ScienceAbroad, the global network uniting thousands of Israeli scientists across the world, is set to host its upcoming “Pioneering Israeli Medicine Conference: Innovating for a Healthier Tomorrow” on Sept. 22, in New York City. The all-day event will showcase the latest medical research and technological innovations emerging from Israel, particularly those developed in response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. This conference is a collaborative effort led by ScienceAbroad, in partnership with the Sheba Research Authority (Tel HaShomer), the Israeli Medical Association and Nefesh B’Nefesh.
Experts will provide crucial insights into the challenges of wartime healthcare, addressing both physical and mental health needs during conflict. Key topics will include trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, rehabilitation of war wounds and the innovative medical solutions that have been developed in these unprecedented times.
Keynote speakers include renowned Israeli and international scientists, including Nobel Laureate professor Aaron Ciechanover, biotech innovator and founder of Biolojic Design professor Yanay Ofran, and pediatric geneticist professor Rivka Carmi, chair of the executive board of ScienceAbroad and former president of Ben-Gurion University.
“Since Oct. 7, Israeli doctors working abroad have faced significant challenges, particularly due to a rise in antisemitism,” Carmi said. “Many are living and working in increasingly hostile environments, leading to feelings of alienation and insecurity. Israel, whose medical innovation will be highlighted at this conference, is their true home—a place where they are not only wanted but deeply valued. Israel is eager to welcome back its outstanding doctors, and we are committed to supporting their return as well as facilitating the aliyah of Jewish doctors and ensuring their successful integration into our healthcare system.”
Additionally, the program will feature the following panel discussions:
• “War Wounds: The Journey of Rehabilitation and Recovery” with Dr. Zeev Feldman, chairman of the Israeli Medical Association’s association of hospital directors; professor Amitai Ziv, director of Integrated Rehabilitation Center at Sheba Medical Center; Dr. Hagay Amir, director of the Loewenstein Hospital Rehabilitation Medical Center of the Clalit Group; and Dr. Shirley Saar, head of innovation at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel.
• “Navigating the Storm: Understanding and Treating Trauma and PTSD” with Dr. Amichai Fluhr, medical doctor for NATAL, the Israeli Trauma and Resiliency Center; Dr. Carmel Kalla, head of the clinical branch of the IDF mental health department; Dr. Nitza Nakash-Axelrod, director of the CBT clinic at Sheba Medical Center; Dr. Arik Shalev, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Hadassah University Hospital; and Dr. Mili Bar-Shaked, deputy director of Beer-Sheva Mental Health Hospital.
• “The Intersection of Innovation: Promoting Converging Technologies in Healthcare” with professor Rivka Carmi, chair of the executive board of ScienceAbroad and former president of Ben-Gurion University; professor Benjamin Dekel, chief of the Pediatric Nephrology at Sheba Medical Center; Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of NurExone Biologic; Dr. Michal Tsur, co-founder and CEO of Remepy; and Tami Warshavski, senior director, head of Americas and Europe department at the Israel Innovation Authority.
• “Frontline Healing: IDF’s Approach to Wartime Medical Care” with Dr. Aviv Gelber, senior medical officer at the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps.
• “From the Front Line to the Home Front—Lessons from Medical Responders” a fireside chat with professor Rafi Beyar, managing partner and co-founder Alive; Uri Shacham, director general’s Chief of Staff at Magen David Adom; professor Roy Kessous, deputy general manager at Soroka Medical Center.
• “Innovating Health: Healthcare Systems Driving Medical Breakthroughs” Leah Wapner, CEO of the Israeli Medical Association, will moderate the panel, which will feature professor Dalit Ben-Yosef, scientific director at the Fertility & IVF Institute at Ichilov-Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; professor Michael (Miki) Halberthal, director general of the Rambam Health Care Campus; and Dr. Shirley Saar, deputy general head of innovation at Schneider Children Medical Center of Israel.
• “Israel 2.0: The Next Frontier of Opportunities in Healthcare” with professor Dror Harats, vice president of R&D at Sheba Medical Center; professor Rafael (Rafi) Beyar, managing partner and co-founder Alive; and professor Ehud Schwammenthal, CMO of Magenta Medical Ltd.
Lunch will include a special presentation by Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani on his restaurant Miznon’s fast-casual dining concept.
“We are living through a time when the resilience and innovation of Israeli science are being tested like never before,” said Nadav Douani, executive director of ScienceAbroad. “From trauma care to advanced rehabilitation, the insights and technologies emerging from Israel today have the potential to redefine wartime healthcare and save countless lives.”
“This conference will not only showcase scientific achievements but serve as a hub for networking and collaboration, offering opportunities for scientists, industry leaders and policymakers to foster partnerships that could shape the future of medicine,” he added. “It will ensure that these critical advancements reach those who need them most.”
To register, see: events.scienceabroad.org.il/med-conf/Home.
For media inquiries, email Noy Assraf, NSA Creatives, noy@nsacreatives.com or call 917-982-6331
