Sheba Medical Center’s Dr. Talia Golan & Maya Krekheli Awarded 2017 Danielle Prize – Healing with a Heart

Sheba Medical Center’s Dr. Talia Golan, an oncologist and researcher, along with her oncology colleague, Nurse Maya Krekheli, were awarded the prestigious 2017 Danielle Prize-Healing with a Heart. The prize was given at an inspiring ceremony led by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and his wife at their residence in Jerusalem.

The Danielle Prize is presented to 12 doctors and nurses employed in hospital oncology units in Israel, acknowledging the efforts of hospital medical personnel who distinguish themselves in the compassion and care that they bestow upon their patients. The 2017 recipients of the Danielle Prize - Healing with a Heart, were chosen based on recommendations from 5,000 adult oncology patients and their families from all over Israel.

Dr. Golan received her medical degree in 2003 from Tel Aviv University, and later specialized in oncology. "My goals are to try and hopefully create an open and honest channel of communication together with the patient, understanding his/her wishes during the course of illness and, at the same time, assist and guide him/her. I am greatly honored to receive this award, especially since the patients can now have their voices heard.”

Maya Krikheli is a registered nurse, who took an advanced course in oncology. Maya sees her work as a calling and aspires to give patients, professional and comprehensive  treatment that will also provide relief to their families. She added, "This prize made me understand just how significant our work is, and that it is valued by the patients and their families.”

President Rivlin lauded the compassion displayed by the doctors saying, “Being a good doctor is more than just understanding the science of medicine. It’s understanding the science of the human being. Medicine - advanced as it may be - that lacks compassion, devotion, goodness of heart and love of mankind, is sorely deficient.”