing for a peaceful and successful 2026

29/12/2025

Medical Innovation at Galilee Medical Center
For the first time in Israel, innovative robotic-assisted surgeries were performed on women suffering from severe urinary incontinence in the Women’s and Maternity Division at Galilee Medical Center.
“This is a breakthrough,” says Prof. Lior Lowenstein, Head of the Women’s and Maternity Division and Vice Dean and Head of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine Bar-Ilan University. “We moved from a dead end, where there was nothing to offer these women, to opening a new therapeutic pathway that creates real hope and new treatment options.”
אגף נשים ויולדות ע"ש רעיה שטראוס, המרכז הרפואי לגליל
Read the full story on ynet👇

Four women aged 44 to 75 received implants of artificial urinary sphincters through robotic surgery at Galilee Medical Center after other treatments failed; the rare procedure targets severe incontinence, a condition far more common in women

25/12/2025

New Scalp and Hair Disorders Clinic Opens at Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya
A specialized clinic for the diagnosis of scalp and hair disorders has opened at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. One of only a few clinics of its kind in northern Israel, the new service is dedicated to patients experiencing a wide range of hair and scalp conditions, including hair thinning and hair loss.
The clinic operates under the Dermatology Unit at the medical center and treats patients with various inflammatory and non-inflammatory scalp and hair disorders. These include hair loss resulting from autoimmune diseases, medication side effects, chronic illnesses, hormonal changes, as well as symptoms such as itching, pain, discomfort, and scalp rashes.
The clinic’s goal is to provide accurate, comprehensive diagnosis and to tailor advanced, evidence-based medical treatments to each patient on an individual basis.
Services at the clinic include a detailed medical history, thorough clinical examination of the scalp and hair, and trichoscopic evaluation—a non-invasive skin examination performed using a specialized device with polarized light (a trichoscope). In addition, a computerized imaging system is used for diagnosis, documentation, and long-term monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment. When clinically indicated, a scalp skin biopsy may also be performed.
The clinic is headed by Dr. Rima Laufer-Britva, a senior dermatologist with specialized expertise in trichology and hair transplantation.
Dr. Laufer-Britva recently joined the Galilee Medical Center to establish the clinic. She earned her medical degree from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and completed her dermatology residency at Rambam Health Care Campus. During her residency, she conducted research on autoimmune diseases of the scalp at the Technion’s dermatology clinic.
In 2023–2024, Dr. Laufer-Britva completed a dedicated clinical fellowship in trichology and hair transplantation in Spain at the Dr. Jiménez Acosta Medical Center—an academic clinical center operating in collaboration with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria under the auspices of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).
She subsequently completed an additional clinical training rotation in trichology and hair transplantation in Madrid at the Trichology and Hair Transplant Unit of Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, under the guidance of Drs. Sergio and David Saceda, internationally recognized leaders in the field.
“In recent years, there has been significant progress in our understanding of scalp and hair diseases, alongside the development of new treatments and medications and the integration of advanced technologies,” said Dr. Laufer-Britva. “These advancements will be fully reflected in the services provided by the new clinic.”
Prof. Khalaf Kridin, Head of the Dermatology Unit at Galilee Medical Center, added:
“The new clinic is part of the unit’s ongoing expansion, which includes the establishment of dedicated specialty clinics across the spectrum of dermatology. These include phototherapy services, a laser clinic, a computerized mole-mapping system, and a clinic for the early detection of skin cancer.”

24/12/2025

We are proud and delighted to announce that Daphna Livne, Head of Physiotherapy Services at Galilee Medical Center, has been selected to receive the Hava Bar-Giora Memorial Annual Award (2006).
This prestigious award is granted to physiotherapists who demonstrate exceptional dedication, excellence, and professionalism, and who devote their work to serving patients and communities with the greatest need.
Daphna leads the Physiotherapy Department at Galilee Medical Center with remarkable humility and outstanding professionalism. She initiates essential services even under complex and challenging conditions, promotes professional excellence in Israel’s periphery, and plays a key role in training the next generation of physiotherapists. Together with her team, she delivers optimal care to patients, their families, and medical center staff, with a strong emphasis on patient experience.
According to Prof. Masad Barhoum, Director of Galilee Medical Center:
“Daphna leads one of the hospital’s finest departments with unique humility and professionalism. Together with her team, she provides services to a large number of hospital departments, while placing special emphasis on the service experience of patients, their families, and the medical center’s staff alike. I warmly congratulate Daphna and the entire team, on my behalf and on behalf of the entire hospital management.”
The award will be presented during the 22nd Annual Conference, to be held on January 12–13, 2026, at the Tel Aviv Convention Center.
Congratulations to Daphna and the entire physiotherapy team on this outstanding achievement!

23/12/2025

The Galilee Medical Center extends warm Christmas wishes to the Christian community in Israel, to our dedicated staff, and to our friends and partners around the world 🎄. We wish everyone a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year ✨️.

22/12/2025

🌟Warm Congratulations to Dr. Ala Aiob on His Appointment as Head of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit🌟
Dr. Ala Aiob, a senior physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Galilee Medical Center, has been appointed Head of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit.
The Gynecologic Oncology Unit specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive care of women facing malignancies of the female reproductive system, including cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the uterus, ovaries, and v***a. Care within the unit is based on advanced medicine, a multidisciplinary approach, and close collaboration among various medical teams, while maintaining a holistic, personalized, and sensitive focus on the needs of patients and their families.
In 2019, Dr. Ayoub completed a fellowship at a leading medical center in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. In 2024, he completed an additional fellowship at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea—one of the world’s leading centers for innovative gynecologic oncology surgery and the integration of advanced and complementary treatments.
On the academic front, Dr. Aiob was recently appointed Clinical Associate Professor at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University in the Galilee. He is actively involved in clinical research and has authored more than 45 publications in leading international medical journals.
We are confident that Dr. Aiob’s extensive professional experience, dedication, and leadership will contribute significantly to the continued development of the unit, the advancement of medical innovation, and the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive care at the highest standards.
Dr. Aiob commented:
"I view this role as a great responsibility and a meaningful mission, to lead a professional team, advance cutting-edge medicine, and ensure that every patient receives personalized, professional, and compassionate care through full collaboration among all disciplines."
We wish you great success in your new role and continued impactful work for the benefit of patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
Photo credit: Roni Albert
אגף נשים ויולדות ע"ש רעיה שטראוס, המרכז הרפואי לגליל
הפקולטה לרפואה בגליל - אוניברסיטת בר-אילן

15/12/2025

Wishing everyone a Hanukkah, filled with light and hope.
Prof. Masad Barhoum, Director of the Galilee Medical Center, and the management team.

11/12/2025

The Galilee Medical Center was pleased to host members of the leadership and representatives from the Jewish Federation of Chicago (Jewish United Fund) this week.

The visit opened with a presentation by the Deputy Director, Prof. Khetam Hussein, who provided an overview of the medical center’s activities, its challenges, and its extensive work on behalf of the residents of the Galilee.

Following her remarks, Dr. Tova Hershkovitz, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics, and Dr. Uri Neeman, Head of Trauma Services, presented their areas of expertise and the significant impact of their work on patients and the community.

The delegation then toured the Emergency Department and the Trauma Room, led by Director Dr. Khaled Atalla, where they viewed the advanced monitoring system donated by the Federation. This system has greatly enhanced the quality of care and patient safety.

Later, the participants visited the underground emergency complex and Surgical Department A, where a new monitoring system, also purchased with the Federation’s support, was presented. This vital contribution further strengthens the medical center’s ability to provide high-quality care.

The visit was accompanied by Sivan Yechieli, Chair of the Friends of GMC Association, and Ayala Shaul-Erez, the Association’s CEO.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chicago Federation for their deep commitment, ongoing support, and genuine partnership in strengthening healthcare in the Galilee.
Photos: Eli Cohen
Jewish United Fund of Chicago - JUF
עמותת ידידי המרכז הרפואי לגליל

10/12/2025

International Volunteer Day

Meet Galia Mor, 73, one of our 260 incredible Helping Hand for the Patient Association (Y.A.L.) volunteers at Galilee Medical Center,

The Association, a nonprofit organization operates at the Galilee Medical Center under the leadership of Daniela Stern, and its volunteers can be found in nearly every department, unit, and institute, as well as in outpatient clinics.

After retiring from a long career with the Municipality of Nahariya, Galia began volunteering at the medical center with the Miri (Mori) Burkis Oncology Institute Development Fund, helping bring joy to patients, especially during the holidays, and supporting fundraising for cold-cap cooling systems that help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy.

For the past two years, she has also volunteered once a week in the surgical wing cafeteria through the Y.A.L. Association. "I’m an expert at making toast and sandwiches," she says with a smile.

Galia, who also chairs WIZO Nahariya, says volunteering gives her meaning and fulfillment. "I'll keep continue volunteering as long as I have the time and strength."

Galia, thank you, for your dedication, your heart and your service. And thank you to all 260 of our devoted volunteers! 🙏🏼

Photo: Roni Albert

07/12/2025

We’re excited to share some wonderful news! 🎉
Nine physicians from Galilee Medical Center have been included in the 2025 Dun & Bradstreet ranking of Israel’s top medical specialists.
The list highlights leading experts across several fields, including general surgery and plastic surgery, cardiology, gynecology, orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
In the field of gynecology, the following were selected:
• Prof. Lior Lowenstein, Director of the Women and Maternity Division
• Prof. Jacob Bornstein, former Director of the Women and Maternity Department and current head of the Gynecological Research Laboratory at the Medical Center
• In ENT: Dr. Tal Marshak
• In plastic surgery: Dr. Amin Abu Jabal
• And in oral and maxillofacial surgery, jaw surgery, and dental medicine:
• Prof. Samer Srouji, Director of the Center
• Prof. Oded Nahlieli
• Dr. Iris Slutzky-Goldberg
• Dr. Eldad Sharon
• Dr. Daniel Morienos
Dun & Bradstreet, under its Dun’s100 brand, ranks leading companies and institutions in the Israeli market. Dun’s100 is widely regarded as the most professional, objective, and reliable ranking in Israel.
We are so proud of our team and grateful for their ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of care to our community

04/12/2025

“My greatest satisfaction is helping to ease a patient’s pain by accurately identifying the underlying issue — something that can sometimes even save lives.”
So says Ehab Matta, Clinical Pain Specialist Nurse and Pain Coordinator at Galilee Medical Center, 36, from Mi’ilya. He is married to Dr. Sanaa, a pediatric resident, and father of two.

In addition to his role in pain coordination, this year he completed his training as a Clinical Pain Specialist Nurse — an advanced position with broad clinical authority that enables in-depth assessments, professional decision-making, and personalized treatment tailored to each patient’s needs.

➡️ What is the main focus of your work?
“I advise medical and nursing teams in assessing patients with pain across all departments, tailoring treatment to each patient’s clinical condition, age, and sensitivities. I also write pain-management protocols and guidelines adapted for different populations. In addition, I oversee the pain champions in the departments and clinics, help implement pain-related work processes, and monitor quality indicators.”

➡️ What gives you the most fulfillment?
“True fulfillment comes from the human encounters with patients. When a patient says to me, ‘Ehab, please help me, I’m in pain,’ and the next day — when I return — they look calm and relaxed, able to get out of bed, and say, ‘Thank you so much, God bless you,’ that is the moment I understand why I’m in this role. That sense of mission is what guides me — it’s the heart of the profession.”

➡️ A final message?
“The unique combination of my work as a registered nurse — with 14 years of experience in an internal medicine department and in management roles — together with my work as a clinical specialist, gives me a broad, multi-system perspective. This perspective enables me to reach accurate assessments and reduce pain, ultimately providing real relief to the patient.”

We are proud of you and deeply appreciate your work, dear Ehab! 🙏🏼

28/11/2025

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was marked at Galilee Medical Center with a moving and meaningful event.
Opening the day, the Medical Center’s Director, Prof. Masad Barhoum, stated:
“Violence is not an inevitable fate. As part of the healthcare system and the community, we have a human duty to break the cycle of violence and create a safer, more just reality. We witness the consequences of violence every day—physical, emotional, and societal—and our responsibility goes beyond treating victims. We must be active partners in a moral and social struggle to prevent violence.”
Following his remarks, Prof. Barhoum signed the Medical Center’s Gender Equality Vision Statement, affirming that the hospital views gender equality as a core value essential to quality care, professional excellence, and organizational resilience. The statement includes a commitment to fostering a respectful, safe, and violence-free work environment.
The vision further notes the Medical Center’s commitment to serving as a leading model within Israel’s healthcare system in promoting women to management and leadership roles, supporting work–life balance, and cultivating a culture of inclusion, partnership, and diversity.
The program continued with a lecture by Salit Edwards, Director of the Social Work Department, and Moran Meiri, a hospital social worker, titled “Red Flags in Intimate Partner and Family Violence.”
The day concluded with a powerful talk by Keren Goldstein, a nurse in the Child and Family Guidance Unit, who shared the story of her close friend, the late Ravit Gal Nechmad, who was murdered six months ago by her partner.
The event was organized and moderated by Smadar Ocampo, the Medical Center’s Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment Prevention Officer.
Photos: Roni Albert