Israel Growing Brain Drain - Hundreds Of Israel Physicians And Researchers In The U.S. Gathered In South Florida

Jewish Connection News

Feb 12, 2026

Hundreds Of Israeli Physicians, Researchers, Medical Students, Residents, Fellows, And Healthcare Professionals Who Have Left Israel And Now Reside Across The United States Gathered Recently In Miami For The ScienceAbroad Conference, Addressing The Growing Outflow Of Israeli Researchers And Scientists.

According to recent data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), approximately 55,000 Israelis with academic degrees - from Bachelor’s to PhD - currently live abroad; about 16% of PhD holders reside outside Israel; and in 2024, Israel shifted to a negative migration balance of academics.

ScienceAbroad - the global network uniting thousands of Israeli scientists worldwide and working to reconnect Israeli scientists and physicians with Israel’s research and healthcare systems - held its first-ever conference in Miami as part of the IAC National Summit 2026.

The conference was led by ScienceAbroad in partnership with the Sheba Research Authority (Tel HaShomer), the Israeli Medical Association, and Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Speakers at the conference included:

• Dr. Miriam Adelson, Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, and philanthropist

• Professor Joel Mokyr, Nobel Prize–winning economist, Northwestern University

• Brigadier General Dr. Zivan Aviad-Beer, IDF Chief Medical Officer

• Dr. Michal Mekel, Director General, Rambam Health Care Campus

• Professor Itai M. Pessach, MD, PhD, MHA, Associate Director General, Sheba Medical Center; CEO, Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital

• Prof. Shlomi Codish, CEO, Soroka Medical Center

• Dr. Zeev Feldman, Chairman, State Physicians Organization; Vice Chair, Israeli Medical Association (IMA)

“This conference brought together Israel’s medical and scientific leaders living in North America to confront one of the most urgent challenges facing Israel today - how to sustain its research, healthcare, and innovation future by reconnecting with its global talent,” said Nadav Douani, Executive Director of ScienceAbroad.

About ScienceAbroad:

Established in 2006, ScienceAbroad connects more than 11,000 Israeli scientists and physicians working at leading academic institutions and industry firms in over 30 countries. The organization fosters collaboration between Israeli scientists and medical professionals abroad and their counterparts in Israel, strengthening Israel’s global scientific ties and ensuring Israeli innovation continues to have global impact.

Photo credit: Shay Cohen, courtesy of ScienceAbroad.