Best Spina bifida (cleft spine) doctors in Israel: TOP 5 doctors

Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.

He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Alon Friedlander, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine and scoliosis specialist for adults and children. He is the Director of the Orthopedic Department at Sheba Medical Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Tel Aviv University. He is listed by Forbes among Israel’s Top Doctors.

He treats complex spine disorders with minimally invasive and open surgery. His procedures include anterior and posterior fixation. His focus areas are scoliosis and other deformities, tumors, stenosis and instability, and disc herniation. Education: MD, Tel Aviv University; residency, Sheba Medical Center. Fellowships: Institut Mutualiste Montsouris and University Hospitals of Strasbourg (France); Queen Mary Hospital and the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital (Hong Kong).

Advisory roles: IDF referral physician. Consultant to soccer teams. Specialist for the Spartak Basketball Club (knee injuries).

One of Israel's top neurosurgeons with 47 years of experience of experience – Prof. Rochkind specializes in Spina bifida treatment at Sourasky Medical Center.

• Expert in peripheral nerve microsurgery and minimally invasive techniques
• Trained at leading hospitals in Canada, Germany, and South Africa
• Heads the Israeli Society of Laser Neurotechnologies
• Uses modern laser and bioengineering technologies for safer surgeries

Prof. Margalit Navo has performed 70+ meningioma surgeries and 100+ skull base tumor removals at Ichilov Medical Center.

• Heads the Neurosurgery Department at Ichilov
• Specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic skull tumor removal
• Trained in advanced surgical techniques in the US
• Member of Israel Neurosurgical Society and North American Skull Base Society

Leads the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department at Rambam Medical Center – a key center for advanced childhood neurological care.

• Focuses exclusively on neurosurgical conditions in children
• Experienced in managing complex spinal cases from birth
• Oversees a specialized department dedicated to pediatric care