Israeli Medical Genetics Professor Lena Sagie-Dain Champions Curiosity and Patient-Centered Care

Professor Lena Sagie-Dain, Chair of the Israeli Society of Medical Genetics and a practicing gynecologist, has become a participant in the "Women Who Inspire Us" project, sharing her unconventional career path. Initially drawn to mathematics and exact sciences, Sagie-Dain pivoted to medicine after a delay in her academic reserve program, choosing it over computer science due to a higher entrance score. She found gynecology fulfilling due to the joy of bringing healthy babies into the world, but a suggestion to specialize in genetics led her to a field she initially knew little about.

Sagie-Dain's approach to life and career is guided by the principle, "Why not? Let's try it. If we don't like it, we'll change." This philosophy fueled her transition into genetics, a constantly evolving field. Her foray into scientific research began unexpectedly during her specialization when she questioned the common practice of episiotomy, finding a lack of evidence supporting its routine use. This led her to conduct her own research, significantly influencing medical practice and demonstrating the power of science to improve patient care.

She also champions improved communication in healthcare, particularly regarding genetic screening results. Sagie-Dain highlighted how presenting risks like "1 in 200" for Down syndrome, which is only a 0.5% chance, causes undue stress. Her research, initially crowdsourced via Facebook, revealed patient preferences for percentage-based risk communication, leading to more understandable and less anxiety-inducing explanations.

Furthermore, Sagie-Dain is actively researching weight stigma in healthcare, noting a significant lack of studies in Israel despite a high prevalence of overweight and obese individuals. Her research indicates that patients with higher BMIs are less likely to undergo crucial screening tests like mammograms and Pap smears, often due to discomfort with how their weight is addressed by medical professionals. She advocates for a neutral, patient-centered approach, emphasizing asking for permission before discussing weight and ensuring adequate time and understanding.

Looking ahead, Sagie-Dain remains driven by a desire to tackle unfinished work, viewing her professorship not as an endpoint but as a tool to be heard. She stresses the importance of curiosity and persistence for success in academic medicine, encouraging women to embrace their own choices rather than conforming to societal expectations. Her personal philosophy, "Let's try it, and if we don't like it, we'll change," underpins her dynamic and impactful career.