Prof. Mordechai Shani

Prof. Mordechai Shani is one of Israel's most distinguished physicians — a cardiologist, academic, and national health system architect who served as Director General of Sheba Medical Center for many years, shaping it into the largest hospital in Israel and one of the leading academic medical centres in the Middle East. During his tenure, Sheba was consistently ranked among the world's top hospitals. As a clinician, Prof. Shani built his career in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular medicine at Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer — affiliated with Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine. His patient philosophy integrates the broadest perspective on cardiovascular health — from individual patient care through national prevention policy — reflecting his dual role as clinician and health system leader.

Prof. Shani completed his medical degree (MD) in Israel and specialist cardiology training at leading Israeli and international centres. He obtained the Fellowship of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) — a mark of international cardiology distinction. He pursued academic appointments at Tel Aviv University, culminating in a full professorship. His career combined clinical cardiology practice, academic medicine, and health system administration — an unusual breadth that positioned him to lead the Israeli Ministry of Health as Director General and Sheba Medical Center as its founding modern director. He holds honorary degrees and recognitions from Israeli and international institutions.

Prof. Shani's cardiology expertise spans coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, and cardiovascular risk reduction. His interventional cardiology experience includes coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. His broader contribution to Israeli cardiology has been in establishing national cardiac rehabilitation programmes, cardiovascular prevention guidelines, and quality standards for cardiac care. At Sheba Medical Center, he oversaw the development of one of the Middle East's most advanced cardiac programmes, including a high-volume cardiac catheterisation laboratory, cardiac ICU, and open-heart surgery facility. His decades of leadership in Israeli health policy have extended his influence well beyond individual patient care.

Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer (Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv) is Israel's largest and most internationally recognised hospital. It has extensive experience with international patients from Europe, North America, and the broader Middle East region. Prof. Shani's stature within Israeli medicine means that consultations with him represent access to the highest level of cardiological expertise and institutional connections within the Israeli health system. Sheba Medical Center has a dedicated international medicine department. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport is approximately 20 minutes from the hospital. Consultations are available in Hebrew and English.

Prof. Shani has received Israel's highest state and medical honours, including recognition from the Israeli Medical Association for lifetime contributions to Israeli medicine. He has served as Director General of Sheba Medical Center and Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Health — roles that shaped the entire Israeli public health system. He has received international recognition from the World Heart Federation and the American College of Cardiology for contributions to cardiovascular medicine and health policy. He has published extensively on cardiology, health economics, and health systems, and has been a sought-after speaker at international health policy forums. Sheba Medical Center's ranking among the world's top hospitals is in part a legacy of his leadership.