At a recent conference in the Galilee, themed 'The Future is Already Here,' aimed at bridging gaps between community physicians, healthcare services, and local residents, physicians from Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel presented the latest medical advancements and research across various fields to physicians from the region.
In a joint initiative between Rambam Health Care Campus, Sakhnin Medical Center (SMC), and the Academic Forum for Advancing Healthcare in the Arab Society, 150 community physicians, including Rambam experts, participated in the first-ever medical conference in Sakhnin, Galilee.
Residents of the Galilee—both Jewish and Arab—have long faced limited access to high-quality healthcare compared to those in central Israel. In recent years, the Israeli government has taken several steps to reduce these disparities, particularly those within the Arab community. To that end they have granted licenses for new medical centers in the country’s periphery. Among them is a license granted for the establishment of SMC. The Center, owned by Muhammad Abu Younis, is the newest and most advanced medical facility.
To better serve the Arab residents of Sakhnin and the Galilee, Rambam and SMC have established a strong partnership. The collaboration's first milestone came a year and a half ago with the opening of a dialysis institute at SMC, with the assistance of Rambam specialists. Since then, additional advanced medical services have been introduced, aligning with the government’s vision to expand healthcare access in the peripheral regions. These services include breast surgery, hemato-oncology, sub-specialties in surgery and orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and more.
“We are here to build trust and strengthen ties with community physicians and residents, who deserve the same quality of care as those in major cities with modern medical centers,” say Dr. Avi Weissman, deputy director of Rambam. “This conference highlights how we tailor services to meet the population’s needs. Over the years, I’ve seen many government-led initiatives, but true success comes from local, business-driven leadership—like that of the Abu Younis family, who have built an extraordinary facility here.”
Reaffirming his deep commitment to the community, Abu Younis states, “This is a revolutionary vision—bringing advanced healthcare to over 350,000 Galilee residents, regardless of religion or healthcare provider. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge medicine, state-of-the-art equipment, and medical excellence with a compassionate approach. This is just the beginning of a journey toward a future where high-quality medical care is accessible close to home.”
Sakhnin Mayor Mazen Ghnaim says: "It's time to stop talking about the 'State of Tel Aviv.' Israel stretches from Metula to Eilat. Politicians discuss transportation as a tool for connecting the center to the periphery, but I believe education and healthcare are far more important. From Sakhnin, it takes more than an hour to access quality medical services. The Abu Younis family is making a significant impact by bringing high-quality healthcare closer to home. Saving one life is like saving the entire world."
We are working tirelessly to change reality,” says Dr. Nashat Abu Younis, CEO of SMC. “Together with Rambam, we are driving a transformation—this is why we chose the slogan ‘We Changed the Formula.’ We are delivering a breakthrough, elevating the region’s healthcare system, and shaping a better future for all.”
The synergy between Rambam’s clinical excellence, the Abu Younis family’s social vision, and Sakhnin Medical Center’s advanced infrastructure is breaking barriers and unlocking the potential of Israel’s healthcare system,” says Nora Libes Schnaid, director of Rambam’s Department of Economics and Business Development. “This conference is the first in a series of events aimed at empowering community physicians. By working together, we can transform healthcare for peripheral communities and bring the future closer.”
(L-R) Dr. Avi Weissman, Nora Libes Schnaid, and Dr. Nashat Abu Younis.
Photography: Rambam HCC.