Professor Dina Ben Yehuda is a physician, researcher, and groundbreaking academic leader, among the most prominent figures in Israeli medicine. She was born and raised in Haifa, served in the IDF in Brigade 14, and during the Yom Kippur War was awarded the Chief of Staff’s Citation. She is a physician-researcher in the field of malignant hematology and serves as Director of the Hematology Division at Hadassah Medical Center. She leads research with international impact, published in the most important scientific journals worldwide, and in her clinical work combines professional excellence, humanity, and deep commitment to patients. In 2017 she was elected Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University – the first woman to hold this position – and served two consecutive terms until September 2023. During her tenure she led a revolution in medical education, the development of innovative curricula, and groundbreaking research initiatives. She currently serves as Head of the Department of Medical Education at the new School of Medicine at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Alongside her academic roles, she has served as Chair of the National Basket of Health Services Committee for the past four years and as Chair of the Hadassah Helsinki Committee, and also leads national programs for the advancement of outstanding residents. For her work she has received numerous awards, including the Danielle Prize for “Medicine with a Heart” and the Bolvik Prize for special contribution to the State.

Professor Ben Yehuda is married to Professor Aryeh Ben Yehuda, an internist and geriatrician, who serves as the Public Complaints Commissioner at the Ministry of Health. She is the mother of three daughters: Shir, a rehabilitation physician at Hadassah Medical Center; Or, an IDF officer serving as a battalion commander in Caracal and herself a recipient of a citation; and her youngest daughter, Bavat, a musician and speech-language pathologist. She is the grandmother of seven grandchildren and sees her family as a source of inspiration, values, and strength that accompanies her professional and public endeavors throughout her life.

Shortly after the announcement of her winning the Rappaport prize, Prof. Ben Yehuda was chosen to light a torch in honor of the 78th Independence Day of the State of Israel.