Galilee Medical Center

05/02/2026

We were honored to host a large delegation from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, including members of Federation leadership and the Israel Committee, for a meaningful visit to Galilee Medical Center.
The delegation received a warm welcome and a comprehensive briefing from Dr. Tsvi Sheleg, Deputy Director, who shared the unique challenges and strengths of Galilee Medical Center as a frontline hospital in northern Israel. He explained how our proximity to the Lebanese border shapes daily operations, emergency preparedness, and our critical role in caring for both civilians and soldiers during times of conflict. Dr. Sheleg also provided an overview of the hospital’s response during the Iron Swords War, including innovative efforts to manage hospitalized patients in underground fortified facilities for 14 over months.
Following the briefing, the delegation split into two groups, one led by Prof. Khetam Hussein, Deputy Director, accompanied by Aya Kagade, Director of the International Affairs Department, and the other by Dr. Sheleg. The groups toured key hospital facilities, including a view toward the Lebanese border just six miles away, underscoring the strategic importance of Galilee Medical Center’s location. The delegation also visited the fortified Emergency Department, where Dr. Khaled Atalla, Director, shared insights on emergency readiness and the advanced monitoring systems generously supported by the community. The tour continued to the underground hospitalization facility and the command and control center.
We are deeply grateful for the Federation’s support of our community. Your commitment helps ensure that Galilee Medical Center remains strong and able to provide lifesaving care, even under the most challenging circumstances.
Thank you for standing with Galilee Medical Center.
Photos: Eli Cohen
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan

02/02/2026

We were excited to welcome members of the Indianapolis ATID Leadership Program, together with senior leadership from the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis including CEO, Marc Swatez, to Galilee Medical Center as part of their visit to the region through the Partnership2Gether Western Galilee program.
The visit opened with warm welcome remarks and a comprehensive briefing from Prof. Khetam Hussein, Deputy Director of Galilee Medical Center, who highlighted GMC’s unique role as a border hospital serving all populations and communities with professionalism, compassion, and equality. The group also heard firsthand how Galilee Medical Center operated during wartime, gaining insight into the strategic importance of our location and our preparedness to provide lifesaving care under complex and challenging conditions.
Aya Kagade, Director of the International Affairs Department, also met with the group. This visit was especially meaningful, as the Indianapolis community hosted Prof. Khetam and Aya this past summer during a visit to Indianapolis, making this a warm reunion with many friends from that trip.
From the meeting room in the Ophthalmology Department, the group had a clear view of the border with Lebanon, just six miles away, reinforcing their understanding of our role as the frontline medical center on Israel’s northern border. During the tour, the delegation visited key areas of the medical center, including the fortified Emergency Department, where Dr. Khaled Atalla, Head of the Department, shared critical insights, as well as the underground emergency hospital, command headquarters, and inpatient wards.
The visit concluded at the Tree of Life mosaic in the Women’s Health Wing, a Partnership2Gether project, created by artist Joan Baez Joani Rothenberg from Indianapolis and Yael Buxbaum from Israel, a powerful symbol of the deep and lasting connection between our communities.
We are deeply grateful to our partners in Indianapolis for their continued friendship, leadership, and support, and appreciate the bonds that connect our communities.
Thank you for standing with Galilee Medical Center.
Photos: Eli Cohen
Avital Ben Dror
Partnership2Gether Global Network רשת השותפויות העולמית

02/02/2026

Saving Lives Begins in the Field: Joint Training Day for the Unit and United Hatzalah in the Pre-Hospital Setting
As part of the Galilee Medical Center Trauma Unit’s ongoing pre-hospital initiatives, a professional training day on pre-hospital trauma care was held on January 28, 2026, for United Hatzalah emergency teams. The program took place from 16:30 to 21:00 and was attended by more than 250 EMTs and paramedics from across Israel.
The training day was opened by Ariel Ben David, Director of Development at United Hatzalah, who emphasized the importance of continuous professional training and strong partnerships with medical centers.
Opening remarks were also delivered by Dr. Tsvi Sheleg, Deputy Director of Galilee Medical Center, who welcomed the collaboration, highlighted the critical importance of continuity of care from the field to the hospital, and presented an overview of Galilee Medical Center’s activities.
Next, Bilal Ganaim, Trauma Coordinator at Galilee Medical Center, presented the work of the Trauma Unit, including its vision, areas of responsibility, projects to advance trauma care, and trauma data for 2025.
Dr. Uri Neeman, Director of the Trauma Unit, welcomed participants and delivered a lecture on airway management in the pre-hospital setting, providing important clinical insights for field operations. United Hatzalah Vice President Eliezer Hyman also offered his greetings.
Later, Dr. Dina Ashtekin, senior trauma surgeon, presented updates on advanced trauma care and the transition to the XABC protocol.
This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Ali Kaadan, senior neurosurgeon, who addressed head injuries and key considerations for managing these patients in the pre-hospital environment.
The training day concluded with a lecture by Dr. Bahir Sirhan, senior physician in the Emergency Medicine Department, on “Preparedness and Management of a Mass Casualty Incident at Galilee Medical Center,” emphasizing coordination, system-wide readiness, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The training day highlighted Galilee Medical Center’s advanced trauma care capabilities and the vital importance of close cooperation between pre-hospital medical teams and the hospital’s multidisciplinary staff, all as part of a continuous effort to improve quality of care and save lives.
Special thanks to Dr. Sheleg and to all those who made this event possible, including participating department heads, security, auditorium, and administrative teams.
United Hatzalah of Israel

19/01/2026

Galilee Medical Center and the Friends Association were honored to host the leadership and representatives of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis today.
The visit opened with words of appreciation from Prof. Masad Barhoum, who thanked the Federation for its commitment and support of the Medical Center and the residents of the Galilee.
Dr. Tsvi Sheleg, Deputy Director of the hospital, then delivered a comprehensive briefing in the headquarters of the emergency underground hospital, including the medical center’s activities, the challenges it faces, its conduct during the war, and its extensive efforts on behalf of the region’s residents and IDF soldiers.
The delegation continued with a tour of the underground facility, followed by an overview of the Emergency Department by its Director, Dr. Khalid Attalla, including the trauma rooms, where the guests were able to see firsthand the advanced monitors purchased with the Federation’s generous support.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis for the visit, for its deep commitment to Galilee Medical Center and the Galilee region, and for its unwavering partnership and support.
Jewish Federation of St. Louis
עמותת ידידי המרכז הרפואי לגליל

18/01/2026

Proud and excited to open Research Week 2026 today at Galilee Medical Center 🧬🩺
Throughout the week, our medical center becomes a vibrant hub of knowledge, featuring dozens of inspiring lectures, groundbreaking studies, and a poster exhibition showcasing the forefront of medicine, right here in Israel’s north.
This year’s program is exceptionally rich, spanning research in artificial intelligence and ancient genetics, highlighted by a fascinating opening lecture this morning by Prof. Liran Carmel of the Hebrew University on ancient DNA—to advanced clinical studies in women’s health, rheumatology, cardiology, and many other fields.
Prof. Masad Barhoum, Director of Galilee Medical Center, noted:
“Research for us is not merely an academic pursuit, it is a profound medical and social mission. Research Week demonstrates that here in the Galilee, we are pushing boundaries, asking the hard questions, and bringing the cutting edge of science directly to the patient’s bedside. I am immensely proud of our teams, who choose every day to lead, innovate, and provide the residents of the north with medicine that is nothing less than excellent.”
Prof. Khetam Hussein, Deputy Director of Galilee Medical Center and leader of Research Week, added:
“Research is the beating heart of modern medicine. Thanks to the curiosity and excellence of our teams, we are not only caring for the present, we are shaping the medicine of the future.”

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.