Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Tatyana Gurevich
41 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer's disease | ≈ $14,000 | from $11,900 | ≈ $9,500 |
Prof. Gurevich directs the Movement Disorders Unit at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, specializing in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Prof. Nir Giladi has over 43 years of experience specializing in Parkinson’s and movement disorders at Sourasky Medical Center.
Dr. Sohar specializes in neurology and movement disorders at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, a leading hospital in Israel.
Professor Itzhak Fried is a world-renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who teaches at top institutions like UCLA and Yale.
Israel approved Leqembi (lecanemab) in July 2024 and Kisunla (donanemab) in late 2024 for early-stage Alzheimer's. These monoclonal antibodies target amyloid plaques to slow cognitive decline. Patients receive these therapies via intravenous infusion at major centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Rambam Medical Center.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While these medications are approved, they are not currently in the national health basket. Our data shows patients often choose JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky or Assuta for private administration. These facilities offer access to specialists like Dr. Tatyana Gurevich and Prof. Nir Giladi, who manage the complex monitoring required for these new biological therapies.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while approvals are exciting, high out-of-pocket costs remain a major hurdle. Many suggest checking clinical trial eligibility at large hospitals to access these treatments faster and more affordably.
Israel's National Health Basket covers essential Alzheimer's diagnostic services, specialist consultations, and first-line medications for mild-to-moderate stages. Established drug families like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are included. However, newer biological treatments like Leqembi and specialized medical technologies currently remain excluded from public funding for 2026.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky and Hadassah are global hubs for neurological research, often providing access to treatments not yet in the health basket. For example, Dr. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky and Prof. Tamir Ben-Hur at Hadassah lead studies on surgical interventions and stem cell therapies. Patients often seek these academic centers to participate in clinical trials, which can provide access to restricted biological drugs without the significant out-of-pocket costs typically required for private prescriptions.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while basic medications are accessible, the public approval process for specific drugs can vary significantly between different health funds. Many emphasize the need to budget for non-covered supplements and recommend starting the formal diagnosis early to avoid delays in receiving subsidized care.
Patients secure an Alzheimer's diagnosis in Israel through a tiered clinical pathway. The process begins with a primary care screening. Specialists at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center or Hadassah then perform advanced neuroimaging and cognitive assessments. Definitive diagnosis often requires MRI, PET scans, or lumbar punctures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests focusing on multidisciplinary centers like Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. This facility operates 240 departments and processes 1,800,000 patients annually. Choosing such large-scale institutions often provides faster access to integrated teams of neurologists and neurosurgeons. For example, Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky specializes specifically in senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. This targeted expertise is more common in high-volume academic hospitals than in smaller private clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that public waitlists for full neurological evaluations can take 3 to 6 months. Many suggest presenting functional decline as urgent to speed up the process for essential nursing care subsidies.
Israel offers extensive non-pharmacological support for Alzheimer’s patients through specialized medical centers and community programs. These services include cognitive rehabilitation, sensory therapies, and structured day care. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center provide multidisciplinary neurological care and innovative behavioral protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky and Hadassah are unique because their neurological departments are led by professors who also conduct global clinical research. For example, Dr. Nir Giladi and Dr. Itzhak Fried combine active surgical practice with memory disorder research. This means patients often access the latest behavioral protocols months before they become standard global practice.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that joining support groups through the Alzheimer's Israel association helps manage agitation. Families frequently recommend local day centers to provide social stimulation and essential respite for primary caregivers.
International patients can participate in clinical trials in Israel for Alzheimer's disease. Approval from the Ministry of Health and a Helsinki Committee is mandatory for all studies. Major centers like Sourasky and Hadassah actively recruit participants for innovative stem cell and neuroimmunology research.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Sourasky Medical Center serves over 1,800,000 patients annually and houses specialized units for functional neurosurgery. Professors like Dr. Nir Giladi and Dr. Itzhak Fried lead research with over 300 combined publications. Patients should target these high-volume academic centers as they often pioneer global protocols for memory recovery.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize completing virtual pre-screening through hospital portals to avoid rejection after traveling. Many note that while the medical treatment is free, budgeting for a 3-month bureaucratic process is essential.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.