United Hatzalah, Israel’s national volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) organization, announced today the appointment of Professor Ehud Davidson as its new CEO. Davidson formerly served as CEO of Clalit Health Services – Israel’s largest healthcare provider.

Professor Davidson, a renowned internal medicine specialist who headed major medical institutions in Israel including Meir Medical Center and Soroka Medical Center, succeeds outgoing CEO Eli Pollak, who is stepping down after five years in the role.

A husband and father of three, Professor Davidson brings a wealth of expertise to the organization, having held numerous senior positions in medical management across Israel throughout his distinguished career. This move comes as part of United Hatzalah’s ongoing expansion and development efforts as Israel’s central emergency medical organization based entirely on volunteer doctors, paramedics, and EMTs.

Outgoing CEO Eli Pollak informed the organization’s employees and volunteers of his departure this morning, expressing gratitude for his tenure at the helm of United Hatzalah.

As one of United Hatzalah’s founding members in 2006, Pollak has been an instrumental figure in the organization over the past 18 years, serving in various leadership capacities. Under his leadership as CEO, he drove the organization to new levels of professional excellence while maintaining its core mission of saving lives with compassion and dedication.

Pollak endured many challenges throughout his tenure as CEO, including the global coronavirus pandemic, multiple terror attacks, the Meron disaster, international rescue efforts following earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco, the Russia-Ukraine war, the tragic events of October 7th, and the Swords of Iron War. Pollak is expected to remain in the organization as Deputy CEO.

In his letter to the volunteers this morning, Pollak wrote: “I am proud to conclude five years in which I led the organization through some of the biggest crises and challenges that the State of Israel has known.”

Pollak continued: “I thank the president and founder of the organization, Eli Beer, for the great trust he has placed in me over the years and welcome the new CEO as he enters his role. With dedication and love, I intend to serve as Deputy CEO and continue to help strengthen and establish United Hatzalah as the leading emergency medical organization in Israel.”

President and Founder of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer, thanked the outgoing CEO and welcomed the incoming CEO:

“My dear friend, the outgoing CEO Eli Pollak, served as the organization’s leader for the past five years and led us during some of the most difficult periods for the people of Israel, and for me personally. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his inspiring dedication to the organization.”

Beer continued: “On this occasion, I want to welcome the incoming CEO, Professor Ehud Davidson, who brings with him great professionalism in the field of medical management in the State of Israel. Under Professor Davidson’s leadership, we will continue to advance the second largest emergency organization in the State of Israel, and we’ll continue to pioneer rapid emergency medical care nationwide, assisting those in need with unparalleled professionalism and even faster response times.”

Mark Gerson, International Chairman of United Hatzalah, welcomed Professor Davidson:

“I have had the genuine pleasure of getting to know Ehud in the last month, in the course of several meetings we have had regarding his assumption of this crucial role. His organizational philosophy, business-minded approach, knowledge of the Israeli health care system, commitment to the United Hatzalah volunteers and their mission and management style give me the confidence that he will be an outstanding CEO of United Hatzalah of Israel. Eli and I look forward to working closely with him in the coming months.”

United Hatzalah was established in 2006 as a volunteer-based organization, with the mission of providing fast, first, and free professional medical response to save lives. Today, United Hatzalah has approximately 7,000 active volunteers nationwide. United Hatzalah’s volunteer network spans the entire country, with members present in every city, neighborhood, and street across Israel. The volunteers represent all aspects of Israeli society, including men, women, Jews, Muslims, Christians, secular, and ultra-Orthodox.

The volunteers respond to approximately 2,200 daily medical emergencies using over 1,000 ambucycles, 350 rapid response electric bicycles, 80 ambulances, eight mobile intensive care units, and more than 100 emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, helicopters, jet skis, rescue boats, command and control vehicles, and more. Additionally, United Hatzalah has 5,000 defibrillators distributed throughout the country with emergency medical responders.