Prof. Ben Yehuda, one of the leading figures in medicine and research in Israel, represents through this selection the entire medical community—physicians, researchers, and scientists—who work every day with dedication to save lives and advance medical knowledge.
In her words:
“For me, lighting the torch is a way to salute the physicians, the nursing teams, and all the dedicated professionals in the healthcare system; the Medical Corps (Heil HaRefua), whose personnel lead and support the soldiers; the researchers who have turned Israel into a research powerhouse; and our wonderful people, who, out of responsibility and compassion, came together to help one another.”
At a particularly complex time for the State of Israel and the healthcare system, her selection is a recognition of professional excellence, human commitment, and the resilience that drives Israeli medicine forward.