Hadassah Chairwoman Dalia Itzik to Step Down After Six Years

Hadassah Medical Center announced that Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Dalia Itzik, has announced her intention to step down after six years in the position. Her tenure is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, after which she will be appointed as Hadassah Global Goodwill Ambassador. The medical center will begin the search process for a new chair in the near future.

Itzik has served in leadership roles at the hospital since 2013, initially spending seven years as Chair of Hadassah International in Israel before transitioning to her current post. During her tenure as chairwoman, she guided Hadassah through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Iron Swords War, a period marked by the construction of an advanced rehabilitation center and the opening of a clinic in Sderot. Throughout most of her tenure, Itzik worked alongside CEO Yoram Weiss, who assumed office in 2022 and whose contract was recently extended.

Navigating Financial Recovery and Competition

Itzik took office following the conclusion of a financial recovery plan initiated in 2014 with state backing amid a severe cash flow crisis. The crisis stemmed from several factors, including losses from Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, structural challenges of operating a public non-governmental hospital, and management hurdles. She inherited a stabilized yet battered institution, facing intensifying competition from Jerusalem's second major medical center, Shaare Zedek.

Earlier this year, Hadassah's CEO again pointed to cash flow pressures, warning of potential delays in employee payrolls, while attributing the core issue to delayed payments from health maintenance organizations spanning several months after service delivery. The state intervened with bridging finance, effectively resolving the shortfall. Meanwhile, reports emerged regarding alleged political influences from the Likud party within the hospital over recent years, assertions that the medical center firmly dismissed as baseless gossip.

Cyprus Expansion and Medical Tourism

Weeks ago, the hospital announced plans to lend its brand and consulting services to establish a medical center in Cyprus. The Ministries of Health and Finance expressed surprise, voicing concerns over potential resource leakage outside Israel's healthcare system and exposure to financial or legal risks. However, no formal steps have been taken to halt the initiative, which is not expected to impact Itzik's remaining term.

Discussions surrounding the Cyprus project highlighted the goal of boosting medical tourism from the island nation. Hadassah has historically been a leader in medical tourism among Israeli public hospitals, but the ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Israel have significantly reduced inbound tourist flows, placing additional strains on the budget.

Reflecting on her departure, Itzik stated that she has decided to move on to her next chapter, emphasizing that Hadassah remains a cornerstone of her public service in Israel. Carol Ann Schwartz, President of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, expressed gratitude for Itzik's extensive contributions to the hospital's advancement.