2013 was a monumental year for Israel’s Rabin Medical Center. From physical expansion and growth to the exploration of uncharted medical territory, the hospital made tremendous gains. In terms of scientific advancement and innovation, future patients of the hospital will benefit from the incredible work that was done. RMC pioneered research and technology that will forever change the face of medicine and patient care worldwide.

Here are some of the most exciting new developments:

1. Link Between Vitamin D and Hepatitis C Treatment 

A research team at Rabin Medical Center’s Liver Institute discovered that Vitamin D has a direct inhibitory activity on viruses and Hepatitis C. This indicates that the combination of interferon as a drug and Vitamin D can be effective in the treatment of Hepatitis C.

2. iPad Catheterization Application 

A new innovative technology was developed for the first time at the Invasive Cardiology Institute at Rabin Medical Center. It allows for information collected during the catheterization procedure to be sent directly to the iPad. This allows for the cardiologist to see the entire process on the iPad, both for utilization with the patients and the staff.

3. Significant Advances in Robotic Surgery 

Only a year after purchasing the da Vinci robotic surgical system, Rabin Medical Center has become the leading facility in Israel for performing advanced robotic surgical procedures. To date, robotic surgeries have been performed in the fields of oncology, gynecology, and general surgery, with the hope of expanding further in the coming year.

4. Parkinson’s Research Discovery 

A medical team at Rabin Medical Center has identified a natural protein that protects brain cells from Parkinson’s disease. This research advances the chance of developing new ways to treat or prevent the incurable degenerative disease. Parkinson’s is diagnosed in about one percent of the population over 65, and it is the second most common degenerative brain disease after Alzheimer’s.

5. Israel’s First Domino Liver Transplant 

For the very first time in Israel’s history, Rabin Medical Center performed a domino liver transplant, in which one liver saved the life of two patients. Only three hundred of these operations have been performed worldwide.