Between sorrow and joy, remembrance and vision, the 2025 Rambam Summit unfolded as a tapestry of emotion and meaning—affirming Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) as a beacon of healing, a pillar of resilience, and an inseparable part of Israel’s story.
Since its inception in 2010, the annual Rambam Summit has celebrated the intertwining of medicine, technology, and humanity. Each Summit has been a joyful recap of the past year’s achievements and a celebration of Rambam’s friends, whose generosity has helped make it all possible.
Summit activities included professional meetings, campus tours, a review of Rambam’s accomplishments and planned expansion of the hospital its facilities and almost doubling the number of beds.
The event brought together guests from diverse sectors—politics, medicine, defense, economics, science, industry, and media—as well as representatives from Rambam’s Friends Associations in the USA, England, France, and Mexico.
The emcee for the evening, Israeli actor Aki Avni, opened with a tribute to Rambam’s excellence in research, science, and medical innovation. It was followed by a moving screening of Rambam’s wartime response in activating the Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital. Musical presentations, including a tribute to the hostages held in Gaza, were performed by popular artists Eden Golan, Elai Botner and the New Kids, Ofri Atia, a Navy trio, and a musical ensemble.
The stories of two honored guests—severely wounded IDF soldiers whose lives were saved at Rambam—were screened during the event. Sergeant Yonatan Ron, who lost a leg in battle in Jenin, and Benji Brown, a Canadian lone soldier who sustained a severe head injury from flying shrapnel. In the video, they expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rambam staff who cared for them. Seated among hundreds of Summit attendees, Benji and Yonatan received a standing ovation in recognition of their courage.
The highlight of the evening was the Rambam Awards ceremony, the hospital’s highest recognition granted to individuals and institutions for their exceptional contributions to science, medicine, and society. This year’s recipients were Nobel Laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover, philanthropist and artist, Mrs. Ariela Wertheimer, the Israeli Navy, and unbeknownst to him, Professor Michael Halberthal – who will soon be retiring from his role as Director General of Rambam. Other recipients, Genaro Levinson, and Fernanda and Marcelo Kalim received the 2025 Rambam Award in ceremonies held their home countries.
Civilian recognition of a military unit is rare, making the tribute to the Israeli Navy particularly meaningful. The Navy was honored for its extraordinary assistance during both the “Swords of Iron” war and "Operation Rising Lion." During the recent hostilities, hundreds of naval personnel mobilized to enable the rapid activation of Rambam’s fortified underground hospital. Rear Admiral Eli Soholitzky accepted the award on behalf of the Navy, and Vice Admiral David Saar Salama also attended.
Since 2001, Professor Halberthal has held various leadership roles at Rambam and was appointed Director General in 2019. Under his leadership, the hospital navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged conflict of the current war—achieving remarkable progress despite the challenges. In light of his accomplishments, it was with great pride that the hospital presented Halberthal with the Rambam Award.
In the coming weeks, Professor Halberthal will be stepping down, with Dr. Michal Mekel assuming leadership of Northern Israel’s largest medical center. Therefore, after receiving his award, the transition was symbolically marked on stage, as both leaders addressed the audience.
Among the guests of honor were Nobel Laureate Professor Dan Shechtman, Police Commissioner Danny Levi, Technion President Professor Uri Sivan, Professor Karl Skorecki (former Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University), and Professor Moshe Revach (former Director General of Rambam). Also present were Civil Service Commissioner Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, senior Rambam staff: Dr. Mekel; deputy directors – Dr. Avi Weissman, Prof. Yael Shachor-Meyouhas, Dr. Netanel Horowitz, and Nissim Haim; CFO Shlomo Pashkos; Dr. Golan, and director of nursing Gila Hyams.
Ariela Wertheimer’s son, Asaf Wertheimer, and daughters, Sivan Talmor and well-known actress Maya Wertheimer, with her husband, Asaf Zamir former Israeli Consul General to New York were present alongside members of the extended Wertheimer family.
In his final address, Professor Halberthal remarked: “Tonight we celebrate and honor a shared vision and journey that, over the years, has transformed Rambam into a beacon of medical excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life.”
