Rambam Research Day 2026: Innovation, AI, and the Future of Medicine
- RHCC
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
On January 22, 2026, hundreds of physicians, nurses, scientists, and other professionals gathered for the Annual Research Day at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam)—an event that marked more than a yearly milestone.
Now in its 19th year, Rambam Research Day highlights studies that are pushing the boundaries of modern medicine. Poster presentations in the hospital lobby allow passersby to appreciate the vast scale of research carried out at Rambam.
Hospital’s latest and most innovative work. Out of nearly 180 abstracts submitted to the committee chaired by Dr. Yaniv Dotan, director of Rambam's Institute of Pulmonology, eight were selected for presentation, covering critical fields from oncology and neurology to geriatrics, immunology, and palliative care. Women’s health was a standout theme, with multiple presentations devoted to the field.
Two projects chosen for presentation led by nurses as part of their doctoral studies—underscore Rambam’s commitment to advancing research on all levels, not only among physicians.
Another theme that sparked lively discussion was the growing role of artificial intelligence in clinical care. One poster presentation, focused on cleft lip and palate, showed that impressive as AI is, it cannot replace clinical judgment, experience, or human insight. Medicine isn’t just data—it’s a complex mix of approaches, debates, and decisions with no single clear answer. AI can handle simple questions, but when deep clinical reasoning is required, human expertise still takes the lead.
The day opened with greetings and remarks from Rambam’s Director General, Dr. Michal Mekel, Professor Uri Sivan, President of the Israel Institute of Technology, Professor Lior Gepstein, Director of both Cardiology and the Division of Research, and Professor Daniel Kornitzer, Vice Dean of Research at the Technion's Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine.
Leading experts Professor Liran Shlush, Dean of the Faculty of Biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Dr. Eyal Orion, CEO and Co-founder of Vectorious Medical Technologies, shared insights on entrepreneurship, technology, and modern Zionism.
“If I had to briefly describe what research at Rambam means, I would say it is the process by which a question born at a patient’s bedside becomes an idea—and ultimately a life-saving tool. Rambam’s Research Day is when ideas that emerge from real needs in the field are presented—ideas about how to do better for our patients. These ideas are examined using scientific methods so they can return to the clinical setting more precise and better suited to real-world care," says Dr. Mekel. "This day is our ‘window into the future of medicine’—not theory, but a genuine movement from the laboratory to the departments, the operating rooms, the emergency department, and the clinics.
"According to recent data, Rambam now has more than 500 active researchers across all types of research—basic science, clinical research, and data-driven studies. This is a powerful statement about the scale, depth, and breadth of the work being done here.”