From Rubble to Resilience: Soroka's Ambitious Future

Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba is advancing its reconstruction efforts one year after an Iranian ballistic missile struck the facility on June 19, 2025. The attack resulted in the loss of 144 inpatient beds and severe damage to critical areas. The hospital's administration views the destruction as an opportunity for expansion and modernization.

The reconstruction, estimated at NIS 1.3 billion, is funded by Clalit Health Services, the state treasury, and external donors, including a $100 million pledge from Sylvan Adams. Plans are underway for a new 70,000 square meter inpatient tower, featuring approximately 500 beds, operating rooms, specialized cardiac and brain centers, a dialysis institute, and underground emergency hospital facilities. Construction is expected to span seven years, creating a state-of-the-art, protected medical center.

The missile strike necessitated immediate adaptation, including relocating services like rehabilitation and operating rooms. The hospital also faces the ongoing challenge of workforce shortages, particularly for its expanded facilities. To address the immense pressure on its staff, Soroka maintains a resilience unit. This unit, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, proactively supports medical teams dealing with emotional and psychological distress, recognizing the blurred lines between caregiver and patient during crises.

The Resilience Unit focuses on fostering a culture where staff feel supported in seeking help. It engages with managers and departments to strengthen cohesion and meaning. Within 72 hours of the missile strike, the unit reached out to approximately 1,700 employees, offering continuous support for adaptation and recovery. This initiative underscores Soroka's commitment to its staff's well-being amidst ongoing national security challenges.