Israel's First AI-Powered Clinic Opens in Be'er Sheva
Clalit Health Services has inaugurated "Lavi Clinic" in Be'er Sheva's innovation district, a pioneering facility that integrates artificial intelligence and advanced technology with personalized patient care. The clinic, which began operations about three months ago, serves not only as a medical center but also as a hub for research, development, and learning, aiming to bridge the gap to the future of community medicine.
Dr. Assi Sikurel, a family medicine specialist and director of family medicine in Clalit's Southern District, initiated and developed the "Tomorrow's Clinic" model, a significant project within the district's innovation array, which he managed for the past five years. This initiative was preceded by Israel's first community medicine innovation center in the Southern District. Recognizing that isolated projects were insufficient for rapid change, the district and innovation teams established a "living lab" to test innovations quickly in a protected environment.
Dr. Sikurel explained that the clinic's establishment was driven by the need to address the aging population, rising chronic illness rates, and increasing demands for advanced service standards, stating, "The insight that led to the establishment of Lavi Clinic was born from identifying the major national challenges facing the system." While advanced technology, including a service robot capable of taking vital signs and performing urine tests, is a key feature, the clinic's core lies in its deep services and patient-centered approach.
Beyond technology, unique dialogue models and questionnaires are employed to understand patients' lifestyles, environments, and personal needs, enabling tailored treatments. "Even in an era of technological leaps and artificial intelligence, the goal is not to replace the human element, but to use technology to free up our caregivers' most precious resource, time and attention," Dr. Sikurel noted. "Progress is meant to serve the caregiver and the patient, to relieve us of technical burdens and allow community medicine to be more attentive, compassionate, and deeply personal."
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Be'er Sheva Mayor Rubik Danilovich, Clalit Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yochanan Locker, Clalit VP of Innovation Prof. Ran Balicer, Soroka Medical Center Director Prof. Shlomi Kodish, Clalit Southern District Director Hadva Amona, and other officials. Dr. Sikurel shared that the clinic's operation followed three years of planning, wars, and even a close call with an Iranian missile, expressing pride in leading human-centered, personalized, and proactive medicine combined with advanced technologies.
Hadva Amona emphasized that Lavi Clinic is a "statement of intent," aiming to integrate groundbreaking innovations to ensure southern residents receive the most advanced medical care. A core principle is making preventive medicine accessible and managing chronic illnesses near workplaces, within the innovation district, while aligning with local community needs and promoting regional health. The clinic's location and investment are part of the Southern District's vision to bring cutting-edge technology and services to the Negev, fostering research, business and academic collaborations, and enhancing the region's technological, human, and community development for sustained quality of life.
