In an attempt to address Israel’s critical shortage of physicians, Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN), in partnership with Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Ministry, Health Ministry, and the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience Ministry, in cooperation with The Jewish Agency for Israel, hosted the first-ever MedEx events in Australia, welcoming over 100 Jewish doctors in Sydney and Melbourne.
This event is part of the International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP), an initiative to streamline the professional integration process for doctors making aliyah.
These events provide a simplified experience that includes credential recognition, job interviews with Israel’s leading healthcare institutions, and guidance on grants, licensing, and relocation – all under one roof.
At the events in Sydney and Melbourne, participants had the opportunity to virtually interview with representatives from Israel’s leading hospitals, such as Ichilov, Hadassah, Galilee Medical Center, Rambam, Kaplan, and others, as well as all four health maintenance organizations (HMOs).
These opportunities allow participants to navigate the professional and bureaucratic process of aliyah in a single day, reducing entry barriers for doctors considering immigration to Israel.
MedEx first expansion into Pacific region
Following MedEx events in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, MedEx Australia marked the program’s first expansion into the Pacific region.
This event reinforced Israel’s commitment to recruiting 2,000 new physicians over the next five years, with a focus on strengthening healthcare in the Negev and Galilee, bolstered by key partners including the Marcus Foundation, the Gottesman Fund, Jewish Federations of North America, the Azrieli Foundation, and the Arison Foundation.
“We continue to expand the activities of the International Medical Aliyah Program, and I’m pleased to take part in these events in Australia and grateful for the opportunity to meet with the local Jewish community.
“Unfortunately, as in other countries, the Jewish community in Australia is facing a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents. We expect the government and law enforcement authorities to act decisively and show zero tolerance toward this phenomenon,” said Aliyah and Integration Minister MK Ofir Sofer.
“MedEx events are more than informational sessions; they are bridges between professional aspiration and national need,” said Co-Founder and Chairman of NBN, Tony Gelbart.
“For doctors in Australia, MedEx provided a unique opportunity to begin their licensing and career journeys in their own hometowns.
“The physicians we met in Sydney and Melbourne are not only exceptional professionals but also deeply motivated by a sense of purpose and connection to Israel. Their contributions will make a meaningful difference to the future of healthcare in Israel.”
Since the beginning of 2024, over 700 doctors have already made aliyah. Upcoming MedEx events worldwide are expected to further bolster Israel’s healthcare system.
This article was written in cooperation with Nefesh B’Nefesh.