Hadassah Australia proudly hosted an exclusive In Conversation event spotlighting medical innovation, compassionate care, and the global impact of Hadassah’s groundbreaking work. The evening featured two distinguished guests from Israel whose insights illuminated both the challenges of, and extraordinary advancements in oncology.

We were honored to welcome Prof Shani Paluch-Shimon, Director of Breast Oncology at Hadassah’s Sharett Institute of Oncology and a Melbourne native. An internationally recognized authority in breast cancer care and research, Prof Paluch-Shimon is a global leader in hereditary breast cancer, breast cancer in young women, and personalized treatment pathways that empower women with knowledge and choice.

Guiding the discussion was Maayan Hoffman, Editor-in-Chief of ILTV News. With journalistic precision and deep understanding of Israeli society and health systems, Maayan brought thoughtful questions and opened a window into Hadassah’s unique role in advancing medical care.

One of the central themes of the evening was health equity. Prof Paluch-Shimon highlighted persistent disparities in access to early detection and advanced diagnostics, particularly among Ultra-Orthodox and Arab populations. Hadassah Medical Organization, located in Israel’s largest, poorest, and most culturally diverse city, is uniquely positioned to address these inequities.

Research is central to Hadassah’s mission, with breakthroughs such as organoid technology, which allows scientists to grow miniature versions of a patient’s tumor in the lab to test therapies and study biological behavior. This approach accelerates discovery and helps clinicians predict which treatments will be most effective. Prof Paluch-Shimon also spoke about the Hadassah campus as a microcosm of coexistence, where doctors, nurses, and patients of all backgrounds work together, an everyday reminder of hope during a challenging time for Israel.