American Friends of Sheba Medical Center

? SHEba: Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare ? In Part 1, Dr. Ayelet Priel shared her passion for oculoplastic surgery. Now, she dives into the emotional side of reconstruction — not just rebuilding features, but restoring confidence. For Dr. Priel, every patient deserves to be heard, especially those who’ve been told their case isn’t worth the effort. Whether treating injured soldiers or those struggling with their appearance, she knows that true healing goes beyond the physical. One of many remarkable women at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Dr. Priel continues to change lives through her expertise and dedication ??

Recently, Sheba paid tribute to Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir — a heartbreaking loss that words cannot capture. Sheba employees paused for 30 minutes, as they do every day, to raise awareness of the danger to the health and lives of the hostages still in Gaza. We remember Shiri, the brave mother who fiercely protected her children, and the two redheads, Ariel and Kfir, whose smiles will never be forgotten. We mourn them deeply and stand united in the call to bring all the hostages back home.

On International Women's Day, we honor the strength, expertise, and dedication of the women at Sheba Medical Center ?? Recently, three exceptional female surgeons came together for a complex surgery on a patient with melanoma near the eye: Dr. Galit Avinoam from Plastic Surgery, Dr. Naomi Rabinovics from ENT, and Dr. Ayelet Priel, an oculoplastic surgeon. Their collaboration took place in our Integrated Oncology and Skin Cancer Unit (IPU), a multidisciplinary hub where specialists from different fields work hand-in-hand to provide patients with comprehensive treatment plans on the same day. This case involved a 70-year-old patient with a challenging melanoma located in a highly sensitive area. Thanks to the expertise and teamwork of these remarkable women, the patient received the best possible care. Today, we celebrate the impact women have every day, breaking barriers and setting new standards in healthcare. Photo: From right to left — Dr. Priel, Dr. Rabinovics, Dr. Shirly Grynberg (Head of the Integrated Skin Cancer Unit), Moriya Gerbi (IPU Coordinator), Dr. Avinoam, and Riki Katz (Department Secretary, Plastic Surgery).

Medicine should unite, not divide. When anti-Israel activists attempted to silence Professor Ido Didi Fabian, a leading expert in ocular oncology at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, the medical community refused to back down. After efforts to exclude him from the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA) Congress based on nationality, his invitation was reinstated — affirming that healthcare transcends politics. At Sheba, Prof. Fabian has dedicated his career to treating children with life-threatening eye cancer, including patients from Africa and beyond. His unwavering commitment to medicine is a testament to the power of healthcare to unite, not divide. Read more about this victory for medical collaboration in South African Jewish Report: https://lnkd.in/drPRacSj??

? SHEba: Women Shaping the Future of Healthcare ? This series highlights the remarkable women at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer who are shaping the future of medicine with passion, expertise, and groundbreaking innovation. For Dr. Ayelet Priel, Senior Oculoplastic Surgeon, medicine is more than a profession — it’s a passion. Restoring both function and confidence in her patients moves her to tears, even after years in the field. With Sheba’s advanced 3D printing technology, life-changing implants are now created in days instead of weeks, accelerating surgeries and improving patient outcomes. For Dr. Priel, every long hour, every complex case, is worth it — because she truly loves what she does.

For wounded soldiers, the journey home doesn’t end on the battlefield — it continues through months of surgeries, rehabilitation, and emotional recovery. At Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, veterans receive world-class medical care, advanced prosthetics, and critical trauma support to help them rebuild their lives. But healing takes more than medicine — it takes a community. Your donation helps provide life-changing care for those who have sacrificed so much. Stand with us in supporting their recovery: https://lnkd.in/dQCGpdNe

At Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, care knows no boundaries. Every day, Sheba’s dedicated teams provide holistic, life-changing medical treatment, education, and emotional support to Palestinian children from the West Bank. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim medical teams work side by side to ensure that every child gets the best care possible, regardless of background. This is the power of medicine to unite, heal, and bring hope ??

Some love stories begin in the most unexpected places — like the halls of Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer ?? When Noam Geuli and Joel Gutovitz met in Pnimit Aleph in June 2023, they had no idea their journey would lead to forever. Noam was in her second year of Sherut Leumi, and Joel had just started Staj when a nurse playfully suggested they should date. Over time, their friendship grew — sharing lunches, crossing paths in the hospital, and one fateful moment when Joel slammed the brakes on his bike just to talk to Noam at a bus stop. Months later, when Joel left for his ophthalmology residency in Kansas, they thought their story had ended. But as soon as he landed, Joel knew he couldn't let Noam go. After three months of long-distance calls, Noam flew to Kansas, and just eight days later, under the stars, Joel proposed. In November 2024, they were married in Jerusalem and are now building their life together. Their love story started at Sheba, and one day, they hope to return — not just as a couple but as an ophthalmologist and a nurse. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!

Sheba Ranks Among the World's Top 10 Hospitals ?? For the 7th consecutive year, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer has been named one of Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals, now at #8 globally! This recognition is a testament to Sheba’s unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and compassionate care, treating nearly 2 million patients annually, regardless of background or nationality.

Honoring a Champion for Change ?? At a special gala in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer conferred Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke with the “Hope Without Boundaries” Award for his and the club’s commitment to fighting antisemitism. Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, Director General of Sheba, emphasized the power of sports and healthcare in uniting people: “True champions are defined not just by their victories on the field, but by their moral courage. Borussia Dortmund has shown unwavering solidarity during challenging times, reminding us that sport can connect hearts and convey a message of unity.” Accepting on Watzke’s behalf, Daniel L?rcher reaffirmed Dortmund’s commitment: “Football, with its immense reach, must take a clear stance. We need courage and civic responsibility to actively counteract racism and antisemitism across the world.” A night of solidarity. A message of unity.