Rambam Lays Cornerstone for Israel’s Most Advanced Fortified Critical Care Medicine Division

On November 2, 2025, Rambam laid the cornerstone for what will become Israel’s most advanced intensive care unit—the Fortified Critical Care Medicine Division. Designed to significantly increase capacity for critically ill patients, the new facility will be fully fortified against missile attacks, ensuring uninterrupted care even in times of crisis.

A special ceremony was held today, marking the beginning of a transformative project in critical care. Scheduled for completion in early 2028, a new state-of-the-art critical care facility will span two floors and encompass approximately 4,800 square meters.

The new Fortified Critical Care Division will feature 24 private in-patient rooms, thoughtfully designed to accommodate a family member for most of the day. It also features dedicated isolation rooms for infectious diseases and specialized sterile treatment rooms for burn care—ensuring the highest standards of safety, comfort, and clinical excellence.

“This will be the most advanced ICU of its kind in Israel, and I’m confident it will become a global model that meets real-world needs,” says Professor Yaron Bar-Lavi outgoing director of the Division of Critical Care Medicine and President of the Israeli Society of Critical Care Medicine. “Its development is rooted in the extensive knowledge and experience our teams have gained over years of treating complex cases.”

In collaboration with Sharon Architects, Bar-Lavi has spent the past few years overseeing the meticulous planning of the new facility. Today, he officially handed over leadership of the Department of Critical Care Medicine to Dr. Asaf Miller. “This new facility will not only be the largest and most advanced of its kind in Israel,” says Miller, “I believe we will also maintain its standing as the best in the country."

Dr. Michal Mekel, Rambam's new Director General, who took office today,  thanked the Ministry of Health for its support of this vital initiative. “Rambam’s leadership made a strategic decision to build a spacious, fortified new department in response to the many challenges and the complexity of transferring ICU patients to the underground hospital—as we experienced during two wars in recent years," she added. "These patients rely on extensive medical equipment and systems in specialized hospitalization conditions. The innovative design of the new unit reflects insights gained by our medical teams in managing complex cases. As Northern Israel’s sole tertiary care center, Rambam is committed to delivering this critical service to the region’s residents—ensuring continuity of care and life-saving treatment every day and in times of crisis.”

The new department will feature extensive monitoring capabilities powered by artificial intelligence, fully equipped with ventilators, ECMO machines, dialysis units, multi-channel monitors, computerized infusion pumps, nutrition systems, and more – with a patient lift installed in every room.

At the ceremony, Mrs. Ella Galil—who generously contributed to the establishment of the new division—spoke of her commitment to Rambam and human health. The department’s construction, estimated to cost tens of millions of shekels, was made possible thanks to significant support from the Ministry of Health, Mrs.  Galil, the Helmsley Health Charitable Trust, Marcelo and Fernanda Kalim from Brazil, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, Sara and Zeev Horowitz, and other donors from Israel and abroad.