Ben-Gurion University Launches Global-Facing Medical School To Tackle Doctor Shortage in the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in partnership with the Sagol Network, has launched a new initiative to address Israel’s acute shortage of physicians in underserved areas, especially the Negev region. The project is centered around the Sagol Medical School for International Health, which aims to train socially conscious, technologically skilled doctors to serve both local and global health needs.
The four-year MD program is open to all Israeli citizens, including new immigrants and lone soldiers. With a focus on preventive medicine, personalized health care, and the integration of artificial intelligence into medical education, the school’s curriculum is designed to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving health care landscape. Currently, 160 students are enrolled.
“This vital support will allow us to enrich our curriculum in preventive medicine and global health, develop new programs that emphasize small-group learning, and integrate artificial intelligence into our teaching,” said Prof. Alan Jotkowitz, director of the Sagol Medical School for International Health.
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The program is part of the broader Sagol Network, an alliance of academic and medical institutions across Israel and abroad that supports advanced research and medical innovation. The network has been spearheaded by Sami Sagol, a longtime philanthropist in the fields of health, science, and education.
“Sami Sagol is a visionary who deeply understands the critical need for high-quality physicians in Israel,” said Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University. “We are training a new generation of physicians who will serve the health care needs of the Negev and the entire country.”
Sagol described the new school as a step toward fulfilling the dream of Israel’s founding prime minister. “I hope this school will help realize David Ben-Gurion’s vision of turning the Negev into the ‘Israeli Oxford’ and contribute to the region’s development and prosperity,” he said.
Ben-Gurion University, founded with the aim of turning the Negev into a national center for development and innovation, has become a leader in fields such as climate science, cybersecurity, and health technology. This latest initiative further ties the university’s research mission to real-world impact in Israel’s southern periphery.
