BGU Launches Sagol Medical School for International Health

The growing shortage of physicians in Israel’s periphery—particularly in the Negev—has become a significant national challenge. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is leading the effort to address this challenge, with the generous support of the Sagol family, who for decades have been dedicated to advancing health, education, and science both in Israel and internationally.

The partnership between Ben-Gurion University and the Sagol Network was born out of a shared vision: to build a global academic and medical infrastructure that sees health as a dynamic and evolving field—one that requires innovation, a holistic outlook, cutting-edge technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence. The Sagol Network operates within leading institutions in Israel and around the world to promote advanced research, preventive medicine, personalized healthcare, and the training of a new generation of globally minded, socially conscious medical professionals.

The Sagol Medical School for International Health offers a four-year MD program with a unique and forward-looking curriculum. Open to all Israeli citizens—including new immigrants and lone soldiers—the program emphasizes academic excellence, advanced technologies, public health, and medical education tailored to the challenges of the future. Currently, approximately 160 students are enrolled in the school.

“Sami Sagol is a visionary who deeply understands the critical need for high-quality physicians in Israel. He also recognizes that major breakthroughs in human health will come from a diverse range of scientists who are committed to expanding our understanding of the human condition,” said Ben-Gurion University President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz. “At a time when the Faculty of Health Sciences is celebrating its 50th anniversary, I am proud that the four-year Sagol Medical School for International Health is joining the global Sagol Network. We are training a new generation of physicians who will serve the healthcare needs of the Negev and the entire country.”

“This vital support will allow us to enrich our curriculum in preventive medicine and global health, develop new programs that emphasize small-group learning, and integrate artificial intelligence into our teaching,” explained Prof. Alan Jotkowitz, Director of the Sagol Medical School for International Health. “Innovation and excellence in education will undoubtedly shape the kind of physicians we need for the future.”

“The Sagol Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University is the latest addition to the Sagol Network—a national and international ecosystem of leading universities and medical centers. Its mission is to make Israel a global hub for brain and health research, in collaboration with pioneering scientists worldwide,” said Sami Sagol. “I hope this school will help realize David Ben-Gurion’s vision of turning the Negev into the ‘Israeli Oxford’ and contribute to the region’s development and prosperity.”