By: Alex Sams

A Hospital that Speaks the Language of the World

Ichilov is one of Israel’s largest multidisciplinary hospitals, offering a broad range of medical services to patients from around the world. Millions of patients are treated here annually, including thousands of international visitors who arrive seeking advanced diagnostics, life-saving surgeries, and treatments often unavailable in their home countries.

The hospital’s Department of Medical Tourism has become a cornerstone of this global outreach. Its mission is to ensure that each patient’s journey — from initial consultation to full recovery — is “clear, coordinated, and comfortable.”

Patients receive assistance with:

• Remote medical evaluations before arriving in Israel;
• Personal coordinators fluent in English;
• Translation of medical records and discharge summaries;
• And, most importantly, fast access to leading specialists — without the waiting lists shared in the U.S. and Europe.

The department operates like an international concierge service with a medical backbone. “Our goal is to remove every barrier between the patient and the treatment they need,” says a representative from Ichilov’s International Department. “Here, time works in favor of recovery.”

A Global Reputation Built on Multidisciplinary Excellence

Ichilov operates as a teaching-and-research medical center affiliated with Tel Aviv University, with dozens of departments and extensive clinical and research activities — a model broadly aligned with large academic hospitals in the US. It houses over 60 departments and specialized institutes, offering a range of services from routine check-ups to complex neurosurgical operations.

Among the most sought-after fields by international patients are:

Oncology – A Global Leader in Cancer Treatment

Ichilov’s Cancer Center integrates personalized medicine with the latest breakthroughs in immunotherapy and genetic diagnostics. Every case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumor board, where oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists collaborate to design individualized treatment strategies.

For patients from the U.S. — where advanced cancer therapy can involve long waits and astronomical costs — Ichilov offers an appealing alternative: world-class expertise, immediate access, and transparent pricing. Many of its oncologists have trained at leading American institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and Harvard Medical School.

Cardiology – Saving Hearts With Precision

Ichilov’s Heart Institute is a national reference center for interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery. Its hybrid operating rooms enable physicians to perform catheter-based and open-heart procedures within the same environment — a model rarely found even in renowned Western hospitals.

Patients from North America often travel here for procedures like coronary angioplasty, valve repair, and arrhythmia treatment, all performed using minimally invasive techniques that shorten hospital stays and recovery times.

Hematology And Bone Marrow Transplantation

Led by renowned hematologist Professor Ron Ram, Ichilov’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit performs both autologous and allogeneic transplants for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The unit collaborates closely with research centers in the U.S. to bring innovative therapies, such as CAR-T cell treatment, to eligible patients.

Neurosurgery – Where Technology Meets Human Skill

Few departments at Ichilov have garnered as much international attention as its Neurosurgery Division. The team specializes in brain and spinal tumor removal, vascular malformations, and functional neurosurgery for epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

Most of the department’s senior neurosurgeons have completed fellowships in the United States, mastering advanced neuronavigation, endoscopic, and microsurgical methods. And recently, this department made headlines with a historic medical breakthrough.

The Surgery That Made History: Removing A Brain Tumor Through The Eye Socket

According to the hospital, Israeli media reported in the summer of 2025 the successful removal of a skull base brain tumor at Ichilov Hospital — a procedure performed through the orbit without opening the patient’s skull, marking a significant medical achievement.

The innovative procedure, detailed on the official website, enables surgeons to access hard-to-reach areas of the brain through the eye socket, significantly reducing trauma and recovery time.

This minimally invasive technique, a fusion of neurosurgery and ophthalmology, represents a new frontier in global brain surgery. “It’s like navigating a narrow tunnel to remove a hidden enemy,” explained one of the surgeons involved. “What used to require a craniotomy and months of rehabilitation can now be done through a small orbital incision.”

For patients worldwide, including those in the U.S., where access to innovative neurosurgical methods can be restricted by cost or availability, such achievements showcase Israel’s growing status as a pioneer in high-complexity medicine.

Gynecology and Women’s Health: Where Science Meets Compassion

Ichilov’s Gynecology and Obstetrics Department is among the country’s most modern. Its team performs advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeries for fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic organ prolapse, alongside fertility preservation and reproductive medicine programs.

The hospital operates its own state-of-the-art IVF and Fertility Preservation Center, offering comprehensive solutions for women seeking advanced reproductive care abroad. Specialists perform procedures such as in vitro fertilization, egg freezing, and fertility preservation for oncology patients — all within the same institution. 

Many international patients choose Ichilov for its holistic approach, combining cutting-edge reproductive technologies with compassionate, patient-centered care and post-procedure support.

The “No Wait” Advantage: Time as a Medical Asset

The hospital’s infrastructure allows for rapid diagnostics, same-week specialist consultations, and surgical scheduling within days of arrival. “In oncology or neurosurgery, time is everything,” says an international coordinator. “Every day counts — and that’s what brings patients here.”

This “no wait” advantage has made Ichilov particularly appealing to American, Canadian, and European patients seeking high-level procedures such as cardiac stent placement, orthopedic joint replacements, and cancer surgery without administrative bottlenecks.

Physicians With U.S. Training And Global Vision

Behind Ichilov’s international success is a team of world-class physicians. Nearly all senior specialists have completed fellowships or residencies in leading hospitals in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

This transatlantic training model ensures that Ichilov doctors are fluent in global medical standards, while their Israeli background gives them a culture of problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation. “Our doctors think globally but act locally,” says one department head. “They bring the best of both worlds — American precision and Israeli creativity.”

In addition to their clinical work, many Ichilov physicians hold academic positions at Tel Aviv University, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and participate in international trials on oncology, cardiology, and neurology.

An Academic and Research Powerhouse

Ichilov is also an academic hospital affiliated with Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine, integrating research and clinical care within a single ecosystem. This partnership fuels innovation in areas like:

• Neuroimaging and AI-assisted diagnostics;
• Personalized cancer therapy;
• Regenerative medicine and stem cell research;
• Cardiovascular device development.

The hospital’s laboratories work closely with global biotech companies and American universities, translating discoveries into real-world treatments faster than traditional academic centers.

Why Patients from the U.S. are Looking to Israel

For many Americans, seeking medical treatment abroad is no longer an act of desperation — it’s a calculated choice. Israel, and Ichilov in particular, has become a trusted name in medical tourism, offering:

• World-class specialists with U.S. training;
• Immediate access to advanced care — no waiting lists;
• Comprehensive support for international patients;
• Competitive pricing compared to Western private hospitals;
• A good record of innovation and successful outcomes.

Beyond the clinical advantages, Tel Aviv offers a recovery environment unlike any other: a cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean, with a climate and culture that promote healing and comfort.

A Destination of Hope

In the modern era of globalized medicine, Ichilov represents what healthcare should look like — accessible, innovative, and humane. It stands as a bridge between East and West, between science and empathy, between innovation and tradition.

From pioneering brain surgery through the eye socket to offering lifesaving cancer therapies, Ichilov continues to push the boundaries of modern medicine. Every year, thousands of international patients walk through its doors — and many leave not just with restored health, but with a renewed belief in what’s possible when medical excellence meets human dedication.

For more information about treatment options, international coordination, and recent innovations, visit the official website.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on statements and materials published by Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital). While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the details, including medical procedures and advancements, outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. The descriptions of treatments, services, and procedures are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a guarantee of results. Please consult directly with medical professionals at Ichilov or other health institutions for personalized medical advice and to confirm the latest updates on available services.