Aussie Doctor Heads Shaare Zedek’s new Breast Cancer Unit
21 February 2018
Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem has welcomed Dr. Shani Paluch-Shimon as the Director of its new Breast Oncology Unit.
Australian born and trained Shani recently visited Australia and described her work at an event hosted by the Australian Friends of Shaare Zedek.
In her new role, Shani will establish and lead a new service for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. She will be accompanied by a personal coordinator and will work in cooperation with other units in the hospital including genetics, fertility preservation, breast imaging and breast surgery.
In a recent article in Israel’s Doctors Only website, Shani shared, “Shaare Zedek has one of the best onco-genetic services in the country and this complements my key areas of clinical and research interest – breast cancer in young women and hereditary breast cancer”
“Young women have unique needs when faced with the challenge of breast cancer. They are at the peak of their fertility, family life, marital life, and careers,” says Shani.
There are important issues of fertility, genetics and much more complex psycho-social needs that are especially significant. I also intend to develop a research platform associated with each of the areas related to the treatment of women with breast cancer.”
“Shaare Zedek is a dynamic and growing hospital with a strong culture of clinical excellence and compassion. It has shown that it knows how to build up national centres of excellence and I am looking forward to contributing to an important element of health care.”
Shani was born in Australia and is a graduate of Leibler Yavneh College. She graduated from Monash University School of Medicine with honours.
She then completed a secondary degree in Epidemiology in the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the University of London. In 2002, she made Aliyah, completed her residency in Oncology and went on to establish and head the only dedicated multidisciplinary breast cancer service for young women in Israel in the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
Shani’s classmate from Leibler Yavneh, Adina Bankier Karp is a board member of the Australian Friends of Shaare Zedek. Adina says, “Shani represents that marvellous fusion of tenacious determination and deep compassion.
“Her position at Shaarei Zedek is a source of great pride for her family, friends, colleagues and those of us in Australia who see her love of Israel, love of life and academic excellence manifest in her stellar career.
“As I said to her a few weeks ago when she started at Shaare Zedek, ‘Cancer better get scared, cause you’re on the wards.’”