Prof. Joshua (Shuki) Shemer is a critical figure in one of the largest private hospital networks in Israel, Assuta Medical Centers. He currently serves as chairman of the board and is also the director of the Israeli Center for Technology Assessment in Health Care (ICTAHC) at Gertner Institute.
Alongside his leadership in healthcare, Shemer has held various administrative positions, including CEO of Maccabi Healthcare Services, former director of the Health Ministry, and surgeon-general of the IDF. Shemer has written over 200 publications in professional journals, including six books in the fields of trauma, terror, health reform, and technology assessment, and has also contributed to more than 20 chapters across a range of books.
From the ground up: An innovative approach to healthcare
During the creation of Assuta Medical Center, Shemer emphasized its significance, calling it “one of the most important modern Zionist projects in Israel” in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. He went on to say that the hospital was “the most dramatic event in the Israeli health system in decades.”
Shemer’s empathy and kindness are apparent in the operations of the hospital, as they’ve stated that their model is to provide “humane, innovative, and advanced care.” The commitment to compassionate care highlights the importance of building a healthcare system that thrives on understanding as well as healing.
The reverberating impacts of Assuta Medical Center
The influence of the hospital cannot be underestimated. On October 7, the hospital made extraordinary efforts to protect Israelis. In May, the hospital was presented with an award for serving on the front lines of medical defense for Israel’s southern region. Lying just 30 km. from the Gaza border, Assuta held immense responsibility on that fatal day and handled it with grace and compassion.
Erez Barenboim, CEO of Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital and recipient of the award on behalf of the hospital, told the Post that on the morning of October 7, “within hours, helicopters were landing with injured civilians and soldiers. [Their] emergency protocols were activated, and… staff responded with speed, precision, and compassion.” The hospital’s swift and measured actions made the difference between hundreds of lives lost and hundreds of lives saved.
At the time of the hospital’s founding, Shemer told the Post that he “could see no better way to give back to [his] country,” and it is clear that this spirit of dedication remains just as strong today. Assuta is not only a testament to Israel’s ever-evolving technology but to the resilience of the people, culture, and spirit that will forever sustain Israel through its most trying times.
Sheba Medical Center
Sheba Medical Center is the largest hospital in Israel and is consistently ranked as one of the top medical centers worldwide. As such, its staff of doctors is highly regarded in the Jewish state.
Prof. Shali Mazaki-Tovi is part of Israel’s medical elite. Heading the hospital’s gynecology and maternity center, Mazaki-Tovi is recognized for his clinical expertise, leadership in women’s health, and dedication to advancing the field through research and innovation. In particular, he is especially known for his work with high-risk pregnancies, with Sheba under his leadership handling more high-risk pregnancies than any other hospital in Israel.