Healthcare with Confidence
Leading Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Israel
Position: Head of Thoracic Surgery Unit & Chair of Surgical Division
Hospital: Soroka University Medical Center (המרכז הרפואי סורוקה), Beer Sheva, Israel
Prof. Yael Refaely has extensive experience over 22 years in Israel and led pioneering research on lung volume reduction for emphysema patients using minimally invasive techniques developed in Boston, USA. She was signed as superior expert in trauma chest surgery and emergency procedures, personalized non-small cell lung cancer treatment.
Prof. Yael Refaely is included in Forbes list of the best Israeli doctors
Qualified Medical Consultation, Second Opinion
Qualified Medical Consultation by Thoracic Surgeon Yael Refaely
- Diagnostic Thoracic Procedures:
- Lung biopsies
- Pulmonary nodule biopsies
- Pleural biopsies
- Mediastinal lymph node biopsies
- Oncologic Surgery:
- Lung cancer resections (all stages)
- Mediastinal tumor resections
- Esophageal cancer surgery
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Trauma Surgery:
- Emergency thoracotomy (EDT)
- Urgent thoracotomy procedures
- Chest trauma management
- Innovative lung-preserving techniques for trauma patients
- Advanced Procedures:
- Lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema
- Hyperthermic intrapleural chemotherapy
- Minimally invasive thoracic procedures
- Complex chest wall reconstructions
Send Your Medical Files Book Consultation Now
Education
- MD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, 1992
- Master’s Degree in Health Systems Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- General Surgery Residency: Wolfson Medical Center, Israel (1993-1995)
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency: Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel (1993-2000)
Advanced Training & Fellowships
- 2001-2002: Fellowship in Oncologic Thoracic Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Under Professor Mark Krasna
- 2003-2004: Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA
- Under Dr. David Sugarbaker
Professional Experience
Current Positions
- 2024-Present: Chair of the Surgical Division (יו”ר החטיבה לכירורגיה), Soroka Medical Center
- 2011-Present: Head of Thoracic Surgery Unit, Soroka Medical Center
- Established and developed the unit into one of Israel’s leading thoracic surgery centers
- Managing high-volume trauma cases, especially during crisis situations
Previous Positions
- Until 2023: Director, Faculty of Medicine/Medical School, Ben-Gurion University
- 2011-Present: Treasurer, Israeli Association of Thoracic Surgery
- 2007-2010: Senior Physician, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson)
- 2004-2007: Senior Physician, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sheba Medical Center
Research Activities of Prof. Refaely
Research Focus
- Thoracic surgical oncology
- Trauma surgery outcomes
- Lung cancer diagnostics and treatment
- Patient-derived xenograft models for personalized cancer treatment
- Biomarkers for lung cancer detection
Selected Publications
- “Thoracic surgery in Israel” – Journal of Thoracic Disease, 2022 Co-authors: Wiesel O, Fink D
- “Predictors of survival after emergency department thoracotomy in trauma patients” – Open Access Emergency Medicine, 2019 Co-authors: Koyfman L, Friger M, et al.
- “Multimodality therapy for esophageal cancer” – Surgical Clinics of North America, 2002
- “A molecular signature of lung cancer: potential biomarkers for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma” – Oncotarget, 2017 Co-authors: Shoshan-Barmatz V, et al.
- “Personalizing non-small cell lung cancer treatment through patient-derived xenograft models” – Clinical & Translational Medicine, 2024
- “Hernia of the lung” – Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2002 Co-author: Weissberg D
- Multiple publications on thoracic surgery, trauma management, and lung cancer research
Academic Positions
- Professor/Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- Former Director, Faculty of Medicine, Ben-Gurion University
- Former Deputy Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University
- Active in medical education and resident training
- Training center for thoracic surgery residents
Professional Memberships & Leadership
- Chair, Israeli Association of Thoracic Surgeons (Former)
- Treasurer, Israeli Society of Thoracic Surgery (2011-Present)
- Member, European Association for Thoracic Surgery
- Member, International thoracic surgical societies
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized as Israel’s first female cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in chest surgery
- Listed among Israel’s leading thoracic surgeons
- Pioneer in establishing thoracic surgery services in southern Israel
- Recognition for exceptional service during October 7, 2023 crisis
- High-volume center for thoracic oncological procedures
Special Achievements of Thoracic Surgeon Yael Refaely
- Pioneering Role: First female thoracic surgeon in Israel
- Unit Development: Established and developed the Thoracic Surgery Unit at Soroka from inception to one of Israel’s leading centers
- Crisis Management: Led intensive surgical response during October 7, 2023 attacks, performing innovative lung-preserving surgeries on severely injured patients
- Research Leadership: Principal investigator in multiple international clinical trials
- Innovation: Pioneered lung volume reduction techniques for emphysema patients in Israel
- Educational Leadership: Served as Director of the Medical School at Ben-Gurion University
Languages
- Hebrew
- English
Personal Attributes
- Mother of two sons
- Resident of Lehavim
- Known for exceptional dedication to patient care and medical ethics
- Recognized for humanitarian approach to medicine
