Women lead the way at Soroka

Women who are directors of departments, units and institutes at Soroka share their managerial challenges. Each one of them, leaders in their fields, saves lives every hour of every day.

We photographed some of them in their work environment. Each of these women shared a precept that guides her in her work with staff and patients.

Prof. Klaris Riesenberg, Director of the Infectious Disease Institute at Soroka: “As a doctor and manager, I personally relate strongly to Simon Sinek’s leadership philosophy of 3 Ps: Passion, Purpose, People.

• Passion for a profession that has been part of my life for many years, and that I am able to pass this passion on to some of the young physicians and some of the medical students.
• A clear purpose in my professional life: to be a good doctor and good person, at the highest possible professional and social standards, and to find others who believe in this path.
• People are the most important: people who share the passion and purpose. Initiative, progress, leadership and success are all the result of joint work, and I view colleagues and staff as a second family.”

Prof. Relly Hershkovitz, Director of the Women’s Ultrasound Unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Soroka — “In order to lead and make dreams come true, you need to set goals, objectives and courses of action. Because it’s not always easy to get to where you want to go, you should have a supportive family and set priorities.” Dr. Fernanda Press, Director of the At-Risk Mother and Child Unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Soroka — “Persistence and consistency along with medical excellence are what get thosearound you on board to lead, where there is room to act from the head and, when necessary, from the heart.”

Dr. Yael Raviv, Director of the Soroka Respiratory Clinic: “Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
There is no life without a soul, and without breath the human soul cannot exist and only dust remains. In my job, I put my training to work to facilitate proper breathing so that life can continue. This is done realizing that all of us, the physicians, medical staff and patients, were created from dust and that each of us has a soul.” Dr. Anat Horev, Director of the Interventional Neurology Unit at Soroka , who performs brain catheterizations: “From my perspective, there are no male or female professions. Personal skills and dedication are what determine a good fit in any profession. It’s very likely that women add a motherly or more personal dimension to their communication with patients and their families. As a physician who performs brain catheterizations anda stroke neurologist, one of the most important treatments that has shed new light on the field is the introduction of catheterization into the treatment routine for acute stroke patients.
I am delighted to be part of the medical revolution and am happy that we, as doctors, have the ability to offer treatment to patients, who until recently would have died or sufered from serious disability.

Prof. Tova Lifshitz, Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Soroka — “As the Ophthalmology Department Director, who has for years been engaged in healing and eye surgery to improve vision, I am proud of the constant push towards professionalism and excellence, while protecting human dignity and instilling these values in all members of the department staff.”.Dr. Shosh Arbel, Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Soroka: “My motto is to be dedicated in directing the professional and experienced staff that responds to children who are distressed as well as their families — to help them canback on track to leading an optimal life as quickly as possible.” Dr. Nitsa Hyman Newman, Deputy Director of Soroka Medical Center and Pediatric Surgery Specialist: “Our ability as women managers, who are also involved in saving lives, is to move out of our comfort zone, while paying attention to the fine details, with a great deal of sensitivity and without giving up on determination.”

Prof. Devora Lieberman, Director of the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Soroka — “What guides me in my treatment of the elderly is the prayer recited by King David in Psalms, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength faileth, forsake me not.”
“Giving is actually receiving a great deal.” Dr. Agi Golan, Director of the Department of Neonatology, Pediatrics Division of Soroka — “I never related to the fact that I am a woman. It was never an issue for me. I’m very proudof myself, given where I came from. Only today, in retrospect, looking back do I understand that it was not the clear outcome. I always functioned both as a mother and as a career woman, working to save the lives of hundreds of newborn premature babies.”

Prof. Ruth Shaco-Levy, Pathology Institute Director at Soroka: “I believe that it is important to select a field you love, to be very professional, to go out and be determined to change the things that are significant and introduce innovations, while sticking to your goal, but doing so pleasantly, in a pleasant environment. The doctors at the Pathology Institute make extremely important diagnoses. The field is advancing at breakneck speed, and it’s important to be at the forefront, with advanced diagnostic technologies that help determine an exact diagnosisthat will allow patients to receive the optimal treatment that will save their lives.”

Dr. Revital Levi-Hevroni, Deputy Director of Soroka Medical Center and Pediatric Specialist: “The motto that has driven me forward in my job over the years is the understanding that there is a person with needs and feelings behind every “incident.” To me, being a doctor and manager is an art, and combining the two requires lots of heart and patience. That’s the leadership path. Every morning I pray to do better than I did the previous day, because all of us are a single living human tapestry.”

Dr. Ilana Herman-Baham, Director of Internal Medicine C and the Diabetes Clinic at Soroka: “Always go with your professional and human inner truth. It’s the right way! Get your friends and partners onboard for productive teamwork. Then, invest the fruit of your labor in innovation, getting stronger and reinvesting in work towards health.””