In a Special Rosh Hashanah Interview, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Director Prof. Ofer Merin Talks About the Rapid Shift from Routine to Emergency, the Trauma Unit That Saves Lives Every Day, and His Vision for the Hospital’s Expansion and New State-of-the-Art Inpatient Tower as Well as the Integration of Physical and Mental Health and His International Work Leading the IDF Field Hospital
Translated from an article originally published on September 18th 2025
By: Mazal Talbi-Levy
In cooperation with Shaare Zedek Medical Center
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5786, we met with Professor Ofer Merin, Director of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, to talk about the hospital’s tireless work, its ability to shift instantly from routine to emergency, its central role in Israel’s healthcare system, its plans for the coming years and decades, and how, alongside managing one of the largest hospitals in the country, he also heads the Israel Defense Forces’ field hospital.
Life in Israel changes at a rapid pace, and at times it takes a harsh turn. Just this week, Jerusalem was once again reminded of the terror it faces: two terrorists opened fire on civilians at the Ramot junction at the entrance to the neighbourhood. The outcome: seven killed and dozens wounded, several seriously. Seventeen of the injured were evacuated to Shaare Zedek in various conditions.
“When we talk about trauma, everything sounds urgent,” explains Prof. Merin. “But for some people, just a few minutes can make the difference between life and death. That’s the world of trauma. And that’s what distinguishes Shaare Zedek’s trauma unit, located in the heart of Jerusalem and providing immediate, focused treatment.”
He adds: “In Jerusalem, a city that has suffered more from terrorism than any other, both in Israel and worldwide, the trauma unit at Shaare Zedek has grown to understand deeply the dramatic transition from routine to emergency. We go about our daily medical work, and in an instant everything changes. We must be ready to receive many casualties all at once. It’s not just about treating an individual patient, it’s about organising the team, providing simultaneous, high-quality treatment to ten injured people at once, coordinating efforts, navigating between rooms, giving each person full attention, and prioritising. That’s the heart of what we do.”
The Four Layers of Trauma
“There are four distinct layers that each require our full attention,” says Prof. Merin. “The first is the victims and their families. The second is the wounded, the moment when a person gets up in the morning, drinks coffee, leaves the house, boards a bus, and within minutes finds themselves sedated and on a ventilator in an operating room, with a large team fighting for their life. It’s an enormous shock, from normal daily life to an extreme situation.”
He explains that the team’s role doesn’t end with the patient. “Some victims arrive unidentifiable. In such cases, we must locate their families, communicate correctly, and accompany them through a terrible ordeal. In the most recent attack, for instance, two women arrived in extremely serious condition. Then begins a race against time: how to reach their spouses before the news leaks to the media, how to explain what’s happening, how to support them through the process. One woman needed more than 50 units of blood in the first two hours. She had severe abdominal injuries, underwent surgery, then a catheterization to stop bleeding, requiring full cooperation among all teams. That’s why a strong hospital is needed, a massive system of dozens of people working together to save a life.”
“The third layer,” he continues, “is those who were near the attack and are psychologically affected. Within hours, they come to the hospital suffering acute anxiety. In the last attack, within just two hours, more than 50 people arrived needing help from our special team of psychologists and social workers. We listened, accompanied, and continue to follow up with them to help restore normal life. For some, this is a life-changing event.”
He also mentions a fourth layer, the citywide impact the next day. “It affects the entire city. Many avoided taking buses the next day; others checked who was boarding and whether anyone was armed to protect them. We take pride in our ability to switch from routine to emergency within minutes and provide professional care in such events.”
Building the Trauma Unit
About fifteen years ago, with the growth of Jerusalem and Shaare Zedek Medical Center, then director Prof. Jonathan Halevy tasked Prof. Merin with establishing the trauma unit. Merin, a cardiac surgeon by profession, was asked to lead it alongside head nurse Sarah Goldberg, and managed it for a decade. “During those ten years, we grew from a small unit, smaller than our neighbouring hospitals’ trauma centres, into one of the largest in Israel and the largest in Jerusalem.”
How did that happen?
“Mainly thanks to our teams’ vast experience and exposure to many patients. In emergency medicine, high volume is essential for excellence. Also, because of the dedication of people who volunteer and give their time and skill, we’ve been able to strengthen the centre. Today, we’re the main address for urgent, life-saving cases. We’ve become the preferred destination for rescue organisations that know Shaare Zedek’s immediate response can mean the difference between life and death. Without diminishing others, we’ve built a world-class system, fast, capable, and life-saving.”
Jerusalem’s Emergency Hub
Data shows that Shaare Zedek receives most of Jerusalem’s emergency cases serious accidents, heart attacks, and strokes.
Can you say you’re the leading emergency centre in Jerusalem?
“Objectively, in all emergency fields, Shaare Zedek ranks among the top three hospitals in Israel. In trauma care, we’re among the largest. For heart attacks and strokes, our catheterization labs are among the three biggest in the country, with teams ready and waiting before the patient even arrives.”
He shares a recent case: “A 50-year-old man collapsed in the street from a heart attack. The MDA team treated him and notified us en route. Our ECMO team was already waiting in the trauma room before he arrived, with all equipment ready. Until about two years ago, patients couldn’t be connected to ECMO during chest compressions, but today we can do it within minutes, and we’re national leaders in this field.”
He stresses: “The success isn’t about equipment it’s about our incredible people, working day and night, weekdays and weekends. Their commitment is what separates life from death.”
Building the Hospital of the Future
Soon, a new underground tunnel will connect the “Yafe Nof” light rail station to Shaare Zedek, easing pedestrian traffic near the busy Herzl Boulevard. For the hospital, it’s a welcome improvement, but only a small part of much larger long-term plans.
“Personally,” says Prof. Merin, “before this position I was a trauma director and heart surgeon. Both fields offer instant satisfaction, you save a trauma patient, you see the result. Now my world is different focused on long-term responsibility and vision. My role is not to solve today’s problems but to shape the medical future of Jerusalem’s residents. I was born and raised here, studied here, and have lived my whole life here.”
He explains: “Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city and the fastest growing, especially because of its demographics. The surrounding areas to the north, east, and south also grow rapidly, with residents seeking care in the city. Jerusalem needs a much larger medical capacity. I tell the mayor and the Health Ministry that we must look 15–20 years ahead: we’ll need to double our capacity, from 1,000 beds to 1,800. We’re already planning Israel’s largest inpatient tower, 24 stories high. Within a decade, we’ll be among the three largest hospitals in the country. That’s our responsibility to the people of Jerusalem.”
Planning Medicine for the Future
Another important question, he says, is how medicine will look 10 or 30 years from now.
“We must anticipate how healthcare will change, what the balance will be between hospitalisation and community medicine, and how to lead in innovation. When I studied medicine 30 years ago, things looked completely different. Today, everything is more technological. So, the new tower must be not just beautiful and accessible, but suited for the medicine of the future. For instance, will helicopters land on the 20th floor? In 20 years, will drones deliver drugs or supplies? Yes. That’s why we’re already planning autonomous transport systems because logistics will look different. The challenge is to think ahead and design today for decades to come.”
Shaare Zedek’s Innovation Hub
In recent years, Shaare Zedek has become one of Israel’s leading centres for medical innovation, combining technology and top-tier care. “Under Prof. Dan Turner, our VP for Research, Development and Innovation, we’ve launched a strategic program of international cooperation, applied research, and technological development. Our drive for innovation is reflected in 600 annual research contracts and consistent 15% growth in research activity,” says Prof. Merin proudly. “Breakthroughs include a tiny implant for brain aneurysms, systems for detecting autoimmune diseases, and new diabetes treatments all showing the depth and creativity of our research teams.”
He adds: “The new Jerusalem Innovation District being built near the hospital with the Hebrew University and leading colleges embodies our vision to become a global centre of medical excellence.”
Healing Body and Mind
Recently, the Israeli government decided to transfer responsibility for Jerusalem’s “Kfar Shaul” Mental Health Centre to Shaare Zedek and integrate it into the new inpatient tower. The goal: provide physical and mental care under one roof. “This is a major vote of confidence from the government,” says Prof. Merin. “It’s the right decision recognizing that the old division between body and mind is outdated. Every illness has physical and mental components, and they must be treated together.”
He adds: “Shaare Zedek is moving in the right direction. We’re a warm, stable hospital with over 5,000 employees, creating a safe and supportive workplace where everyone is recognized as an individual.”
Excellence in Quality Metrics
Last week, Israel’s Health Ministry published its 2024 quality metrics report, ranking Shaare Zedek among the nation’s top hospitals. The hospital excelled in measures such as low readmission rates to the ER within 48 hours, short median times for CT and MRI scans in stroke patients, and leadership in intravenous and catheter-based stroke treatments.
“About a decade ago, the Health Ministry began publishing quality indicators. Some questioned the transparency, but I think it’s excellent, it sets a clear benchmark and guides us on where to improve,” says Merin. “Our ER is the largest in Jerusalem, sometimes treating more than 600 patients a day, yet every person gets full professional attention. The fact that, despite our size, we have the lowest return rate in the country speaks volumes about our standards.”
From Jerusalem to the Global Battlefield
Alongside running one of Israel’s largest hospitals, Prof. Merin also heads the IDF Field Hospital and has spent recent months working across the Syrian border. “About 20 years ago, I was asked to join this mission, and I did. I’ve invested much in it nationally and gained unique international experience. Our field hospital has been recognized by the World Health Organization as one of only two in the world meeting its highest standards.”
Over the years, Prof. Merin has established nine field hospitals worldwide, independent units capable of performing surgeries and treating hundreds of people. “After the Nepal earthquake, we built a self-sustaining hospital treating hundreds of wounded. In Macedonia, after a recent explosion, we were called to assist. In Armenia, I led a delegation of experts providing medical aid. And in Syria, Israel made the moral decision to help the Druze community after severe attacks, building a medical facility inside Syria near Druze villages to provide initial treatment and identify who needed transfer to Israel.”
“I’ve been there for four months, spending several hours a week,” he adds. “It’s an effort Israel can be proud of. Thanks to dedicated volunteer medical and logistics personnel, we’ve saved many lives. Managing both a civilian hospital and a field hospital doesn’t conflict, it strengthens both.”
A New Year’s Message
To conclude, what’s your wish for Israel in the new year?
“We are in one of the most complex periods Israel has ever known. First and foremost, I pray for the safe return of our soldiers. Jerusalem has paid a heavy price and lost some of its best sons. I also pray for the speedy return of the hostages. For the past two years, I’ve been part of a classified committee dealing with their medical situation, it’s personal for me. I wish for the reunification of Israeli society. May we find national unity and learn to stand together, even with different opinions. And to Jerusalem’s residents, I wish for a return to normal life, prosperity, and to the city’s beautiful events, the marathons, the concerts, and the special spirit of Jerusalem.”