Rambam Health Care Campus is proud and honored to bestow the 2025 Rambam Award upon Ariela Wertheimer, in recognition of her remarkable dedication – together with her husband, the late Eitan Wertheimer – to advancing healthcare; her visionary leadership in philanthropy; and her unwavering commitment to empowering individuals from all walks of life. Through her years of service, and compassion –Ariela made an indelible mark on Rambam and the future of medicine in Israel.
Ariela Wertheimer
Ariela Wertheimer is the embodiment of a modern Renaissance woman. She served as an X-ray technician in the IDF, a profession she studied at Rambam. Never a person to rest content with her previous success, she was always looking for new ways to grow, contribute, and make a difference. Hence, she pursued further studies in art at Oranim College, business and management at Tel Aviv University, IMD Switzerland, and Harvard University. Ariela’s
Ariela’s art perception is deeply personal and evocative, exploring life’s processes, fleeting thoughts, and vulnerabilities through photography, painting, and video. Her art has been celebrated in solo exhibitions across Israel and internationally She has participated in the Venice Biennale, earning significant acclaim. Her “Open Gallery for Art” initiative provides a platform for other artists to flourish, reflecting her belief in nurturing creativity in others.
For 14 years, Ariela volunteered in the Oncology Department at Rambam, providing comfort and care to patients at their most vulnerable. Her hands-on approach – feeding, cleaning, and supporting patients – reveals her profound humanity and humility.
Beyond Rambam, Ariela’s philanthropy knows no borders. She has developed and managed programs that empower Israel’s diverse populations to achieve their full potential. As Chairwoman of the South-North Business Fund, she has championed Israeli industry, supporting over 1,250 factories driving entrepreneurship nationwide.
Ariela also founded the “Kavim and Machshavot” Association to support individuals with ADHD, ensuring they have access to education, employment, and the tools they need to thrive. She established the “Museum for Education in Medicine and Health” at the Technoda.
In the early 2000s together with her late husband, Eitan Wertheimer, Ariela was a driving force behind the “Vision of Adam,”, which led to the development of Rambam’s West Campus and revolutionized healthcare for Northern Israel. Their quiet yet powerful support has left a lasting legacy, ensuring advanced, equitable medical care for generations to come.
Ariela’s story is also one of resilience and family. As a mother of five and grandmother of seven, she has faced life’s challenges with grace and optimism. Ariela has always turned challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.
.Her life’s work – spanning the arts, industry, science, and medicine – has touched countless lives, especially those on society’s margins.
In recognition of all the above, the Honorary Awards Committee has deemed Ariela Wertheimer deserving of the 2025 Rambam Award.
