Over 1000 female medics commemorated in United Hatzalah ceremony

Over 1,000 female medical volunteers gathered in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night to commemorate their contributions on and since October 7 and to officially dedicate the Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Unit, United Hatzalah stated on Thursday.

The new unit, Israel’s first all-female medical response team, is supported by former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Female medics shared their personal accounts of October 7. The event also featured Israeli singer Hanan Ben-Ari, who delivered a performance in honor of the women’s efforts. 

The new unit will be comprised of 1,763 female volunteers. The volunteers come from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, representing Israel’s own demography.

The unit was first established in 2021 after a donation by Sandberg, which she donated in honor of her parents Dr. Joel and Adele Sandberg.

The unit has an all-women team of EMTs, paramedics, doctors, nurses, midwives, and social workers.

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the remarkable women of the Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Unit – from EMTs and paramedics to midwives and psycho trauma responders – who unite across ethnic and religious lines to save lives in Israel,” said Sandberg.

Inspiring all-women unit

“I’m honored to support this important initiative, which is on track to double United Hatzalah’s female volunteer force from 1,000 in 2021 to 2,000 by the end of 2025, and continues to advance the vital role of women in saving lives,” Sandberg added. “My parents have led lives of service and unwavering dedication to others. The work of United Hatzalah embodies the values they hold so dear.”

In 2024 alone, female volunteers for United Hatzalah have handled over 72,000 emergency calls across Israel. Additionally, women comprised 40% of the trainees in United Hatzalah’s medic courses this past year.

The official dedication of the Sandberg Women’s Unit, spearheaded by United Hatzalah’s president and founder Eli Beer, hopes to inspire more women to join the volunteer ranks.

To support the unit’s mission, United Hatzalah has developed a sophisticated dispatch system that prioritizes sensitive calls, such as childbirth, to female medical volunteers when possible, the organization added. This approach ensures greater privacy and comfort for patients while maintaining rapid response times.

“The Adele and Joel Sandberg Women’s Unit is a testament to the extraordinary courage, skill, and dedication of our female volunteers, both in times of routine and in times of war,” said Eli Beer, President and Founder of United Hatzalah. “We are profoundly grateful to Sheryl Sandberg for her support, which allows us to amplify the impact of these remarkable women and save even more lives.”