Shamir Medical Center is dedicated to advancing breakthrough human medicine and providing a platform for national and international exposure to new medical knowledge. Here are some of the recent and upcoming conferences held at our center:

• The Israel Society for Gender & Sex Conscious Medicine’s annual conference.
• A cardiology conference led by Prof. Sa’ar Minha, Director of Interventional Cardiology.
• A first-of-its-kind conference for parents of children with ongoing medical needs, organized in collaboration with the Children's Division, the Department of Pediatric Surgery, and the Markman & Tomashin Law Firm.
• A conference in collaboration with the Briah Foundation and featuring Prof. Orna Tal, Deputy Director of the Medical Center, on training gynecologists in empathic communication and trauma-sensitive gynecological examinations.

• Gender and Sex Conscious Medicine at Shamir Medical Center
• The CathLab Complications Marathon
• A First-of-Its-Kind Conference for Parents of Children with Medical Needs
• The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department’s Conference in Collaboration with the Briah Foundation

Gender and Sex Conscious Medicine at Shamir Medical Center

The Israel Society for Gender & Sex Conscious Medicine’s annual conference was held at the Shamir Medical Center, with the participation of the Society’s founding president and field leader, Prof. Marek Glezerman; Prof. Keren Avraham, Dean of Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences; Prof. Zion Hagai, Chairman of the Israel Medical Association (IMA); Shira Ruderman, Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation; and physicians, researchers, and leading professionals in the field.

The conference addressed various aspects of sex and gender-conscious medicine, particularly in the context of the ongoing war. Key topics included post-trauma and mental stress, sexual assault in both men and women, and its effects on pregnancy, fertility, childbirth, and postpartum depression. Additionally, a breakthrough in Alzheimer's research for both genders was highlighted, among other important subjects.

Shamir Medical Center’s Director General and CEO, Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, spoke at the conference, stating, “Together with the Ruderman Family Foundation, we have initiated dedicated research in the field. Prof. Glezerman has paved the way in sex- and gender-adjusted medicine, but we still have a long journey ahead. There is a wealth of data in hospitals and communities, and through collaboration, we can revolutionize medical research.

“Many established concepts were challenged on October 7th, including the treatment of women. We are witnessing heroic acts by women fighters, doctors, paramedics, and medics on the front lines, proving our capabilities. We must not be passive observers; instead, we need to take control and, through research and re-examination of medicine, implement sex- and gender-conscious medical practices.”

Prof. Keren Avraham stated, “Sex- and gender-conscious medicine is a vast field, and we need to make significant changes in medical education at the university level. I support introducing new terminology and gender-appropriate materials for our lecturers. It’s time for real change.”

Prof. Zion Hagai remarked, “Fifteen years ago, when Prof. Glezerman founded the Israel Society for Gender & Sex Conscious Medicine, people didn’t grasp its significance. Today, the situation has completely changed. More and more doctors are researching and exploring gender issues. In the last 12 months alone, 1,989 articles have been published in the field of sex- and gender-conscious medicine, including 42 from Israeli academic institutions. This is a developing and fascinating field that is gaining significant exposure.”

Shira Ruderman said, “Here we are, at a medical center led by a visionary woman committed to groundbreaking gender-conscious medicine. We are proud to support Dr. Levtzion-Korach’s vision for researching and implementing female gender medicine. Women have always played pivotal roles, and now it’s time to drive real systemic change in the medicine of tomorrow.”

Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Director General & CEO, Shamir Medical Center

Shira Ruderman, Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation

Photo credit: Ofer Amram

The CathLab Complications Marathon

The conference, held in June at Shamir Medical Center, focused on interventional complications in cardiology. Led by Prof. Sa'ar Minha and Dr. Ilya Litovchik, it brought together senior cardiologists from various medical centers to discuss and share their experiences in managing cardiovascular complications through case-based discussions. While successes are often celebrated and easily shared, delving deeply into complications can significantly enhance the quality of patient care..

A First-of-Its-Kind Conference for Parents of Children with Medical Needs

Shamir Medical Center hosted a unique conference focused on providing information and tools for parents of children with ongoing medical needs. Held in collaboration with Markman & Tomashin, one of Israel's largest law firms specializing in children’s medical rights, the event featured key speakers such as the Center’s Director General, Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Director of Pediatric Surgery Dr. Osnat Zmora, and Deputy Director of Social Services, Ms. Maya Cooper.

The conference offered parents detailed explanations about state-provided rights, recognition and support in various educational institutions in Israel, information on emotional support for their children. Additionally, new techniques to reduce complications in pediatric surgeries were discussed.

Shamir Medical Center doctors also presented medical innovations, including advancements in gastroenterological treatment for children by Dr. Adi Ein Dor from the Gastroenterology Institute, the latest innovations in pediatric allergy treatment by Dr. Naama Epstein Rigbi, and tailored treatments for children with intractable epilepsy by Dr. Eli Heyman, Director of the Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Department.

At the conference, Dr. Levtzion-Korach addressed the numerous challenges faced by parents of children with long-term medical needs. “They primarily suffer from a lack of knowledge about the conditions and rights they deserve. It is crucial to create support and knowledge groups. Here at the medical center, we offer a unique support system that can be immensely beneficial. Advanced medical practices provide valuable tools to realize the potential inherent in all of our children.”

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department’s Conference in Collaboration with the Briah Foundation

In March, the Shamir Medical Center hosted a conference organized by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department as part of a program designed to train doctors and gynecologists from across the country in empathic communication and trauma-sensitive gynecological examinations.

Supported by the Briah Foundation, the conference was attended by 35 doctors and gynecologists from various institutions, including hospitals, health insurance funds, and the IDF. It was led by Prof. Roni Maimon, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Division and Chair of the Israeli Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Anna Padua, Director of Shamir’s Pelvic Floor Unit and founding secretary of the Israeli Society for Sexual Trauma Treatment & Prevention (ISTT). Both leaders delivered professional lectures on empathic communication and trauma-sensitive examinations.

The training program and conference, in collaboration with the Briah Foundation, are spearheaded by Shamir Medical Center gynecologists Dr. Ma’ayan Gal-Kochav, Dr. Neta Shamir-Kaholi, and Dr. Shani Naor-Revel. The event included lectures and simulations of real-life scenarios with actresses, enabling participants to practice the tools they acquired.

Prof. Orna Tal, Deputy Director of the Medical Center, who also participated in the conference, said, “We aim to increase awareness of patient needs and preferences among the entire medical staff. Sensitivity to issues that cause discomfort to patients is crucial for creating an optimal care experience and providing robust support.”

Last year, about 30 gynecology interns at the Shamir Medical Center underwent this workshop training. In the future, the Medical Center plans to expand this important training to additional departments, reinforcing its commitment to patient-centered care.